My Rosie Cheeks

When making a punch always pre chill all the liquids that go into it.

To keep your punch cold make a ring or block of ice from the punch rather then water. Then as the ice melts it will not dilute your punch

Try placing dried or fresh mint in the bottom of your cup before you pour in the hot chocolate.

One lemon will yield approximately 1/4 cup juice

One orange will yield approximately 1/3 cup juice

Never boil coffee, it will bring out the acid and cause a bitter taste, store your coffee grounds in the refridgerator or freezer to keep it fresher

Always use COLD water in and electric drip coffee maker. Use one or two tablespoons of ground coffee for each cup of water.

Nuts and seed can be kept in the freezer for longer storage. You can use the nuts and seeds directly from the freezer in your recipe.

Spray your grater with cooking spray before using to help prevent the cheese from sticking.

Keep a container of all your leftover vegetables in the freezer along with the liquid they are cooked in. When full add tomato juice and you will have vegetable soup.

You can use instant mash potatoe's to thicken stew or soup

Adding a teaspoon of sugar to the water when cooking greens will help them retain their fresh color.

When cooking cabbage or cauliflower add a little vinegar to the cooking water to cut down on the odor.

To crisp up wilted lettuce soak it in lemon juice and cold water

You know that egg slicer in your kitchen drawer can also slice, strawberries, kiwis and bananas.

Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to potatoes before you drain them will make them extra white when they are mashed

Add a few drops of lemon juice to rice will help keep the grains separated

You should never freeze cooked egg whites they will become very tough

To dress up your vegetables you could sprinkle them with toasted sesame seeds, toasted chopped nuts or canned french fried onion rings.

When making a cassarole just double the recipe and make two and keep one in the freezer for those unexpected guests.

When marinating meat use a plastic bag. Place the bag in a bowl and keep in the refridgerator.

When you need thinly sliced meat keep it partially frozen to make slicing easier

Thaw meat in the refridgerator for safer consumption

Scaling a fish is easier if vinegar is rubbed on the scales first.

`Don't throw those black bananas away, peel them first and then throw them into the freezer to use in a cake, muffin or bread recipe.

Reduce your oven temperature by 25 degrees if you are baking in a glass pan.

Save the heels of your bread (or my kids call it the butt) in the freezer. Make bread crumbs out of them.

Fill a large sugar shaker or salt shaker with flour to use on your work surface when rolling pie dough or kneading bread dough.

To easily core a pear, cut the pear in half and then scoop the core out with a melon baller.

Always bring your eggs to room temperature before using in any recipe. You will achieve greater volume from them.

To keep strawberries fresher longer in your refridgerator keep in and airtight container between paper towel. DO NOT WASH THEM BEFORE STORING!

When making thumbprint cookies or any cookie that requires a dent in the top after baking use your honey dipper so you don't burn your fingers.

When cutting up dried fruit spray your knife with cooking spray first.