There's nothing sweet about opening the container of brown sugar and finding a rock-hard mass that requires a pick to break it apart. Some years ago, I was told to put a slice of apple in the container of brown sugar to keep it soft. That works...but after awhile the brown sugar tastes a little like apples. Earlier this year, while snooping around in a kitchen shop in Barkerville, B.C. I found a little 'brown sugar disc'...guaranteed to keep sugar soft!
I have been testing it for some time now...and it does the job well! No more hard lumps of sugar on our porridge. Simply soak the clay disc for 15 minutes and pat dry. Add to the brown sugar, which is best stored in a sealed container. Mine can be found in a yellow Tupperware container from ages past! Enjoy soft, lump-free brown sugar for months!
Something else that I quite like are the silicone lids that I picked up at the 'street fair' in Palm Springs last year. Since then I have seen them at kitchen shops in various shapes and sizes....and also found some that are stretchy and made to fit over everything from a juice glass to a half a watermelon.
Also called 'splatter guards'...they are perfect for topping your bowl before it goes in the microwave. No more covering of dishes with plastic wrap and burning one's fingers when trying to remove it. They seal on all smooth rims and create airtight seals for reheating and storing in the fridge. My set has five sizes...which nest for easy storage. I recommend them!
If you have a favorite kitchen gadget that you would like to tell us about...or a kitchen tip or trick to share...today is a good day for that. Leave us a comment with your tip. If you do...you will have entered your name in the draw for a brown sugar disc. I will publish the winner's name right here at the end of this post on Monday, November 24th.
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Thanks to all of you who shared your favorite gadgets and kitchen tips. There are several that I plan to check out soon! And the winner is....Elsemieke Wishart. Please leave your contact info in the comment section, and I will get your brown sugar disc out to you shortly!
