Cooking Tips

To avoid browning of apples after cutting, apply a little lemon juice on the cut surface. The apples will stay and look fresh for a longer time.
While boiling milk, always add a little water in the vessel to avoid milk from sticking to the bottom.

You can also leave a spoon in the vessel in which the milk is being boiled at low heat so that it does not get burnt at the bottom.

Keep coriander leaves in a muslin cloth bag, in the refrigerator. They will remain fresh for a longer time.

Add a tablespoon of hot oil to homemade pastes of garlic, ginger or green chilli, along with salt to make it last longer and taste fresher.

Remove the stems of green chillies while storing them.This will help them stay fresh for long.

Store raisins in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for much longer.

While using ginger and garlic paste in curries, always use garlic at 60% ratio and ginger at 40% as ginger is very strong and will make your dish sharp and pungent.

Grandma's useful Tips

To remove bad breath chew Eliachi (green cardamom) / Saunf (aniseed)
       / Laung  (Cloves).

Chewing a piece of Laung (clove) after a meal helps in reducing acidity.

Soak seven almonds in water overnight, remove the skin and boil it with a glass of milk and sugar and drink it. Repeat this for 20 - 25 days. It helps enhance memory.

One or two drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief works as a good inhaler if one has a running nose.

A few drops of eucalyptus oil, when added to hot water, provides relief during cold, when inhaled.

A mixture of ginger juice and honey (warmed), if taken before going to bed brings great relief to severe cough.

A mixture of cardamom seeds, a pinch of black salt and a few drops of lemon, taken with luke warm water, provides relief during a stomach ache.

A flake of garlic, swallowed with water, on an empty stomach everyday in the morning can be helpful in providing relief during stomach and gastric problems.

Biting a clove provides relief in toothache.

Miscellaneous

To remove an ink-stain apply toothpaste on both sides of the ink-stain. Wash after it dries.

For a candle to last longer, place it in a bowl of water.

A mixture of milk and spirit can be helpful in removing ball pen marks from foam leather.

When storing woollen clothes, place dried neem (margo) leaves in them to avoid worms and insects.

To get rid of dandruff, apply a mixture of lemon and coconut oil on your scalp for at least 2 hours
       (twice a week).

 Do not throw away orange peels. Dry and powder it. Add milk or rose water to make a fine paste. Apply on your face for a fresh and glowing skin.

 Do not throw away an old tooth brush, as it can be used for cleaning jewellery, bottles and metals.

 Clean all your silverware with toothpaste. They will sparkle like they were bought yesterday.

To remove grease stains from clothes, sprinkle some talcum powder over the grease as soon as possible. Keep aside for a while & wash with soap and water as usual.

Used tea leaves are good manure for plants.

Oil stains may be removed by rubbing with a piece of lemon dipped in salt. Later wash off with soap.