Quick Fixes For Cooking Mistakes

Mushy pasta: If you overcook pasta, give the noodles a saute in olive oil or butter, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

Eggs: If you want to make sure they're fresh, place them gently into a bowl of water. Rotten eggs will float; fresh ones will stay underwater.

Stale bread: Restore life by slipping bread into a 325-degree oven in a slightly damp paper bag. When the bag is dry, your bread will have regained its softness. Or, you can use stale bread to make breadcrumbs, croutons, crostini, or (my favorite) bread pudding.

Overbaked cookies: Put them in a plastic bag or container, along with a few apple slices. They should soften in 24 hours. Or pop them in the microwave for 5 seconds.

Torn pie crust: Roll a patch of dough to the same thickness and flatten the edges. Brush some lightly beaten egg white on the contact points and lightly press it onto the main shell.

Bitter coffee: Add a pinch of salt to balance it.

Stale cereal: Past-prime cereal can be zapped back to life with 30 - 45 seconds on a plate in a microwave. Or, grind unsweetened cereal in a blender or with a rolling pin, to use as breadcrumbs, or swapped in for 1/2 cup of flour in muffin or cookie recipes.

Overripe fruit: As long as the fruit's not rotten, it can be salvaged. Slice it, sprinkle it with sugar, and set aside. Later, add a dash of vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, or red wine and serve with whipped or ice cream, or blended with milk or yogurt for a smoothie.

Dry meat: Pour drippings into a pan, add 2 - 4 cups of stock, and bring to a boil. slice the meat, place it in a roasting pan or dish, and add the stock mixture. Cover with foil and place in a warm over for 5 minutes. The meat should regain some of its moisture.

Too salty: You could drop a peeled potato slice into the mix. Or, a more reliable bet, add some liquid, some sugar, or vinegar to balance it out.

Too spicy: Tame with a touch of sweetness. Tomatoes or a bit of ketchup adds sugar, which will take some of the spice away. Or, if it won't interfere with the flavor, add a dollop of plain yogurt.

Too sweet: A spoonful of cider vinegar or a squeeze of lemon juice can knock down sweetness a few notches. You can also cut sweet with a dash of butter, olive oil, or cream.