Kitchen Hints and Tips
Snacks

Popcorn

Popcorn will pop better if you store it in the freezer and pop while frozen.
Buy the inexpensive brand and keep the kernels in the refrigerator. Put them into hot oil to pop.
Make sure all your popcorn kernels pop by rinsing them in cold water before cooking.
Make gourmet popcorn by melting 1 tablespoon each of peanut butter, grape jelly and butter and pour over 6 cups of popped corn.
"Old maids" can be eliminated by running ice cold water over the kernels before throwing into the popper.
Form popcorn balls around lollipops.
Before you serve it, put fresh popcorn in a large plastic bag with a small hole cut in a bottom corner, then shake. The unpopped kernels will spill out from the hole.
Popcorn should always be kept in the freezer. Not only will it stay fresh, but freezing helps eliminate "old maids."

Potato Chips

If potato chips lose their freshness, place under the broiler for a few moments. Take care not to brown them.
For garlic-flavored potato chips, put a peeled garlic clove in a container with chips for several hours. Discard garlic clove before serving chips.
Freshen soggy potato chips quickly by placing in a 375 degree F oven and baking for a few minutes. Watch them carefully and remove before they brown.

Potato Peels

Potato Peel Snacks: When peeling potatoes for mashed potatoes, save the peelings, toss them in a bowl, season with salt, pepper and a little Italian dressing and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until they are crispy. It makes a quick and healthy snack.