Heather Solos - Home-Ec 101

Summer Squash and Zucchini, Grilled

Heather says: I love zucchini. It’s one of those plants I don’t have to grow to reap the benefits. As the season turns toward summer local gardeners may have more than they know what to do with. In fact August 8th is “Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Night.” Friends and neighbors, I am here …

It’s Round Up Time

Heather says: First I would like to wish Lynnae at BeingFrugal.net a happy one year blogiversary. She has great tips and brings a lot of great tips and information to the frugal blogging community. She’s also running a contest, visit and comment to enter. It’s hip to be green. This means you, my frugal Home …

Mini-blind Maintenance

Welcome to Retro Saturday where we post a blast from the Home Ec 101 past so Ivy and I can have a day with our families. Dear Home-Ec101, I live in an apartment and my mini-blinds are covered with the funk of thousands of tenants. Can you please tell me the best way to clean …

Stretch Your Meat Budget

Heather and Ivy say: Go ahead and laugh, our inner twelve year olds are having a ball with today’s topic. All better? Of course, you could always become a vegetarian and save even more, theoretically. Ivy just spent $40 just on fruit the other day. Yum. Fruit. Anyway, here are some ways to stretch your …

Heather says:

I have said it before, but whole chickens are often a great buy. I am a huge fan of cooking once and eating several times, but how do you reap the benefit when it is is too warm for the oven? You grill it, of course. Rather than cutting the bird into parts first, I decided to experiment with spatchcocking. This method allows for more even cooking as a larger surface is presented to the grill. Spatchcocking is simply an old Irish term that means to butterfly; I just think it’s fun to say.

To accomplish today’s project you will need:

1 grill
1 chicken
kitchen shears
your favorite rub or seasoning mix

In order to not offend our more sensitive viewers the pictures and tutorial follow the jump.

The Problem With Pie: Sugary Spill-Overs in the Oven

Dear Home Ec 101,I was baking a pecan pie for my sister-in-law when smoke suddenly started to fill the kitchen. When I looked in the oven, I noticed that some of the syrupy filling had spilled over onto the bottom of the oven, but the pie was done, so I took it out and didn’t think …

Who Feels Like Chicken Tonight? Again?

Dear Home Ec 101, The store had a fantastic sale on both drumsticks and chicken thighs. Now, I have a lot of chicken, but I need to make sure it’s not boring. Suggestions? Signed, Hen Pecked Heather says: The great thing about chicken is its mild flavor. With its fairly neutral taste, you can use …

Heather says:

Many thanks to Candice of <a href= — Many thanks to Candice of Ragamuffin Designs for letting me use her picture of this recipe.

I was not content with the pizza crust I originally posted, it was good, but not something I felt others would rave about. Consequently I have been experimenting with variations for the past few months. While searching for a simple crust I had some criteria in mind: the ingredients must be both inexpensive and readily available, the directions must be both easy and forgiving, and finally it must taste at least as good as the chain delivery joints. (There are a few independent places who have a fantastic product that would be difficult to recreate in the average kitchen.)*

This crust is chewier and more flavorful than the original with no increase in difficulty.

Ingredients:

1 TBSP active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
3 1/2 cups bread flour + a little more for dusting
1 1/2 TBSP olive oil + extra to grease the bowl for rising
2 TBSP molasses
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning – OPTIONAL
cornmeal for sprinkling

Directions after the jump.

Sunday Surprise: Round Up Edition

Heather says: In an odd turn of events, all those who should be asleep are. I don’t know if this will become a regular feature or not, but here is a round up of posts I have found interesting, this week, in the frugal and personal finance communities. My Two Dollars – reminds everyone that …

Retro Saturday: Kitchen Clean Up

Welcome to Retro Saturday where we share a post from the past so we can enjoy weekends with our families. Dear Home Ec 101: I know there is a proper way to clean up after handling raw meat. Do you have the specifics? ~Sal Monella Heather says: Excellent question, my dear! Not many people realize …