Certain vegetables like cabbage, cauliflowers etc. tend to smell strongly when cooked. Adding a tablespoon of vinegar to the cooking water can help prevent the odour. And rid your house of cooking smells.

Mushrooms will last longer if put in a brown paper bag and stored in a refrigerator.

Blow up a plastic bag like a balloon and store your herbs in it. Refrigerate. They will last longer.

Tulsi leaves turn brown very easily. Cut their stems as short as possible. Rinse and gently dry them out. Store them between paper towels in a plastic bag. The plastic bag should have little holes to allow air in it.

Plastic bags keep bananas from ripening too soon. Enclose bananas in plastic bag and seal totally. Zip-lock bags are ideal for this purpose. The fruits can keep for days.

So, do your hands smell of onion or garlic after you cook dinner? Just rub a little salt all over your hands. The odours will disappear instantly.

Apples turn brown soon after being cut. Put them in pineapple juice and refrigerate. The apple slices remain white and taste a lot better.

For extra light mashed potatoes    add a teaspoon of baking soda before you mash them. Beat vigorously. The mashed potatoes will be extra light and creamy.