Kitchen Tips

Que: Can you suggest some uses for leftover paranthas?
Ans: There are many easy and tasty ways in which the paranthas can be used. Cut the paranthas in equal pieces with kitchen scissors; deep fry them in oil till crisp and golden. Drain the excess oil on a kitchen towel and sprinkle with salt, red chilli powder and some amchur powder or chaat masala.

Que: If we have not soaked rajma or Kabuli chana overnight, can we still prepare it for some unexpected guests?
Ans: There is a very simple way to overcome this problem. Take the required quantity, wash and put it in the pressure cooker with enough water. Heat till the pressure builds up and then put off the gas. After about one hour, cook normally as we do the soaked dals.

Que: How can we make leftover rice fresh and eatable?
Ans: You must always store leftover cooked rice in a refrigerator as soon as it is at room temperature. It can be made fresh and eaten by putting it through a sieve and steaming it over boiling water or by sprinkling a little water on top and reheating it, covered in a microwave oven.

Que: Can you suggest a way to dip strawberries in chocolate without any flat spots?
Ans: Dipping strawberries in chocolate is a real taste, but it can be done. Stick toothpicks into the stem end of the berry. Coat them in chocolate, shake off any excess. Turn the berries upside down and stick the toothpicks into a block of Styrofoam until the chocolate is set. The finished berries will have chocolate with no flat spots.

Que: When we keep chapatti dough in the refrigerator most of the time it becomes blackish in color. Please suggest a remedy?
Ans: The dough will not change color if you keep the dough in a plastic container and smear ghee on the surface.

Que: Tell us how we can keep bread fresh for a longer time?
Ans: If we keep a rib of celery with the bread in the bread box, it will help keep the bread fresh for a longer time.

Que: How can we eat lot of butter and still not suffer its effects?
Ans: If you are fond of eating butter, but are afraid to do so because of health reasons, just do the following. Take 500 grams of butter and slowly beat in two cups of evaporated milk or milk powder. Pour into a pan and chill. The result is that you get one kilogram of butter and that too of a healthier quality.

Que: How can we keep strawberries fresh in the refrigerator for many days?
Ans: Refrigerate the strawberries unwashed in an airtight container between layers of paper towels. This will keep them fresh for up to 10 days.

Que: How can we check the freshness of eggs?
Ans: The freshness of eggs can be tested by placing them in a large bowl of cold water. If they float, the stale and you should not use them.