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Some useful hints for you to ponder

To clean cane articles mix table salt and borax in a little water and apply with a sponge.The salt will strengthen the cane and the borax will clean it.

While trying out new recipes,place the recipe book or paper in a transparent polythene bag to avoid staining or damage of any kind

Children's shoes often get badly scuffed,especially on the toes.Rub a slice of raw potato over the areas and then polish the shoes,they will look almost as good as new

To tighten a sewing machine belt,remove it and soak it in cold water for half an hour and then hang it in the sun to dry

Wipe off dishes and vessels in which egg is cooked or eaten with a piece of bread,the vessels will not smell anymore

Hope the hints are useful

To remove turmeric stains from plastic vessels rub them with little gram flour before washing them off

Don't throw away old greeting cards instead use them to make colourful collage for the kid's room

When you open a hem and want the old fold to disappear wet the garment and rub the fold with a sponge soaked in vinegar

Don't use your tailoring scissors to cut paper,they will become blunt

Apply mixture of toothpaste and baking soda to remove the yellow stains from the fridge

Baking is an art by itself.As a beginner some years ago I too used to be scared to try anything new as many would be a flop,but never did I give up and used to try out many recipes.I learnt basic baking from my mom and after marriage developed on it.I can now try any recipe confidently,as I reached this level only through a lot of trial and error methods.Today baking is not just only cakes but many more dishes are being made.I would like to share in this post some basic things to be followed which I learnt with my experience and read in many cookbooks.

EQUIPMENTS NEEDED
These help in producing baked dishes of superb perfection

SCALE-A kitchen scale as accurate weighing is an important factor in baking

MEASURING SPOONS AND CUPS-Starting from 1/4 to 1

SIFTER-A fine meshed one removes lumps and unwanted particles in any dry ingredient

BOWL-A heat proof glass bowl is used for kneading,whipping and beating eggs.You can also use stainless steel bowls

SPATULA-Need a wooden spatula to fold in the ingredients.A plastic one to mix butter,flour or to scrape the inside of a bowl

EGG WHISK/ELECTRIC BEATER/SPRING BEATER

ROLLING PIN-A wooden one

PASTRY CUTTER-In different shapes and sizes

BAKING SHEET

CAKE TINS-In different shapes and size as you require,a basic round and square to start with

SKEWER-A thin long metal pin is necessary to test cakes.Usually it comes along the oven you buy

WIRE RACK-Though not an essential one but is a neat way to cool cakes

As you progess well with cakes you add on other baking equipments
Sandwich tin
Patty tins
Muffin trays
Pie dish
Paper bake cups
An icing set

HELPFUL HINTS

Adhere strictly to the measurements

Use quality raw materials

Assemble all the ingredients before starting

Check the expiry dates

Measure the ingredients accurately

Sieve the flour,the small air cells are incorporated into the flour and it will help to increase the cake volume and softness

Sieve the dry ingredients like cocoa powder,cornflour,baking powder,soda with flour as it would mix evenly

Grease the cake tin with little butter/fat and then dust with flour if you don't use a baking sheet

Dried fruit should always be cleaned.Mix a little flour with the fruits before adding to the batter.

Beat the eggs and then add

It is better to use powdered sugar instead of granulated one.Do not use icing sugar

To measure syrup,first dip a tbsp into boiling water and quickly use it and the syrup will fall off the spoon easily

Follow the recipe in the given steps

After adding the flour use only the spatula and mix and that to in one direction only

It is required to preheat the oven for 10-15 mins or as given in the instruction

Fill the tin 3/4 level to allow for rising,for larger cakes make a slight depression in the middle so that they rise flat and level the batter

If it is necessary to open the oven door while the cakes are being baked,open gently as an onrush of cold air may prevent the cakes from rising or cause a risen cake to sink

To test when the cake is cooked either press lightly with the finger in the centre of the cake,the impression should spring back immediately or insert a fine skewer,it should leave the cake clean

Always let the cake cool slightly before removing from tin

When arranging biscuits on the tray always leave 1 inch gap between as the biscuits spread while baking

COMMON TERMS IN RECIPES
Bake-cooking by dry heat usually in an oven

Batter-a combination of dry and liquid ingredients to form a pouring consistency

Beat-to use a stirring motion with a spoon or mixer to make the mixture smooth

Blend-to mix two or more ingredients till smooth

Brown-allowing the dish to turn golden

Caramelize-burning sugar until it obtains a dark brown colour

Cream-to beat with mixer or spoon until mixture is soft and fluffy

Dough-mixing together flour and liquid to form a roll

Dust- to coat lightly with flour or powdered sugar

Line-to cover the inside with paper

Pre-heat-to heat the oven to the temperature indicated in the concerned recipe before the dish goes in

