Over the years I have learned many great kitchen tips from my mom and grandmothers, cooking shows, and just trying to find what works best in the kitchen. I decided to start a weekly column featuring great kitchen tips. Each week I will post one of my favorite kitchen tips and encourage you to share yours as well.
One of my favorite tips (that I have no idea where it came from) is for trussing a chicken without twine. I know the first time I attempted to make a roasted chicken I read the step “truss the chicken” and had no idea what it meant. This was back in the days of dial-up internet so I couldn’t exactly run to my computer and google it. I ended up calling my mom who explained to me that it was tying up the bird so that the wings and legs don’t burn and the stuff you stick in the cavity don’t fall out.
Of course, trussing required kitchen twine which is something I never have. I still remember one time I tried to use dental floss. That was pretty much a fail (at least I didn’t have the mint coated kind ~ that would have been a major fail!).
So what do you do if you don’t have kitchen twine and don’t want to run out to get some? Easy!
First, tuck the wings of the bird under (this will prevent the tips for burning.
Second, cut a slit in the skin between the drumstick and body on each side of the bird.
Third, slide each drum stick through the slit on the opposite side.
Voila! You have a trussed chicken without twine!
To Participate in Kitchen Tip Tuesdays:
Post a kitchen tip in your blog. Link to this post, and then leave your link on the linky below. We need to be able to easily find/see what your kitchen/cooking tip is so please link directly to the tip post. The linky will be open until 10pm MST on Monday.
Have a kitchen tip you want to share but don’t have a blog? That’s ok too. You can either leave it in a comment below OR email it to me (amanda at copingwithfrugality.com) and I can feature it in an upcoming week’s post!
About Amanda
Twitter: aleasleftovers
says:
Best wishes on your new venture! I linked my tip for making Chipotle Seasoning Mix.
Thanks for sharing Alea. I love to find recipes for homemade seasoning mixes. They are cheaper than store bought and you can control the salt.
Great tip thank you for sharing, I’ve never tired to stuff anything in the chicken when cooking it I will definitely keep this tip in mind though.
I never put actual stuffing in the bird (kind of grosses me out). Instead I usually put a lemon half and herbs in there.
Twitter: apriljharris
says:
What a great idea, Amanda! That is such a handy tip. I’ve shared an older post with a collection of kitchen tips; I hope that is okay
Thanks for linking up! Of course old tips are fine
I’m a vegan and not much of a cook, but I really like this concept of offering valuable tips. Maybe one day I will have something to offer.
Twitter: Braveheart501
says:
great tip, I have never trussed a chicken….so you taught me something today!
Twitter: reelmama
says:
GREAT INFO! I have bookmarked this for future reference Thanks for sharing!
Wow thanks I’ve actually forgotten twine and had to have hubby run out and get some.