Kitchen Tips

Storing eggs
It is better to store eggs with the tapered end down.  The idea is to create a bigger distance for the yolk from the air pocket at its wider end.  This is because the yolk is richer than the white and hence more perishable.  Storing eggs the proper way will make these last longer.

When buying eggs by the dozen, store these in the refrigerator still in their cartons and put them in the back part of the refrigerator.

Placing eggs at their designated place at the refrigerator door does not help in their storage life.  The less egss are jarred, the longer they keep. Storing temperature of eggs is about 30 to 31 ºF.

Cooking and Other Tips
1. Read the recipe thoroughly before cooking.

2. Prepare ingredients ahead of time.  Arrange them in the order they will be cooked.

3. When cooking two or three different dishes, use different cooking techniques.  For example, do not serve fried chicken with another fried dish.

4. Healthy, nutritious meals are quickly sauted, stir-fried, boiled, steamed or grilled.  Meat and fish retain their moistness and vegetables retain their color and flavor if cooked quickly.

5. Learn to improvise or substitute.  For example, instead of 1 c. sour cream use 1 c. all purpose cream with calamansi juice

6. Seasoning and the use of strongly flavored ingredients, such as onions and garlic, are very much a matter of personal taste. Taste the food as you cook and adjust seasonings to suit your own taste.

7. Can and packet sizes are approximate and will depend on the particular brand.

Giving a party
There are many do's and don'ts that should be considered when giving a party.

Do not invite more guests that you cannot entertain. Not many people enjoy an overcrowded party.

Do plan your menu carefully. Do not prepare too many dishes. Of course, food counts a lot in the success of a party, but it is a waste to serve too many dishes that the guests will no longer be able to eat. Three to four courses are enough.

Do not include dishes that need extensive last-minute cooking, or lot of supervising on your part specially when you do not have enough helpers.

Do not try experimenting on a new dish. Anxiety on how your new-tried dish will turn out will make you exhausted, thus, making you a poor hostess. And it would be a disaster if your new dish is a failure. If you are determined to serve such a dish, try cooking it first for your family.

Do make your table attractive, but do not overcrowd it with decorations. A simple arrangement of fresh fruits in a bowl, placed at the middle of the table is enough, or if your table is long, 2 pots of flowers on each end of the table would do. Do keep your decorations low, so guests can see each other.

Do serve dishes that can be prepared a few days before the party. For example, chicken galantina could be cooked one or two weeks before and placed in the refrigerator. This dish needs no heating. Same is true with embotido and other meat rolls. You can also cook the spaghetti sauce ahead of time and just heat it before serving. The noodles could also be pre-cooked, and steamed when about to be served.

Table Setting

A simple meal will turn into fiesta fare if you serve it in an attractive way. Of course it means extra work, but the effort will be well rewarded if you see your family enjoying their meal.

Attractive table setting does not mean setting the table with polished silver spoons, sparkling glasses, and delicate china ware. A plain plastic cover for a rugged looking table and inexpensive stick placemats are good enough setting. And mind, do not just dump the food on the table. Spoon the food on the plate carefully, no spills, no smears. Simple fried fish will look appetizing when garnished with tomatoes sliced like a flower and with onion rings. A thin tahong soup will look delicious when sprinkled with minced spring onions. Such garnishes are not expensive. Just use a little artistic touch and your 'poor man's meal' will turn out like a king's exotic dinner.