Cooking Tips from Nana B


Cheaper Chicken
June 2011
   Serious about saving money?  Buy a whole chicken and cut it up yourself.  Pound for pound it's cheaper than pre-cut chicken, plus the pieces can be used for more things. ...

Poultry Info
May 2011
The moderate cost of poultry has made it a favorite appetizer food.  It is not only one of the lowest priced meats available, but is exceptionally rich in protein.  You can buy poultry by...

Egg White Tips
February 2011
Egg whites whipped to soft peaks give cakes lightness and lift.  Always begin beating egg whites slowly to break them up before turning the beaters on full throttle.   They whip better at...

Working With Chiles
February 2011
Be sure to wear protective gloves when working with hot chiles:  The same oils that provide the chiles' fortifying heat can easily irritate your skin or eyes.    To roast chi...

Simple Flavor
February 2011
Herb-infused simple syrups are an uncomplicated way to add fragrant notes to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.   Lightly crush the herbs before steeping in syrup to release their flavor...

If You Don't Have A Fat Separator
February 2010
If you don't have a fat separator, use a heavy-duty zip-top bag instead.  Pour slightly cooled stock into bag, place in a bowl, and chill for 10 minutes.   Cut a hole in the bott...

Fresh Flour Tip
February 2010
Most flours contains tiny insect eggs, invisible to the human eye.  Stored at room temperature, theses eggs can easily hatch and result in tiny black bugs.  For best results, store flour ...

Fresh Butter Tip
February 2010
Butter keeps best in the coldest part of the refrigerator, not the door. Store in back in original container for 30 days, frozen, 4 months.   ...

Emergency Substitutions
February 2010
No sour cream? Use 3 Tbs butter plus buttermilk or yogurt to equal 1 cup. No baking powder?  Use 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar. 1  ounce chocolate= 3 T unsweete...

Frosting is a Nutritional Nightmare, High in Fat and Sugar,
February 2010
 but if you love cakes with delicious toppings, there are some healthier options.  Try whipped cream, which believe it or not, is a much healthier choice.  Or use meringue, fruit-pie...

Are The Steaks Done Yet ?
February 2010
There are several ways to tell.  By pressing the center of your palm, you sense what a medium to well-done steak should feel like.  Below your index finger feels like a medium steak, &nbs...

More Fiber Please!
February 2010
Along with cutting fat, adding more fiber to your diet is a sure route to better health.  Here are a few easy ways;  Eat whole grain, eat the skins of vegetables and fruits, and buy break...

Dry Turkey ?
February 2010
To retain the juices, let all meats rest before slicing into them.  The length of rest times depends on the weight of the meat.  A Pork chop, for instance, would probably need about 5 min...

The Recipe Calls For Buttermilk, But You Don't Have Any?
February 2010
For each cup of buttermilk, place 2 Tbs of lemon juice in a glass measure, then add enough low-fat milk to equal 1 cup. ...

Leftover Broth Or Stock
February 2010
Freeze the broth in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a resealable container, label and date package.  Each cube is equal to about 2 Tbs and can be used in gravy, soup, etc....

Meat Cooking Tips
February 2010
   It is important to use the right size pot.  It should not have extra room on sides or over top. Just big enough for meat and vegetables.       A roast with...

Brown Sugar Hard As Rocks ?
February 2010
   Place an apple wedge or two in the bag with the sugar, seal and store at room temp for a day. Leaving it too long will cause moisture to collect around apple slices.  I just did t...

Money Saving Tip-Plan Menus Before Shopping
February 2010
 Write a detailed list of the weeks menu.  This way, ingredients can be used for more that one meal, and leftovers used in the next meals.  Buy in bulk when items are on sale.  ...

Non-Stick Vegetable Sprays are great For Lots Of Things
February 2010
Spray a little on plastic wrap before covering a pie or cake-It won't stick.  Or spray plastic container to prevent tomato stains.  Tip- Hold pan to be sprayed over sink, the mist won...

Do You Really Like Curry ?
February 2010
Often thought of as one spice, curry powder is actually a mixture of many spices including Ginger, Turmeric, Fenugreek seed, cloves, cinnamon, red pepper and Cumin.  ...

Cooking Term-Deglaze
February 2010
   To add a little liquid to a pan to loosen cooked particles of food remaining on the bottom. This is normally done to flavor a sauce or gravy to go with the food just cooked in the pan....

Kitchen Tip - Preventing Cuts
February 2010
1. Keep knives sharp. It requires less pressure and is less likely to slip. 2. Use a cutting board with a damp towel under it to prevent slipping. 3. Pay attention to your work when using a...

Tips to Prevent Fires In Your Kitchen!
February 2010
1.  Don't leave hot fat unattended on the range 2.  Know where your fire extinguisher is, and how to use it. 3.  Keep a supply of salt or baking soda on hand to put out f...

Ground Meat Cooks Quickly, But
February 2010
can be high in fat. Look for packages marked extra lean or choose a chunk of lean meat and ask the butcher to grind it for you.  Cook and drain meat before using in recipes.  You can even...

