The Cooking Mom's Secrets and Tips

When making chocolate chip cookies always add the chocolate morsels last to the mix. Just barely stir the morsels in — don’t over mix.

Don’t cut apples pieces too thin or small when you are using fresh apples in apple pies. Larger chunks will hold together and have more apple flavor.

Always store honey at room temperature; never in the refrigerator. Remember, never boil or scorch honey.

To keep food from slipping off skewers during cooking and turning, use two parallel skewers rather than a single skewer.

It may be time for new baking powder. Unopened it lasts 6 months. Opened, just 3 months.

Check your baking soda. Baking soda unopened will last about 18 months. Opened it will last 6 months.

Like warm cookies? Try warming cookies in your microwave oven for a few seconds or in a 300 degree oven for a few minutes.

Use olive oil for cooking when appropriate. It adds to the taste of the dish and is better for you.

Honey has a high fructose content. This means you can use less honey than sugar to achieve the desired sweetness.

Do not use dried herbs in the same quantity as fresh. In most cases, dried herbs are much stronger than fresh.

Use canola oil for frying. It is low in saturated fat, has a high burning point, and does not detract from the flavor of the food you are frying.

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least an hour before using them so they won’t burn during cooking.