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CINDY’S TOP TWENTY COOKING TIPS

Here are some tips to help you make everyday cooking and entertaining easy and stress-free! A little advance planning and cleaning up as you cook will go a long way toward success in the kitchen.

1 Complete basic dinner preparations the night before or in the morning to make cooking the meal less stressful.

2 Making sauce or stock? Prepare in large quantities and freeze in quart containers or freezer-safe bags.

3 Avoid the temptation to test new recipes when entertaining. Stick to the recipes you can execute without a hitch, and save experiments for casual meals.

4 Cook spaghetti squash to al dente in advance. Just before serving time, toss in a large skillet with a little oil, salt

and pepper to warm through and finish cooking.

5 Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before using them for baking.

6 Allow meat to rest after grilling or roasting. This will allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat moist.

7 Never overcrowd the pan when sautéing—you’ll end up with steamed food. Work in batches if needed, and keep a warm plate in the oven to keep sautéed items hot.

8 When you go shopping, always take a list, and never go hungry.

9 Always make sure your knives are sharp.

10 For best results, use exact measurements when baking.

11 To get the most juice from a lemon or lime, roll it on the counter under your palm before squeezing.

12 Clean as you cook!

13 Cook with your favorite music playing and a glass of wine in hand. Enjoy your time in the kitchen.

14 To prevent an egg from cracking while boiling, start with cold water and add in a capful of distilled vinegar.

15 Iceberg lettuce will stay fresh in the refrigerator if you wrap it in a clean, dry paper towel and store it in a sealed plastic bag.

16 Always heat the pan, then add oil.

17 A great way to test whether your oil is hot enough is to place the end of a wooden spoon in the pan. If you see bubbles form around the wood, you’re ready to go.

18 Use sea salt or kosher salt, which have more flavor and mineral benefits, rather than iodized salt.

19 Always have fresh salami, prosciutto, mortadella, olives, anchovies and nuts handy to make a quick antipasto to serve guests.

20 Read the entire recipe before you start to cook!

Cindy chatting with friends about cooking.