how OLD are the spices in your kitchen?
HINTS FROM HELOISE
By Hints From Heloise Tuesday, June 12, 2007; C04
Dear Readers:
How old are the spices in your kitchen? How do you know if the spice or herb is past its prime? It should have a good fragrance, fresh color and flavorful taste. If you can't taste the spice, replace it! Here's a hint: Mark the date of purchase on the product so you'll know how long you've had it.
Storage is one of the most important factors in the life of a spice or herb. So, keep the following in mind:
Keep away from heat and strong, direct light.
Replace the lid immediately after using the contents.
Don't sprinkle spices directly into steaming or boiling water (use a measuring spoon). Be sure the spoon used is completely dry before dipping it into the spice or herb jar; otherwise, the moisture will speed up the demise of the spice or dry herb.
Spices can make a wonderful addition to many dishes. So why not do a little research, buy a new spice and give it a try? Buy the smallest amount possible when trying a new spice, in case it doesn't suit your taste.
Dear Heloise:
Use disposable (surgical) gloves to mix salads, meatloaf, crab cakes, etc. My mother always told me that "your hands are the best implements for tossing and mixing."
Natalie From Maryland
Your mother is right. And this hint protects your nails, too.
Dear Heloise:
I was frustrated when the tiny screw fell out of the hinge on my eyeglasses, bouncing out of sight immediately. For a quick (temporary) fix, I took an earring post and popped it into the hinge, securing it until I could get to my optometrist. Worked great.
A Faithful Reader From Kentucky
Dear Heloise:
I saw where you warned a reader not to use a trash bag to store food items, namely popcorn, because the bags are not food grade.
I had to pop a huge amount of popcorn for a kindergarten class and then was faced with the problem of how to get it from my house to the school. The solution: a large turkey baking bag. The plastic bag is definitely food grade, and even better, it resists tearing. All five-plus gallons of popcorn made it safely to the classroom.
Laura in Little Rock
Dear Heloise:
When you are cutting up onions, just light a candle and set it close to you. The flame eats the "gas" the onion gives off when you cut, and you get no tears.
To get rid of nasty onion smell on hands after cutting, simply rub your hands on something stainless steel while washing, and the smell disappears.
Marti C., West Virginia
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it toHeloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state when faxing or using e-mail. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
2007King Features Syndicate
44By Hints From Heloise Tuesday, June 12, 2007; C04
Dear Readers:
How old are the spices in your kitchen? How do you know if the spice or herb is past its prime? It should have a good fragrance, fresh color and flavorful taste. If you can't taste the spice, replace it! Here's a hint: Mark the date of purchase on the product so you'll know how long you've had it.
Storage is one of the most important factors in the life of a spice or herb. So, keep the following in mind:
Keep away from heat and strong, direct light.
Replace the lid immediately after using the contents.
Don't sprinkle spices directly into steaming or boiling water (use a measuring spoon). Be sure the spoon used is completely dry before dipping it into the spice or herb jar; otherwise, the moisture will speed up the demise of the spice or dry herb.
Spices can make a wonderful addition to many dishes. So why not do a little research, buy a new spice and give it a try? Buy the smallest amount possible when trying a new spice, in case it doesn't suit your taste.
Dear Heloise:
Use disposable (surgical) gloves to mix salads, meatloaf, crab cakes, etc. My mother always told me that "your hands are the best implements for tossing and mixing."
Natalie From Maryland
Your mother is right. And this hint protects your nails, too.
Dear Heloise:
I was frustrated when the tiny screw fell out of the hinge on my eyeglasses, bouncing out of sight immediately. For a quick (temporary) fix, I took an earring post and popped it into the hinge, securing it until I could get to my optometrist. Worked great.
A Faithful Reader From Kentucky
Dear Heloise:
I saw where you warned a reader not to use a trash bag to store food items, namely popcorn, because the bags are not food grade.
I had to pop a huge amount of popcorn for a kindergarten class and then was faced with the problem of how to get it from my house to the school. The solution: a large turkey baking bag. The plastic bag is definitely food grade, and even better, it resists tearing. All five-plus gallons of popcorn made it safely to the classroom.
Laura in Little Rock
Dear Heloise:
When you are cutting up onions, just light a candle and set it close to you. The flame eats the "gas" the onion gives off when you cut, and you get no tears.
To get rid of nasty onion smell on hands after cutting, simply rub your hands on something stainless steel while washing, and the smell disappears.
Marti C., West Virginia
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it toHeloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state when faxing or using e-mail. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
2007King Features Syndicate
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