General Hints

Here are a few hints for you from the same cookbook.

PEELING GARLIC:

Peel garlic cloves quickly and easily by placing on a cutting board
and hitting firmly with the flat side of a large knife. Do not smash the
clove.

BUTTERFLYING SHRIMP:

You have seen many recipes for shrimp that call for
butterflying them.
Here is how to do this:

1) Peel and devein shrimp.
2) With a small sharp knife, slice down the back of shrimp, almost
completely through.
3) Spread and flatten to form butterfly shape.

Very simple when you know how.



HOW TO MAKE QUICK CROUTONS

Add a gourmet touch to your salad whil making use of day-old bread.
Cut 3 slices of bread into 1/2 inch cubes. In medium skillet, heat 3 T oil
with 1/4 t garlic powder and cook bread cubes, stirring frequently until bread
is crisp and golden. Drain well on paper towels.

Makes about 1 1/2 C Croutons.



LEFTOVER PARSLEY

Don't throw out parsley stems, celery leaves, asparagus and broccoli
stalks or other vegetable trimmings. Collect them in reclosable storage bags
and freeze. Add to soups, stews, and sauces for a boost in flavor and
nutrients.



PLAN-AHEAD TIP

Cook up a storm on weekends and "thaw and heat" weekday dinners.
Freeze Soups, stocks, meat loaf and baked goods. Then simply defrost and heat
for a speedy supper.



EASY SQUASH COOKERY

Pierce squash with fork, then cook according to one of the following
methods:
1) Bake whole squash at 350 degrees F., 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until
fork-tender.

2) Blace whole squash in large saucepan or stock pot, add water to
cover. Boil 35 to 45 minutes or until fork-tender.

3) Cut squash in half, in oblong baking dish, place squash cut side
down and microwave at HIGH (Full Power), turning dish occasionally, 17 minutes
or until fork-tender.



NACHO CHEESE SAUCE

To make this easy sauce, for relaxing and nibbling in front of
the TV,
simply do the following:

In 1-quart saucepan, with wire whip or fork, thouroughly blend 1
Envelope Lipton Nacho Cheese Recipe Soup Mix with 1 1/2 cups milk. Bring just
to the boiling point, stirring frequently, then reduce heat and simmer,
covered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Serve over hamburgers, steak
sandwiches, tacos or tortilla chips.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:

Decrease milk to 1 1/4 cups. In 1 1/2-quart casserole, with
wire whip
or fork, thoroughly blend nacho cheese recipe soup mix with milk. Heat
uncovered at HIGH (Full Power) stirring occasionally, 6 minutes. Serve as
above.



HOT OFF THE GRILL

Cleanup is easier if you coat the grill top with vegetable cooking
spray before barbecuing.

If you use a charcoal grill, remember that a fire is ready for
cooking
when the coals are covered with grey ash--about 20 to 30 minutes after
lighting.

Toss damp hickory chunks, outer onion layers or garlic halves on hot
coals for flavorful meats, poultry and fish. Grated orange and lemon peel
also add a light touch to fruits and vegetables.

"Kabob-it" by skewering chunks of fresh melon, pineapple, apples,
pears or peaches for a toasted fruit salad. Sprinkle with coconut for grilled
"Ambrosia".