Sift-to put one or more ingredients (dry) through a sifter

Whip-to beat rapidly to incorporate air and produce expansion

Whisk-to beat cream por eggs until stiff froth is obtained

Some of my bakes

BLACK FOREST CAKE




APPLE PIE


EGGLESS BUTTER COOKIES


ZEBRA CAKE




MUFFINS


CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE CAKE


BIRTHDAY CAKE



KNOT BUNS






I hope the above little information will be useful for beginners.HAPPY BAKING and Iam rushing this to Vandana's BAKING FOR BEGINNERS EVENT

These 10 reasons why we ought to buy a bottle of honey is one of my treasured collection from a magazine some years back

Honey from the Queen Bee has been found to be rich in collagen

Honey contains vitamins and minerals that are lacking in refined table sugar

It can soothe heartburn and stomach ulcers

Latest research shows it might help prevent colon cancer

It is great first-aid for wounds

It can soothe a sore throat.Try a teaspoon of honey

It can cure cough

It can prevent constipation.On an empty stomach,drink a glas of lukewarm water with 1 tablespoon of honey

The above method mixed with lime juice helps in weight reduction too

It boosts your immunity and energy

To dustfurniture and small knick knacks,pull an old sock over your hand and dust away

Hate ironing pleats?Use bob pins at the bottom of each pleat to hold them flat while you iron

To keep silver jewellery from getting black,syore with a piece of camphor or alum

Add half a tablet of disprin to the water in your flower vase,the flowers will remain fresh and last for a longer time

Always fold a garment across rather than lengthwise,when on a hanger.This will help remove the creases faster

I had decided to share with you all some useful tips too,other than recipes just to break the monotony and here are this week's tips

Save dried tea and coffee bags,open them up and sprinkle them in the lawn for an instant fertilizer

To keep flowers fresh for longer time,drop a copper coin or a piece of charcoal in the vase

Crushed egg shells on mixing with soil,work as a wonderful fertilizer for plants

Make a paste of hibiscus leaves,this serves as an excellent hair wash

Don't throw away orange peels,dry and powder them,add a little gram flour,mix well and apply on face for a wonderful face pack

We all are sometimes in a fix to handle some basic issues while cooking.Here are some hints to solve such situation which I read in a magazine

When there is excess oil in any fried vegetable,sprinkle a little gram flour over it which absorbs excess oil and makes the vegetable tastier

To remove turmeric stains from plastic vessels,rub them with a little gram flour before washing them off

For tastier,fluffier omelettes,add a little gram flour while beating the eggs

While boiling cracked eggs,add a teaspoon of vinegar to the water and the eggswill not leak

When making radish(mooli) parathas,put the grated radish in a muslin cloth and squeeze out the juice thoroughly.This will ensure that even after adding salt to it,there will be no traces of moisture and you will be able to roll the parathas without any mess

Here are some useful hints which I came across

• While cooking keep your recipe book page under a flat transparent pie plate,not only will you save the book from spills the glass will magnify the print and it will be easier to follow the recipe
  
  
• To dust furniture and small knick knacks,pull an old sock over your hand and dust away
  
  
• Hate ironing pleats,just use bob pins at the bottom of each pleat to hold them flat when you iron
  
  
• When shoe polish becomes dry and cannot be used add a little turpentine to moisten and soften it
  
  
• To prevent artificial jewellery from turning black apply 2 coats of transparent colour nailpolish on it,it also adds shine to the jewel
  

Here are some unavoidable mistakes we make in the kitchen which can be rectified with ease

• To preserve coriander or curry leaves keep them in a muslin cloth bag in the fridge,they will remain fresh for a longer time without getting discoloured
  
  
• Do not add raw oil to any pickle,heat it until smoky and cool it before use which prevents fungus formation in the pickle.Mustard oil makes the life span of pickles longer
  
  
• While making paneer at home don't throw away the whey(water),it is an excellent mix for dough.The chapatis turn out softer and more nutrtious
  
  
• Instead of frying eggs,break each one into a small greased heat-proof dish and bake in a moderately hot oven,until they are of required consistency
  
