 To relax and have fun in the kitchen, Claudine offers timesaving tips to help with the essential basics. Learn new facts and tidbits. You’ll amaze your friends! Be sure to pass these along to your friends. |
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Diva’s Tips
Brandy substitutes (for cooking): equal amount of apple juice, cider, peach syrup or apricot syrup (nectar).
Use heavy-guage silver or light gray baking pans.
Corn Syrup substitute: 1 cup sugar dissolved in 1 cup water.
To keep cut flowers fresh for 2 weeks: remove all lower leaves from the stems. Submerge stems in a solution of warm water, 1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and a drop of chlorine.
Honey substitute: 1 1/4 cup sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup water.
When a recipe requests that you brush phyllo dough sheets with melted butter, spray with a butter-flavored cooking spray instead.
Powdered sugar substitute: 1 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch processed in a food processor or blender until powdery.
To thicken sauces: Substitute 1 measure arrowroot for 2 measures flour
or substitute 2 measures arrowroot for 3 measures cornstarch.
White wine substitutes (for cooking): equal amounts of chicken broth or white grape juice.
Diva’s Quick Recipe: (Can be used as an appetizer or dessert) Caramel Brie and Apples
Heat a round or wedge of Brie cheese in a 350* oven 15 minutes or until softened. Drizzle with warm caramel ice cream topping and top with toasted pecans. Serve with apple slices.
Diva’s Quick Recipe: Roasted Tomatoes – Cut 6 large Roma tomatoes in half. Toss with 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (or vegetable oil). Place on a foil-lined baking sheet, cut side up. Season with salt. Bake in a preheated 325* oven 2 hours. Store in extra oil in the refrigerator. Use as a substitute for sundried tomatoes or chop and serve over grilled chicken or fish. Or use in omelets.
Diva’s Quick Recipe: wrap cantaloupe cubes with proscuitto ham and season with freshly ground pepper. Pierce ham and cantaloupe with a wooden skewer and serve on a tray lined with purple cabbage leaves.