Intensify your recipes with chocolate: Any recipe that is chocolate flavored can be made much more intense by adding a TSP of good vanilla & a TSP of instant powdered Espresso to the recipe. The three flavors combined make the taste explode on your pallet

Gadgets: The best peelers & whisks I have ever used are from Pampered Chef. They have a variety of peelers for different uses and the stainless steel whisks are strong and unbending. Check them out on Amazon –  pampered chef kitchen tools

What to do with cheese rinds:A cheese rind can give great flavor to a soup or a sauce that would compliment each others taste. Just wrap the rind in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag for later use.

Vanilla Is not just Vanilla: Did you know not all vanillas are the same and some are better used in hot or cold items. Check out the largest vanilla producer, “NielsenMassey.com”. They have a full explanation of what types of vanilla are best used in certain recipes. Also you can get Nielsen Massey on Amazon

My Favorite Vinegars

Some of the best balsamic vinegars I’ve had come from Isabella’s. They are aged and not sweetened with sugars. They have a variety of flavors and sizes. Great for salads, marinades and sauces. They also offer olive oils too. Two locations in NC; Huntersville and Mooresville, but you can order online too.

Check them out at : http://www.isabellasoliveoil.com

Baking or griddle items with Buttermilk:

Buttermilk tastes awful but is incredible for baking, pancakes or waffles. Substitute buttermilk for reg milk, ratio 1:1, When using the buttermilk substitution you should add a bit of baking soda. Recipes having baking soda won’t need any change. Otherwise add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda for every 2 cups of FLOUR used.