G: Yes, soaking potatoes in water before making hash browns can help remove excess starch, resulting in crispier hash browns. After soaking, be sure to pat the potatoes dry before cooking.

G: Soak the shredded potatoes in cold water for about 15-30 minutes, then drain and dry them before cooking hash browns.

G: The healthiest way to trim basil is to pinch or snip the leaves using clean, sharp scissors. This encourages bushier growth and helps the plant focus on producing more leaves. Avoid removing more than one-third of the plant at a time to ensure it remains healthy.

G: While you can trim some of the stems when harvesting basil, it's generally best to focus on pruning the leaves. Trimming the stems can be done occasionally to encourage branching and bushier growth, but avoid excessive pruning as it may stress the plant. Regularly pinching off the upper leaves, just above a set of leaves, helps the plant grow more vigorously.