Blog - Home-Ec 101

Quick Beef and Cabbage Skillet Recipe – Hearty Winter Fare

This hearty winter skillet is perfect for cold weather and is a budget-friendly meal that is weeknight-friendly,

White Chicken Chili for the Slow Cooker or Crockpot®

Heather says: Last month Deneice, a member of the Home Ec 101 Community*, shared several of her recipes with me, including a recipe for white chicken chili. This simple recipe is easily adaptable to use what is in your refrigerator and pantry. Deneice’s recipe called for lima and cannellini beans, but as I had neither I …

Use the Water Test to Determine When Your Stainless Pan Is Hot Enough to Cook

Dear Home Ec 101,I’ve been reading your site for a long time now, and I love it. You’ve answered a lot of questions I didn’t even know that I had, but one thing has been bothering me lately: I don’t know how to sear a piece of meat or fish without making a horrible mess …

Dear Home Ec 101, I washed, but did not dry, my 4-year-old’s dress that says it’s dry clean only – who makes dry clean only clothes for 4-year-olds, anyway? I didn’t even think to check. It is 100% silk. It shrank quite a bit and while it was still wet I was able to stretch …

Skip to the Thai Lettuce Wrap Recipe Heather says: I have another recipe from the National Pork Board and Publix to share with you and I have to say that these Thai Lettuce Wraps with Satay Pork Strips were worth EVERY single bit of hassle I put up with to make them. Have you ever …

Dear Home Ec 101,How do I clean a really gross toilet? It has all that yellow and brown crud inside that just won’t come off. I heard that pumice stones scratch the porcelain and will only make it worse in the long run.Please HELP!Signed,Skeeved in Skaneateles Dear Skeeved in Skaneateles: Since people searching for how …

Your plan of attack with stain removal on vintage linens will depend highly on just how attached to the items you feel and whether or not these items will be relegated to everyday use or simply kept on display

Dear Home Ec 101,I have some vintage linens that are a bit stained from time. . . I’m talking things like hankies, towels, fabrics, etc that are yellowed with age. I inherited them from my grandmother (and various other relatives). I’d like to clean them up, but not knowing what kind of fabric they are …

This roast pork tenderloin with winter greens and caramelized onions comes together quickly and makes a great weeknight meal.

Heather says: Here’s another recipe from the National Pork Board’s Good and Good for You Challenge. This roast pork tenderloin with winter greens and caramelized* onions comes together quickly and would make a great weeknight meal. With a little creativity and the right sides, like this morning’s Hasselback potatoes, it’d be good for a healthy, …

These Hasselback potatoes are tasty and look fancy enough for guests.

Heather says: I don’t remember when I first stumbled upon the idea of Hasselback Potatoes, I do believe I was wandering around Pinterest. The idea may have come from from PurpleFoodie’s Hasselback Potato Post, as the images look familiar, but I can’t be sure. Variations on this recipe / technique can also be found on most major recipe …

Skip right to the recipe for baked pork eggrolls. Heather says: I was recently contacted by the National Pork Board and Publix to see if I was interested in participating in a campaign to help promote the Good and Good for You Challenge. The National Pork Board is asking people to take a pledge to eat healthy throughout 2012. This week …