photo by Mavis

DEAR SARA: I have a question about dry beans. Do they ever expire? My parents have sealed buckets of them that they stocked up on during the Y2K scare. Are they still safe to cook? They’re trying to pass some to me. They say they are still good because of how they stored them. I am not sure. — Palooka, via forums
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photo by donut

The mismatch amount of hot dogs to a package of buns often leaves you with leftovers. If you overplan a party, you’ll have extra, too. Don’t waste them. I like to call the following “reucipes” (ri-yoos-uh-pees), which are tips for reusing food and common household items. My readers share their tasty ways to use them up. My kids love the banana dogs. Ssshh: Don’t tell, but I like …

photo by RBerteig

Muffin pans can be a lifesaver when you have guests and don’t want to spend all your time cooking. Use your pan for brownies, meatloaf or cheesecake, or line them with foil and use them as gelatin molds. You’re limited only by your imagination. Here are a few frugal ideas to start you off.
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photo by togood2b4gotton

Backyard grilling is a great break from using the oven, which heats up the kitchen during the warmer months. My husband is the grillmaster, so I get to simply watch and supervise, or, as I like to call it, help. One of my favorite grilled meals is chicken kabobs. They cook quickly and pack a lot of flavor into each bite. Kabobs are versatile, too. I can quickly …