Fried Salmon Patties
I love these things too. I always made them with pink salmon, onions, cracker crumbs, eggs, Tabasco and Worchestershire sauce. Years ago I used to buy jack mackeral for my cat; never considered eating it myself. An old neighbor said he loved it in fried patties...
Hot Mustard
This sounds good! Years ago a friend told me to mix Colemans dry English mustard with a little beer to go on large soft pretzels. I tried that but didnt like the texture; it was a bit rough. I tried a few simple tricks to make it smooth but couldnt get what...
Easy Meals to Freeze?
I live alone but enjoy cooking large amounts of whatever Im cooking. One of my favorite things to cook and freeze is beef stew, and it freezes well in quart-size freezer bags. This also works well for all kinds of soups and stews, chili, picadillo, etc. Dont...
Parmesan Crisps
This sounds great, Robin, thanks! I love Parmesan, especially if I have time to grate it myself. Ill have to try this recipe, for sure!
Canning Pimentos From Green Pepper?
Er, Im not sure I understand the question. Am I missing something here?
Use Newspaper To Absorb Spills
Good points! I would like to add, one of the best ways Ive found for cleaning glass is to use crumpled newspaper and distilled vinegar. For things like car windshields with stubborn spots (such as road tar or tree sap) first scrub with a non-scratching, gently...
Replacement filler For Sofa Cushions?
Id go with Marge W.s idea first and see how the store or manufacturer handles it. If they drag their feet be sure to let them know you can cost them a lot more in business than new cushions will cost them. And if they dont fix the problem I would do just that...
Recycled Object To Use As a Soap Holder?
The sponge trick works well, or use a non-metallic scouring pad (such as Scotch-Brite). Either way though I like to keep them in a dish of some sort. Heres a thought for making a recycled holder: find a fairly small blow-molded, flat sided plastic bottle. Heat...
Advice For Possible Misuse of Fund Raising Money?
I certainly think an audit is in order. I presume the proposed purchases and their costs were documented, in which case this should be a legal matter to be resolved in a court of law. At the very least it appears the administrator pulled a very unprofessional...
Craft Project Space Station?
I would try to find design drawings and dimensions, then decide on what scale the model would need to be built. Without knowing the grade or age of the children, or knowing how much input they will have in planning and building it, I dont have many suggestions...
Recipe For Girl Scout Soup?
Hehehehhh... you Girl Scouts were much more cultured than my Boy Scout troop was. When we went camping the Scoutmaster suggested we each bring a can of something. I remember one stew with salmon, tuna, Vienna sausage, green beans, English peas, pork & beans...
Loud Click When Starting Weed Eater Riding Mower?
First check the oil and be sure it hasnt gone dry. Then check the cable at the solenoid (this is where the click would be coming from) that runs to the starter. Be sure it is clean and tight. If you have a meter or 12-volt test light check to see if you are...
Loud Click When Starting Weed Eater Riding Mower?
After thinking about this I realized you probably wont be able to turn the engine manually from under the mower because power from the engine must go through a transmission, so scratch that. Be sure the linkage from the shifter to the transmission is properly...
Saving Money on Haircuts for Guys
I try to keep things in their proper perspective. I trim my beard (usually) twice a year whether it needs it or not. My hair is falling out pretty well so its hardly worth the bother. I get a kick out of people who say they *need* a haircut or the grass *needs...
Eating Healthy at Fast Food Restaurants?
Im not a health-food nut, but here are a few suggestions: First, try to avoid fast-food joints. There are many fast, healthy ways most people can do this. I start every morning (after half a pot of coffee) with two or three Tbsp. raw oat bran mixed well with...
Recipes With Fresh Produce Instead Of Packaged Foods
Check and see if you have a local farmers market or health food co-op. Sometimes I can find good deals on fresh produce in season at the farmers market. We dont have such a co-op in my area now but I miss the one in Atlanta! Ive found frozen produce here (SC...
Garlic Bread
Sounds great, Robin! Ive never tried the parsley and paprika on mine but Ill do it next time. Also I use extra virgin olive oil instead of butter and lightly brown the crushed garlic in it, then brush it on the cut sides of the bread. Dont know how much Parmesan...
Recipe For Garlic Olive Oil?
I dont know how much you would like to make, but I usually just make as needed like this: decided how much oil you will need for the meal and put it into a small saucepan. Heat the oil (med. heat for toasted garlic, lower for a fresher garlic flavor). Crush...
Tomato Sauce is Too Sweet?
Tomato paste should help, and you might add some grated sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese. The vinegar trick works well but youll probably want to use more tomato paste so it doesnt thin down too much. Havent tried the coffee trick but it sounds interesting...
Chicken Dumpling Soup
Robin please dont take this wrong... I always love reading your recipes even if I never actually make them... but you wrote something here Ive run across in recipes for years and it continues to floor me. Please think about this: Cover and simmer for 10-12...
