We have all been in need at one time or another for some good tips to help the age old problems like dripping ice cream cones or the smell fish leaves behind after cooking. The following are some great tips to help you navigate:

1.  Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone  to prevent ice cream drips.

2.  Use a meat baster to “squeeze” your pancake batter onto the hot griddle for perfect shaped pancakes.

3.  To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

4.  To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.

5.  When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead to prevent white mess on the outside of a chocolate cake (for example).

6.  Don’t throw out all that leftover wine:  Freeze it into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

7.  To remove stuck on burnt food food from your pots and pans, add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan.  Bring it to a boil on the stove and it will be much easier to clean.

8.  If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it’s still cooking, drop in a peeled-potato.  It absorbs the excess salt.

9.  Place a slice of an apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.

10. Got a lemon that is hard to squeeze?  Zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds and roll on the counter to get the juices flowing before cutting.

11.  Just fried fish?  Place a bowl of vinegar on your stove-top after you’re done cleaning.  It will absorb the fish smell in the air.

12.  Need to get the grime out of your microwave?  Place a bowl of hot water and microwave it for 5 minutes.  The steamy water loosens up all the gunk and makes it easy to wipe out.

TMF Readers, do you have some great Modern Kitchen tips you would like to add?  Feel free to comment and pass along your helpful hints!

Blessings,
Di