Fast Fix: Problem-Solvers

Even the best cooks have off moments. Here are a few common (and not-so-common) predicaments and how to solve them.

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Food-Crusted Pans 
There's nothing worse than a pan crusted with burned cheese, eggs, tomato sauce, whatever. Actually, there is one thing and that's trying to scrub it out. Secret weapon? Deglaze it! Fill the pan with water, and bring to a boil. Scrape with a wooden spatula. You're done.

Food Sticks to Pan While Cooking 
Heat pans before adding oil or butter (except with nonstick pans). This process, called 'conditioning,' forms a lubricating barrier between food and metal.

Too Much Heat (Spice-Level) 
Add a dairy product or some sugar. Alternately, add some potato slices to absorb some of the capsaicin (which causes the burning). If none of this works, make another batch without chiles and combine.

Pitting Olives 
Lay a chef's knife flatways on an olive. Press down hard with your palm, release and remove the pit easily.

No Fresh Herbs? 
Rub dry herbs together in your palms before using — this brings out the flavor.

No Time to Boil 
Cauliflower, beets, potatoes, even artichokes cook in a matter of minutes when placed in a bowl with just a bit of water, covered and microwaved.

Bland Tomatoes 
Out-of-season supermarket tomatoes can taste like a sheet of cardboard. To bring out a little more flavor, try oven-drying — removing moisture concentrates flavor. Halve tomatoes lengthwise. Lay on a foil-lined baking sheet, salt and roast in a 200°F oven for about 2 hours.

Next Up

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Minimize weeknight, last-minute fuss with a well-stocked pantry. Here's what to have on-hand.

Meatless Monday: Grilled Squash Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa

Make grilled squash and manchego cheese quesadillas with charred tomato salsa tonight for Meatless Monday.

Summer Fest: Easy Tomato Galette

I grew up picking tomatoes straight from the garden and eating them like apples, warm from the sun. Since then, I've had a hard-and-fast two-tomato-a-day rule every summer. Sure, I love tomato salads, BLTs, and simple, garlicky sauce, but this summer, my favorite way to reach my daily quota is a slice of tomato galette.

Summer Fest: Tasty Takes on 6 Types of Summer Tomatoes

A sweet and savory combination of heirloom tomatoes, watermelon and feta cheese makes for a Refreshing Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad.

Summer Fest: Five Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipes

With summer in full swing what better way to spend an evening than with a few cocktails and chips and dip? Skip the store-bought brand of salsa and use in season tomatoes to make these fresh versions and you'll never go back to jarred.

Summer Fest: Fresh Corn Muffins

Week five of our season-long garden party Summer Fest 2011 welcomes food and garden bloggers to feature garden-to-table recipes and tips. We’ll help you to enjoy all that this season has to offer. So far, we’ve delved into eggplant, peaches, cucumbers and cherries. Now we're on to a new crop: corn. Yes, I turned on my oven. It was worth it though to work sweet summer corn into a classic corn muffin recipe. These savory corn muffins are a great accompaniment to any summer dish but since I prefer to snack all day, I made them miniature. You can pick up corn right now from your local farmers' market, but there should also be plenty in stock at the supermarket.

Zucchini and Cucumber Facts

Savor summer produce like fresh cukes and zukes, fresh from the farm stand.

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