Looking for some fine food tips and helpful hints for the brand new year of 2022? You’re in luck! Here are some offerings from Ilene Spector, a Baltimore-based freelance writer and veteran Jewish food journalist.
Sincerest Form of Flattery
When baking, don’t bother to buy expensive pure vanilla extract. All tests show that imitation vanilla is just as good as the pure stuff and not worth the extra money!
You Knead this information
If you flour the surface before kneading dough, try using some vegetable oil instead. Too much added flour can make your dough dry and stiff.
Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Belly Button? Yes!
Dip a Q-tip into apple cider vinegar and carefully rub it on the inside of your belly button daily. The antimicrobial properties will clean and keep away infections.
Chicken Soup 2022 Additions – Yum!
Use some cooked, curly ramen noodles. Add some strips of Kombu (seaweed), shredded cooked chicken, 1 tsp. of soy sauce, sliced green onions, 2 tsps. of sesame oil, sesame seeds and chili flakes for heat, if desired. Simmer 15 minutes in chicken broth.
Make Your Own Signature Egg Salad
Seasonal plain egg salad with lemon-pepper seasoning or a tsp. of steak sauce. So yummy!
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!
Use the recipe on a bag of chocolate chip cookies. Bake 2 minutes less than suggested. Soft, chewy and delish!
Up Your Sandwich Spreads a Notch!
Become a chef and combine any of these — steak sauce and mayonnaise, whole grain mustard and peach preserves, curry powder with ketchup and mayo, or guacamole with parve ranch dressing. Oh, boy!
Reviving Celery
Revive wilted celery sticks by placing them in a bowl of iced water for at least one hour. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to improve flavor. To revive a whole head, cut a thin slice from root end and stand the head in iced water.
Make a Toast for 2022
Mash fresh avocados with kosher salt and lemon juice. Spread on small toasted challah or sourdough slices. Top with chopped pistachios, thyme and/or parsley. Drizzle with olive oil. Delish!
The Best Mocktail for Kids and Adults
For rim of glasses; 1/3 cup warmed caramel sauce, 1/3 cup light brown sugar. For drink; 2 ounces warmed caramel sauce*, 7 ounces chilled apple cider, 7 ounces chilled ginger beer. Garnish; cinnamon sticks. Dip rim of glass in sauce and then in brown sugar. Pour warm sauce into glass, then apple cider and then ginger beer (no alcohol). Stir until well combined. Garnish with a cinnamon stick. Enjoy immediately!
*Take your time and make an easy homemade caramel sauce for best results.
Ilene Spector is a Baltimore-based freelance writer and veteran Jewish food journalist.
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