Post by ellise on Nov 17, 2005 2:25:27 GMT 10
• Use a strand of uncooked spaghetti to test a cake for doneness when a toothpick isn’t long enough, or if you don’t have any toothpicks in the house.
• Use a hot knife blade for cutting fresh breads and a wet one for cutting soft cakes.
• Try dampening a cloth with club soda to clean stainless steel appliances. This method will clean without leaving spots or streaks.
• Metal cookie cutters double up nicely as unique napkin holders for special dinners. If you want, spray paint them to match the decor.
• To help stop meatloaf from sticking to the pan, put one or two strips of bacon in the pan before the meatloaf.
• Remove adhesive from stickers on glass by rubbing vegetable oil with a soft cloth or paper towel, then wash.
• Stuff newspaper in shoes - the paper absorbs odor and perspiration - also keeps shoe shape.
• Foggy mirror? A blow-dryer will clear it!
• Frozen fish can be thawed in a small amount of milk in the refrigerator. This eliminates any fishy taste.
• To get the correct measurement of shredded cheese, pack lightly into a dry measuring cup. Do not pack tightly.
• Pan size is measured from the top, not the bottom.
• Put used steel wool scrubbing pads in a plastic bag and store in the freezer to help prevent rust.
• Trouble putting the lid on a plastic container? Run the lid under hot water for 20-30 seconds and it will close easily.
• Fruit will be more flavorful if ripened at room temperature, then put in the refrigerator.
• Glass tabletops will sparkle if you rub gently with lemon juice or with vinegar, then dry with paper towels and polished with newspapers.
• Substitute for sour cream - mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 cup buttermilk. Blend in a blender or food processor for 2 minutes.
• One lemon will yield about 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 tablespoons of juice.
• To cut dried fruits, marshmallows or gumdrops, dip kitchen scissors frequently into hot water.
• A medium-size clove of garlic equals 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• You get twice the amount of orange juice from a orange, if you hold it under hot water before you squeeze.
• Scrape with dull blade. Pre-soak in cold or warm water for 30 minutes. Wash with detergent and bleach safe for fabric.
• Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; finally, rinse and dry. Follow up by laundering as usual.
• You'll be surprised by the improvements in ironing that a little bit of salt will make. A dash of salt in the laundry starch keeps the iron from sticking and gives linens and fine cottons a glossy, brand-new finish.
• Popcorn left in the cupboard? Place 1/4 cup of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top over a few times. Place paper on it's side and microwave on high until the popping slows.
• Brew your coffee with bottled spring water, you will have better tasting coffee and no mineral deposits.
• To slice meat into thin strips, as for Chinese dishes--partially freeze and it will slice easily.
• A roast with the bone in will cook faster than a boneless roast. The bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker.
• A fork should never be stuck in meat while frying or grilling as it punctures the meat and lets the juices out. Use tongs.
• Instant potatoes are a good thickening for stews.
• Juicier burgers: add one stiffly beaten egg white to each pound of hamburger. You could also make patties with one tablespoon of cottage cheese in the center.
• Bacon that has been fried and drained can be frozen in foil; reheat in toaster oven to crisp.
• Dip your fingers in water to prevent meatballs from sticking to your hands.
• If the drawstring of your sweat pants keeps slipping through the casing, try this easy solution: Sew a medium-size button on each end of the drawstring and it won't slip through again.
• Baking powder will remove tea or coffee stains from china pots or cups.
• Anything that grows under the ground, start off in cold water - potatoes, beets, carrots, etc. Anything that grows above ground, start off in boiling water - English peas, greens, beans, etc.
• Canned cream soups make excellent sauces for vegetables, fish, etc. Celery with lobster, black bean or onion with cauliflower, tomato with lamb chops.
• Use vinegar and hot water to clean dried on insects off the windshield. Doesn't leave any film.
• Keep disposable wipes in your car. Clean up spills, dirty hands and they keep the inside smelling nice.
• When moving to a new location, unpack your computer and let it stand at room temperature before using.
• Yellowed perspiration stains can really ruin T-shirts and dress shirts. Add 4 tablespoons salt to 1 quart hot water, and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.
• Moths will be repelled by strong smelling mothballs. However, herbs will do the same thing and smell better. Lavender, wormwood, cedar or patchouli along with a small amount of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves or tansy will work well. Mix any combination and place in the toe of a used stocking. Tie open end and hang in closet or place in a drawer.
• Moths do not eat wool - they eat the food stains and perspiration left on clothes or blankets. Keep wool items clean and stored in sealed plastic bags or containers.
• Bloodstains can be among the toughest stains to remove from clothing and fabrics. Soak the stained clothing or cloth in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water.
