Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
Butter is the gateway to great garlic bread
Question: Can you please provide me with a recipe for garlic spread that I can spread on Italian bread, and bake? Sam
Answer: This recipe is so good and tastes like restaurant garlic bread. Into a bowl combine a half cup softened butter (yummier than margarine), one quarter cup grated Parmesan cheese, two cloves minced garlic, half teaspoon dried basil, half tsp. dried oregano, half tsp. dried parsley, sprinkle lightly with black pepper. Slice Italian bread in half lengthwise and spread both sides with butter mixture. Bake at 350 F until golden brown (about 12 minutes). Slice and serve.
Answer: Using the handle of a butter knife, tap the edge of the lid several times firmly around the outside of the lid. Or run the lid under hot water, while wearing rubber gloves, grab the lid and turn. Or push the tip of a spoon under the lip of the lid push the spoon down. When you hear a pop the seal is broken, you are then able to turn the lid. Purchase a Boa Constrictor Strap Wrench from a home hardware store, it makes the job simple.
Question: Is it important to wash a brand-new pillow before I use it? Thanks, Ron
Answer: Pillows purchased from the store do not require washing before use. For general pillow maintenance, wash them at least twice a year, as dirty pillows collect dust mites and bacteria that can lead to allergies. The Good Housekeeping Institute recommends washing bedding every two weeks.
Question: Hey, I was given several bags of unopened potato chips, but I don’t like potato chips and was wondering if I can freeze them? Shereen
Answer: Yes, unopened potato chips last up to a year in the freezer.
Question: I was gifted a beautiful poinsettia. Can you please tell me how to properly care for it? Thanks, Rajan
Answer: Properly caring for your poinsettia will maintain the life of the plant for two or three months and beyond. Set the plant in a well-lit area. Place the plant in the sink when the pot feels light and water about once a week. Allow the pot to properly drain before putting it back in place.
Why didn’t I think of that?
• An easy trick to juice a lemon is to roll the lemon on the counter to loosen it. Use a sharp knife or a metal skewer to poke a hole in the end of the lemon. Squeeze the juice through the hole. Store the lemon in a sealed container. — Henry
• When my wet clothes are wrinkled, I drop a few ice cubes into my dryer. The wrinkles quickly disappear. — Olga
• If you are having difficulty threading a needle, spritz the end of the thread with hairspray. Wait a few seconds and guide the stiffened thread through the needle. — Olga
• My best jewelry cleaner is made by combining one-part Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Cleaner with three parts water. Let jewelry soak for 15 minsutes and then brush with an ultra-soft toothbrush. — Andre
• My favorite snack discovery for 2020 is to combine microwave popcorn with a handful of M & M’s. — Kelsey
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.
Renovation & Design
You'll need a side of mayo to remove that Christmas tree sap
Question: While putting up the Christmas tree my pants, shirt and hands became layered with tree sap. What can I do? Thanks for your help! Conrad
Answer: Smear your hands, shirt and pants with mayonnaise. The tree sap will come right off. Follow with a solution of dish soap and water. Blot the area and wash the pants and shirt according to the care label.
Question: A friend has purchased a home with tile and grout everywhere and says both are very dirty. We are looking for an easy and effective cleaning process. You have helped us in the past and I’m hoping you can do so again; fingers crossed. Elaine
Answer: Get yourself a handy little piece of pumice stone. Pour some dish soap onto the pumice stone and wet it, then scrub the grout. Next spray isopropyl alcohol onto the grout to prevent mildew from growing and discolouring the grout (keep away from small children). Another option is to make a paste of borax and water and scrub grout with an old toothbrush.
Question: How can I make perfect cream puffs and prevent them from sinking after they are taken out of the oven? Andrea
Answer: A perfect cream puff is definitely a work of art and here are a few tricks to getting them right every time. After you stir the water, salt, butter and baking powder together, turn up the heat and bring the water to a full rolling boil. Turn the burner to low and dump the flour mixture in all at once, stirring it together with a wooden spoon. Once mixed, remove from heat. Let the dough cool for 20 minutes before adding the eggs one at a time.
Total time for beating each egg is about two minutes. Test your dough by lifting out a spoonful and dropping it on top of the rest of the dough. If it stays on top and maintains its shape, it’s ready to bake. If not, beat it some more. Drop the dough by large spoonful’s onto a cookie sheet. Don’t crowd the puffs. They should be at least three inches apart. If you want to make mini puffs, drop small spoonful’s on sheets — 15 to each sheet. Without opening the oven to peek during baking, bake at 400F for 20 to 25 minutes for large or 15 to 20 minutes for mini puffs. Finished cream puffs should feel firm to the touch and appear golden brown. Remove the cream puffs from the oven and pierce the side of each one with the point of a sharp knife (to remove moisture from inside puff); this is not necessary for mini puffs. Cool puffs on a baking sheet, careful to keep them away from drafts. Fill with something delicious such as whipped cream, tuna, chocolate, whipped coffee, chicken salad, vanilla custard, salmon or crab mousse. So delicious!
Holiday cheer!
I came to the end of my Nutella jar and had a brainstorm that turned into a tasty win! Place a few scoops of vanilla ice cream into the jar and…eat with a spoon. — Sol
I read a study that said adding one tablespoon of glycerin to Christmas tree pots reduces the loss of pine needles. — Margaret
Add one package of instant-pudding mix to a boxed cake mix to moisten the cake and enhance the flavour. — Jamie
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.
