Always Remember Altitude!

On the last day of 2010, my husband and I decided to break out our new bread maker!

Since we're impatient and didn't read the entire manual, we missed the section on altering recipes when you're cooking at high altitudes (we live at just over 4,500ft).

What we got sure isn't pretty, but it still tastes pretty darn good!

Rachael Ray's tips for making life easier

I'm not the kind of girl who normally buys the fashion magazines at the checkout counter. Give me Rachael Ray Magazine or Food Network Magazine over Allure any day of the week. Real Simple? Subscribed because I want it in my hands before it hits newsstands.

In this month's Rachael Ray, she includes "30 Tips that'll make your life easier" and I must say, some of them seem pretty handy! Here are my 5 favorites:

• Store onions and potatoes in your pantry but away from each other: Each causes the other to spoil faster.
• Chill your bowl and beaters before whipping heavy cream, and the job will be done faster.
• To prevent a mess, coat your measuring cup with cooking spray when measuring sticky ingredients like molasses or honey. <- This one is my favorite!
• Use a Thermos as a cocktail shaker. It keeps the ice extra-cold and doubles as a strainer. 
• Place candles in the fridge for an hour before a party. They'll burn more slowly and evenly. 

Check the other 25 tips out in the December/January issue!

Every Day with Rachael Ray (1-year auto-renewal)