Buffer for Wine Bottles Bill Lewis of Mount Kisco, N.Y., found a way to safely transport multiple bottles of wine without a divided cardboard box. He packs two rolls of paper towels next to each other in a sturdy bag and slips the bottles on either side of them. The snug, cushioned fit prevents the bottles from moving.
QUI CK TI P S j COMPILED BY ANNIE PETITO k
Another Way to Freeze and Prep Chipotles Rachel Delany of Charleston, S.C., finds that freezing leftover canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce in ice cube trays makes for easy portioning. Instead of defrosting the chiles, she prefers to mince them when they’re still frozen and stiff.
How to Handle Garlic for Grating Rather than peel garlic cloves before grating them—and then inadvertently skin his fingers on the blade as he gets down to the nub—David Sokol of Shelburne, Vt., cuts the unpeeled clove in half crosswise and uses the skin as a handle while he grates.
Reminder About Surplus Spices Nonstick Cover for Casseroles When baking cheese-topped casseroles such as lasagna or enchiladas, Benjamin Harvey of Swannanoa, N.C., covers the dish with an overturned rimmed baking sheet (or a disposable aluminum baking pan) instead of aluminum foil. Since the sheet doesn’t directly touch the cheese, sticking isn’t a problem.
Spill-Proof Cardboard Containers Kate Regan of Duluth, Minn., uses binder clips to clamp shut cardboard containers of cream, milk, or juice that don’t have resealable caps.
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When Carrie Andersson of Stillwater, Minn., buys bulk spices and ends up with more than will fit in her small spice jar, she places a sticker marked with a “plus” symbol on the lid to remind herself that she has more in the cupboard.