Bargain Frozen Bananas
If you have an ALDI store in your area try their semisweet chocolate chips. I buy a lot of my groceries from them and save a good bit of money buying their own brands. As to the quality, Ive been impressed with most of their products. Go to http://www.aldifoods...
Healthier Tunnel of Fudge Cake
In grade school we were taught that there are four basic food groups. I have since learned this to be untrue; there are only two. (1): Stuff thats fit to eat, and (2): Stuff that WONT kill you. This cake sounds like it would fall in the first catagory if done...
Cooking Pancakes?
There are some good tips here. My method: I use a well-seasoned cast iron griddle (or cast iron skillet if my griddle is tied up). Melt a bit of butter in it, then wipe it with a wadded paper towel to create a thin film of butter. Use the drop of water trick...
Cherry-Glazed Party Pie
Robin, this is another of your recipes Ill absolutely *have* to try! It sounds wonderfully rich. I also wanted to note that I can usually tell if it is your recipe post long before I get to the end and read your name. The title of the recipe is often a clue...
Saving Money on Computers
Ive been very fortunate over the years regarding computer deals. Part of my advantage is being able to do my own hardware upgrades and repairs, but much of it lies in the fact that I dont require brand new, state-of -the-art stuff. I bought this old box used...
Carolina Barbecued Pork
Connie and folks, down here in the Carolinas (and everywhere else, as far as I know) barbecue, by definition, is cooked over an open flame or coals. It should be slow-cooked over some kind of flavoring smoke wood; for pork I prefer hickory or a mix of hickory...
Wilted Leaf Lettuce
Sounds great, but I have two suggestions. First, Id stick with the shallots, and second, try this with fresh spinach.. Well okay, one more suggestion: Id load that salad down with grean and black olives and a bunch of pickled peppers and some chopped tomato...
Chinese Food Recipes?
Try Vietnamese food, you will be glad you did. It is kind of like Chinese food but with a French touch as well. I love Chinese or pretty much any Asian sort of cooking, but the Vietnamese have got it down. Go to asiarecipe.com and you will find a vast array...
Cream Cheese Noodle Kugel
Sounds excellent, Robin, and I will probably try it. But what I wanted to comment on, and this is intended as a complement, once I read the recipe title and a few ingredients, I figure, Yeah, thats gotta be one of Robins, and I am seldom wrong. There is something...
Baked Cavetelli
This sounds great, but Id probably add half a pound of Italian sausage and brown it with the beef.. I always get the hot, but that is just because I like food that bites back (I like it hot). You can probably find mild Italian sausage if that is what you prefer...
Soup's On
Years ago I made huge pots of soup, using whatever was left over in the fridge, and cans of whatever Id found on sale. It was okay and a lot of folks had something to eat. But Ive since learned my mothers secret to vegatible soup: nothing canned except the...
Divinity Candy
Woohooo, thanks Robin! My mom used to make this stuff up until her old mixer bit the dust. After that her dear friend (and an angel in every sense of the word) gave us a big plate of it every Christmas. One bite and youll know why it is called Divinity... youll...
Rich Rolls
This sounds like a lot of work; it also sounds like the wonderful yeast rolls we used to have when I was in the first thru third grade in a small school here. The old school has since been torn down but memories linger... of strict but loving teachers, and...
Chicken Diable
Robin, I love your recipes and Ill bet you could cook the britches off of me any day of the week, so I hope you dont take offense to this. But I am, as well as a pretty good cook, a grammar freak. I love the English language and it delights me to see it applied...
Asparagus Peking Style
This sounds really good, but in you list of ingredients, 1/4 chicken broth? Would that be 1/4 the broth from one chicken? And 1/4 water? I am on city water and 1/4 of it would be quite a lot. I presume in each case you meant 1/4 *Cup*, but since you didnt say...
Asparagus Peking Style
P.S. that should be, in *your* list of ingredients... here I am giving an amateurs lecture on grammar and my keyboard goes south on me. Bwahahahahaaaa! Serves me right! (Hey, the main thing is, were all having a good time.) (b)Editors Note:(/b) Chuckle. Thanks...
Mocha Shakes
Sounds great! A couple of things you might want to try: either use espresso (if you have an espresso machine) or make the coffee double strength. Consider using half & half instead of milk, and instead of chocolate syrup try unsweetened cocoa powder (you wont...
Recipe For A Cold Depressing Day
Bwahahahahaaaa! Yes it is a great recipe, but in looking over your list of ingredients I did not see a warm, cozy throw or a candy cane. I know, to each his (or her) own, but Id make a whole pot of strong coffee and drink it piping hot, black, and unsweetened...
Recipe For A Cold Depressing Day
Bwahahahaaa (laughing at myself)... I cant post what I was thinking, so Ill post thist instead: Recipe for a Cold Depressing Day: TWO pots of coffee One warm, uplifting member of the opposite sex One Texas fifth (half gallon) 100 proof Southern Comfort One...
