Fatty 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.

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Eggs, 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…

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Egg, 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

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Deck 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…

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Crystalizing

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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Coconut, Grated Fresh

Preheat oven to 450. Place whole coconut in oven and bake 20 min. Pierce the 3 eyes of coconut w metal skewer or small screwdriver and drain liquid. Break open shell w hammer and remove flesh, levering it out carefully w point of a strong knife, small spatula or grapefruit knife. Using a vegetable peeler,…

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Cleaning Baking sheets

Here’s how to clean your aluminum baking sheets: ​​Here’s how to clean aluminized steel pans:  Here’s how to clean non-stick pans:Since you can’t scrub these pans too hard without risking damaging the nonstick finish, it can be pretty tricky to get rid of the baked-on goo. Here’s one safe tactic to try:

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Chocolate, Melting

First of all, chop chocolate into small pieces, which melt faster. Make sure everything is perfectly dry, even a drop of water will sabotage the effort. Microwave method: put chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and zap at 50% power. For 2-4 ounces, begin checking after 2.5 min; for 5-8 ounces, begin checking after 3…

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Chocolate Leaves

Line 2 cookie sheets w foil. Place semisweet chocolate and 1/2 tsp shortening in small bowl. Set over simmering water until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from over water. Using small metal spatula or spoon, spread thin layer of chocolate over veined underside of 6 leaves, being careful not to drip over edges. Place…

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