Common Kitchen Solutions

The other day on Studio5 Family and Consumer Science specialist, Teresa C. Hunsaker had some genius tips for those kitchen hassles. Check it out!

BURNT FOOD OFF PANS

• Wash/scrape away as much of the food as possible.

• Fill the pot with water. Add 1 to 2 tsp. dishwashing liquid and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes, then cover the pot, turn off the heat and leave the pot to soak for 30 minutes.

• With a wooden spoon, scrape away as much of the burned food as possible. Rinse well.

•  If burned areas still remain, cover them completely with a generous amount of baking soda. Drizzle in just enough water to create a thick paste, smearing the paste up the sides of the pot if needed. Set aside for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.

• Without rinsing the pot, add 3 parts water to 1 part distilled vinegar to cover the burned food by at least 2 inches. Boil for 10 minutes and then leave overnight. Can also use about 2 TBS cream of tarter to a couple of cups of water.

SUBSTITUTIONS—WHAT CAN YOU USE?

• Alcohol—amaretto: use ½ tsp almond extract in water for every ¼ cup called for; brandy: use in fruit juice in equal amounts called for; cognac: peach, pear, or apricot juice in equal amounts called for; red wine: cranberry juice, grape juice, tomato juice, even beef or vegetable broth can be used; sherry: apple, pineapple, and orange juices all make good sherry substitutions.

• Buttermilk—1 cup—1 cup plain yogurt OR 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar plus enough milk to make 1 cup.

• Chocolate squares—to make 1 square, use 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa plus 1 tablespoon shortening or vegetable oil.

• Cocoa powder—for every ¼ cup needed use 1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate.

• Corn syrup—1 cup--1 1/4 cup white sugar plus 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup honey OR 1 cup light treacle syrup.

• Farmer's cheese—8 ounces dry cottage cheese OR 8 ounces creamed cottage cheese, drained.

• Sweetened condensed milk—1 can—1 1/8 c. instant nonfat dry milk, 2/3 c. sugar, 1/3 c. boiling water, 3 tbsp. butter. Beat all ingredients together. Process in blender until smooth.

I am all over this next one after seen the disaster in Haiti recently :) I have always heard to put them in plastic containers but did not know you needed to add anything to them.

HOW TO STORE WATER

1. Obtain and wash plastic, glass, fiberglass, or enamel-lined containers. Soft-drink bottles and food-grade drums work well. Plastic milk jugs are not recommended for long term storage of water.
2. Fill containers with water.
3. Add eight drops of household bleach (containing 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. This amount of bleach will kill microorganisms, but it won't be harmful to you.
4. Seal the containers securely, label them and store them in a cool, dark place.

If you have any questions, call the Family and Consumer Science Education Department at the Weber County USU Extension office at (801) 399-8203 or online at www.extension.usu.edu/weber