QUESTION: Julia Child once said, "The lid should always be left "ajar" if potatoes are left in the pot after cooking." Also, someone said that cabbage should be cooked without a lid on. Would you know why? Here are some tips: Leftover cheese sauce is good in mashed potatoes, and grated cheese perks up potatoes. Bon appetite! Doris, Binscarth
ANSWER: While there is no one right way to cook potatoes or cabbage, here are a few hints that you may want to consider. For fluffier boil potatoes, pour off all the water after they are boiled and cover the pot with a double thickness of paper towels, then cover with the saucepan lid. In 10 minutes, steam will be absorbed by the towels and your potatoes will be dry and fluffy. The idea behind cooking potatoes with the lid left "ajar" is to cook the potatoes in less time (instead of no lid) without allowing the water to boil over. To cook cabbage, plunge the cabbage into a pot of boiling water, cover the pan only until the water returns to the boil. Remove the lid and let the cabbage cook gently until tender and still a vibrant colour.
QUESTION: Hope you can reply as soon as possible. I had company over last night and served teriyaki salmon which I cooked in the oven. I have one fillet left over and wondered whether I can freeze it. Much thanks. Love your column and read it regularly. Pearl, Winnipeg
ANSWER: You can freeze the fillet as long as it was not previously frozen but not for longer than six months. After that, you will notice a serious decline in quality. Fatty fish, such as salmon or trout, are best frozen for less than three months. All types of fish must be wrapped or packaged in airtight and moisture-vapour proof packaging such as freezable bags. Remove all air from packaging before sealing and over wrap with plastic wrap. Ensure that all packages are labelled with the date, weight and contents. When you thaw your frozen fish, do it gradually. Never in the microwave or room temperature! Let fish thaw in the fridge.
QUESTION: My tenant put a ballpoint pen in my dryer and it has left blue skid marks all over the drum. We have tried a variety of solutions to no avail. Please tell me what to do. Thank you. Gwen, Winnipeg
ANSWER: It may take time to completely remove the stain but it will lessen over the next few months (especially if you use your dryer often). Soak one or two large rags with bleach and water. Run the dryer and allow the towels to dry inside. Clean with dish soap and water. Use nail polish remover to zap remaining ink. Clean dryer out again with dish soap and water before using.
QUESTION: I need your help. I have a pair of expensive leather sandals and the straps close with Velcro. Unfortunately, the Velcro does not stay connected anymore and when I walk, there is a ripping sound, the strap becomes loose and flaps around. I can no longer wear them because of this. Any help you can give me would be appreciated. Thank you. Nancy, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Here are a few options: Bring the sandals to a shoe repair store or comb the Velcro with a pet brush to rejuvenate and clean, or stitch a new piece of Velcro on top of the current Velcro. Some people recommend gluing a new piece of Velcro onto the sandal but in my experience this does not hold.
QUESTION: I just bought a house and it smells like cigarette smoke. We took out the carpet, washed the walls and the smell is still there. Do you have any quick solutions to solve this problem? Thanks! Love your articles in the newspaper. Dominique, Winnipeg
ANSWER: Wash and paint the walls and rent (or purchase) an ozone machine. Use it according to the directions when you are not home. This little machine is what they use in smoke damaged buildings and hospitals. It is not a good idea to use often but you should only need it once.
I enjoy your questions and tips. Keep them coming.
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.
