Perhaps a failed timer, distraction or missing or mismeasured ingredient is to blame for your “Oops.” Maybe these tips can rescue you.
Acidic foods – Sometimes an tomato-based sauce will become too acidic. Add baking soda, one teaspoon at a time, to the sauce. Use sugar as a sweeter alternative.
Burnt food on pots & pans – Allow the pan to cool on its own. Remove as much of the food as possible. Fill with hot water and add a capful of liquid fabric softener to the pot; let it stand for a few hours. You’ll have an easier time removing the burnt food.
Chocolate seizes – Chocolate can seize (turn coarse & grainy) when it comes into contact with water. Place seized chocolate in a metal bowl over a large saucepan with an inch of simmering water in it. Over medium heat, slowly wisk in warm heavy cream. Use 1/4 cup cream to 4 ounces of chocolate. The chocolate will melt and become smooth.
Forgot to thaw whipped topping – Thaw in microwave for 1 minute on the defrost setting. Stir to blend well. Do not over thaw.
Hands smell like garlic or onion – Rinse hands under cold water while rubbing them with a large stainless steel spoon.
Hard brown sugar – Place in a paper bag and microwave for a few seconds, or place hard chunks in a food processor.
Jello too hard – Heat on a low microwave power setting for a very short time.
Lumpy gravy or sauce – Use a blender, food processor, or simply strain.
No tomato juice – Mix 1/2 cup ketchup with 1/2 cup water.
Out of honey – Substitute 1 1/4 cups sugar dissolved in 1 cup water.
Sandwich bread is stale – Toast or microwave bread briefly. Otherwise, turn it into breadcrumbs. Bread exposed to light and heat will hasten its demise, so consider using a bread box.
Soup, sauce, gravy too thin – Add 1 tablespoon of flour to hot soup, sauce or gravy. Whisk well (to avoid lumps) while the mixture is boiling. Repeat if necessary.
Sticky rice – Rinse rice with warm water.
Stew or soup is greasy - Refrigerate and remove grease once it congeals. Another trick is to lay cold lettuce leaves over the hot stew for about 10 seconds and then remove. Repeat as necessary.
Too salty – Add a little sugar and vinegar. For soups or sauces, add a raw peeled potato.
Too sweet – Add a little vinegar or lemon juice.
Undercooked cakes & cookies – Serve over vanilla ice cream. You can also layer pieces of cake or cookies with whipped cream and fresh fruit to form a dessert parfait. Crumbled cookies also make an excellent ice cream or cream pie topping.
