Learn how to cut the time potatoes take to cook in half, because sometimes waiting isn’t an option. If you’re a Mom, you’ll know that sometimes you need dinner to be ready fast. Ok fine, most times. Dinner done, fast and tasty, is a daily requirement. Also, incidentally, the title of a popular cookbook we might…
kitchen tips
How to Serve a Perfectly Cooked Steak on Shabbos
It makes sense that we always prepare slow-braised meats for Shabbat. But is it even possible to have a medium-rare steak? Actually, yes. I remember, years ago, when my children were very young and not yet meat eaters, I would prepare a steak for my husband for the main dish on Friday night. We definitely…
Can I Prevent My Havdalah Candle from Dripping?
You have a new, beautiful havdalah candle. Will storing it in the freezer really prevent those drips? Many say that freezing a havdalah candle will cause it to drip less, and so, many of us keep the candle in the freezer. But is it really true? We tested it out for you! A havdalah candle…
How to Cut Sweet Potato Fries – Step By Step
Learn how to cut your own fries and you won’t have to buy the pre-cut ones anymore. There’s no real secret to cutting pretty sweet potato – or regular potato – fries. Just take the time to do each step and your fries will look just like the ones you get at your favorite fast…
Keeping Brown Sugar Soft Is Not A Struggle Anymore
This little trick is a game-changer. My pantry has had OXO bins ever since a site called BCP recommended them. Everything goes into a bin. Cholent beans, flour, cocoa, confectioners sugar, rice, seeds… you get the idea. Into a bin and labeled, of course. Let’s not forget that step. (Read here all about my labeling…
Real Pans or Disposable: When to Use Which
They don’t yield the same results. Choose wisely or adjust baking time accordingly! You know we love our 9x13s. And our sheet pans. And we’ve even discussed using real 9x13s. But you may have realized that some recipes turn out differently depending on whether the pan used was real or disposable. There are a couple…
How to Use the Same Small Appliance for Meat and Dairy
Replacement parts don’t actually have to replace a broken part. Get a second set of blades, beaters and bowls and you can use the same appliance for both meat and dairy prep. My Braun food processor has been going strong since I got married. For all those years, everything I prepared in that food processor…
Never Touch A Hot Pot Again!
It’s so easy to forget when the pan is hot. This is a great way to remind yourself. There are many recipes that begin by searing over a flame and continue with transferring the pan to the oven to finish cooking. This is a great cooking method that we’ve used in recipes like this one…
Another 5 Things That Renee (Tries to) Always Have In Her Freezer
These freezer staples are always handy, and are there ready and waiting to save the day! One of the very first posts I wrote here on Between Carpools was about the five items I always have in my freezer. It’s 3 years later and those items are still my go-to freezer staples. Since it’s still…
The 5 Things Leah Always Keeps in Her Freezer
Why dirty pots over and over again when you can do it just once? Make big batches of these staples and have them ready in the freezer for when you need ‘em. One of the first articles I wrote for Mishpacha magazine years ago was about things I stock in the freezer. The editor named…