Heather says: Lots of recipes call for peeled tomatoes, but just how does one go about removing the thin skin from these stubborn fruits? There is a simple trick to peeling tomatoes. Heat a pan of water to a roiling boil. Be sure to leave enough room to add your tomatoes without overflowing. Drop the …
Ivy says: Do you get paint all over you when you’re painting your house? I sure do, and in odd places like my knees and my shins. Don’t ask. So, how to get all that paint off without resorting to mineral spirits or other things that are harsh on your skin? I use a rock. …
Heather says: Since summer is here, I put together a quick tomato tutorial to help all you Home Ecers take full advantage of the basic varieties available. Stay tuned over the next few days for tips on slicing, dicing, peeling, and seeding. Tomatoes can be stored in the refrigerator but will quickly lose flavor. The …
Dear Home-Ec 101, I need help cooking rice. I can’t do it-brown rice, white rice, minute rice, not-minute rice. I just can’t seem to get it to the right texture. Help me? Signed, Riceless in Reno Ivy says: Rice can be tough. I cannot begin to tell you how much rice I have messed up …
Ivy says: I’m picking up out of my funk I’ve been in, in case you were wondering. However, even though I’m a lot cheerier lately, I am feeling rather unmotivated and uninspired, largely. So, with that, I must ask the best readers in the world: What gets you going? What really motivates you? What, or …
Dear Home Ec 101: What’s the best way to cook chicken if you are going to use it in chicken salad? The only ways I know how to cook it- baked, roasted, grilled- don’t seem right for that kind of use. Thanks! ~ Cluckin’ Clueless Heather says: I use each of the methods you list …
Dear Home-Ec 101, It seems that the birds are talking in my neighborhood….what’s the twittering about? “There’s a neighborhood swimming hole AND buffet.” Yup, it’s true, all the little birds are coming to my house to swim, bathe, and snack in the DOGS WATER DISH! Every day I have to swab the back deck with …
Ivy says: I saw this post earlier today, and while the original poster was actually talking about something different than the rest of us thought, it did make me think. (It’s a dangerous pastime, I know) Anybody ever read Dicey’s Song? When I was younger, I strongly identified with her hatred of Home Ec. My …
Dear Home Ec 101: Why is it lactose intolerant people can eat yogurt but not drink milk? Gassy in Gettysburg Heather says: Lactose is a sugar present in milk. To digest this, humans must have the enzyme lactase present in their system. People who are lactose intolerant can generally consume some lactose, the problem lies …
Heather says: Coffee and toast appear much faster when the respective appliances are plugged in, so I have heard.