The Cooking Mom's Secrets and Tips

Flour unopened will last up to 12 months. Opened for 6-8 months. To keep larger quantities of spices fresh, store them in the freezer in tightly sealed containers.

If you are deep frying, the oil must reach a temperature between 350F and 375F degrees in order to brown the exterior of the food quickly while cooking it.

For super clean floors mix together 1 cup of white vinegar together with 1 gallon on hot water.

Don’t store your bananas in a bowl with other fruits. They release gases which cause fruits to ripen quickly.

When using a broiler to cook steaks, pre-broiler until it’s really hot. This will sear the outside of the meat and keep it nice and juicy inside.

Never use a fork to turn the steaks, use tongs or a spatula to prevent juices from leaking out.

Leeks are full of hard to get at sand and dirt. Chop them first, then give them a bath in cold water and drain in a colander.

To roast garlic, sprinkle the bulb with a little olive oil and salt and pepper, wrap it in tin foil and roast in a 350 degree oven for approximately one hour.

Keep peeled potatoes in cold water to prevent them from turning brown.

To smoothen the icing on a cake use a knife dipped in hot water and gently rub it over the top and the sides.

To cut grease on dirty dishes, add a tablespoon of vinegar to hot soapy water.

To easily shred softer cheese, place it in the freezer for 30 minutes.