when baking a cake add 2 tablespoons of boiling water to the sugar and the butter mixture, your cake will result in a finer texture, works every time. make sure that you really mix the butter and sugar till light and fluffy before adding the egg and flour mixture to your mixture...
Here's a neat technique I developed for slicing grapes. Who wants to cut grapes in half one-by-one? Nobody! But, if you rest your knife blade's heel at the bolster, steady it and 'slide' the grapes down the blade, you can knock out dozens of sliced grapes in no time at all!! No need to slide all the way through, either.. the stack up will push uncompleted grapes off the blade... assembly line style!
i found a more effective way is laying the grapes down and appling a small ammount of pressure and slice in 1/2 that way, makes for a safer cut, but its more rustic i would have to say since some of the grapes will be un even
ok ... i got to ask why are we cutting grapes in half. eyes for cupcakes? to give to dogs?... dogs should not eat whole grapes for fear of getting stuck coming out... dogs do not chew very well. so why the split grapes..or why so many that you need an assembly line......stop or i'll read them all. am i stressed or do i just need some after dinner split grapes. wine ...now i got it.. have you tried stomping... i'm gone...........
I always have problems trying to pick up my pie crusts with the rolling pin like they do it on tv. So I have found a way that is easier for me. Flatten out the ball of pastry slightly and then put inside a gallon zip lock bag. Zip the bag up and roll pastry all the way to fill the bag. Then with kitchen scissors cut the bag along the edges removing one side of the bag. Then slide hands under the baggie and fip it over on top of the pie. Trim and flute. To me this is much easier than the conventional way. Of course you could always just buy the rolled up Pillsbury pie crusts ...they are almost as good as home made.
Another way to roll out pie crusts that works for me is to roll it out between two sheets of wax paper. This eliminates cutting through the bag but still gives you more control than just doing it on the counter. Someone gave me this tip, and after trying it once I was hooked.
1. Shred fresh herbs. Roll leaves into a cigar shape, then snip thin slices off the end.
2. For an instant garnish, snip and slice fresh herbs, chives or green onions directly onto a dish.
3. To chop parsley, cilantro or other herbs, put them in a jar or measuring glass and snip away.
4. Snip, don't chop, chives. Hold a bunch tightly in one hand and snip with the other. You can also do this with other herbs. Hold them in a tight bouquet.
5. Chop tomatoes in the can or in a measuring cup. Holding one side of the scissors handle in each hand, snip until you feel very little resistance. For a finer result, pour out the juice first.
6. Snip sun-dried tomatoes into slivers.
7. Quickly trim the stem ends of green beans. Hold a handful at a time.
8. Trim the leaves from the base of a cauliflower.
9. Instead of cutting, shave black spots off cauliflower with one blade of your scissors. It looks neater. (You can also use a small, sharp knife for this job.)
10. Cut dried chili peppers in half. (Then brush off the seeds.)
11. Sliver dates and other dried fruit.
12. Halve or quarter marshmallows.
13. Evenly trim the edges of pie pastry after laying it in the baking dish.
14. Divide yeast dough – cutting it with scissors is easier than using a knife.
15. Cut stale bread into cubes for croutons.
16. Snip hunks off bread straight into the food processor for fresh bread crumbs.
17. Neatly trim the ragged whites on poached eggs.
18. Remove sausage casings. Run cold water over the sausages for a minute to make them easier to slit.
19. Trim the fat from meat.
20. Cut pork crackling.
21. Snip raw bacon right into the skillet.
22. Cut boneless chicken.
23. Cut the tips off chicken wings.
24. Trim the sharp fins of a whole fish before cooking it.
25. Cut fresh or cooked lasagna noodles to fit your pan. (By the way, remember to slightly overlap the noodles.)
26. Cut yourself a slice of pizza.
27. Slice unruly spaghetti strands on your plate – if no one's looking.
28. Serve French onion soup with scissors alongside to snip the stringy cheese.
...they are almost as good as home made.
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