Question: I like baking shortbread cookies because they freeze well, which makes them an easy snack to pull out when company drops by. The only problem is that when I remove them from the freezer, they become soggy. Any tips? — Maureen
Answer: Every baker has their own tips and tricks for making amazing shortbread, here’s a few tips: Make sure the butter is room temperature. If you are planning to make a variety of shapes, chill the dough first. If cookies become soggy after freezing, heat them up in the oven for a few minutes so they become crispy.
Question: Can you give me an easy recipe for chocolate pudding? Thanks, Samranjeet
Answer: In a double boiler stir together: Half cup sugar, 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder, one quarter cup cornstarch and a pinch of salt. Set the temperature to medium heat; stir in two- and three-quarter cups milk. Stir constantly and bring to a boil until mixture is thick enough to adhere to the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and add 2 tbsp. butter and one and a half tsp. vanilla. Cool and serve warm. Refrigerate to store. Makes four delicious servings.
Question: We have removed the coffee table that was in the middle of our living room. We now have four big indentations in the carpet. HELP! — Johnny
Answer: You can use a damp cloth and a hot iron or hair dryer to remove carpet dents (be careful not to scorch the carpet). Place the damp cloth over dents and place the iron on for a few seconds. Keep the cloth damp. Then take a soft hairbrush and brush over the nap to raise any remaining fibers, this may take several minutes. Or just place a few ice cubes in each of the indentations and when the ice melts use a pet fur brush to pull up the carpet and the indentations should disappear. Or use a garment steamer or steam iron to soften the indented area (be careful not to soak the carpet), and gently rake the pile with your fingers or a brush to fluff them up again. This takes care of the pile only — indentations in the padding beneath the carpet will just take some time after the pressure source is removed to spring up.
Thermos thoughts
Since my daughter’s school no longer has microwaves, I put hot chicken nuggets into her thermos so they stay warm until lunch. — Sam
I like hot soup but hate soggy noodles. I boil water and pour it into my thermos. I add the soup mix three minutes before eating. It’s perfect every time. Another way to keep food hot in a thermos is to pour boiling water into the thermos, let it sit for five minutes, pour out the water and add food. — Jessica
The fastest way to clean coffee stains out of a thermos is to pour one cup of white vinegar into the container, add one teaspoon baking soda then scrub with a non-scratching cloth. — Anne
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.
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