Cut the bitterness right out of cucumbers

Question: As gardening season approaches, I am thinking ahead to previous challenges. The problem is that my garden cucumbers always taste bitter. Do you have any solutions to get rid of the bitter flavour? Thanks, Meg Answer: This old trick works on . . .

Posted: 2021-05-22

Keep tea out of the fridge for optimum freshness

Question: How long does tea stay fresh before it goes bad? Should I refrigerate tea? — Aaron Answer: Although tea will gradually lose flavour over time, if properly stored, away from air, light and moisture, it will not go bad and . . .

Posted: 2020-04-18

Classic luxury in the heart of River Heights

No corners cut in Academy Manor's high-end, custom condos

IT may have taken a long time to come to fruition, but the end result was certainly worth the effort. Despite the lengthy delay and construction hurdles that had to be overcome to build Academy Manor, one local builder has . . .

Posted: 2010-07-10

Cooking perfect chicken is all about the temperature

Question: How do I bake chicken breast without drying it out? I either end up with what tastes like rubber, or dry and flavourless meat. Thanks, Gaylene Answer: The secret to perfect chicken every time is an oven thermometer. Safe cooked chicken . . .

Posted: 2021-05-08

Outdoors needs decor help too

Weather-proofing can be combined with tasteful colour and design

The most successful interior decorating is accomplished in stages. It takes time to accumulate the furnishings, colour palettes and the personal touches that make your rooms compelling for you and the way you live. Outdoor spaces are no different. Make . . .

Posted: 2008-06-22

Organized chaos lightens housework load

You plan, you paint, you organize. Then life steps in and messes everything up.Your carefully laid out accessories get pushed aside for kids' toys and your new sofa slipcovers are forever wrinkled and askew.What can you do when your decor . . .

Posted: 2014-08-30

Take your boiler from beast to radiant beauty

Technology has shrunk the size of those old metal monstrosities -- and your gas bill

I remember visiting my grandfather in his basement workshop. To get there, I had to pass through the boiler room, which housed the great iron beast that heated the little bungalow. It was terrifying. And inefficient. But contemporary technology is a beastmaster. . . .

Posted: 2017-09-09

Sniffing out source of odour

QUESTION: I am writing to you with a question regarding an occasional strange odour in my house. It smells like sour stagnant water or rotting wet wood. It doesn't smell like mould or sewer gas and it's not coming from . . .

Posted: 2013-11-30

Steam clean dirty metal blinds

Question: I live in an apartment-style condo, so I have no access to a clothesline or any place to hang things outside. The blinds in our bedrooms are the narrow metal type, ivory coloured. They are getting really dingy and . . .

Posted: 2016-11-26

Taking out the crumbs on cake decorating

Question: I have a keen interest in cake decorating, but find that I have a hard time icing and decorating cakes without incorporating all kinds of crumbs into the icing. Any suggestions for a more professional look? — Bruno Answer: Cool the . . .

Posted: 2017-11-25