Tips n Tricks

Extract Lemon Juice to the fullest:
First poke the skin of the lemon with a fork, being careful not to poke all the way through the skin to the flesh.
Place the lemon(s) in the microwave on high for 20 to 30 seconds.
Or
Lemons can also be warmed by placing them in a bowl and pouring boiling water over them. Allow them to sit in the hot water for 30 seconds.   
After the lemons have been warmed, roll them on a solid surface using the palm of your hand. Roll until you feel the flesh softening.Now when you cut and squeeze you can get more juice as compared to normal way.

Difference between Baking Powder and Baking Soda:
Baking Powder -A combination of baking soda, an acid and a moisture absorber, which together form a leavening agent. Just the right amount of acid is added to the baking soda so that when the baking powder is added to moist ingredients, there is a reaction that releases carbon dioxide bubbles. This reaction is what makes the batter or dough rise.

Baking Soda -An ingredient used as a leavening agent. When it is mixed with an acidic ingredient and then comes in contact with liquid ingredients, a chemical reaction occurs. The chemical reaction releases carbon dioxide gas and causes the rising action in dough or batter. Some of the acidic ingredients that cause the reaction with baking soda are vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, buttermilk, sour milk, sour cream, honey, chocolate and molasses. The chemical reaction begins as soon as the liquid is added, so the dough or batter should be baked as soon as possible after it has been mixed. If too much time passes before baking, the gases can escape and the product will not rise properly when baked.

Baking Soda have good shelf life but baking powder can become less effective with time.To determine if baking powder is still active add 1 teaspoon to 1/3 cup of hot water. If it bubbles vigorously, it's still active and will give good baking result.

-To avoid stickiness in Rice Add a few drops of lemon juice to the rice while cooking, you will find that the grains of rice will remain separate.

-To get really soft chapatis, the trick lies in the kneading. The more you knead, the smoother the dough becomes and the smoother the dough is, the softer the Chapatis. Another secret to soft Chapatis is using fresh yoghurt or milk instead of water, to make the dough! When you're done kneading the dough and it is smooth, wet your hand with water and run it all over the surface of the ball of dough. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for half an hour before using.

-If you misfired with the seasoning (and we all do that sometime!) and your curry is saltier than you like, don't throw it out. All you need to do is peel and cut a large potato in half and add it to your curry. It will absorb the extra salt!
-If you make your own ginger, garlic and fresh chilli pastes at home, ensure a longer life by adding a tablespoon of hot vegetable/ canola/ sunflower cooking oil to them and mixing well. Refrigerate and use as required.
-Cooking cabbage can be a smelly affair! Its strong odor permeates the home and stays for long after the cooking is done! To avoid this problem, add a bay leaf to cabbage while cooking it. Not only will this drastically reduce any odors, it will also enhance the flavor of the dish.

Something other than cooking:
-Store your bed linens inside the matching pillowcase! Put the set of sheets right inside a case and store it on a shelf. That way you know what color sheets are there and you’ll have the whole set ready to go.
-Remove tarnish from copper and brass cookware. Squeeze ketchup onto a cloth and rub it on pots and pans. They should go back to their coppery color in minutes. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel.
(real simple.com)

-Cover the blemish on skin with a dab of honey and place a band-aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight. (www.breakthechain.org)
-If you have a stubborn zipper, you can just lightly rub a candle along the teeth on both sides. Then pull your zipper back and a forth a few times and it should be working better!(realsimple.com)

Note:
All tips are taken from Internet from various websites.If you have one do share with me so that I can update it time to time. :)