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As we've been collecting recipes, we've also gotten some excellent kitchen and assorted household tips and techniques passed along by other HoCooks........

Sometimes you just don't have one of the ingredients called for in a recipe, so here's a handy list of substitutions!

1 cup self-rising flour  = 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup cake flour = 1 cup sifted all-purpose four minus 2 tablespoons

1 cup all-purpose flour =1 cup cake flour plus 2 tablespoons

1 teaspoon baking powder = 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot =2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon tapioca = 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream = 3 tablespoons butter, 7/8 cup sour milk

1 cup yogurt = 1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1 cup sour milk or buttermilk = 1 tablespoon lemon juice plus sweet milk to equal 1 cup

1 cup fresh milk = 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 cup water

1 cup honey = 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1/4 cup water

1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate = 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1 teaspoon dried herbs

1 teaspoon dry mustard = 1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 pound fresh mushrooms = 6 ounces canned mushrooms
 

*  A pizza cutter makes cutting brownies very simple.  You are able to cut the pieces more evenly and they won't stick to the cutter.  It also works well when cutting fudge.

*  If you sprinkle a little sugar in the skillet when you are frying bacon, the bacon will not stick to the pan.

*  Try stuffing deviled eggs with this simple technique and easy clean up:   Put the filling in a resealable plastic bag.  Cut off a small corner and squeeze the filling into egg halves. Ta Da! Then just toss away the plastic bag!

* If you make your homemade mashed potatoes a little moist, sprinkle some instant flakes in to thickening it right up.  They will still retain there homemade flavor, and you won't have to try to boil another potato to make up the difference in the consistancy.
 

* Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

*  Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle - perfect shaped pancakes every time.

* To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.

* To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.

* Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan-the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.

* To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.

* To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top - skillet will be much easier to clean.

* Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces - no more stains.

* When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead - no white mess on the outside of the cake.

* If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato - it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up".

* Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator - it will keep for weeks.

* Brush beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish.

* Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.

* When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

* To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh - if it rises to the surface, throw it away.

* Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

* Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

* If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves.  They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.

* Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water.

* To get rid of itch from mosquito bite: try applying soap on the area, instant relief.

* Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march - see for yourself.

* Use air-freshener to clean mirrors: It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

* When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off.  Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

* Now Look what you can do with Alka-Seltzer:      Clean a toilet - drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean  vitreous china.       Clean a vase - to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.       Polish jewelry - drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.         Clean a thermos bottle - fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).        Unclog a drain - clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

* Store your brown sugar in the freezer. You never have to worry about it getting hard.  Just take it out a 1/2 hour before using it, then return the unused portion to freezer until you need it again.

* Grapefruit spoons work great as a strawberry huller.  You can also use it to clean the seeds out of squash, pumpkin and melons.

* Here is a great way to dry your metal cookie cutters so they won't rust once you put them away.  After baking cookies, wash the cutters in hot soapy water, rinse, then place them on the oven rack to dry. Although the oven is turned off it's still warm from baking and helps thoroughly dry the cookie cutters.

* When cooking cabbage, add a litle bit of vinegar to the pan to keep the cabbage from loosing it's color.

* To use up leftover hot dog or hamburger buns, try this nifty idea! Spread cut sides with butter or margarine, then sprinkle with seasoned salt and parmesan cheese.  Broil until they are browned and the cheese is melted. You can serve these with spaghetti, chili or a favorite soup or salad. They do make a nice change from garlic bread and your not wasting the buns that usually end up never being eaten.

* To keep cookies soft and fresh, store them in an air tight container with a slice or two of bread.  This works with store bought or homemade cookies.  You won't believe how long they stay fresh!

* The same concept applies to marshmallows that have become dry and hard.  Place them in a resealable plastic bag with a few slices of bread. In a few days they will become soft once again.  To prevent them from drying out in the first place, store them in your freezer.

* If you live in an area where humidity cakes up salt and pepper in your shakers, drop a few oyster crackers or rice into the shakers.  They'll absorb moisture and keep your salt and pepper running freely.