To store tomato paste: Most recipes for tomato-based pasta sauce call for a single Tablespoon of tomato paste as a thickener. Here's a great way to keep what's left over.

Using a hand-held can opener, open both ends of can, discard one. Using the stem of a spoon as a plunger against the other end, push paste out, in its original shape, onto a piece of plastic wrap.

Score the paste into Tablespoon-size pieces (most cans contain 6 - 8 Tablespoon worth sizes). Gently roll the plastic around the paste and freeze. When you need a single Tablespoon, just cut off a frozen slice.

No-stick Garlic: To keep garlic from sticking to your knife when you chop it, sprinkle 1/4 tsp salt on the pieces as you go. The salt will absorb moisture from the garlic, making it stick-free.