NIFTY TRICKS
◆ Cut cakes with taut (unflavoured!) dental floss. Also per fect for halving sponge for layering.
◆ Add an ice cube when reheating rice in the microwave so it steams, making it fluffy rather than clumpy.
◆ Peel ginger with the edge of a teaspoon instead of a knife for less waste.
◆ Grate hard butter when making pastry.
◆ Get more juice from lemons by microwaving them for 10-15 seconds before squeezing.
◆ Chill white wine without watering it down with frozen grapes.
◆ Pour leftover wine into ice cube trays to defrost later for stews or casseroles.
◆ Throw a tablespoon of cold water into the bottom of the oven when baking bread to create steam – and a crispy crust.
Easy peelers:
Separate individual garlic cloves in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. The skin will separate per fectly.
Pop shallots in a bowl and cover with boiling water for 10 seconds and the skins should peel off easily.