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Refinish a Well-Loved Wooden Cutting Board With These 4 Tips

August 4, 2016 by

Is your wooden cutting board looking a bit worse for the wear? With all of the slicing and dicing that goes on on your cutting boards, it’s no surprise that they need a bit of refurbishment every now and then. Use these simple tips for breathing new life into an old cutting board.

  1. First, disinfect your cutting board (especially ones that you use to cut meat) by diluting one teaspoon of bleach in two quarts of water. Dip a scrub brush in the solution and scrub the cutting board in small circles, and then wipe the surface with a damp paper towel and buff dry with a cotton cloth.
  2. Next, buff out any deep cuts using a very fine grade sandpaper. You may even want to choose two types of sandpaper so that you can buff out the cuts with one, and then smooth the surface with the other. Don’t leave behind any scratches, as these can collect bacteria.
  3. Condition your cutting board with mineral oil on a soft cloth. Don’t use vegetable or olive oils, as these can turn rancid with exposure. Buff the oil into the board using a thin rag, and make a note to retreat the board at least 3 or 4 times a year as needed.
  4. Once your cutting board is clean, keep it fresh after each use by cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it all over.

How to Clean a Cutting Board: 7 Effective Treatments [Reader’s Digest]
How to Restore and Maintain a Wood Cutting Board or Butcher Block [HGTV]
How To Clean, Deodorize and Condition Wood Cutting Boards Naturally [Apartment Therapy]

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Important Safety Tips for a Happy, Healthy Thanksgiving

November 19, 2015 by

The only thing that can ruin your Thanksgiving more than burning the turkey is an illness or injury. Although Thanksgiving is meant to be enjoyable, having too many cooks in the kitchen can put everyone at risk. Here are a few simple ways to keep your friends and family safe this Turkey Day.

  • Never leave children unattended in the kitchen. With so many things on the stove and in the oven, it is far too dangerous for little ones to wander around.
  • Thaw meat completely to prevent foodborne illnesses. Because the turkey is so large it requires more than one full day to thaw completely, so be sure to provide ample time for thawing before you cook it.
  • Wash hands after handling raw meat or stuffing the turkey.
  • Check the internal temperature of the turkey after cooking to ensure that it is cooked completely through. The bird should be around 180 degrees F inside, and the stuffing should be around 165 degrees F.
  • Always point knives away from you when cutting, and be sure to use a very sharp knife that doesn’t require much force to cut food.
  • Clean grease from countertops and stovetops in order to prevent grease fires. This also goes for towels with grease on them.
  • Keep a first aid kit in the kitchen. You never know what can happen, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thanksgiving Safety [National Fire Protection Association]
It's Turkey Time: Safely Prepare Your Holiday Meal [CDC]
Cooking Safety Tips for Thanksgiving Chefs [American Red Cross]

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Organize Your Kitchen in 5 Simple Steps

March 28, 2014 by

Is your kitchen overrun with dirty dishes, loose pot lids, boxes of cereal, and unused utensils? Here are five simple tips to achieve an organized kitchen that looks straight out of a magazine.

  1. Make the most of your cabinets. Cabinets are an important part of any kitchen, as they store all of your loose items and keep dry groceries out of sight. Add removable shelving and storage to make your cabinets work for you.
  2. Keep the most-used items within reach. Clear the unnecessary items from your countertops and keep only the items you use most, such as a few bowls and plates, basic cooking tools, and maybe a coffee station.
  3. Divide drawers. Stop overflowing your kitchen drawers and divide them instead. Simply place drawer organizers inside.
  4. Don’t forget about under the sink. Though many of us simply shove cleaning supplies under there, the underside of the sink is actually great storage space. Add a few storage containers or plastic drawers to keep things separated.
  5. Maximize odd-shaped spaces. If you have a skinny cabinet or a cabinet in a corner, don’t write it off. Add a lazy Susan to a corner cabinet to keep things within reach, and store flat objects like cutting boards in those ultra-thin spots.

23 Kitchen Organization & Storage Tips [BHG]
26 Kitchen-Organizing Tips from Real Cooks [Simple Bites]

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3 Stylish Ways To Organize Your Kitchen

March 22, 2013 by

Struggle to keep your apartment's kitchen organized? Here are practical, stylish solutions.

Do you like to keep oils and spices by the stove, or group similar items in a cabinet? Try putting a tray underneath them. It magically makes the arrangement look artful and cleaning a breeze.

Have a cabinet full of baking items or a counter full of veggies? Put them in a wicker basket. It's a homespun and deeply personal touch.

Are spoons, spatulas and whisks taking over your utensil drawer? Try arranging them upright on the counter. Whether you choose a sleek stainless steel cylinder or a vintage ceramic crock, cooking will be easier — and your kitchen will feel a little more like home.

Want to learn more? Here are 24 tips from Real Simple about how to better organize your kitchen.

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