Tips and Tricks




Cooking Tips


One of my favorite stories to tell is about a classmate who was in the cooking class while I was training as a baker. She had just put an angel food cake in the oven and came over to me to ask how long it would take till it was done. I replied 'til it is done!' She didn't take to kindly to this response and proceeded to make her way over to one of the chefs. Again, she asked how long it would take for the cake to bake, again was the answer 'til it is done!' She was not happy, and struggled to find the meaning. Well, the biggest tip I could give is only use the times in a recipe as a guide until you can tell how when the product is finished to your taste. For example, some people like cookies underbaked, while others like them baked longer. You be the judge, remember all ovens are different, just keep an eye on what your doing. Here are some other tips:

1. Always read a recipe a couple of times to make sure you know what to do.

2. Get the ingredients ready so as not to find that you are out of something half way through.

3. Take your time, cooking is not a race, give yourself some time to prepare.

4. Don't turn the oven higher, thinking that you can bake something faster!! (I have seen people do this!!)

5. You can double recipes, but don't forget, DON'T double the salt. If the recipe calls for a teaspoon, don't use two, use about one and a half or even less. Salt is mainly just used as a flavour enhancer.

6. When making quick breads or muffins, stir the batter just until the batter is moist. There will be lumps, this is what you want. This will yield a more tender product.

7. Have fun!!!!

If anyone has any tips they would like to share, please let me know!!



Chocolate Rules


1. If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

2. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

3. The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in a hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.

4. Diet tip: Eat a chocolate bar before each meal. It'll take the edge off your appetite and you'll eat less.

5. If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.

6. If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet? Don't they actually counteract each other?

7. Money talks. Chocolate sings.

8. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.

9. Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?
A. Because no one wants to quit.

10. Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.

11. A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?

12. If you can't eat all your chocolate, it will keep in the freezer. But if you can't eat all your chocolate, what's wrong with you?