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How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

This post was inspired by a Tweet tonight from Tanis; she tweeted:

Crap. I put too much hot s ..._1279080797601

Cream, Cream Cheese and Sour Cream were the popular answers, however, with a homemade tomato sauce.. adding a cream can easily go wrong.  That’s a delicate balance and can go bad on you, very quickly.

Truly, the answer is quite simple and is probably in your pantry right now:

Fresh honeycomb

Honey.

I know, you’re sayin’:  “Honey, please”

Honestly, y’all.. Honey.  Just a little bit of the sweet combats the heat from too much cayenne, too much red pepper, too much hot sauce.   A little bit of honey goes a long way and won’t compromise the integrity of your dish.

So, this got me thinking… what other quick kitchen fixes do I know?

Too much salt in a soup or stew?

  • add in a few thick slices of peeled potato, potatoes absorb salt.  Just add the potato slices and slowly simmer until the potatoes become translucent.

Bitter Coffee

  • Add a dash of salt to a pot of coffee that tastes too bitter, yet you can’t bring yourself to throw it out.

Undercooked Cake

  • Scoop out the center and fill with frosting or fresh fruit
  • Crumble up the usable parts to serve over ice cream or make into a beautiful parfait.
  • Whatever you do, don’t tell them it’s a mistake!!!  Just smile, wink and accept the compliments and praises on your delicious concoction

Too Thin Sauce

  • if your sauce is too thin, you can add a bit of cornstarch mixed with water, mashed potato flakes or even a quick flour and butter roux

Recipe Substitutions:

Did you run out of buttermilk or another key ingredient?  There are some surprisingly simple fixes for that.

  • 1 tsp baking powder = ¼ tsp baking soda +  ½ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 cup buttermilk = 1 Cup Skim Milk + 1 Tbsp vinegar or Lemon Juice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch = 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cream = ½ cup butter + ¾ cup whole milk
  • 1 cup honey = 1 ¼ cups sugar + ¼ cup water
  • 1 cup molasses = 1 cup of honey
  • 1 cup sour cream = 1 cup of yogurt
  • 1 cup brown sugar = ¾ cup of granulated sugar + ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 cup granulated sugar = ¾ cup honey or ½ cup corn syrup
  • 1 cup powdered sugar = 1 cup granulated sugar + 1/8 tsp cornstarch (blended in food processor)

How To Take The Gamey Flavor Out of Venison

  • Soak the venison in a mixture of buttermilk and worcestershire for 24 hours.

and I can’t believe I forgot this one! Thanks, April!

What Can I use in Place of Oil during Baking?

  • I use applesauce in place of oil in a LOT of my baking recipes: Like in my Easy homemade Granola
  • April also suggests: pureed pumpkin, sweet potato and even pureed black beans!


These are just a few ideas, a few quick tips to fix those “happens-to-everyone” kitchen oopsies

What are your favorite tips, hints and tricks?

July 14, 2010 - 12:34 AM

crystal d - Rachel, what can you add if chili or tomato sauce is too tangy?

July 14, 2010 - 12:36 AM

Rachel - You can try adding more tomatoes, or use the honey method.
A little bit of honey goes a long way.
Add some honey, simmer a bit, taste… repeat ;-)

July 14, 2010 - 12:43 AM

Tweets that mention How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents — A Southern Fairytale -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SthrnFairytale, SthrnFairytale. SthrnFairytale said: Quick kitchen fixes http://bit.ly/bgP7gM inspired by @redneckmommy [...]

