• Do not throw away the lemon after squeezing the juices out of it. Put it in the pressure cooker when cooking. This will prevent the inside of the cooker from turning black. Dry lemons are also effective.

• Rub the surface of a chopping board with a halved lemon to get rid of onion, garlic or fish smell. It works for the hands too.

• When making green banana wafers use a potato peeler to produce the thinnest slices.

• Basil leaves are tender and bruise very easily, so never chop them with a knife, but tear them lightly with your fingers immediately before using.

• Warm the filter slightly before use while preparing coffee decoction. This will prevent clogging and will facilitate the easy and quick flow of decoction through the filter.

• Don't bother making small batches of wantons, they freeze well and are very handy for deep fried pre-dinner nibbles, so make heaps!