Question: Before I go to bed, I like to drink a cup of hot milk. The problem is that when I pour the milk into my stainless-steel pot, it sticks to the bottom and burns immediately. Any tips? — Jacob
Answer: Before pouring milk into the pot, pour in a cup of water and swish it around the sides and bottom of the pot. Pour it out and then pour in the milk. This will create a protective layer on the bottom of the pot and prevent the milk fat from sticking. Make sure not to set the temperature too high, and stir often.
Question: I bought a bulk supply of yogurt and the expiry date is tomorrow. Do you think that the yogurt will taste the same if I freeze it? Will the yogurt still be good?
— Angie
Answer: While the consistency will change after thawing, if you freeze it, it will still taste good. In fact, you can thaw and stir it, add your favourite fruit or eat it frozen.
Question: I can’t seem to solve the problem of gravies and sauces separating after being frozen. I have tried cornstarch as the thickener instead of flour with no luck. Any suggestions?
— Jamie
Answer: Gravy may be frozen for several months. To prevent "skin" from forming on the top, lay a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap directly on the surface of the gravy before covering the container. If you know you will be freezing gravy, try to use as little fat and milk as possible so that it does not separate when thawed. You can reduce the chances of separation greatly if you run the gravy through a blender or food processor before freezing.
Question: I have major allergies and cannot use furniture polish in my home. What can I use to shine up my wooden furniture?
— Wendy
Answer: I love to use plain old olive oil combined with a few drops of lemon essential oil. However, I recently received this recipe from Gail, a regular contributor. She uses this on her wooden furniture: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar and two teaspoons of lemon juice. Mix in a spray bottle. You need a bit of elbow grease to bring up a nice shine, but it’s worth it. Shake it well each time you use it.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email at: reena.ca. Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.