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TIPS: Separate an egg * Vacation Home Spice Rack * Keep Keys from Sinking if they fall into the water Find an earring that you've dropped easily

10/24/2015

SEPARATING an EGG :
This is hands-down the easiest way to separate the yolk from the egg white: Just squeeze the water bottle, hold it over the yolk, then release your grip and the yellow middle will get sucked right up.

VACATION HOME SPICE RACK * fill empty tic tac boxes with the spices that you like to use.

Lost an earring? Put the foot from a torn pair of pantyhose over the end of your vacuum hose (with a rubber band). It will suck up the earring but the earring won't go into the vacuum!

If you vacation on the water, attach a CORK to your KEYS! If they fall into the water, they'll float then

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TIPS for buy and preparing FRESH FISH and SEAFOOD * what to look for *

10/18/2015

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Tips from Balducci's Food Lover's Market

Seafood Tips

When shopping for fish, look for those in the case with firm, translucent flesh. Any fish you buy should smell like the sea. Whole fish should have clear eyes, and red gills. These features mean freshness.
Texture of fish - the main difference between fish is the fat content and texture of the flesh.

Richer fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and bluefish stand up very well to aggressive flavors. Feel free to experiment with these fish by blackening or serving with sauces like curry or other aggressive flavors. They also pair well with sturdy herbs such as rosemary, cilantro, and thyme.
Lighter, leaner fishes such as halibut, flounder, and tilapia will be overpowered by aggressive sauces. Try simply preparing these fishes with butter, lemon, and delicate herbs such as parsley, tarragon and dill.
Sturdy, steak-like fishes such as tuna, swordfish and shark work extremely well on the grill and tend to stay intact after cooking.
Delicate fishes like flounder, salmon, and tilapia flake when fully cooked and need to be handled with care when removing from the pan, grill, or broiler.

Cooking techniques
Note: a nice trick if you do not have a thermometer is to insert a metal skewer or pairing knife into the deepest part of the flesh and hold it there for a few seconds. Immediately remove it and test it on your lower lip or wrist like testing a baby's milk for the bottle. If the metal is lukewarm you know it is under 98.6 (body temp) If it is piping hot, it is probably done. This is how chefs did it before thermometers were commonplace in kitchens.

Broiling: Perhaps the easiest method for fish. Season the fish with salt and pepper and any other seasonings of choice, brush with oil or butter and place on a rack under the preheated broiler. If the fish is thick cut (1 inch or thicker) set the rack lower, if the fish is very thin, set the rack closer to the broiler. With all cooking methods, the fish is done when a thermometer inserted in the deepest part of the flesh registers 145 degrees F.
Sauteing: Extremely popular with fish. The translation from French means "to jump" which denotes the fast cooking method. A small amount of oil, butter or both is placed in a very hot pan. The fish is seasoned on both sides (sometimes dusted in flour) and cooked briefly (about 2-3 minutes) on each side. This works best with thin pieces of fish (1/2 inch and under).
Poaching: This method uses a flavorful liquid to both season and cook the fish. This liquid can be a simple as salted water, or as complex as fish stock with white wine, lemon, herbs and peppercorns. In either case, the key to this method is that the fish is barely submerged in the liquid and that the liquid gets very hot but never comes to a full boil. If the liquid boils the fish will either break apart or overcook and become dry.
Pan frying: This is when the level of oil reaches half way up the side of the fish. Typically the fish will be either dusted in flour or breaded with breadcrumbs. The oil should be between 350 and 375 degrees F before the fish is added to the pan. Carefully add the fish to the hot oil, always remembering to lay the fish away from your hands in the event of some splattering oil. Turn the fish when it is deeply golden brown and cook the other side to the same color. Drain on paper towels and season with salt while still warm.
Deep frying: This is when the fish is completely submerged in the oil. The fish is usually done when it floats. Follow the same rules for pan frying for temperature seasoning.
Pan searing or pan roasting: Very popular today on restaurant menus, this technique requires a saute pan that has an oven-proof handle. The fish is seasoned and seared very well on one side over high heat. Then the fish is flipped in the pan and the pan is transferred to a preheated oven at about 375 - 400 degrees F. This technique works very well with thick cuts such as tuna, swordfish, monkfish and salmon.
Grilling: The key here is a lightly oiled hot grill. Season the fish well, brush with a very thin film of oil, and apply to the hot grill. Grill both sides until well charred as this is where the flavor comes from. Firm, steak-like fish are best for this application.

Shellfish: Lobsters:

Steam or boil for 7 minutes per pound.
To broil or grill, split lobster in half lengthwise and remove the head sac (stomach) and digestive tract in the tail.
Brush with oil, season, and grill or broil until flesh is very firm and 145 degrees F.

Shrimp:

Shrimp are sold by "count" which means average pieces per pound. When you see "21-25" that means that there are approximately 21-25 shrimp per pound. Therefore, the lower the number, the larger the shrimp. Cooking time will differ greatly by size as well as if you cook them in the shell or out of the shell. Shrimp in the shell take slightly longer to cook than shrimp without the shell, but retain more flavor.

Clams, Oysters and Mussels:
Cook until the shell opens. Discard any unopened shellfish. They can be steamed, broiled, or placed directly on a grill.

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45 different WAYS to use plain, ordinary VINEGAR around your house

10/15/2015

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45 different ways to use plain, ordinary white vinegar around the house.

45 Uses for Vinegar
Wow look at the the different uses for vinegar!
1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.
2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).
3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.
4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.
6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.
7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)
8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.
9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.
10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.
11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.
12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.
13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.
14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.
15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.
16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.
17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.
18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.
19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.
20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.
21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.
22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.
23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.
24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.
25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.
26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.
27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.
28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily un-stick.
29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.
30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.
31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.
32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.
34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.
35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.
36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.
37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.
38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.
39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.
40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.
41. Restore showerhead pressure. If your showerhead gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.
42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.
43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.
44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.

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TIPS: Separate an egg * Vacation Home Spice Rack * Keep Keys from Sinking if they fall into the water ** Find an earring that you've dropped easily **

TIPS for buy and preparing FRESH FISH and SEAFOOD * what to look for *

45 different WAYS to use plain, ordinary VINEGAR around your house

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TIPS: Separate an egg * Vacation Home Spice Rack * Keep Keys from Sinking if they fall into the water Find an earring that you've dropped easily