How To Make Beef Stew

Heather says: Growing up, I thought I hated beef stew. I avoided it at all costs. Then came the day I was on complete bed rest during my first pregnancy. I had just gotten out of the hospital, and my ex-husband’s grandparents were kind enough to bring over dinner. Not knowing the depths of my …

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Countdown to Christmas!

Ivy says: Like we did for Thanksgiving, we are going to have another countdown to Christmas!  The price of everything has gone way up- gasoline, groceries- you name it. We’re all feeling the pinch! So here at Home Ec 101, we’ll be giving you guys some great ideas for handmade gifts, make-it-from-scratch cookies and candy, …

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Cookie-a-day: Pepparkakor (Swedish Cookies)

Heather says: Many thanks go to Crystal for submitting her family’s recipe for pepparkakor.  This version has been simplified if you would like a traditional version, take a peek here. 1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 tsp baking soda 2 tsp molasses 1 tsp boiling water 1 large egg 3 cups …

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Laundry Perplexion: Sourcing Mystery Spots

Dear Home Ec 101: I don’t use softeners or softener sheets and every piece of clothing we own is being ruined by these grease stains. I have no idea what it is but I can only assume its from the dryer. And I know, with kids, stains are highly likely but even their brand spanking …

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Oatmeal Scotchies with Toasted Pecans Recipe

Heather says: Don’t let the idea of toasting pecans scare you away from making these Oatmeal Scotchies with Toasted Pecans. 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 …

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Quick Tip: Quickly Softening Butter

Heather says: While it is easiest to just let butter soften at room temperature, sometimes you just don’t have time. Such as when a child “suddenly remembers” they were supposed to bring cookies to class the next day. I do not recommend using a microwave, as it is way too easy to skip softening and …

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Cookie-a-day: Divine Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

retrochick.JPGIvy says:

I know Heather already posted chocolate chip cookies, but a couple of times a year, when I was a kid, my mom would make these cookies and they were fabulous. Not just good, not just great, fabulous. Divine, even. I never understood why Mom only made them every once in awhile, and I resolved to make them all the time when I was a grown-up.

Once I was an adult and Mom finally gave me the recipe, I found out why Mom only made them every once in awhile. They’re a tremendous pain to make. And these are the kind of cookies that if you skip a step or take shortcuts, they’re good, but not fabulous. Also, all the ingredients except the one that is marked optional are imperative that they be added exactly as written. No substituting, no leaving anything out. Like I said, they’ll probably still be good, but they will not be fabulous.

With those disclaimers out of the way, here are the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever eat:

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 C unsalted butter*
  • 3/4 C white sugar
  • 1/3 C brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract**
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 C sifted flour***
  • 1/3 C old-fashioned oats****
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 C milk chocolate chocolate chips*****
  • 3/4 C walnuts (OPTIONAL)

To read the long, drawn out directions, click to

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Cookie-a-day: Chocolate Biscotti Recipe

Heather says:

I make this every year for Christmas parties and brunches.  Biscotti are twice baked cookies and the name comes from the Italian words bis and cotto.  This recipe freezes well and can be made up to a month ahead of time.

Pictures will be added soon.

Chocolate Biscotti

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I am in love with Hershey’s Special Dark)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 6 TBSP butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup walnuts (optional)
  • 3/4 cup semi -sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 TBSP confectioners sugar

Directions after the jump.

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The Great Pre-Christmas Toy Clean-out

Ivy says: If you haven’t done this already, this weekend would be a great time to go through all the kids’ toys and  get rid of anything broken, anything they don’t play with, anything they just have too much of (my daughter had approximately 1,493 stuffed animals before we cleaned out her room), and anything …

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Better Tasting Coffee

Heather says: The first time I heard this, I assumed the person was off their rocker, but I tried it years ago. Have you ever noticed that coffee tastes better when your server pours from a height?  Try it, but please practice with cold water until you are quite sure you have the method down.  …

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