Manuel's Tips

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  Manuel's Tip #1

  Always cut away from yourself when using a knife.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #2

  Always allow meat to rest for about ten to fifteen minutes after cooking it.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #3

  Always use a sharp knife for cutting fish, otherwise it will tear the meat instead of giving you a clean cut.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #4

  To revive several-day-old bagels, microwave very briefly (15 seconds), or moisten with water and bake for 10 minutes in a 350° oven or simply toast them.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #5

  Add a teaspoon of vinegar to your cake mix for a more delicious chocolate cake.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #6

  For easier shredding, put the cheese first in the freezer for thirty minutes.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #7

  Add a pinch of soda bicarbonate to spaghetti sauce to remove any acid taste from the tomatoes.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #8

  Putting one to two tablespoons of vinegar on your meat helps in tenderizing the meat while you are cooking.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #9

  Add a pinch of soda bicarbonate to your icing to retain the icing’s moisture and prevent cracking.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #10

  To create flakier pastry, substitute a teaspoon of vinegar for one teaspoon of cold water called for in the recipe.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #11

  Add a little sugar to your batter of pancakes and waffles to make them brown more quickly.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #12

  You can make your own vanilla concentrate by placing two split and chopped vanilla pods in a liter of vodka or bourbon. Remember to shake the bottle once a day and let it site for around two to three months until the mixture turns into your desired color.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #13

   Acids help proteins coagulate, so adding either vinegar or lemon juice to water used for poaching eggs helps keep the eggs from spreading out.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #14

  When preparing avocados, to avoid the browning of avocado flesh when exposed to air, immediately place the peeled fruit in lemon juice until ready for use.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #15

   1 lemon or lime = about 3 tablespoons of juice

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #16

   1 lemon or lime = 1 tablespoon of grated zest

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #17

  Lettuce leaves should be torn by hand; cutting with a knife will turn the edges brown faster.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #18

  The outer, greener leaves of lettuce contains more vitamins and minerals then the paler inner leaves.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #19

  Cream will whip better better if you add a pinch of salt.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #20

  Egg whites will beat faster and higher if you add a pinch of salt.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #21

  To test eggs for freshness, place the egg in a cup of water to which two teaspoonfuls of salt has been added. A fresh egg sinks

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #22

  Salt helps destroy moths and drives away ants.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #23

  Always use a sharp knife, as blunt knives carry bacteria.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #24

  Be sure your oven or grill is hot enough before you start cooking.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #25

  Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and allspice have a special affinity for
   sweet dishes.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #26

  If poppy seeds are used in grinding, soak it in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes, if you are grinding it in a mixie

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #27

  Wash vegetables before peeling or cutting to preserve the water-soluble vitamins

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #28

  Chopping/Cutting on a marble slab will blunt your knives. So use a wooden cutting/ chopping board

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #29

  After peeling onions cut in half and soak in water for about 10 minutes before cutting to avoid crying

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #30

  If you boil vegetables in water, do not throw the water away, keep it to make gravies.

  
  
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  Manuel's Tip #31

  Store spices in a cool, dark place. Humidity, light and heat will cause 
 herbs and spices to lose their flavor more quickly.