July 14, 2010 - 1:39 AM

Redneck Mommy - The honey worked like a charm. Thanks so much Rachel. I knew I could count on you to fix my kitchen blunders. I really need you to come up north and give me some kitchen lessons. My children would thank you for eternity. Wink.
Redneck Mommy´s most recent brilliance ..How Old Is Old Enough

July 14, 2010 - 6:27 AM

Tickled Red - Wonderful tips post darlin’ :) I never knew about the salt in bitter coffee.
Tickled Red´s most recent brilliance ..Shrimp Grits Love

July 14, 2010 - 6:47 AM

Boston Mamas - What a fun post! I love this! I use the buttermilk substitution whenever I make scones because they only sell buttermilk in quarts around here and most of it ends up going to waste.
Boston Mamas´s most recent brilliance ..77kids Do Good Day

July 14, 2010 - 7:58 AM

MommyNamedApril - I like to substitute applesauce, pureed pumpkin, pureed sweet potato or pureed black beans for fat and oil. :-) it’s yummy AND makes recipes healthier.
MommyNamedApril´s most recent brilliance ..Mini Vacations Are Kind of Our Thing I Didnt Bring My Camera to the Beach- So You Can Imagine Those Shots Sand- Water- Sweat You Know the Drill

July 14, 2010 - 8:23 AM

Jennifer - Im a new follower, and had to let you know this post could have helped me ALOT on the past and will be even better for the future when things go wrong in the kitchen :) Love your blog!
Jennifer´s most recent brilliance ..The Versatile Blogger

July 14, 2010 - 8:36 AM

Karly - These are some great tips, Rachel!
Karly´s most recent brilliance ..Cherry Pie

July 14, 2010 - 10:08 AM

Dana - Great post! I’m always overdoing something!

July 14, 2010 - 10:58 AM

Kellee - Wow, this is so helpful! I would never have known any of them. :)
Kellee´s most recent brilliance ..Cone of Shame!

July 14, 2010 - 11:31 AM

Margo - Here’s one of my favorite tips:

Trying to get more vegetable into your kids’ diet? Once it is soup season again, try this trick for 1. cooling down soup to an edible temp and 2. getting more veggies into those kids! Just stir in some frozen mixed vegetable into any vegetable stew or soup you are serving. The heat will cook the veggies and in turn these frozen bits will cool down the soup so it is not scalding to little mouths.

July 14, 2010 - 12:40 PM

Rachel - Great tip, Margo! Thanks!!!

July 14, 2010 - 5:38 PM

MomBabe - Mine’s not for cooking, but I ALWAYS put lemons and limes down the garbage disposal to make it smell nice. ;)
MomBabe´s most recent brilliance ..3 year olds are too sneaky for their own good

July 14, 2010 - 7:52 PM

Hockeymandad - I am printing this and storing in my kitchen, so useful. Thanks!
Hockeymandad´s most recent brilliance ..Hello Monday

July 14, 2010 - 8:19 PM

designHer Momma - If I have just a little salsa left, I add it to my rice as it cooks while I make tacos. Out of oil, you said it, apple sauce is the best. need to use up some dried figs/cranberries/raisins? throw them in your banana bread.

those are my tips.
designHer Momma´s most recent brilliance ..Still sharper than a Sharpie

July 14, 2010 - 8:20 PM

Tweets that mention How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents — A Southern Fairytale -- Topsy.com - [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by SthrnFairytale, SthrnFairytale. SthrnFairytale said: I want them ;-) What are your favorite kitchen tricks and tips? leave them in a comment here http://bit.ly/cN0OyX [...]

July 14, 2010 - 8:25 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Oh my gosh. Can you imagine????

First: ME in Canada ;-) ooh yes.

Second: We could do a whole video series, it would be the awesome.

Third: I WISH.

(hugs)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:25 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thanks! :-)
I don’t drink coffee, but I know people that swear by that and they told me about it ;-)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:26 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - QUARTS! Wow.
My Granddaddy drank buttermilk. I KNOW!

I cn easily go through a quart with baking and marinating but dang…. :-)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:27 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thank you for reminding me ;-)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:27 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - AWE! Hi Jennifer! :-) Thank you so much! YAY! Welcome ;)
I hope this does help you out ;-)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:28 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thank you, my sweet ;-)
What? you aren’t chiming in? I know you have to have some fabulous tips.
You are the Queen of baking and delicious noms!
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:29 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thank you, ma’am!
I hope it comes in handy for ya!

