Hello everyone:

Cooking can be fun or a fretful activity. For those not used to having to go it alone, I have blogged today about some very basic cooking tips. I hope you find them helpful.

There is a difference between a tablespoon and a teaspoon and a half a cup and a third of a cup. It really does matter which measuring spoon and measuring cup you use.  The measurements are usually etched into the measuring spoons and cups, but you may need your reading glasses to see them. Don’t be lazy here, my friend, go get your glasses!

Also, be careful not to mix up sugar and salt. There is a difference between the two. One tastes good in pies and the other will gag you. (Don’t ask!) Okay, you can ask. My hubby went over to a men’s ministry meeting at a friend’s house some years back. One of the daughters had worked all afternoon to make them a strawberry pie. It looked luscious. The men couldn’t wait to dig in. And then one of them did. Aughhhhh……He spat the pie out immediately and ran to the sink to wash out his mouth. Yes, Dear Daughter had mixed up salt and sugar. The deer in the neighborhood had a treat. The men did not.

Finally, there is a difference between ketchup and tomato sauce. One is great on hamburgers and the other….not so much. Do not refill your ketchup bottle with tomato sauce – or, worse yet, tomato paste! You and your guests will notice. I promise. Quick story: I was working at a hotel and my then-hubby went to the hotel’s restaurant to get us some lunch. He brought back some burgers and a bottle of ketchup. I poured a liberal amount on my burger and fries, only to discover it was tomato paste. The new restaurant manager was very wet behind the ears and he didn’t realize there was a difference between the two- he was focused on saving money by refilling bottles. His idea didn’t work out so well. I did get a new lunch out of the deal, however.

Best,

Dr. Sheri