Kitchen Solutions

• To test the freshness of baking powder mix 2 teaspoons with 1 cup of hot water. If their is an immediate fizzing and foaming reaction, the baking powder can be used. If there is a little or no reaction, discard the baking powder.
• If you run out of self-rising flour, sift together 1 level tablespoon of baking powder with every 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour. This will not create such a high lift as self-rising flour, but it makes a good substitute.

• To remove odors from a container that you wish to use again like mayonnaise and pickled vegetables bottles, fill the container with hot water, then stir 1 tablespoon of baking powder. Let it stand overnight, then wash, rinse well, and dry before use.

• To yield most juice from a citrus fruit, roll it under the palm of your hand on the work surface first. This also makes squeezing easier. Citrus fruit at room temperature also yield more juice.

• For many recipes, including cakes and pastry, eggs should be at room temperature. Take them out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before using. Cold eggs may crack when you boil them, and egg whites at room temperature will whisk better than cold egg whites.

• Washing mixing bowls of cookie, cake and pastry batter is hard and it can even clog your drain. One easy trick that I discovered is to pour hot water onto your greasy bowl soak it for around five minutes then wash it with dish washing detergent/paste (though I recommend Axion grapefruit paste)  with a sprinkle of baking soda. The output will be a grease free squeaky clean bowl!