July 14, 2010 - 8:30 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thanks, Kellee!
I’d like to think I’m a useful and fun resource ;-) If you ever have any kitchen/cooking questions feel free to shoot me an email, I’m always willing to answer anything that I can ;-)

July 14, 2010 - 8:36 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - ME TOO!
See, this is why you’ve always been one of my favorites ;-)
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:36 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Thank you, sir.
How’s Ang?
Hugs and love to y’all.
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:37 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - Me too, Me too!!!
I love adding salsa to rice and beans as they cook!

You. rock.
xo
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 8:59 PM

Debbie @TheHipHostess - Love, and I mean Love this post. You don’t know how many times I wish I had some of this info handy. The honey? Who knew? I know I’m going use that one. Printing up this info and posting it in my kitchen cabinet. Thanks a bunch of daffodils~

July 14, 2010 - 9:01 PM

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale - The fact that I just helped YOU with something. (ZING) my day is made.
Every single time I put my apron on, I smile.
I get compliments on it EVERY SINGLE TIME I wear it.

YAY!!!! xoxo <3
Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale´s most recent brilliance ..How To Fix Those Little Kitchen Accidents

July 14, 2010 - 10:26 PM

amy2boys - This is so awesome! I never can remember these things when I need to!
amy2boys´s most recent brilliance ..Shark Bites – The Office

July 15, 2010 - 10:28 PM

Christi - I would have never thought of honey, what a great tip!
Christi´s most recent brilliance ..Must Have Small Appliance for the Kitchen- Mixer

July 16, 2010 - 1:01 PM

Krystyn - Sending this to my mom…she seems to like to oversalt things…well, except her coffee:)

July 16, 2010 - 9:59 PM

sarah - I make all of these mistakes seemingly on a daily basis! LOL I am bookmarking this post so you can rescue me when I goof from now on!

thank you! (my husband’s taste buds thank you, too! LOL)

October 17, 2010 - 10:01 PM

Rachel (Hounds in the Kitchen) - I think your first sub is mixed up: 1 tsp baking powder = ¼ tsp baking soda + 1/2 cup buttermilk or ½ tsp cream of tartar

Can’t be 1/2 cup buttermilk – isn’t it cornstarch or salt?
Rachel (Hounds in the Kitchen)´s most recent brilliance ..Wise Water Use in the Kitchen – Blog Action Day 2010

October 17, 2010 - 10:35 PM

Al_Pal - Awesome! I have honey on hand but haven’t ever actually bought molasses…oops! ;p

Once I was making brownies, had already started, then realized that we were out of eggs…so I searched online for vegan cooking tips, and used banana. They didn’t set, but DANG they were tasty! :)
Al_Pal´s most recent brilliance ..Sensitivity- I have it

October 17, 2010 - 10:42 PM

Rachel - Thank you so much for catching that, Rachel! I’m not sure how the buttermilk got in there! oops! That’s what I get for doing multiple posts at once :-)

The buttermilk was incorrect! it was supposed to be 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar!!!

I can’t believe that’s been up for so long and nobody (ME) caught it!!!!

October 17, 2010 - 10:44 PM

Rachel - I’ve always heard the bananas sub for eggs thing, yet, never believed it ;-) or tried it!
I’m glad ot hear it was tasty, even if it didn’t set ;-)

Molasses is awesome, I think everyone should have Molasses in their pantry — it lasts forever and it’s so useful!!!!!!

October 17, 2010 - 10:45 PM

Rachel - LOL Sarah!
I hope that some of these help you!
Let me know!!!

January 3, 2011 - 2:19 AM

AMINU USMAN JIBRIL - What are the types of kitchen accident. List them please!!!

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