From creative solutions for leftovers to a quick fix for too-salty soup, these helpful tips and tricks can save you time and money.
If you're unsure of an egg's freshness, see how it behaves in a cup of water: Fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.
Extend Veggie Freshness
Line the bottom of your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. They'll absorb the excess moisture that causes veggies to rot.
Keep Champagne Bubbly
Don't throw away sparkling wine or champagne that's gone flat. Restore the bubbles by dropping a raisin or two into the bottle. The natural sugars will work magic.
Don't Waste Lemons
If you need only a few drops of lemon juice, avoid cutting the lemon in half — it will dry out quickly that way. Instead, puncture the fruit with a metal skewer and squeeze out exactly what you require.
Keep Herbs Fresh
To keep herbs tasting fresh for up to a month, store whole bunches, washed and sealed in plastic bags, in the freezer. When you need them, they'll be easier to chop, and they'll defrost the minute they hit a hot pan.
Repel Bugs
A bay leaf slipped into a container of flour, pasta, or rice will help repel bugs.
Make Mushrooms Slime-Free
Prevent mushrooms from getting slimy by wrapping them in paper towels before refrigerating.
Avoid Stale Muffins
To revive day-old muffins, sprinkle them with water, place in a paper bag, and pop in a hot oven for five to 10 seconds. The steam created by the water will restore moisture.
Don't Let Cheese Dry Out
Stop cheese from drying out by spreading butter or margarine on the cut sides to seal in moisture. This is most effective with hard cheeses sealed in wax.
Make Veggies Crunchy
When radishes, celery, or carrots have lost their crunch, simply pop them in a bowl of iced water along with a slice of raw potato and watch the limp
Don't Let Cookies Get Hard
Store crispy and chewy cookies in separate containers. If you combine them, the moisture from the chewy cookies will make the crispy ones lose their crunch.
Prevent Bananas From Browning
Avoid separating bananas until you plan to eat them—they spoil less quickly in a bunch.
Don't Let Salt Harden
Put rice in your saltshaker to stop the salt from hardening. The rice absorbs condensation that can cause clumps.
Keep Butter Flavorful
Stock up on butter when it's on sale—you can store it in the freezer for up to six months. Pack the butter in an airtight container, so it doesn't take on the flavor of whatever else you're freezing.
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