From Roses to Rainbows: Top Ten Kitchen Tips

During the month of October, I will be participating in the Write 31 Days hosted by Crystal Stine. My category is Food, Health & Wellness and my theme is "Into The Kitchen".

No matter how much time we spend in the kitchen it seems there is always something to learn. It is fun and rewarding to find new and better ways to do what we've been doing for years, so here are my top ten kitchen tips.

Starchy foods such as pasta and potatoes are notorious for boiling over. Placing a wooden spoon across your pot will lessen the chances of a boil over.
While minced garlic is a wonderful addition to many dishes, it is sticky and little bits of dried garlic are difficult to wash off of your knife. Rinsing your knife immediately will prevent this from happening.
Measuring sticky ingredients such as syrup or molasses is easier if you measure your oil first. This will help the sticky stuff to just slide right out. Not using oil? You can also spray your cup or spoon with cooking spray.
Keep your cutting boards and mixing bowls from sliding around by placing a piece of rubbery shelf liner on the counter. In a pinch, use a dampened paper towel.
Remove garlic odors from your hands with stainless steel. Under cold running water, rub your hands around your sink if it is stainless, or carefully rinse your knife with your fingers (see #2). There are also stainless steel "soap bars" specially made for this purpose available on Amazon.
If you're like me and use rubber gloves for dishes (because not everything goes in the

dishwasher), you want to keep them dry. I use large clips to secure them to the dishpan so when I fill the dishpan I do not fill my gloves, too.
To help keep your knives sharp, don't put them in the dishwasher. A sharp knife is a safe knife. A dull knife requires you to put more pressure on what you are cutting and you would be more likely to lose control and cut yourself.
Baking soda is your friend in the kitchen. Keep a box dedicated to cleaning and use it to clean out your sink. Rinse well and your sink will sparkle.
Keep your drain clean and free flowing with baking soda and white vinegar. Shake a generous amount of baking soda down your drain followed by several cups of white vinegar. It will bubble and foam as it works. Wait about 15 minutes and rinse with hot water.
Sterilize your kitchen sponges in the microwave. Rinse well and squeeze out the excess liquid. Place on microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 2 minutes.