Bundt pan tricks

You know that bundt pan hiding in the back of the cupboard, waiting for you to need a fancy cake to impress someone? Here are a couple of other uses for it.

Corn off the cob: When you need to cut fresh corn off a cob, try sticking the stem end (after shucking) into the hole in the middle of a bundt pan and letting the pan catch all those scattering kernels.

Chicken roasting, with veg: Cover the hole in the middle of the bundt pan with foil to prevent leakage, then fill the pan with roastable vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots; even a bit of sausage if you like. Settle the chicken over the pan's center pillar by sticking it up the chicken's... that is, by inserting the pillar into the cavity of the chicken, "Beer can chicken" style. This way the juices will collect in the pan with the vegetables (and whatever) and you don't have to waste any beer.

These tips are from: Mad genius tips : over 90 expert hacks + 100 delicious recipes / by Justin Chapple and the editors of Food & wine. Food & Wine Books, c2016. ISBN: 9780848748425

Storing oils

Most sources recommend against storing olive oil in the fridge, preferring the classic "dark, cool place." If you do refrigerate it, they advise giving it 5 minutes or so to come to room temperature before use.

Other oils are apparently more forgiving of refrigeration, or maybe just beneath the notice of those who care about such things.