Avocado, How to Remove Pit

Cut avocado lengthwise in half around the pit. Carefully and firmly strike the exposed pit with the sharp edge of a knife. While grasping the avocado, twist the knife to loosen and remove the pit.

Barbecue

Definitions vary! For some, this word is interchanged with "grilling", whereas others define barbecue as long, hot-smoke cooking of large meat cuts over low heat that gives fall-off-the-bone tender meat. To others, it describes the entertaining event of outdoor cooking.

Biscuits, How to Make

Cut shortening into flour mixture until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in enough milk until dough leaves side of bowl (dough will be soft). Roll or pat the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2-inch round cutter.

Butter or Margarine, How to Melt

To microwave 3 to 4 tablespoons butter, remove foil wrapper and place butter in microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High 30 to 45 seconds. Or melt butter in a small saucepan over very low heat about 1 minute.

Chocolate Designs, How to Make

Heat 2 ounces vanilla- or chocolate-flavored candy coating (almond bark), coarsely chopped, in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth. Cool slightly. Pour into small resealable plastic bag; seal bag. Cut a very small opening in a corner of the bag. Squeeze the bag to drizzle designs onto waxed paper. After the coating has hardened, carefully lift the designs from the waxed paper.

Festive Ice Cubes, How to Make

Freeze cranberries and star shapes cut from lemon, lime or orange peel in cranberry juice, clear soda pop or water in ice-cube trays. Make the citrus-peel stars by cutting with a mini cookie cutter or freehand with a sharp knife. Use the colored part of the peel only, not the white (pith) underneath.

Garnish

Decorate food to enhance its appearance by adding small amounts of other foods that have distinctive color or texture, such as parsley, fresh berries and carrot curls.

Kiwifruit, How to Peel

Cut the fuzzy brown skin from the kiwifruit with a paring knife. Cut fruit into slices or wedges.

Meat, How to Cut Grain

The "grain" of the meat refers to the muscle fibers that run the length of a cut of meat. Cut with the grain into strips, then cut across the grain into slices.

Mushrooms, How to Prepare

Rinse mushrooms, and cut off stem ends. Leave mushrooms whole, or cut into slices.

Pineapple, How to Cut Up

Twist top from pineapple. Cut pineapple into fourths. Holding pineapple securely, cut fruit from rind. Cut off pineapple core and remove "eye". Cut pineapple crosswise or lengthwise into chunks or spears.

Shrimp, How to Devein

Make a shallow cut lengthwise down the back of each shrimp, and wash out the vein.

Sugar, How to Caramelize

Melt sugar slowly over low heat until it becomes a golden brown, caramel-flavored syrup. Or sprinkle granulated, powdered or brown sugar on top of a food, then place under a broiler until the sugar is melted and caramelized.

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