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Need a Salt Substitute?

• Make this: Combine 5 teaspoons of onion powder; 1 tablespoon each of paprika, garlic powder and dry mustard; 1 teaspoon of thyme; 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper; 1/2 teaspoon of celery seed. Mix and put into a clean dry spice jar. Store in a cool dry spot.

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French Toast Yummy Add-ons

• Mix some chocolate syrup into the egg coating. Or, drizzle a mixture of maple and chocolate syrups over cooked French toast just before serving.

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Perking Up Gravy

• Try these to give your gravy a new zip: add a tablespoon of Worcestershire or soy sauce. Also you can sprinkle a bit of paprika into the gravy when it boils to thicken.

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Prevent Mixer Splattering

• Run the mixer on Slow until the ingredients are blended. Gradually increase until you reach the right beating speed.

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When Using Broth

• If you don’t use all of it, don’t throw it out! Instead freeze what’s left in ice cube trays or pour into a sealable plastic bag and you’ll be able to add it to other dishes.

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Have Leftover Pie Crust?

• Don’t throw out! Roll it out and brush with butter or margarine. Sprinkle with sugar and put on a cookie sheet. Bake until light brown and then cut into pieces.

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Versatile Pizza Cutter

• After you’ve finished slicing pizza, you can use the cutter for other kitchen tasks — take crusts off bread or cut refrigerated or homemade cookie dough into squares or homemade noodles.

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Preventing Guacamole from Turning Brown

• After you make it, squeeze a bit of lemon or lime juice into it and then cover with plastic wrap and flatten it down. Make sure the bowl is tightly sealed.

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Storing Creams, Custards, Meringue Pies

• Do not leave them on the counter at room temperature, especially for any length of time. Instead, put them in the refrigerator and remove just right before serving and eating.

Cool Quotes

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Quicker Way to Cook Meat Loaf

• Instead of baking in a loaf pan, flatten meat in an 8-inch square pan for a shorter cooking time. The flat square pieces you cut up also will be a perfect fit for sandwiches.

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Jazzing Up Tomato Sauce

• Add this surprising ingredient to your spaghetti sauce — 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee. It will enhance the color and the taste!

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Need to Cut Dried Fruit?

• If a recipe calls for chopped dried fruit, try this neat trick: Spray your kitchen scissors with non-stick cooking spray and then snip away.

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Making Quiche More Interesting

• Tired of making the same old quiche? Give it a new zip by adding chopped almonds, ground pecans or grated cheese to the crust.

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When You Store Leftovers

• Mark the containers clearly and put a date on them. Group all in one area, like the top shelf. That way they won’t get shoved to the back of the refrigerator and not get eaten or start growing yucky stuff!

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Quick and Easy Marinade

• Want to marinate meat or chicken in a hurry? Pour a bottle of Italian dressing or a vinegar-and-oil salad dressing over it to give flavor and make the meat tender.

Italian Recipes

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Seafood Safety Hint

• If you are purchasing cooked seafood like crabs, smoked fish or shrimp, do not buy it if it’s displayed in the same case next to raw fish.  There could be cross contamination.

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Ham Broth

• Don’t throw out the broth from a baked ham. Instead pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Then store the cubes into a freezer-zipper bag or container. Use cubes to flavor eggs, casseroles or vegetables.

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Making Ice Tea Even Sweeter

• Add a candy lemon drop or two into the glass before pouring in the iced tea. The drops will dissolve to give the tea an extra special hint of lemon.

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