Heather Solos Dear ladies, Please forgive my lack of experience, but I am staring down a rock solid 25 pounder and I MUST thaw it by Wednesday night. My mother in law is cooking it her special way which is a slow overnight roast. So, lead me! I just found out that usually, you thaw for 24 …
Dear Home Ec 101, Do you have a good cornbread recipe or tips on baking cornbread? I generally use a corn meal mix and it always comes out too dry and “crummy”. I like for the outside to be crisp but for the inside to be soft and to stay together instead of falling apart …
Heather says: Growing up, I always knew it was Thanksgiving when I awoke to the smell of onions, butter, and celery and to this day the scent evokes nostalgia. Almost everyone has a key item that makes or breaks their Thanksgiving meal. For my sister it is green bean casserole, for me it’s the dressing. …
Heather says: Don’t let the upcoming holiday turn you into a grouch no one wants to be around. Take a moment and look at the disaster stories pouring in for our contest. If they can laugh, so can you. I have a few things for your to-do list today. Don’t despair, it is mostly a …
Heather says: Your mission for today and tomorrow is to clean out your fridge and be sure you have room for: the thawing turkey, produce, and made ahead sides. Don’t be scared to use a cooler with ice if fridge space is a premium. Wash it first, drain it often, keep the lid closed, and …
Dear Home Ec 101, I have 3 things to cook at 350 degrees and 1 thing to cook at 400 degrees all at the same time. Can I bake the “baked macaroni and cheese” that’s supposed to be baked at 400 degrees at 350 degrees and increase the time? Signed, ~Supersides Me Heather says: First …
Heather says: Remember if you are using a frozen turkey you will have to thaw your turkey for 24 hours for every five pounds. Always err on the safe side and never thaw a bird at room temperature. If you must quickly thaw a turkey you can immerse it, in its packaging, in tepid water. …
Dear Home Ec 101, I’m getting ready to make some pumpkin pies. I’m just using the canned pumpkin that makes two pies and don’t really want to bake both tonight. Can I prepare the second pie and just freeze it without baking it so that we can enjoy it next week? Signed, ~Peter Peter Heather …
Dear Home Ec 101, I know we’re supposed to drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day, but I hate it and can never make myself do it. Any ideas? Signed, Parched in Parkersville Heather says: Interestingly enough the whole sixty-four ounces of water may be a myth. Like you, I don’t enjoy drinking plain …
Hello ladies! I’ve asked my mom, I’ve asked my friends, and I don’t know why I didn’t ask you two first. Here’s the skinny: we bought our first new furniture early last year; a couch and a recliner. My husband works in a kitchen, so he comes home sweaty and covered with kitchen grease and …