Blog - Home-Ec 101

Eat Local They Say

Heather says: So I’m not huge on trends just for the coolness factor, but there are a few I can get behind; eating locally is one. In season produce doesn’t travel travel far, isn’t stored as long, and is frequently cheaper than fruits and vegetables sourced from other climates. When you have a convergence of …

The D Word

Heather says: January 1st is an excellent time to take stock of what needs to change for positive growth. Life’s rough enough without creating additional problems. Just opening my calendar app makes my stomach clench and causes my eye to start twitching -truly an attractive quirk. Is my calendar that jam packed? Well, no it’s …

The Obligatory Best Of 2009

Heather says: Just for fun, here’s a look back at the best of 2009 Home-Ec 101: January: Ask The Audience: Advise the Newlyweds – you must read the comments The recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Soup February: Keeping Up with Housework when Your Schedule is Unusually Busy The recipe: Taco Soup March: Tightwad Tips for …

Window Washing: 201 The Extra Grimy Ones

Dear Home-Ec 101: We just moved into an older house and I don’t think anyone has cleaned the windows in years. We had it pressure washed and used Windex but the windows still look covered in grime. Are there any other solutions I can use that will get off the tough dirt. Signed, Let The …

Oatmeal Scotchies, a Blast from the Past

I’m on the road, enjoy this blast from the Home-Ec101 past. These cookies were received with rave reviews. Enjoy.
Heather says:

Don’t let the idea of toasting pecans scare you away from this recipe. Simply scatter pecans on a baking sheet and place in a 300F oven for 5 – 7 minutes, stirring once. Be careful not to leave them in too long, as they will be be cooked further in the recipe. In this case, it is better to err on the underdone side.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups rolled oats (regular, not quick cooking)
1 generous tsp cinnamon (I like mine a little heavy on it)
12oz butterscotch chips
6oz toasted pecans

Directions after the jump.

Keeping it Real

Heather says: So last night as I was scrubbing the bathroom for the house sitter -who has sworn to not publicly embarrass me with any hidden messes she uncovers. I glanced up and realized that the fan has been missed in the great bathroom cleansing ritual, probably since we bought the house. So today I am …

50 Cooking Tips

Heather says: In October, as part of the Notes on Cooking giveaway I asked readers to submit their rules for cooking. As Home-Ec101.com readers are known for the brilliance -pander pander- those rules shouldn’t remain hidden in the comments. I could have organized them, but I liked their random order. Here is an edited compilation, …

Soak Rolled Oats for Better Oatmeal

Heather says: Did you know the package directions for oatmeal (rolled oats) used to include directions for soaking? Eventually these directions were removed as it’s not critical if your goal is to have hot, edible cereal and many consumers are only interested in convenience. Soaked oats give an entirely different character to your morning breakfast …

Dear Home-Ec 101, I like to shred my own cheese. How do I keep it from clumping while I store it? Signed,Louis the Lump Heather says: There’s a simple trick to store shredded cheese without clumping, whether it’s in the refrigerator or freezer. Simply add 1 – 2 tablespoons of corn starch to the freezer …

Sunday Confessional 12/13/2009

Heather says: I have a bad habit of overestimating my ability to accomplish tasks. Right now I’m swimming in a sea of deadlines, both of my own creation and those provided by others. It’s reached a point where I’m nearly paralyzed by how much needs to be done. So, rather than digging in and attacking …