Kitchen tips

When washing veggies, especially if they are to be eaten raw, always add a tea-spoon of salt to the water. That will loosen any dirt or worse from the veggies.

Always add a small sprinkle of salt to a sweet dish and a small sprinkle of sugar to a savoury dish. This will bring out the underlying flavours better.

To get fluffy cooked rice, add a nob of butter or some oil (preferably olive or one of the better nut oils) into the rice water before cooking.

If clothes have been splashed or speckled with oil (while cooking), don't rush to soak or wash immediately, as that will ensure the stains remain embedded in the textile forever. Instead, liberally dust powder (ordinary talc will do very well) over the stains and leave for an hour or as long as you like. Then shake off the powder and wash as normal. Stains will be gone.

Never stock up your kitchen with stuff or food that might come in handy. Remember, you're not a supermarket or a restaurant. Not even a hawker stall. Make do, make do and make do. That way, you will save on space, money and wastage.