Buttermilk substitute

Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tbsp of lemon juice for every cup of buttermilk called for in a recipe and let it sit for about 10 minutes before adding to the batter. The acidic juice mimics the tenderizing effect of the enzymes in buttermilk.

Pretty cheesecake

Freeze the cheesecake for about 1 hour before decorating. When the poured topping (melted chocolate, pureed fruit or caramel sauce) meets the ice-cold surface, it slows to a stop before dripping down the sides of the cake hitting the plate.

Browning butter sauce

First, fill a bowl with 2 inches of ice water. Then watch the butter cook on the stove. When it changes from yellow to caramel in color, remove from heat and place the pan on the ice. The cold will stop the cooking process and prevent the residual heat in the pan from turning your sauce to black.

Slow-cooking stew

To accomplish savoring soft beef stew, bring the meat to a simmer on the stove and finish cooking it in an oven set to 350F. This temperature ensures the stew will continue to simmer, and the indirect heat will cook it more uniformly.

Quick fix for torn lace

To fix a small tear in your lace item, place a piece of wax paper behind it and brush a layer of clear nail polish across the tear. Let dry and remove the paper. The polish will leave behind a hard layer that will seal the gash.

Stay-put garbage bag

To prevent a bag from sliding down inside your garbage can, cut the waistband off an old pair of pantyhose and stretch the piece around the folded-over bag, placing it just under the edge of the can. The elastic material will keep the bag in place.

Prevent remote from scratching furniture

Wrap a wide rubber band around each end of the remote. The added padding will cushion the gadget so its edges will not damage your furniture. It works very well when you have kids around.

Preventing stove top spills

When you have to divide your attention with multiple pots at the same time, often you worry that one will boil over and make a mess on the stove top. Avoid spills by placing a metal spoon in each pot as you start cooking. Metal absorbs heat and prevents the liquids from bubbling over.

Yellow stained collars

Cover each stain with baby powder, set your iron to medium heat (steam on), and hold the iron about an inch above the area to steam for about 5 seconds. Press down for about 3 seconds and shake off any excess powder. The talc absorbs the oil that causes yellow stain while the steam sets in the powder, cleaning the collars.

Missing an earring back

Cut a small piece from the end of a cork using a pair of manicure scissors. Then put on the earring and stick the post through the piece of cork.

Healthy indoor plants

To make sure your potted houseplants get the moisture they need, crush some bottle corks in a food processor and add 1/2 cup of the powder to the soil of each plant. The material will perform as a natural insulator and prevent water from evaporating.

Organizing pointy objects

Use an old cork to hold each type of pointy objects in your storage. Ideal for safety pins, tacks, pushpins etc. The porous material safely keeps the potential piercing items in place.

Keep glare out of the eyes

When doing outdoor activities, keep the glow from interfering with your vision with this athletes tip. Burn the end of a cork and let cool, then rub the singed end under your eyes. The dark charcoal will help to deflect the sunlight.

Protect wood floors

Use a sharp knife to cut 1/4"-thick discs from corks. Add some wood glue to each disc and attach to the bottom of chair or tables legs. The soft material will pad the piece of furniture, protecting the wood floor from scratches and helping the legs to slide easily across the room.

Cork Week #2!

Commonly utilized as wine stoppers, corks can have several alternative uses as well... Let's check some of them...

Keeping knitting projects on hold

To keep your unfinished knit work from falling off the needles, insert the pointed ends into an old cork, preventing yarn from slipping off the slick tips.

Improvise craft stamps

Grab a craft knife and carve shapes (like stars, hearts, circles etc.) into the ends of old corks. Dip the designs into ink pads or finger paint and press onto paper. After use, clean the corks soaking them in a mix of 1 part rubbing alcohol and 3 parts water for about an hour.

Dingy stainless steel

To remove stains from stainless steel, dip an old cork’s end in 1 tbsp olive oil and use it to scrub marks. The textured surface will act as a mild abrasive, removing buildup without scratching the piece.

Control the flow of oil

To regulate the oil flow from bottle’s wide opening, cut a 1/4" wedge down the length of a cork, remove the slice, then slip the stopper into the bottle neck. The thin gap will gradually disperse the liquid.

Homemade place-card holders

Give your table place card holders a Tuscan-style décor. Bundle 4 corks together and tie firmly with a rustic thin string, then write each guest’s name on hard cardstock and place one in the center of each bundle.

Cork Week #1!

Commonly utilized as wine stoppers, corks can have several alternative uses as well... Let's check some of them...

Streak-free windows

Soak a small squeegee in a bucket filled with 1/2 gallon of water, 1tsp of liquid dish soap and 1tsp of cornstarch, and use to wash your windows and mirrors, rinsing the squeegee occasionally in clean water. Dish soap eliminates dirt and cornstarch absorbs streak-causing residues.