QUESTION: I want to know the best way to clean my drains. Thanks. Donna (Killarney)
ANSWER: In a jar, combine 2 tbsp. cream of tartar, one-quarter cup baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Drop in the drain, chase with boiling water. Repeat as necessary. Or pour a half-cup salt down the drain, followed by boiling water or vinegar. Extra tip: Don't toss flat cola into the garbage; instead, pour it into drains to keep them fresh.
QUESTION: I would like to make chocolate decorations for cupcakes to serve at my daughter's wedding. I am worried the chocolate pieces may break after I shape it. How can I prevent this? -- Theresa (Brandon)
ANSWER: Congratulations! What an exciting time for both you and your daughter.
To make chocolate designs, use a pencil to draw outline shapes on a sheet of parchment paper. Popular shapes include: flowers, leaves, vines, hearts, initials, lattice-type shapes, stick figures, etc. Once you have completed the designs, melt chocolate in a double boiler and then pour it into a piping bag or a sealable bag. With a pair of scissors, cut a very tiny hole in the corner of the bag. Squeeze gently to release the chocolate. Trace your designs with the warm chocolate, then let them harden at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Very carefully peel the chocolate design off of the parchment paper.
Once you become proficient at this technique, try laying the parchment over a rolling pin or other cylindrical shape to form a curved design, which adds another dimension to your decorations.
QUESTION: I cooked a large amount of spaghetti in a pot, and just before I served it I noticed it had turned into one big heap of pasta. What can I do to stop the noodles from clumping together? -- Megan (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Always cook pasta in a large pot so each noodle has room to move and groove. Once the noodles are cooked, pour hot water over them as you are straining them. This is very important because water washes away the gluten and keeps your noodles loose as a goose. When you pour noodles into a serving bowl, add a few drops of oil and mix; this is another prevention measure.
QUESTION: Every time I crack an egg, little pieces of egg shell make their way inside the bowl. Is it me? Is it the egg? Or is it my technique? -- Cindy (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: Well, it's not you and it's not the egg (unless you are getting your eggs from some rare bird I've never heard of). That leaves your technique. Avoid cracking eggs on counter edges or bowl rims and instead get cracking directly on the counter surface. You will find that as the egg cracks, the shells will not sneak their way into your bowl.
QUESTION: I am having trouble getting the smell of cauliflower out of my fridge. I have washed it with vinegar, and now have a dish of lemon juice and vinegar in the fridge. I also have two boxes of baking soda. Do you have any more suggestions for me to try? Would appreciate any help, as the odour is horrendous. -- Lois (Winnipeg)
ANSWER: All you need is cake and coffee. Well, maybe I better explain what I mean. We all know cauliflower is a healthy veggie -- personally, I love it served hot with sautéed bread crumbs poured over top. This yummy winter tree delight contains a powerful phytonutrient called sulforaphane, which helps the body's natural defense systems protect against disease. In the meantime, the same sulphur compounds that are good for us give off an unpleasant smell, which is what you are now battling.
Use the vanilla you bake cake with to wipe down the fridge (the first step in freshening the fridge). Next, pour coffee grounds onto an open plate to absorb any lingering odours. The fridge should once again be a welcome part of your home. Other options are to leave a bowl of charcoal briquettes in the fridge or pan of kitty litter (you will still need to wipe the walls and shelves with vanilla).
Fabulous Tips of the Week:
-- If you want family or guests to know your home bathroom has recently been cleaned, put a triangle fold on the end of the toilet paper, just like hotels.
-- To remove hairspray caked on mirrors, use very hot water instead of window cleaner.
-- Add lint brush to your list of cleaning supplies. As you travel throughout your home sweep the lint brush over any area with hair or pet fur.
Reena Nerbas is the author of the national bestselling Household Solutions series. Her website is www.householdsolutions.org You can contact her at Box 429, Blumenort, Man., ROA 0C0.
