The Detroit News. Irksome little problems crop up every day in the kitchen that call for creative solutions.
Improvisation is key.
Knowing the value of a good culinary shortcut, the editors of Cook's Illustrated have produced 365 Quick Tips. The following sampling should send you on your way to a more efficient year in the kitchen. Place it unpeeled in a zipper-lock bag and freeze, adding more bananas to it until you have enough. Add a couple of drops of dish soap, cover and blend 30 seconds. Simply place a slightly smaller, straight-sided cake pan on top of the crust, keeping it there while it bakes, suggests the 2001 Old Farmer's Almanac.