Company’s Coming Hacks

A. To brew a large batch of tea without the mess of fishing out hot tea bags, tie the tea bag strings together, then slide a skewer or chopstick through the knot before tightening it. Position the skewer across the top of the pot, with the tea bags dangling in the water. When the tea has finished brewing, remove the skewer and all the tea bags simultaneously.
B. Try this trick to keep the tea bags from getting lost in the water, whether you’re making hot or iced tea. Crimp the tabs of the bags to fit through the holes of a slotted spoon and prop the spoon across the opening of the pot or pitcher while the tea steeps. The strings aren’t pulled in, and removing the bags is as simple as lifting the spoon.

A warm oven can be used to keep pancakes hot, but this method sometimes results in a dried-out breakfast. Try the following trick for keeping pancakes as hot and moist as when they first come out of the skillet.

As the pancakes are cooked, place them on the warm plate until serving time.

Bring 2 cups water to a simmer in a large saucepan. Place a large heatproof plate on top of the saucepan.

A. When you pour hot coffee into a cold mug, the mug absorbs heat, making the coffee cool down faster. To keep coffee hot longer, preheat the mugs by filling them with hot tap water and letting them sit while the coffee brews. When the coffee is ready, pour out the hot water.
B. Prevent room-temperature plates from cooling down a perfect hot breakfast. While your bread is toasting, place the plates on top of the toaster oven. The radiating heat warms them right up and delivers eggs, pancakes, and other breakfast items to the table still hot.

Most electric toasters only accommodate two to four slices of bread— a problem if you’re hosting a large group for breakfast or brunch. Here’s an easy way to toast enough bread for a crowd: Place an oven rack in the middle position and a second rack in the lower-middle position. Then place a baking sheet on the lower rack. Heat the oven to 450 degrees, then arrange bread slices between every other bar of the upper rack, resting on the baking sheet. Toast the bread until the top sides are lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Using tongs, flip the slices and continue toasting the second side, about 6 minutes longer.

There’s nothing like pouring warm maple syrup over hot French toast or pancakes. To keep the syrup from getting cold during breakfast, pour the freshly warmed syrup into an insulated coffee carafe or thermos before bringing it to the table.