• While making ghee add betel leaves. They give a pleasant aroma as well as increase the shelf life.

• If the jam has got solidified add a little hot water to the amount of jam you need and stir.

• While making mango juice add little milk. The juice will not only be tastier but more nutritious.

• Instant noodles when crushed and deep-fried, make an excellent topping for soups, salads, etc.

• Warm cardamom pods very lightly, cool and deseed. These seeds will powder more easily.

• Use ground sugar to make thick shakes etc. so that the sugar dissolves quickly and completely in the cold milk.

• If pouring out colours etc. turn out to be a messy job, use a clean ink dropper for this purpose.

• Rub brinjals with a little salted oil after slicing to avoid discoloration.

• Keep a little powdered cashewnuts handy in a bottle to thicken gravies, milk, etc. in a hurry.

• While cutting jackfruit apply little oil to the knife as well as your hands. It will cut easily and prevent your hands and the knife from getting sticky.

• Chop green chillies, etc. either with a steel knife or steel scissors. Do not use iron knives since the paste will tend to turn blackish later on.