How-Tos
Garlic, taking the bite out
Mince 4 cloves garlic. Place in small saucepan w 1/4c olive oil and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until garlic foams and is soft, fragrant, and golden, 5 min. Transfer oil and garlic to bowl w paste made of 1 minced garlic clove smooshed w 1/8 tsp kosher salt into a paste.
Read MoreGarlic, Roasted
Cut off the top of the head of garlic and pull away any papery skin. Trim ½” from top of most cloves. Pour 1/8” milk into a shallow plate or bowl, place garlic cut-side down in milk; cover garlic w inverted bowl, and microwave on low for 5-10 min, depending on number of heads. Roast…
Read MoreFrying Fat, Re-Use
Fry a sliced potato and strain oil.
Read MoreFlowers, Cooking with
Make sure they haven’t been treated w pesticides and are free from bugs. Bergamot (good w poultry, pork and curries), calendula (peppery), dianthus or pink (spicy and clovelike), hollyhock (mildly flavored), nasturtium (peppery flavor; the flower, leaf and seeds are all edible); carnation (clovelike), marigold (citrusy and pleasantly bitter), violet (slightly wintergreen) and dandelion (bitter);…
Read MoreFishy Fish
Rub fish w lemon juice and salt and rinse well. Cook in milk.
Read MoreFatty Gravy or Stock
Place in refrigerator; allow fat to get hard and remove. Or pour gravy over ice cubes. Most of the fat will solidify and you will be able to remove it.
Read MoreEggs, Hard Boiled
Puncture fat end of egg w needle. Put eggs in large heavy pot and cover w 1.5 inches of cold water. Partially cover pot and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low and cook eggs, covered completely, for 30 seconds. Remove pot from heat and let eggs stand, covered, 15 min. Run under…
Read MoreEgg, Missing
If you just need to add one, use 1 Tsp cornstarch or use mayo in place of the egg and the oil. Also add a bit of sugar
Read MoreDeck Cleaner
An all purpose cleaner for decks, siding, bricks, stucco–any place where dirt and mildew accumulate outside the house. Mix 1/2 gallon non-chlorine bleach (if solution will come in contact with vegetation) or Clorox, 1.5 gallons water and 1 cup TSP (trisodium phosphate–a powdered detergent available from most paint or hardware stores). Wear rubber gloves and…
Read MoreCrystalizing
To “candy” herbs and flowers: paint with egg white and sprinkle w superfine sugar. Keep in a cool dry place several days. You can add food color to sugar.
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