TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham offers tips on how to easily measure dry and liquid ingredients.
- Always sift flour before measuring because sifted flour will measure differently than non-sifted flour.
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- Stir dry ingredients before spooning into measuring cups, then level off with a straight-edge knife.
- If sugar is lumpy, sift before measuring. Otherwise, you can simply spoon the sugar into the measuring cup and level off with a straight-edge knife. Do not tap the cup.
- Look for a table with these measurements in your all-purpose cookbook: 1/4 cup = four tablespoons. 1 cup = 16 tablespoons. Make a copy that is easily accessible in the kitchen, in case you lose a certain measuring cup or spoon.
- When measuring liquid ingredients, place the measuring cup at eye level to determine the exact amount. Be sure the cup is sitting on a level surface. Do not hold it in your hand because that makes it difficult to hold the cup exactly level.
- Because syrup and molasses will round up when measured in a measuring cup, be sure to level off with a straight-edge knife. Use a rubber spatula to remove from cup. Spray the measuring cup beforehand with cooking spray for easier removal.
- Measure shortening without the mess by using the water-replacement technique. Measure one cup of water in a liquid measuring cup. Add shortening until the water level reaches 1-1/2 cups.
