Simple cooking cheats

[The Late Night Gourmet]

...also @The Late Night Gourmet made Scotch Quail Eggs with Mustard Sauce

Yes…I had to try it, once. And I do mean once. Getting those little things to cook properly, and then peeling the shells off, was pretty ridiculous. Tasty, but ridiculous.

 

[Morning Glory]

Yes…I had to try it, once. And I do mean once. Getting those little things to cook properly, and then peeling the shells off, was pretty ridiculous. Tasty, but ridiculous.

You didn't read my tip on how to easily peel them? #4

Cooking them is easy too - boil for 1 minute 45 secs for soft-boiled or 2 mins 15 for hard-boiled Simples...

 

[CraigC]

When chopping/slicing chilis, lime juice will wash away the hot stuff on your hands.

 

[The Late Night Gourmet]

When chopping/slicing chilis, lime juice will wash away the hot stuff on your hands.

Awesome tip! Now, I don’t have to worry about using the toilet after I am done cutting chili peppers.

 

[Karen W]

When making meatballs, roll the meat mixture into a log shape. Break off pieces and roll as you go. That way, the meatballs will be uniform in size, and cook evenly. Don't overwork the meat mixture.

 

[kublee]

Ok, hands up all those who use quail's eggs


















Thought so

I've never tried them. Do they have a strong taste? Or is it more like chicken eggs?

 

[The Late Night Gourmet]

Speaking of meatballs...if you're making a very lean mixture (as I often try to do), with ground chicken and minimal breadcrumbs, you'll find that the meat is very sticky at room temperature and hard to work with. The solution? Put the meat in the freezer for a while. Check it after an hour, and chill some more if it's still too sticky. You'll find that the meat behaves itself when it's not so warm.

 

[Morning Glory]

I've never tried them. Do they have a strong taste? Or is it more like chicken eggs?

The yolks are bigger in relation to the white - and they taste a bit richer than a hen's egg but not a strong taste.

 

[MrsDangermouse]

After working with garlic wash your hands in cold water rather than warm - if you use warm water your hands will still smell of garlic after washing, but if you use cold the garlic smell goes right away. Also works with chillies.

 

[Herbie]

I often cheat using the jars of minced ginger and garlic (separate not the ready mixed). I find the Asian brands best. Not quite as good as fresh (as I'm using today) but quick and easy for an after work me. And your hands don't smell (though I'll try your tip @MrsDangermouse )

 

[medtran49]

Another tip for getting meatballs the same size, use a cookie dough scooper. It works for filling raviolis, dim sum, etc. too.

 

[Herbie]

Another tip for getting meatballs the same size, use a cookie dough scooper. It works for filling raviolis, dim sum, etc. too.

Also works with cupcakes (a friend told me this so I went and bought an ice cream scoop.)
Dimsum? Isn't the scoop too big? I would have thought a melon baller.

 

[medtran49]

Also works with cupcakes (a friend told me this so I went and bought an ice cream scoop.)
Dimsum? Isn't the scoop too big? I would have thought a melon baller.

They make small scoops, right around a tablespoon. There may be even smaller ones, I've just never looked for them. The scoops come in lots of sizes.

 

[Herbie]

They make small scoops, right around a tablespoon. There may be even smaller ones, I've just never looked for them. The scoops come in lots of sizes.

That makes sense; I'll look out for smaller ones.

 

[rascal]

Great tips.

Russ