Tuesday Tip: How to Make Half a Cake

Sometimes a full cake is just too much.  You can use half of a cake mix to make half a cake or half as many cupcakes.  Simply use half the cake mix (just eyeball it).  Then cut all the other ingredients in half.  If the recipe calls for 3 eggs just use 2.

I did this a few years ago for my sister's birthday when we had a small dinner party.  I baked the cake in ramekins instead of cake pans.  I made three layers which made a really cute little cake!  This is just the right amount for 3-4 people.

Tuesday Tip: How to Make Powdered Sugar

What do you do when you have 5 pounds of granulated sugar, but the recipe calls for Powdered Sugar?  Pour the granulated sugar into the blender and make powdered sugar.  I recently tried this and it worked pretty well, the consistency was similar, I probably could have blended it longer.  It is definitely a great trick to know!  I read that it works best when you blend only a cup or two at a time.

Tuesday Tip: Key Pantry Items

Here is a list of ingredients that I think are pantry essentials.  Chances are that if you have a few of these ingredients you can pull together dinner.

Chicken Broth
Tomato Sauce
Tomato Paste
Olive Oil
Pasta
Arborio Rice
Flour
Breadcrumbs

And here are a few things I like to keep in my fridge/freezer:
Chicken Breasts
Frozen Spinach
Parmesan
Onion
Mushrooms
Milk
Butter

Here are a few meals that you could make using these ingredients:
Mushroom Risotto
Breaded Chicken Breasts stuffed with Spinach and Parmesan
Spaghetti alla Rustica
Alfredo Pasta (with milk instead of cream)

Tuesday Tip: Greek Yogurt

Did you know that fat free Greek Yogurt has twice as much protein as other yogurts?  As I try to make better food choices, I am incorporating more yogurt into my diet.

Tuesday Tip: Baked Mac and Cheese

I have learned that the best way to make baked macaroni and cheese is to put it under the broiler.  I have found that if you bake it at a lower temperature for a longer period of time too much of the cheese sauce is absorbed by the pasta.  Instead, place a layer of cheese and/or breadcrumbs on top of already hot mac and cheese and place under the broiler for about 3 minutes.  Keep and eye on it the entire time it is under the broiler.  The result will be a crispy golden brown crust, and a saucy mac and cheese below.

Tuesday Tip: Basil

Buying a basil plant is less expensive than purchasing a small amount of fresh basil.

The plant below cost $2.99 at Whole Foods

The package of basil below costs $3.99 at Dominicks

Tuesday Tip: What to do when you get burnt

Last night I had a little cooking accident.  I was rushing while making the Chicken and Goat Cheese Mac and Cheese for Mac and Cheese Mondays and I splashed a significant amount of boiling water right onto my foot.  I thought I would share my experience with you because maybe someone will learn something from it, and because it is hilarious that I managed to burn my foot while cooking.

Important facts:
- You need to run the burned skin under cool or cold water immediately.
- If the skin is red, like a sunburn, but not blistered it is a first degree burn.
- If the skin is blistered, it is a second degree burn.
- Do not burst the blisters.
- Use clean gauze and burn ointment or neosporin to dress the burn.
- If you have a second degree burn, the blisters will probably burst at some point, if this happens make sure to keep the area clean - you will be prone to infection otherwise.
- Large second degree burns on your feet require medical attention.
- If you have a second degree burn make sure you are current on your tetanus shots.

Unfortunately I was two years overdue for my tetanus booster shot, so I decided to go to the ER.  My foot was also in so much pain that I felt the need to do something about it.  There wasn't too much that the doctors were able to do for me.  I did get my tetanus shot.  They explain how to bandage the wound.  They gave me lots of gauze and burn ointment.  They even gave me a prescription for a pain killer if it starts to hurt too much.  Unfortunately there is no magic cure that makes the burn better, they just take time to heal.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional.  This information was learn by: 1. reading WebMD 2. Calling a burn hotline 3. Going to the ER.

Tuesday Tip: Oven Hot Spots

It is time to make Christmas cookies!  Always watch your first batch carefully, especially if you are using an oven that is new to you.  Most ovens have hot spots.  For example, the cookies on the far left side of my oven always cook the fastest.  The first time I made cookies at my apartment I definitely burnt a few.

Tuesday Tip: Chopping Peppers

I am kicking off Tuesday Tips to share quick and useful tips with everyone.

When you are chopping hot peppers, like jalapenos, your skin can absorb the spice.  I learned this the hard way a couple years ago when I touched my lips after chopping.  They felt like they were on fire.  There is an easy way to avoid this - put your hand in a plastic bag before you start chopping.