On Using the Smoke Alarm as a Timer

Everyone has done it. We're in a hurry, trying to get dinner on the table, and we turn the pan on too high and BAM! scorched food.

If the food in the pan isn't too badly scorched, you can transfer it to another pan (take care not to disturb the scorched food stuck to the bottom), and add a 1/2 teaspoon of instant coffee dissolved in a little water. Stir it in, and it will take care of the remaining scorched taste.

Thanks to my mother for that tip and thanks to Stella (long ago retired school lunch cook)....the originator of that one. It works very well.

And, while you're at it, put some water and dish soap in that scorched pan and put it aside to soak for a day or so before you deal with it. You deserve it for juggling so many things! :)