  
• If all the tomatoes have ripened at the same time just apply table salt on them they would stay firm for the next two days
  

• To prevent rubber bands from getting stuck in summer,sprinkle some talcum powder over them
  
• To keep rice insect-free,sprinkle peppercorns in it before storing
  
• Rub your brassware with 2tbsp of mango powder(amchur) and 1tsp of salt and see them sparkle
  
• Smear fine salt on the dosa pan and wipe it well just before making dosas,it will not stick to the pan
  
• To remove ugly tattoo marks from your child's skin apply vaseline to the mark and wipe off with a cloth
  
• When you heat butter to make home-made ghee,add a small lump of white jaggery to get that aromatic desi smelling ghee
  

These are some of the tips about microwave cleaning I came across some years back

• Take a tablespoon of baking soda(bicarbonate of soda) and put it in a microwave safe bowl half full with water.Microwave for 3 min and everything wipes right out
  
• Wet a towel,place it in the microwave and switch on full power for about 30-40 seconds.The steam that comes off the towel will loosen any hardened stains.The same towel can be used to wipe the inside sparkling clean.Just be careful though as the towel will be real hot
  
• Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1 cup water in microwave safe bowl.The steam will loosen any splattered on food and also deodarise the microwave.
  

This goes to Srivalli's MICROWAVE EASY COOKING

While making pastries,keep a couple of plastic bags handy for use,in case the telephone rings while you are busy preparing the pastries

Rub a little mustard powder on your hands after handling onions or fish,this gets rid of all the lingering smells

Instead of deep frying cashews roast them,they will taste better and remain fresh

To clean rusty knives stick the blades into an onion and leave for sometime

To keep garlic skins from sticking to hands soak them in water for 5 min before peeling

To remove oil quickly and effortlessly from a greasy table or working surface,sprinkle a little rice flour or wheat flour on the surface and rub it with your fingers.Wipe with cloth after removing the flour

Jars containing pickles,jams and preserves continue to carry their odour even after being washed.Light a matchstick and while it is still lit,drop it into the jar and close the lid tightly.Wash with soap and warm water after a few minutes.The jar will be perfectly odour-free

Add one tablespoonful of vinegar to the oil in which you are going to deep-fry snacks.This will keep the food from absorbing too much fat or oil and also eliminate the greasy taste.Your snacks will be healthier too

If curry is too salty,put a potato into it after peeling its skin.If the curry is too hot add some tomato sauce in it

While boiling eggs add a little vinegar/salt to cook faster and the shell can also be removed easily

To make vegetables fresh put them in cold water with a few drops of lime juice..

No scrub?????Take fresh cream & sugar,massage on the face till sugar dissolves.. Wash it off with water..

If you need jus a drop of juice out of lemon make a hole in the skewer and squeeze out the required amount..Wrap the lemon in foil for later use..

Keep the gas low when using less oil for cooking..This will prevent burning

Roast garlic onion and spices ang grind into a paste instead of frying the paste in the oil...

Bake,Boil or Broil foods more fry less......

When two glass tumblers hold together,pour cold water on the inside tumbler and warm water on the outside one for them to seperate.

When keeping indoor plants,place sponge or a plate made of mud under the pot so that the excess water will settle down on them without flowing all over the floor.

When oil splits on sofa or carpet just sprinkle some talcum powder on the area and then scrub the area with soap water.

To check the purity of honey,put a few drops of honey in a cup of water .If it settles down it is pure.

Many of us do not use our silverware like kuthuvilakku,plates etcfor long.When we take them they would have lost their look.
While keeping them in the cupboard wrap them in a newspaper along with few pieces of camphor to retain their color.

To make your cracked heels soft
Mix 2 teaspoons of glycerine with 2 teaspoonfuls of lemon juice.Apply this to the heels regularly after a bath for a few days and find the difference yourself.

If doors and drawers do not open smoothly,rub a bit of soap over the hinges.

Balls of dampened newspapers are perfect for cleaning dust from dirty fly screens.

Use a wet cloth sprinkled with a little salt to clean aluminium window frames.They will sparkl

People travelling on a regular basis and at short notice can write a list of essentials needed on every trip on a stick-it memo on the inside of their suitcase so that they don't forget anything in a hurry.

To remove bubblegum from clothes rub ice over it.When it becomes hard ,scarp it off with a blunt knife.

To clear the stain from aluminium vessels ,rub the stain with aluminium foil which comes wrapped in capsules.