How-To

There’s nothing like enjoying a slice of cake, with or without an occasion. You can prepare those recipes you love whenever you like instead of waiting around for a moment to celebrate. Simply freeze the cake in individual servings to pull out and eat anytime a craving strikes. Here’s how to do it. Keep your layer cake fresh by using a technique involving parchment paper or waxed paper. You’re going to want to press the paper directly onto the cut sides of the cake. This will hold in the moisture to prevent the cake from drying out. Freeze the slices like this on a baking sheet until the frosting is firm. Some frosted cakes will freeze faster than others but try leaving it overnight to protect decorative layers. On the next day, you can wrap the pieces in plastic wrap, then stack to save space. When you’re ready to enjoy a slice, simply plate the frozen slices right out of the freezer. The less you move the cake around as it starts to thaw, the better. Individual slices will thaw out more quickly but you can enjoy it even mid-thaw. If you’d like to freeze larger chunks of cake, instead of individually, you can apply the same method. Protect cut ends with parchment paper, freeze overnight, and wrap in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Source: the Kitchn

No matter how careful you are, chances are you’re going to end up with a chocolate stain while enjoying your favorite brownies, Bundt cake or s’mores. The good news is chocolate stains can be removed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to remove chocolate from fabric. What You’ll Need Butter knife or spoon Dish soap Sink area and washing machine Stain remover Instructions Scrape off any excess chocolate: The last thing you want to do with chocolate stains is spread it around. Use the smooth edge of a butter knife or a spoon to remove any and all excess chocolate. Turn the garment inside out and run cold water through the stain: Running water through the stain helps flush it through the fibers. Doing this from the back of the clothing helps push it out. Cold water ensures you aren’t inadvertently setting the stain, as could happen with hot water. Add soap: Lather dish soap or liquid laundry detergent directly onto the stain. Rub it in gently. Soak the garment in cold water for 15 minutes: Check on your garment and gently rub the soap into the stain with your fingers every five minutes or so. If the stain persists, dab on more soap and repeat soaking. Rinse completely: When the stain appears to be gone, rinse the garment thoroughly under cold water. This will help you see if the stain is truly gone. Pull out a stain remover if needed: If you can see a faint remnant of the stain, now would be a good time to use your favorite stain remover. Follow directions as instructed. Launder as usual with cold water: As always, try not to wait too long before you launder stained garments. Toss the clothing item into your washing machine, and wash with detergent and cold water.

A smaller kitchen appliance can save time and energy in a kitchen. Coffee makers for example, are essential for a caffeine-craving household. These appliances are used so often and therefore require the utmost maintenance. Nearly every appliance has a control panel that is touched every time, leaving behind soil or bacteria. Microorganisms inside where food and beverages are prepared can lead to digestive upset or worse. Here’s how to get those small kitchen appliances clean. Espresso or Coffee Maker. Regardless of the kind of coffee machine, these should be cleaned regularly for both good tasting coffee and to prevent bacteria growth. A coffee maker combines moisture and warmth, a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mold. All removable parts should be removed after every use to clean away coffee grounds and oils. Wash these with warm, soapy water or in a top rack of a dishwasher. Take a moment to wipe down the outside of the maker with a clean damp cloth. To clean the reservoir, fill it with equal parts distilled white vinegar and distilled water. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then run a brewing cycle. Run an additional two cycles with plain distilled water afterwards. Blender or Food Processor. A blender, food processor or juicer is prone to splatters of food and liquid. After each use, rinse out the blender or cup with plain water. Fill with half warm water and a drop or two of dishwashing liquid. Power it on for about 15 to 30 seconds then dump out the solution. Disassemble the blades and lid parts, rinse them with hot water and allow to air dry. Take a clean cloth to wipe down the outside of the base and use a soft toothbrush if necessary to tackle buttons or knobs. Simply dip in a solution of warm water and a drop of dishwashing liquid. Waffle Maker. Unplug the machine and wet several paper towels. Use metal tongs to hold them as you wipe down the hot grill or press to loosen food particles. When it’s completely cool, mix a cup of warm water with a drop of dishwashing liquid. Dampen a clean, soft cloth with the solution and wipe the entire cooking surface. If you have a buildup of grease, use a soft toothbrush to get into the crevices. Rinse with another clean cloth dipped in plain water, then dry. If you have removable plates or drip trays, wash in hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher if recommended by the manufacturer. Never use a scrubbing pad or sharp tool on a nonstick surface. Toaster. After every use, unplug the toaster and open trap doors or shake it upside down over a trash or sink to remove loose crumbs. Wash the removable tray or tasting rack with hot, soapy water, then rise and dry afterwards. Once a week you should unplug the appliance and use a soft cloth dampened with hot, soapy water to wipe down the exterior and interior, avoiding the heating elements. You can use a toothbrush for harder to reach crevices. Rinse with another cloth with plain water and allow to dry before using. Source: the Spruce

A burnt pot or pan is inevitable in a kitchen. There’s plenty of ways to deal with crusty and neglected pots. Here are the best ways to clean them, according to chefs. Wipe First. Remove any oil by going over it with a paper towel or scrubbie. This will improve things and keep fat and oil out of your pipes. For stuck-on bits use a spatula to scrape them off. Keep It Warm. If you’ve got a burnt pot on your hands, you’ll want to start cleaning it right away while it’s still hot. The longer you wait the harder it will be to clean. If you absolutely need to do it later, just warm it up beforehand by adding some hot water inside on medium heat. Take caution with this step and use dish gloves if available. Soak the Pan in Vinegar. Combine a few tablespoons of distilled white vinegar with water and boil it for a few minutes. This will take out almost everything. Heavy Duty Scrubber. A heavy duty scrubber is essential to cleaning a pan. Use a nonabrasive sponge to eliminate risk of steel or copper sponges contaminating food. You can also use a softer fabric sponge with texture similar to steel wool. Source: the Kitchn

Silicone bakeware is naturally nonstick, making it easy and versatile in the kitchen. They are made of inert material, so storing is a breeze since they can be collapsed down to save space. A silicone cookware is only as good as its cleanliness. There’s nothing worse than having custom ice cubes taste like last week’s pesto bombs. They can leave behind a somewhat plastic-like taste and smell when they’re brand new. Here’s how to get any lingering smells out. What You’ll Need: An oven A sponge and dish soap A baking sheet Oven mitts Directions: Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Wash your silicone bakeware: Give your bakeware a quick wash (with a sponge and warm, soapy water) to ensure there isn’t any lingering oil or bits of food left on your bakeware. “Bake” your bakeware: Put the pieces on a baking sheet (this will make things easier to get in and out of the oven) and bake your bakeware for one hour. Try the sniff test and let the pieces cool: Pull the baking sheet out of the oven and perform a careful sniff test. If you’re getting even the faintest whiff, return the sheet to the oven in increments of 20 minutes. Once they’re stink-free, let the pieces cool before you put them away. NOTE: Make sure your cookware is 100% silicone. Rubber could melt and fillers in your silicone could also pose a melting problem. Source: the Kitchn