How-Tos

The whole blossom is edible, but male blossoms (those w/o fruit) are more crisp and flavorable. Trim stem of blossom to 1″. Wash gently and quickly under cold water and pat dry. Fry in light batter (2/3 c all-purpose flour whisked into 3/4 c beer or soda), or just dredge in seasoned flour and saute…

In a gallon of water mix .5 c ammonia, 1 c white vinegar, and 2 T cornstarch

Refrigerate mixing bowl and beater at least 15 min. In small saucepan, melt together 1/4 c cream and butter (use 1/4 cup for cream w 20% butterfat and 3T for cream w 36% butterfat), stirring constantly until butter is melted. Pour into small measuring cup and cool to room temp. Add vanilla. In chilled bowl…

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…