Question: How can I clean a brown stain off my vinyl flooring under the baseboard heater?
Answer: Many have found pouring three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the floor every day for three days is helpful. Others have had great success by combining 1/4 cup OxiClean with about four litres of boiling water and pouring the solution onto the area. Another solution is bleach, but this application removes the finish and shine of the floor. Mineral spirits are another treatment people have used succesfully.
Question: How do you keep meringue from shrinking? I have tried adding cream of tartar (about 1/2 teaspoon per pie) but it has not helped. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Stuart
Answer: Here are a few tricks to prevent meringue from shrinking. Instead of cream of tartar, add cornstarch to the egg whites. In a small pot dissolve, two tbsp. sugar, one tbsp. cornstarch and half cup of water. Heat on medium and stir until clear. Prepare filling as normal and spoon onto crust very evenly while the filling is nice and hot. Beat three (room temperature) egg whites and 1/2 tsp. vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in six tablespoons of sugar. Add the cooled cornstarch mixture and beat until stiff peaks form. Be sure to spread the filling over the entire edge to seal the sides and prevent the meringue from shrinking. Bake in a 350F oven until meringue is golden brown. Cool and refrigerate.
Question: I have been baking bread for 40 years and every once in a while, the bread goes in the oven looking fabulous, only to sink in the middle as it bakes. It still tastes fine. Any idea why this happens and how to correct it. Thank you, Rod
Answer: There are a few common reasons for this: The dough has not been kneaded long enough to activate the gluten. The protein content in the flour that you are using is too low, check the ingredient list to make sure the protein content is at least 11 per cent. Ensure your yeast is fresh and you do not over proof the dough. I always let the dough rise for one hour, shape into buns or bread, and let rise for another hour before baking. High humidity in your oven can also affect your dough, as it will rise at the beginning of the bake and then fall. Lastly, I bake most breads at 350F.
Question: I have old country china and it’s not supposed to go in the dishwasher. I’m hoping you have a homemade dishwasher detergent that won’t harm my china. Thanks, Linda
Answer: China should not be washed in the dishwasher if it was made before 1979. If the china is newer, you can use the delicate setting and a commercial product such as Cascade. Make sure the water temperature is not too hot. If you do not trust commercial products, use two cups of vinegar and run the delicate cycle, however, because of the state we are currently in, I would opt for a commercial detergent.
Tip of the week
When it comes to products such as salad dressing, soya sauce, vinegar and cooking oil, the contents tend to pour out too quickly. Instead of removing the seal, after opening the bottle, puncture a hole in the seal. This will make controlling the flow easier.
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.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email at: info@reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
