Is there any substitute for cream of Tartar?

 Cream of Tartar is mainly used in baking and thus forms an important ingredient. It is a by-product of wine-making that comprises of potassium acid salt of tartaric acid. Cream of Tartar helps stabilizing egg whites and also in prevention of sugar crystallization.

In case you don't have Cream of Tartar and the recipe calls for its, then substitute it with white vinegar. White vinegar should be used in same proportion as that of the Cream of Tartar asked in any recipe.

Is there any substitute for lemon grass?

Indian Lemon Grass

Lemon grass is one of the most important ingredient included in Asian cooking, especially Thai cooking. Lemon grass is included in foods to add aromatic flavors. Usually lemon grass is grounded to paste along with rest of the ingredients which thus enhances the flavours of the curries as well as offers an distinctive taste to the food.

Kafir Lime Leaves

Lemon grass has a peculiar taste and usually shouldn't be substituted with any other ingredient. It is also available everywhere as cultivated on large scale in countries like USA, Australia and various other Asian countries. In India, the lemon grass is usually substituted with the Indian variety of Lemon grass (commonly known as Gavathi Chaha in Maharashtra and Malabar grass in Cochin). One more ingredient which can work as best substitute for lemon grass is Kafir Lime leaves.

Is there any substitute for breadcrumbs?

 It is a common chaos in most of the kitchen when you have unexpected guests, and you run out of breadcrumbs. But no need to worry as there is something that can work just fine in absence of breadcrumbs - Cornflakes! To use cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs just do the following:

Place few cornflakes (as much you require) in a plastic bag and place it on the table. Don't forget to tie the bag.

Roll the rolling pin on the plastic bag to crush them out and use this cornflakes powder instead of breadcrumbs.

One more ingredient that can be used as a substitute for breadcrumbs is soya granules.

How to preserve cut flowers in a vase for longer time

 Beautiful flowers placed in vase should remain fresh for a longer time, isn't it! I don't like seeing them fading out. Nobody does, and hence we should try everything that is possible by us to help these beautiful flowers stay fresh in the vase. To preserve cut flowers in the vase for longer time here's what you can do:

- Cut the stem diagonally before placing them in the vase so that more of the stem surface is exposed to water.

- Add spoonful of salt or a aspirin to the water.

- You can also place a charcoal within the vase.

- Don't crowd the vase with too many flowers, instead arrange them freely in order to look beautiful and stay fresh longer.

How to get sparkling clean mirrors

Most of us wipe mirrors with papers which leave them clean. But if you wish to have sparkling clean mirrors here's what you can do:

Instead of throwing way the skins of boiled potatoes, use them to wipe mirrors, which will result in spotlessly clean mirrors.

What to do when coffee powder hardens in the coffee jar

This happens very often, as coffee powder most likely hardens in the coffee jar. This can happen when it absorbs moisture from outside, if accidentally the coffee jar is kept open for a long time, or even if we put moist spoon inside the jar. If the coffee powder hardens inside the coffee jar here's what you can do:

Add some lukewarm water to the coffee jar and gently shake the bottle.

After a while refrigerate the bottle. The hardens coffee powder will get loosen up with water and form a paste.

You can use this coffee paste to make your coffee and continue to refrigerate it until you enjoy the last drop of coffee.

How to get rid of fish stink from your hands

To get rid of fish stink from your hand, just follow this simple step:

Rub few drops of cooking oil on your palms before you start cleaning and washing the fish. Once done cleaning  wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Your hands won't ever have fish stink.

How can one store eggs for longer duration

Usually when we plan to go out, we worry about the eggs in the refrigerator. Whether they can stay fresh and last longer till we come back. Here's how you can make eggs last longer:

To make eggs last longer for days together, gently coat the egg shells with refined oil before you put them in the refrigerator. A thin lining is just fine. 

How to remove the fish stink from the kitchen sink as well as utensils

Many of us feel nauseated with the stinky fishy smell from the kitchen sink hours after cleaning the fish. So remove this fishy smell here's what you can do:

- Wash the sink area with vinegar solution in water made in proportion of 1:2 immediately after you clean the fish.

- You may also rub the kitchen sink with two lemon halves and leave it as it is for 15 minutes. Wash off the sink with lukewarm water and the stench will just disappear.

How to store almonds

Always buy almonds which are uniform in color as well as size. To store almonds for a longer time follow this step:

Place the almonds in tightly closed container or even a sealed container and store this container in the freezer to store the almonds fresh and dry for longer time.

Quick relief from Heatstroke

To get a quick relief from heatstroke boil 1 raw mango and once done set it out to cool down. Once cool remove the pulp and apply it on the foot sole for some time. 

How to prepp an Octopus

We get good octopus here in Indian markets, both smaller size as well as larger ones. But very few people know what to do with them. It is very important that you prepr the octopus so that you carry on with otehr steps for cooking. And do remember that you have to carry on with this step before using it for any dishes. Once you know how to prep an octopus you can definitely use them later for cooking once they are prepped.

Lets learn how to prep the octopus in easy steps:

1. As soon as you buy an octopus, wash them in running water by slightly moving your fingers around them and rubbing off any visible dirt.

