Tips to make cooking easy

I know I talk about my Mammy (Duke) Hiott Hamilton a lot, but she was my rock. I would watch her for hours do different things.  She was a master cook, she taught me to crochet and made amazing things. Crossword puzzles and reading.  It does not sound like much but to me it was the world.  She would give me tips, on cooking, crocheting, this and that.. Here are some tips she give me over the years I would write them down and still to this day use them..

• When you stew chicken let it cool in the broth (or liquor as she called it) before cutting  it will have much more flavor.
• Roasting a chicken or turkey want it to be all pretty and golden brown, rub some mayo on the skin
• When you buy a roast, buy one with a bone, the bone gives it way more flavor and cooks faster
• Speaking of roast do not cook it cool right out the fridge, let it sit out for an hour, brush it with oil before baking and during the oil seals the juice in.
• Want a juicy burger.. add some water to the meat. 
• Cauliflower (yuck) but anyway want it to say white during cooking, add some milk to the water
• Never add salt when boiling corn rather on the cob or off, add SUGAR. Salt makes it tough 
• Love cabbage but hate the smell when cooking?  Place some vinegar in a cup on the stove, it will absorb the smell
• Want crisper potatoes when frying peel and soak them  in water before cooking., for about an hour

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• Vegetables.... this was one I always had to really remember.. Vegetables that grow under ground when cooking put them in cold water and bring it to boil.   The ones that grow above ground put them in water that is boiling..
• Ever oversalt gravy?  stir in some instant mash potatoes in, just add a little more milk or water.. 
• Hate when celery gets all limp in the fridge.. put it in water in the fridge, in a pitcher stand it up
• Do no wash lettuce before putting it in the fridge
• When mixing or serving salads use a glass bowl or wooden never metal..
• Baking Soda in your dishwasher will kill the odors and clean it
• Got a scratch on your wooden furniture?   Instant coffee.. make a paste and rub it on the scratch 
• Your homemade biscuits dry, it is from either the oven not hot enough or you kneed it to much
• Remember if you are not sure about if a egg is good, place it in a deep bowl of water if it FLOATS DO NOT USE..
• Slightly Sour milk ?  Put a pinch of soda in it, it is now fresh
• Love bacon or fatback .. hate the splatter?  Place some salt or flour in the pan before frying
• Do not use a fork to turn meat.. use tongs
• Thicken your soups or stews instant mash potatoes 
•  Boiling Potatoes.. add lemon juice to the water.  keeps them white
• Lemon juice to hand after you cut onions