Dear Reena: Is there a simple way to prepare stuffing from scratch using dry bread slices?
Miranda
Slice one loaf of dry bread pieces into cubes. In a pot, saut茅 one chopped onion and four chopped stalks celery. Add 1 tsp poultry seasoning. Add bread and听season with salt and pepper to听taste. Pour in one cup of chicken broth. Bake in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes, or heat in a slow cooker on low for one hour.
Dear Reena: Can you tell me how听to bake a single pie crust so that it听doesn鈥檛 shrink down in听the pie plate while baking? I听make lemon pies, but my crusts听disappear down the sides听of the pan.
Robert
Some people freeze pie crusts before putting them in the oven, but here is an easy alternative. Place your dough into the pie plate and trim away the excess. Line the pie dough with foil and fill the plate with dried beans or rice to weigh down the crust and keep it from shrinking. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the crust is firm.
Lift the crust to the counter and gently remove foil, taking care not to tear the crust. Prick crust with a fork, brush with egg white and bake another five听minutes, or until pale gold. Cool. Or put another pie plate the same size on top of the dough in your pie plate. Bake for a few minutes and remove second plate.
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Dear Reena: While we were away from home, our elderly cat vomited hairballs on our brown jute rug. Our cat sitter rubbed the rug clean, leaving two noticeable light spots on the听rug. Can we treat these spots by听brushing on some brown fabric dye? Can you recommend a way to darken these spots?
Diane
All carpet is dyed in the first听place, so it is definitely a technique that will work if done correctly. It is a risky business, however. Colour matching is a great challenge. For best results, consider hiring professional carpet-dying services that will help you refurbish your carpet for less than half the cost of replacing the carpet.
If you are determined to fix the carpet yourself, the first step is to find out what kind of textile your carpet is (you said jute), and whether or not your carpet is stain-resistant.
When purchasing carpet dye, consider how much dye mixture is required to cover the carpet you are refurbishing. Coverage must also be sufficient to allow the dye to bond evenly with carpet fibers. Make sure you are buying a carpet dye with a colourfast guarantee. Dyed carpets should not fade when cleaned. Also, find out the drying time and setting time. Clean the carpet before beginning and follow all directions listed on the colour dye kit. Test carpet dye on a swatch of carpet (if you have one available) or on an inconspicuous area.
Extra tip: If the stains are really small, you can try colouring the bleached areas with a brown permanent marker.
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Smart hints for fall:
鈥� I love this time of year: the smell, the colours, the raking 鈥� The problem is that as I get older, my back feels strained with the chore of raking leaves. I went to the hardware store and purchased an ergonomic handle. I attached it to the rake 鈥� what a difference. It鈥檚 worth every penny.
Butch
鈥� I have a wood-burning stove and clean out the box every fall. I then sprinkle the ashes from the box (not from the chimney) into the compost box.
Amy
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Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