2. On a gas stove boil water in a large saucepan. Once the water boils add the octous to the water. Now cover this saucepan with a lid and let it boil for few minutes. Now the entire time of boiling dependes upon the size of your buy. If the octopus is big one then you may need as long as 10 minutes. But if the octopus is small enough than even 2 -3 minutes are just fine.

3. Boiling the octopus for some time also helps to remove any impurities as well as dir on them.

4. Now remove the octopus in a strainer and let it cool. Meanwhile in a microwave safe dish add chopped ginger, oregano and some chopped shallots. Spread all this in the base of the microwave safe dish.

5. Pre-heat the microwave to 170 degrees.

6. Place the octopus in the dish over the herbs and cover the dish. Place it in the microwave and allow to cook for 2 hours. Now if the octopus are too big then you may need to increase the time. Do check on them after every hour.

7. Once they are done, allow them to cool down.

This way the octopus is ready to be added to any dish of your desire.

How to clean Vinyl table cloth at home?

Using vinyl dining table cloth (sheets) are most preferable these days as they are easy to clean, just wipe out and done. But very often these sheets too need little washing and scrubbing to remove the food odours and stains. Here are few tips on how to clean vinyl dining table sheets or plastic covers (transparent) at home easily to get rid of smell and stains:

1. Always wipe the vinyl table cloth with sponge soaked in lukewarm water right after every meal.

2. Once a week soak the vinyl cloth in a bucket of water in which mild or liquid detergent is added. Along with detergents add some lime juice to remove food odors.

3. If there are stains on the table cloth try gently scrubbing the stained area with some mild borax solution.

4. To remove stains from vinyl table cloth you can also try rubbing a lemon slice on the stained area. Then wash it off with lukewarm water.

How to store vegetables like carrots and beet root in refrigerator?

When you buy vegetables like carrots, beetroot and radish, you can't just stuff them in the refrigerator. Instead follow the mentioned steps to retain them fresh for a longer time:

1. Chop off the heads and tails of the above mentioned and similar such vegetables.

2. Wrap these vegetables in a polythene bag and then store them in refrigerator.

How to store garlic pods for a long time?

To store garlic pods for a long time which means as long as a year, sprinkle a little boric powder on them and place the pods in an earthen pot.

How to clean cauliflower well before cooking

There are two preferred ways of cleaning cauliflower and one can ensure that the vegetable definitely has been cleaned at least to 80%. The rest can be done by cooking. These two ways include:

1. Wash the cauliflower florets thoroughly and soak it in salt water for at least half an hour. The wash it again and carry on cooking.

2. Wash the cauliflower florets thoroughly and soak them in water to which little vinegar is added for at least 15 minutes. Continue washing and then carry on cooking.

Is there any substitute for Semolina?

Many dishes ask for semolina as one of the ingredients. But for those who can't get semolina or are allergic to semolina, I would like to mention that worry not..There is definitely substitutes available for semolina which can be used in the recipes.

The substitute for semolina = Durum flour, Kamut Flour, Spelt Flour

How long can a smoked fish stay fresh?

A smoked fish can remain fresh for at least 14 days, provided it is stored in refrigerator at a constant maintained temperature. To keep the smoked fish stay fresh for more longer duration, place it in a freezer at constant temperature. When frozen, smoked fish would stay fresh for as long as 2 months.

What has been the history behind the Battle for Ham and Eggs?

The Battle for Ham and Eggs has been one of the most known campaigns in California. The Battle for Ham and Eggs was a name given popularly to the 1938-39 San Diego Campaign for California Pension Plan. When the Great Depression of 1930 had bought great economic distress all over to Americans, the one who suffered to a great extent included the elderly people.

Many Americans then looked upon the American Government for some kind of financial assistance. The people then came out with several special programs, rallies to make the government pay attention on it. It is said that during one such rally, an advocate who had participated for the elderly benefits shouted," We want our ham and eggs"! and thats how it is believed that the name was given to this proposal - The Ham and Eggs Proposal.

How to thaw frozen meat?

Frozen meat

To thaw frozen meat, I believe the best method is by refrigeration. It is one of the best and safest way to thaw frozen meat. What you should do is:

- when you plan to cook around 24 hours before that remove the frozen meat from the freezer and place it in a refrigerator.

- One can actually use his own judgment depending upon the quantity of the meat..

- Allow ample of time for the frozen meat to thaw and become partially defrosted.

- Remove the meat from the refrigerator at least 2 to 4 hours before you plan to cook.

- Allow the meat to come to room temperature and then start cooking it.

Other than refrigeration, the otehr way of thawing is by using a microwave oven. To thaw the frozen meat in a microwave, use the instructions set by the microwave by specifically mentioning the quantity of the meat. When the microwave reminds you, do turn over the meat.

Few things that one should remember while thawing frozen meat using a microwave is to take care as sometimes while thawing few portions of the frozen meat may get partially cooked. Additionally one should always thaw the frozen meat immediately after removing it from the freezer, thus avoiding the meat to get contaminated.