Fear no more. Try these handy problem-solving tips to make your cooking experience a success.

1.  Too sweet: Add a little vinegar or lemon juice.

2.  Too salty: Add a little sugar and vinegar. For soups, add a raw potato.

3. Sticky rice: Rinse with warm water.

4. Lumpy gravy or sauce: Use a blender, food processor, or simply strain.

5. Soup, sauce, gravy too thin: Dissolve 1 tablespoon cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and add while boiling and stirring. Repeat if necessary.

6. Hands smell like garlic or onion: Rinse hands under cold water while rubbing them with a large stainless steel spoon.

7. Hard brown sugar: Place in paper bag and microwave for a few seconds.

8. Really hard brown sugar: Place chunks in food processor.

9. Out of honey: Substitute 1 1/4 cups sugar dissolved in 1 cup water.

10. No tomato juice: Combine 1/2 cup ketchup in 1/2 cup water.