My Tricks of the Trade

Do you know what this is?

If you said brownie pan, then you are correct but it isn’t just for brownies.  I like to think outside of the brownie box. Instead of removing the cutter before baking, keep the insert in the pan. The cutter insert provides perfect square spaces for creating granola bars. Take the prepared granola bar mixture (try my granola bar recipe in the recipe section) and press it into the square spaces. Bake, slightly cool, and then remove the cutter insert. The removable bottom feature makes it easy to transfer the granola bars to a wire rack to cool. This pan will also create perfectly square rice crispy bars. Press the rice crispy mixture into the square spaces of the pan fitted with the cutter insert.

I know what you are thinking. This is easy. It is a hand grater. Yes it is, but think outside of a block of cheese.  When a recipe calls for minced garlic, skip the cutting board and knife and grate it.  Grate chocolate, fresh ginger, onion, carrot…..

I love this wire rack! It is frequently used in my kitchen for the purpose of a cooling rack for baked goods but it has another use as well. What is great about this rack versus a plastic coated rack is that it can go into the oven. Fit the wire rack on top of a baking sheet and then top with bread crumb, cornmeal, or panko coated vegetables and/or meat. Spray or drizzle olive oil over the vegetables or meat. When baking the wire rack allows the vegetables/meat to crisp on all sides.

I love using shot glasses for serving dips. They are also great for creating mini desserts. I found while preparing dinner at a friend’s house that this little glass holds more potential then just dips and desserts. While raiding my friend’s draws and cabinets in search of a small round cookie cutter, I came across a shot glass. Perfect! This would be just the thing I needed to create my mini biscuits. Dip in flour and then cut small rounds in the biscuit dough.

Next time you are cooking and are in a pinch for a specific kitchen tool, think outside of your kitchen tool box.