The Cooking Mom's Secrets and Tips

When adding cheese to a sauce, bring cheese to room temperature. It will melt much easier.

As a general rule, herbs and ground spices will retain their best flavors for a year.

Romaine lettuce is loaded with vitamins compared to iceberg. It has three times as much Vitamin C and six times as much Vitamin A.

When making cookies, cream the butter and sugar well before adding the rest of the ingredients.

For clarified butter, slowly melt unsalted butter over low heat. Skim the foamy white solids from the top. Then ladle off the clarified butter.

Spice your food well! Before serving always taste it and adjust the spices to meet your taste.

Many vegetables and fruits, including potatoes and apples, retain many of their nutrients in their skin. So when possible, leave the skin on your fruits and veggies.

For better fruit pies, dot pieces of butter over the fruit before you place on the top crust and bake.

Shallots will keep for approximately six months if stored in a cool, dry location.

Brush brown and serve rolls with melted butter and the tops will get golden!

When deep-frying, never fill the pot more than halfway with oil. This will prevent bubbling over when the food is added.

Toasting whole spices in a dry skillet over medium heat before grinding will bring out even more flavor. Be careful not to burn.