Helpful Cleaning Tips

1. Use an empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. They stay neat and you can write on the roll what they belong to.

2. For icy steps in freezing temperatures, pour a mixture of warm water and Dawn dishwashing liquid on the steps. They won't freeze.

3. To remove crayon from your walls, dip a damp washcloth in baking soda and scrub.

4. Remove permanent marker from appliances and counter tops with rubbing alcohol and a paper towel.

5. To remove blood from clothing, pour a little peroxide on a cloth and wipe off.

6. When washing windows, use vertical strokes inside and horizontal outside. This way you can tell what side has streaks. Use straight vinegar to get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and streak.

7. Spray a small amount of perfume on a light bulb in any room to freshen it up.

8. Fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers or closets keep clothes fresh. Don't forget towels and linens.

9. Candles will last longer if placed in the freezer for about 3 hours prior to burning.

10. To remove burnt food from a pan, add a couple drops of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil.

11. Spray plasticware with non-stick cooking spray before putting tomato based sauces and it won't be stained.

12. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the pan, use the dry cake mix and there won't be a white mess on the outside of the cake.

13. Wrap celery in aluminum foil before putting in the refrigerator. It will keep for weeks.

14. Add a pinch of sugar when boiling corn on the cob to bring out the natural sweetness.

15. When you have a headache, cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

16. Freeze leftover wine into ice cube for future use in casseroles and sauces.

17. Use air-fresheners to clean mirrors. It cleans well and leaves a nice scent behind.

18. When you get a splinter, put scotch tape over the splinter and pull it off.

19. (a) Clean your toilet with 2 Alka-Seltzer tablets. Wait 20 minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid cleans glassy surfaces. (b) Clean glasses or vases by filling with water and dropping in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. (c) To clean jewelry, drop two tablets in a glass of water and immerse for two minutes. (d) Unclog a drain by dropping three tablets down the drain followed by one cup of white vinegar. Wait a few minutes and then run the hot water.

Cilantro

The leaf of the Chinese corriander plant. Lively and pungent, it appears in Latin American and Asian foods.

Four Star Chili

from: kraftfoods.com

Prep: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Makes 8 servings

1 lb. each boneless beef and pork pieces, 1/2 inch pieces
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup italian dressing
1 jar (16 oz.) mild salsa
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) beef broth
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 cans (15 oz. each) black beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups hot, cooked minute white rice

BROWN meat with onions in dressing in a dutch oven or large deep skillet on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.

ADD salsa, broth and chili powder and stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover. Simmer 1 hour or until meat is tender.

STIR in beans. Cook, uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

Frozen Chocolate Souffles

from: kraftfoods.com

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Makes 8 servings




3 cups milk
1 package (8 serving size) Jello chocolate instant pudding
2 cups cool whip whipped topping, thawed
16 oreo cookies, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
8 maraschino cherries

POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 minutes. Gently stir in whipped topping.

SPOON 2 tbsp. of the chopped cookies into each of eight 8- to 9-oz. paper drinking cups. Cover evenly with half of the pudding mixture. Press gently with the back of a spoon to eliminate air pockets. Repeat layers. Cover with foil.

FREEZE 5 hours or until firm. Remove from freezer about 15 minutes before serving. Let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. Peel away paper to unmold onto dessert plates. Top each with a cherry.

STORE leftovers in freezer.

Best Ever Cheesy Biscuits

Bake: 15 minutes
Makes: 12

8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup milk
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup shortening

PLACE milk, cheese and lemon juice in a medium bowl and let stand for 15 minutes beforehand.

PREHEAT oven to 450 degrees. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large mixing bowl.

CUT in shortening until it resembles coarse corn meal. Add milk and cheese and blend together.

SPOON by heaping tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet.

BAKE for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

SERVE warm.

I make these a lot. They go with lots of different meals and my family really likes them.

Chives

Mild onion flavor, popular in egg dishes, potatoes and spreads.

German Christmas Cookies

from Grean American Home Baking

Prep: 15 minutes
Bake 10-12 minutes
Makes 3 dozen

1 1/4 cup cake flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 large eggs
1/4 cup ground almonds (1 oz.)
1/4 cup grated orange peel (for more lemon flavor, substitute lemon peel)

Garnish:

confectioners' sugar

PREHEAT oven to 350. Grease 2 baking sheets.

SIFT together flour, cinnamon, nutmet, salt, baking soda, pepper and cloves.

BEAT together butter and sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy. Stir in lemon juice.

BEAT in eggs, 1 at a time, beathing well after each addition.

AT low speed, beat in flour mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms. Stir in nuts and orange peel.

DROP batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart.

BAKE cookies until edges are golden, 10-12 minutes.

TRANSFER baking sheets to wire racks to cool slightly. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Mint

Aromatic with a fresh and slightly peppery flavor. Used to flavor drinks, sauces and jellies.

Apple Cheddar Cobbler

from Great American Home Baking

Prep: 1 hour
Bake: 1 hour
Makes 8 servings

8 cups peeled, cored and sliced baking apples (about 8 apples)
1/2 cup honey
3 tbsp. butter, softened
3 tbsp. flour
1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Cheddar Rolls:

2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
3/4 cup hevay cream or half-and-half
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (6 oz.)

PREHEAT oven to 350. Grease an 11 x 9-inch baking pan.

MIX together apple slices, honey, butter, flour cinnamon and nutmeg. Spoon filling into prepared pan; cover tightly with aluminum foil.

BAKE until apple slices are just tender; 45 minutes.

PREPARE cheddar rolls. Mix flour, baking powder and salt.

MIX together egg and egg yolk. Stir in cream. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture until a dough forms.

ON a floured surface, knead dough for a few seconds. Using a floured rolling pin, roll dough into a 10 x 8-inch rectangle. Sprinkle dough evenly with cheese.

STARTING from a long side, roll up dough; jelly-roll style.

CUT dough into 15 rolls. Place rolls, cut sides down, on top of filling.

RETURN pan to oven. Bake, uncovered, until cobbler is golden brown, 15 minutes.

Best served warm.

Thyme

Slightly minty and lemony. Used in many French dishes to flavor poultry, soups, stews and fish.