Tuesday Tip Day

I thought is would be nice to have a weekly tips post with short, easy tips from everything like teaching a kid to tie shoes to how to peel an egg! For this, you can contribute too! Here are the rules: Just make your tip relevant to the weekly topic. So, if the weekly topic is baking tips, your tip needs to be about baking. Also, if you host a website or blog that has tips, feel welcome to include your url address in your comment. PLEASE no spamming! I will remove comments that are spam, including ones that have weird websites that are only intended for one to make money off of. So...let's start tipping!

This week's topic is....drum roll.....cooking tips!

Image from Dreamstime

Peeling an egg can be time consuming and downright hair pulling and frustrating! My husband's best friend gave me a great tip one day on peeling eggs when he was visiting us. Just add some oil (I add about 2 TBSP) to the water and while they are boiling, the oil will get under the shell. Dip them in a bowl or sink full of ice water so that the egg will shrink inside (heat causes it to expand). Then when you peel the egg, she shell just slides right off after you crack it!

One of the problems I have in the kitchen is converting measurements. The last thing I need when I'm baking is to be guessing if I'm converting correctly or not (baking is NOT my forte). Here's a great conversion chart you can print out and keep on your frig!

One thing I do when I'm making a new recipe is gather all of the measuring cups and spoons I'll need beforehand. That way if I have sticky hands, I don't get gunk all over my drawers and other utensils while looking for the right size.

If you run out of eggs for a recipe, you could substitute 2 tbsp of mayonnaise.
Speaking of substitutions: Here's a great substitution chart.

Now it's your turn! Which tips have gotten you through some problems in your cooking life? PLEASE!! Add to the list! We'd love to hear from you! Were any of these tips helpful?

Baking Bagels!!

While Amber napped, I baked bagels for the first time! I was browsing through my cookbook earlier in the week and saw a recipe for them and for the first time, I realized that I could make my own instead of paying for them! There are a few steps involved in the baking process, which includes broiling, simmering in sugar water, and then baking. They were pretty simple to make though, and I didn't have to let them rest or rise as long as bread needs. Kneading the dough takes less time as well. I ended up burning the tops of them a little during the broiling process (got a little distracted - big no no when broiling), but they are a hit in this house with my 3 year old bread lover and by my 11 year old son. Here's the recipe I used in a nutshell, retrieved from Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book:


4 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 package of active dry yeast
1 1/2 Cups warm water
1/4 Cup sugar
1 TBSP salt

1) Combine 2 cups of flour and the yeast in a large bowl, then add warm water, 3 tbsp sugar, and salt. Beat with a mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then 3 minutes on high, scraping bowl the entire time. Stir in as much of remaining flour as you can.

2) On lightly floured surface, knead dough and remaining flour until it moderately stiff and elastic (about 6-8 minutes). Cover and let rest 10 minutes.

3) Quickly divide dough into 12 portions. Shape portions into balls and with a floured finger, poke a hole through each one to make a 2 inch hole. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover, let rise for 20 minutes (begin timing with shaping of first bagel).

4) Broil bagels about 3 minutes, turning halfway through. The tops should NOT be browned. Boil 6 cups of water and the rest of the sugar in a dutch oven. Reduce heat to simmer. Place bagels, about 4-5 at a time in the water for about 7 minutes and simmer. Drain on paper towels then place on greased baking sheet. Bake for about 25-30 minutes in oven preheated to 375. Makes 12 bagels.