D EAR SARA: We’re on WIC and got all of these boxes of baby cereal, but my daughter won’t eat it. I don’t blame her, because it tastes like paste. Do you have any alternative uses for it? — Andrea, North Carolina DEAR ANDREA: Here are a few recipes that were shared by one of [...]
D EAR SARA: Can onions be frozen? I’ve never frozen them, but was afraid they’d turn brown or mushy. — Kelly H., e-mail DEAR KELLY: Yes, they can be frozen. Once frozen, they aren’t very good to use raw in salads. But they’re perfectly fine for cooking. You can peel and chop your onions, place [...]
D EAR SARA: The plastic liners in the bottom of my kitchen sink were clear plastic when I purchased them. Through daily use, a little spaghetti sauce here, a little ketchup there, they have become stained and now are orange. How can I remove this discoloration and make them clear again? I have tried hanging [...]
D EAR SARA: What can I add to boxed cake to make it taste better? It’s not bad, but I’d like it to taste more homemade and not be so dry. — Penny, e-mail DEAR PENNY: You can add coffee in place of the water for chocolate cakes. Try carbonated soda pop, orange or pineapple [...]
D EAR SARA: I have a lampshade that needs a facelift. I don’t want to buy another shade. Any ideas?–Debbie, e-mail DEAR DEBBIE: You can paint it (use stencils) or cover it with fabric, applique (use spray adhesive), wallpaper (use scrapbooking paste), use Mod Podge and decoupage, or add beads or ribbon. If you’re using [...]
D EAR SARA: Maybe you can help! I am on a search for sensible bath towels. I’m speaking of a towel for after shower, not a blanket. These incredibly large heavyweight towels are energy-consumers to the greatest degree, taking extended drying time. Your help is appreciated. — Martha L., e-mail DEAR MARTHA: I own quite [...]
DEAR SARA: Are there safe homemade cleaners for granite countertops? Two years ago, my mom and sister bought me a bathroom vanity for my 20th wedding anniversary. It has a granite countertop. Are there any homemade cleaners that will not pit the granite? What works best for you? — Carrie, Maryland DEAR CARRIE: Use a [...]
D EAR SARA: I once saw a “recipe” for sidewalk chalk, but cannot seem to find it on your site. Can you help me? (Also, please share any other useful kids recipes.) — Dianne, e-mail DEAR DIANNE: I have tons of recipes for kids such as flubber, play dough, dryer lint clay, bathtub paints, bubbles, [...]
DEAR SARA: Can you clean bamboo flooring with vinegar? I’m sick of using two different things to clean my floors. I use vinegar on the bathrooms and kitchen, which is linoleum and ceramic tile, but Murphy’s Oil Soap on my living room and hallway, which is bamboo. Can you use the vinegar on the bamboo [...]
DEAR SARA: Thank you for your column, what great info. Problem: I forgot a pan on the stove and burned the pan black on the inside. How can I remove this black? Thanks for your help. — Elaine S., e-mail DEAR ELAINE: Add a couple of squirts of dish liquid and water to the pan [...]
DEAR SARA: What do I do with the juice left in the maraschino cherry jars? I have 2-1/2 jars full of the stuff! And a bacon grease/brown sugar mixture left from a batch of cocktail weenies. I kind of hate to throw the stuff out, although I wouldn’t have hesitated in the past. What would [...]
DEAR SARA: Dough scrapers: metal or plastic? Which do you prefer? I don’t have one yet and want to buy it only once! — Rosie, Canada DEAR ROSIE: I like them both. I use them for different tasks. They were both cheap, too. I like the flexibility of the plastic scraper. It’s rigid but has [...]
photo by misocrazy Are you a haggler? I was never very good at haggling before I sold merchandise at flea markets. I was embarrassed to ask for a lower price on items at garage sales, secondhand stores and even flea markets. I accepted the price for whatever it was marked. I was introduced to reselling [...]
photo by Brisbane falling Rice and potatoes are a mainstay in many kitchens, so it’s easy to get into the rut of preparing them the same way. Next time you want to make them, try one of the following recipes. Three are easy side dishes, and one is a main dish. Cream-Cheese Potatoes 10 medium [...]
Lone sheets take up much-needed storage space. You probably have a sheet or two that you rarely use but haven’t thrown away. You know you might need it for something someday, such as a toga party or quick ghost or mummy costume, right? Instead of hanging onto it with the best of intentions, put it [...]
photo by D’arcy Norman DEAR SARA: How do you keep your butter soft and spreadable? We’ve switched from margarine to butter. — Carol, e-mail DEAR CAROL: I simply take it out of the refrigerator before I need it so it has a chance to soften. I’m not very picky. I’ll scrape thin layers for bread [...]
You might need to substitute eggs in your baking. Maybe you’re out of them, are changing your diet or a family member has an allergy. There are quite a few substitutions available, but you shouldn’t attempt to replace more than two eggs in a recipe. For example, you can substitute 1 banana for 1 egg, [...]
