Ask the Consultant: Cooking Tips, Knife Sharpening, and Produce Storage

[byrd1956]

I have a host that thinks it will be great to have guests 'ask the consultant'. They are to ask for
cooking tips, techniques or problems that they would want to ask about. So far:
1. What's the best way to drain oil off hamburger in a skillet?
2. How is the best way to sharpen knives along with tips and skills on how to use them in everyday fruit and vegetable chopping?
3. What is the best way to store produce so it won't go bad so quickly. They have read tips on Pinterest but they're all different for each type of food so she was wondering if PC had
something simple that would work across the board?I am definitely not a good tip person, so I am coming to the cs experts. I actually use a colander to drain grease and soak it up with paper towels. I have never sharpened a knife and I am no expert at chopping things~always been impressed when I see people that can do that with finesse! As far as storage goes I have also used some of those Pinterest suggestions, but would love to have suggestions that work. Can anyone out there help?

 

[Admin Greg]

Thanks for posting! I'm sorry you haven't received any responses thus far. Do you have any additional information or can you rephrase your post to make it clearer?

 

[byrd1956]

I don't have anything extra to add. I guess no one has any words of wisdom for me. Bummer.

 

[Teri Dona]

How about Magic Mop Item Number 2568 or Baster & Cleaning Brush Item Number 1665 for getting oil out of the pan without clogging your drain?

 

[raebates]

For the storage question, it so depends on the food. For storing most leftovers the Leakproof Glass Containers are excellent. However, for storing fresh greens the Salad Spinner is a must-have. It's also perfect for removing the water before freezing berries.Honing knives is better than sharpening them. It makes it feel sharper without removing any of the metal. For knife use, hold the knife with your thumb and forefinger on the blade, just before the bolster (where the handle joins the blade), and the rest of your fingers on the blade. Curl under the fingers on the hand holding the foods. This way the blade won't accidentally come down on your fingers. I love the "ask the consultant" idea, but I would suggest confining it to questions about the products themselves.

 

[Jasmine]

I love turning questions I don't have a good answer to back on the guests. It gets them chatting andhelps them enjoy their time together.