Mom Cooking Tip 145

If a layer cake hasn’t fully cooled when you frost it, the icing will slide off.

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A Cheap Emergency Meal

Thank goodness for eggs.  Most people who have refrigerators also have a box of eggs in them.  Eggs are cheap, versatile and full of protein.  They’re one of the basics of my life, whether I’m making a dessert, an omelet or a heavy-duty soup that can serve as a main course.

When I’ve assessed the contents of my freezer and can find nothing I want to eat for dinner, I turn to Oniony Egg Soup.  I don’t know where the recipe came from, but I’ve been making it for years. 

It doesn’t require many ingredients:

Question for Mom

(Left) Uncooked Broccoli  (Middle) Broccoli Cooked for 5 minutes  (Right) Broccoli Cooked for 10 Minutes

Why do green vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts and green beans become dull and unappetizing when I cook them? –Ralph B.

Most likely you overcooked them.  To maintain their bright color, cut the vegetables into smaller pieces and cook them for no longer than 5 minutes.

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Vanilla: Why Does It Cost So Much Today?

I got some real sticker shock a few days ago when I bought a large bottle of vanilla extract.  A few years ago a 16-ounce bottle cost $8.  That same bottle now sells for $34. 

I do a lot of baking, especially with chocolate, and I never skimp on the vanilla.  It was probably my first unwritten cooking rule—Honor the vanilla.  Never use imitation vanilla, made from something called vanillin. 

The Nancy Drew in me did some research and discovered a few reasons why vanilla extract has shot up in price.

Mom Cooking Tip 144

Keep a loaf of French bread in the freezer – if it won't fit, cut it in half or thirds .  Warm French bread is good for emergencies.  Make garlic bread or simply heat and slice the bread and serve it with butter.

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It’s Time to Take Turkey Leftovers Out of the Freezer

After gorging on turkey on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I got truly sick of it.  That’s why I carefully packaged up the leftovers and popped them in the freezer for a day when I’d appreciate them. 

Well, that day arrived.  After rummaging through an overcrowded freezer, I was actually excited to see a package labeled Christmas Turkey Leftovers.  A few nights ago I made Turkey Stuffed Tortillas--cut up pieces of turkey as a filling for a heated tortilla, topped with grated cheese, guacamole and salsa.

Then I used up some more

Mom Money-Saving Tip 91

To keep bread from getting stale, do not refrigerate it.  Store it at room temperature or in the freezer.

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