Posts by Gail South

To unshrink wool–make a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Boil the sweater gently in this for a half hour. Remove and reshape to its original size and dry flat gth and scrub w brush Vinegar:      Make glasses sparkle by soaking in warm vinegar for 5 min. Rinse; buff dry.  …

Preheat oven to 200. Using pastry brush, lightly coat skin side of each tomato w olive oil. (Sprinkle w thyme or garlic if desired) Place skin side down on large baking sheet. Season to taste. Bake until they shrink to 1/4 original size, 4-8 hours. They should remain soft and juicy. Let cool on sheet.…

Toast nuts in one layer in baking pan at 350 for 10-15 min until lightly colored and skins are blistered. Wrap in kitchen towel and let them steam 1 min. Rub in towel to remove skins and let them cool.

Stubborn tarnish stains can often be “cooked” off silver. Put an aluminum foil sheet on the bottom of a non-aluminum pan and place silver on foil. Dissolve half a tsp of salt and half a tsp of baking soda in a pint of water and pour over silver. Simmer one half hour over gentle heat.

Add a few drops of lemon or lime juice, or as a last resort, add vinegar.

Remove zest from 6 limes in strips and cut away any white pith. Chop (about .5 c), then grind in food processor w 2.25 c sugar until mix is pale green. May be made 3 days ahead and kept, chilled, in an airtight container.

Put ingredients in solid, heatproof dish, set the dish (on trivet or jar lids) inside a large pot over boiling water, cover pot until food is done (20-30 min). Add food in bunches based on cooking time. Add seasonings, such as ginger, garlic, green onions or sauces sauce as soy, oyster or fish, at the…

Usually bought in the form of wings. If the skin is still attached, ask the fishmonger to remove it for you, The striated white meat has a delicate, distinctive flavor and is best poached or sauteed and served w beurre noir (brown butter)

Place silver in aluminum pan. Sprinkle with .5-1 c baking soda. Cover w boiling water. Remove and buff

Add sliced potato and continue cooking. Throw out potato.