Quick tips of the week

“”I have tried and tried to make rice, but about half the time I end up with the water all gone before the timer goes off. The result is a pot of burned rice. My upstairs neighbor gave me this tip, and I pass it along to others like me who are tired of throwing away batches of rice. Take the rice that isn’t actually burned and put it in a new pot. Top it with a slice of white bread and put a lid on the pot. In a matter of a few minutes, the burned taste goes away.” — F.B. in Illinois

“”Here’s a great idea to fancy up kids’ drinks at a party. Freeze halves of maraschino cherries in water in an ice-cube tray. While the adults were enjoying their cocktails at a recent dinner party I attended, the kids enjoyed their ‘mocktails.’” — I.E. in New York

“Common substitution: If you need one pound of apples for your recipe, choose four small apples, or three medium apples, or two large apples.