Farmer's Almanac
• Use a hot knife blade for cutting fresh breads and a wet one for cutting soft cakes.
• Try dampening a cloth with club soda to clean stainless steel appliances. This method will clean without leaving spots or streaks.
• Metal cookie cutters double up nicely as unique napkin holders for special dinners. If you want, spray paint them to match the decor.
• To help stop meatloaf from sticking to the pan, put one or two strips of bacon in the pan before the meatloaf.
• Remove adhesive from stickers on glass by rubbing vegetable oil with a soft cloth or paper towel, then wash.
• Stuff newspaper in shoes - the paper absorbs odor and perspiration - also keeps shoe shape.
• Foggy mirror? A blow-dryer will clear it!
• Frozen fish can be thawed in a small amount of milk in the refrigerator. This eliminates any fishy taste.
• To get the correct measurement of shredded cheese, pack lightly into a dry measuring cup. Do not pack tightly.
• Pan size is measured from the top, not the bottom.
• Put used steel wool scrubbing pads in a plastic bag and store in the freezer to help prevent rust.
• Trouble putting the lid on a plastic container? Run the lid under hot water for 20-30 seconds and it will close easily.
• Fruit will be more flavorful if ripened at room temperature, then put in the refrigerator.
• Glass tabletops will sparkle if you rub gently with lemon juice or with vinegar, then dry with paper towels and polished with newspapers.
• Substitute for sour cream - mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 cup cottage cheese, 1/3 cup buttermilk. Blend in a blender or food processor for 2 minutes.
• One lemon will yield about 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 tablespoons of juice.
• To cut dried fruits, marshmallows or gumdrops, dip kitchen scissors frequently into hot water.
• A medium-size clove of garlic equals 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
• You get twice the amount of orange juice from a orange, if you hold it under hot water before you squeeze.
• Scrape with dull blade. Pre-soak in cold or warm water for 30 minutes. Wash with detergent and bleach safe for fabric.
• Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching; finally, rinse and dry. Follow up by laundering as usual.
• You'll be surprised by the improvements in ironing that a little bit of salt will make. A dash of salt in the laundry starch keeps the iron from sticking and gives linens and fine cottons a glossy, brand-new finish.
• Popcorn left in the cupboard? Place 1/4 cup of popcorn in a brown paper lunch bag. Fold the top over a few times. Place paper on it's side and microwave on high until the popping slows.
• Brew your coffee with bottled spring water, you will have better tasting coffee and no mineral deposits.
• To slice meat into thin strips, as for Chinese dishes--partially freeze and it will slice easily.
• A roast with the bone in will cook faster than a boneless roast. The bone carries the heat to the inside of the roast quicker.
• A fork should never be stuck in meat while frying or grilling as it punctures the meat and lets the juices out. Use tongs.
• Instant potatoes are a good thickening for stews.
• Juicier burgers: add one stiffly beaten egg white to each pound of hamburger. You could also make patties with one tablespoon of cottage cheese in the center.
• Bacon that has been fried and drained can be frozen in foil; reheat in toaster oven to crisp.
• Dip your fingers in water to prevent meatballs from sticking to your hands.
• If the drawstring of your sweat pants keeps slipping through the casing, try this easy solution: Sew a medium-size button on each end of the drawstring and it won't slip through again.
• Baking powder will remove tea or coffee stains from china pots or cups.
• Anything that grows under the ground, start off in cold water - potatoes, beets, carrots, etc. Anything that grows above ground, start off in boiling water - English peas, greens, beans, etc.
• Canned cream soups make excellent sauces for vegetables, fish, etc. Celery with lobster, black bean or onion with cauliflower, tomato with lamb chops.
• Use vinegar and hot water to clean dried on insects off the windshield. Doesn't leave any film.
• Keep disposable wipes in your car. Clean up spills, dirty hands and they keep the inside smelling nice.
• When moving to a new location, unpack your computer and let it stand at room temperature before using.
• Yellowed perspiration stains can really ruin T-shirts and dress shirts. Add 4 tablespoons salt to 1 quart hot water, and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains disappear.
• Moths will be repelled by strong smelling mothballs. However, herbs will do the same thing and smell better. Lavender, wormwood, cedar or patchouli along with a small amount of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves or tansy will work well. Mix any combination and place in the toe of a used stocking. Tie open end and hang in closet or place in a drawer.
• Moths do not eat wool - they eat the food stains and perspiration left on clothes or blankets. Keep wool items clean and stored in sealed plastic bags or containers.
• Bloodstains can be among the toughest stains to remove from clothing and fabrics. Soak the stained clothing or cloth in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water.
Farmer's Almanac