Tips for Quick Cooking Meats
February 2010
   Choose thin, boneless cuts, such as boneless pork chops, thin steaks, slices of lamb leg or pork tenderloin. Speed up cooking by butterflying meat or cutting it into strips or cubes. ...

To Prepare Tomatoes To Stuff
February 2010
with rice, chicken or tuna salad- cut off stem end and a slim slice of base if necessary to stand upright. Scoop out the  inside an use that for another dish.  Sprinkle tomato shell with ...

Cruciferous Tip- Yes, Cruciferous
February 2010
is a funny name, but Cauliflower, Broccoli, Cabbage, Collards, Kale, Radishes, Brussels Sprouts and Turnips are no laughing matter.  These wonders, help the body produce enzymes that flush tox...

Soy Foods-Soybeans, Soy milk, Tofu, Miso
February 2010
and Tempeh [fermented soybeans] are not just for health food nuts.  Soy foods contain cancer-fighting chemicals that prevent hormone-related cancers, such as breast cancer.   But ...

Remove Cabbage Cooking Odors
February 2010
by adding a little vinegar to the cooking water. ...

Sweet Onion Tip
February 2010
Soak in ice water overnight, for a sweeter taste with less bite! ...

Whipping Heavy Cream Takes A Certain Amount Of Skill
February 2010
The bowl and beater, as well as the cream, should be very cold. For best results, chill bowl and beater in freezer for 30 minutes before whipping cream.  [I put the cream in the bowl for the l...

An Apple A Day May In Fact Keep The Doctor Away
February 2010
   One of the best sources of soluble pectin fiber, the apple, is thought to help prevent cancer and promote generally good health.  You can take them with you wherever you go. ...

To De-Fat Soup
February 2010
Slip a few ice cubes into the pot, when the fat congeals around them, scoop them out! ...

If you Hollandaise Sauce starts to Curdle-
February 2010
drop in an ice cube and keep stirring. ...

Best Way To Store Fresh Herbs
February 2010
   Basil has a licorice taste when fresh, and the spicy fragrance of Anise and Lemon when dry. After washing, dry leaves completely before storing wrapped in paper towels or a plastic bag...

Fennel is grown both for foliage and its seeds.
February 2010
The italians  eat stalks of fresh fennel just as we eat celery. The seeds are used in breads, cakes, soups and sauces. Some old folk remedies call for fennel tea to cure hiccups. ...

Green Tomato Tip-
February 2010
Green tomatoes have a unique tangy flavor and partner well with fruit, lemon, cilantro, cinnamon and ginger. And have you tasted the green tomato chocolate cake?  Its wonderful! Don't eat ...

Use kitchen shears to chop cilantro
February 2010
or any leafy herb in a measuring cup or small mixing bowl.  Put the herbs in a measuring cup and snip with the points of the shears. ...

Quick Tomato Salad
February 2010
Drizzle sliced tomatoes with your best olive oil and sprinkle with salt and fresh chopped herbs. Prepare about an hour before serving and the salt will make the tomatoes juicier and the flavors wil...

Unlike many other fruits and vegetables, tomatoes
February 2010
should be kept at room temperature. Refrigeration will dull their aroma and flavor. They'll look beautiful in a large, shallow ceramic bowl on your kitchen counter.   ...

Tomatoes in Salads
February 2010
Tomatoes have a high water content, and will dilute your dressing if sliced directly into a salad. Pass them separately or arrange them on top just after tossing. ...

For Easy Garlic Peel, Tips And Info
February 2010
   Place garlic on hard surface, and tap with the bottom of a can of soup. The cans edge keeps from mashing the cloves and the peel slips off easily. Or use the flat side of a large knife...

To Grate lime peel
February 2010
[also known as zest] more easily, press a piece of wax paper down on a fine grater.  Rub lime over paper. The paper will not tear.  Carefully remove paper from grater and scrape off zest....

Ripen Fruit
January 2010
 Ripen peaches, Pears, Tomatoes, Bananas or Avocados by keeping them in a brown paper bag at room temperature. ...

Cutting up Apples
January 2010
Wash apples, Halve, then cut into quarters. Remove the section of core from each quarter; slice fruit. To keep apples slices [or other fruit] from turning brown after being cut, dip the fruit into ...

Pie Crust Tip
January 2010
A Perfect Pastry Crust?  In your favorite recipe, substitute a 4:1 ratio of lard to butter.  I use cold milk in place of water or, cream if I have it in stock.     A f...

Meat Tip
January 2010
A roast with the bone in will cook faster than a boneless roast - the bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker and provides a better taste. ...

Shellfish Is Full Of Cholesterol
December 1969
   A cup of shrimp contains over 300 milligrams, about the same as a dozen hot dogs, but it is extremely low in saturated fats. That's good because saturated fats are far more detrime...

Welcome to Nana Bs
December 1969
Nanabsquickrecipes.com is designed for busy people!  Quick, easy, delicious recipes organized for speed.  Time saving tips and techniques are added to get you in and out of the kitchen fa...

How To Boil An Egg
December 1969
   Place eggs in the saucepan, just cover them with cold water, about 1 inch deep.  Do NOT salt the water.  Place on burner on medium heat, bring to a boil, turn off burner and ...