Recipe 911

Holiday entertaining is stressful enough; when something goes wrong, it could become a traumatic experience. Here are some quick-save solutions to keep you cool under the pressure of a party.

RECIPE REPAIRS

• If your cookie dough is too dry, stir in a tablespoon or two of milk.
• If cookies harden and stick to the cookie sheet or a cake sticks in the pan, return them to the oven for 1 minute.
• To cool cookies, place them on a wire rack or a sheet of wax paper sprinkled with sugar. Cookies will cool without getting soggy.
• Make side dishes ahead, and freeze them.
• Keep berries, chopped green bell pepper, chopped onion, parsley, soft breadcrumbs, shredded cheese, and a variety of toasted nuts on hand in zip-top plastic freezer bags in your freezer.
• When frying or sautéing, keep grease splatters as contained as possible by placing a metal colander on top of the skillet.
• Make use of your microwave for thawing foods or jump-starting the cooking process for meats.
• Soups and stews can be made less salty or fiery by adding several large pieces of raw potato. Don't forget to remove the potato before serving your dish!
• Failed pralines can be crumbled over ice cream for a sweet dessert.
• When a cake turns out dry or layers fail to come out of pans evenly, make parfaits or a trifle. Simply crumble the cake into glasses or a dish, and layer with whipped cream and fresh fruit.
• For a quick chill on wine and champagne, fill the sink with cold water and ice, and submerge the bottles. This will cool the liquid faster than the freezer or ice bucket.
• When the chocolate you are melting seizes (clumps), stir in a tablespoon of vegetable oil or shortening to smooth things out.
• To thicken a mousse, stir in whipped heavy cream.
• If you accidentally scorch a recipe or sauce, do not scrape the bottom of the pan. Transfer the remainder of the sauce to a clean pan immediately.
• If a cake gets too brown on top, simply cover it with whipped topping or a sauce.
• If your chocolate pie is soggy, serve chocolate pudding. If your savory cheesecake doesn't set, have dip with crackers.
• Dry stuffing or dressing can be remedied with a little chicken broth.
• Strain lumps from your gravy, and mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water; add this mixture slowly to thicken the gravy.