Baked Breads Still Having a Gooey Center?
The suggestions posted so far are very good advice; the only thing I can add is, try adding wheat gluten. This the stuff in flour that bonds the dough together during rising and baking, trapping the gas produced into bubbles. For regular white breads you probably...
What Should I Eat Before Taking a Test?
The best thing Ive found, and this is for all-around health so do it every morning, is mix two or three tablespoons of oat bran in a glass of V-8 juice and chug it down. I use the hot and spicy, but any kind of thick juice will keep it suspended so use whatever...
What Should I Eat Before Taking a Test?
One other thing: this may be a bit tough but you can master it over time. Learn to tune distractions out entirely. You can shut them off in your mind. This wont work if somebody is physically poking you or getting in your face, but once you get it down youll...
Recipes for Lent?
Here are a few of my favorite non-meat treats: (1) A massive tossed salad with various peppers, olives, onions, tomatoes, etc. topped with flaked red sockeye salmon and Kraft Catalina dressing; (2) same salad except skip the fish, use various cheeses and top...
Junior's Chili Recipe?
Good luck, folks... Im down in the US Southland and have never heard of Juniors, but if I could taste it I could probably come close to duplicating it. What can you identify in it? Is it sweet, hot and spicy, is there a hint of vinegar? Heavy on tomato or mustard...
Storing Cut Avocados?
The best way Ive found to store them once they are cut is, either with or without the pit (I remove it) wrap it in Saran or other plastic wrap and press it close to the flesh, admitting no air. You can brush it first with citrus juice but as others have noted...
Storing Cut Avocados?
Oh, and yes, by all means if youre going to keep it put it in the fridge. The idea is to keep air off of it, but it will also need to be kept cool. I wonder... I havent tried this, but I wonder how it would work to put a thin film of olive oil on the cut parts...
Microwave Safe Mugs?
The age of the (mug, dish, whatever) wont tell you much. I have a lot of diner dishes my grandmother used in her diner back in the 1930s and they work just fine in a microwave. On the other hand, my mom bought a nice set of dishes about fifteen years ago, and...
Chicken Fricassee
Woohooo! My mom used to make this stuff... we kids called it frisky chicken... and it was good! Your recipe sounds great and I look forward to trying it. I may have to toss in a bit of red pepper just to make it a little more frisky.
What is Powdered Dextrose?
It is one of several forms of sugar. You can find it on e-Bay for $3.00 per pound + shipping. Im not sure what advantage it would have over regular confectioners (powdered) sugar, but the e-Bay site claims it is an ideal nutrient that assists fermentation and...
Oatmeal Scones?
Hmm. I checked the BHG Website and didnt see anything that looked too promising. They want me to join something and fork over some money, and I am not inclined to do that. So I checked RecipeZaar and they have 12 listings. Go to http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes...
Apple Pie Alaska
This sounds great, Robin... I cant wait to try this one! Couple of tips... if you get the ice cream as cold as possible in the freezer (use a deep freezer if you have one), and completely cover and seal the top of the ice cream/pie with meringue it will keep...
Cooking Tender Rib Eye?
First, start with USDA Choice or better, but even that is no guarentee it will be tender so check the marbling; thats the best way to get a tender steak. Then I like to rub them well with crushed garlic and freshly ground black pepper and allow them to come...
Substitute for Molasses?
The suggestions by CarlaJS sound good, but your results will depend upon the recipe. Molasses has a pretty distinctive flavor so if the dish you are cooking depends a lot on that flavor you will notice quite a difference. On the other hand if it is mainly used...
Bear Creek Potato Soup Recipe?
I dont know about the Bear Creek brand, but check out the 613 listings at www.reciezar.com/recipes.php?q+Potato+Soup and see if you can find what youre seeking. Some of these sound great!
High Energy Drink Recipe
For a breakfast drink my favorite is about 3 tablespoons of raw oat bran mixed with a glass of thick juice. I use V8 (or a store brand;its cheaper and I cant tell much difference). Stir that together well and let it sit while you put on a pot of good coffee...
Stainless Steel Pan?
Personally I would continue to use it unless it has some kind of nonstick coating. However I would check the manufacturers Web site for information. I would also call my local County Extension Service and talk with a real, live humann being about it. They can...
Meatloaf for Kids?
I chop my onions and peppers very fine in an inexpensive ($8 - 10.00) food chopper, or sautee them until soft. I use two lbs. 80% lean ground chuck and one lb. good (lean) hot pork sausage (or mild, sage, whatever your family prefers). And instead of bread...
Homemade Coffee Pods?
Hey Tricia, you didnt mention which brand of coffee pod system you have so this may not apply, but my Senseo coffeemaker works very much like an espresso machine. Closing the machine on the pod (in its proper basket) compresses the coffee, and very hot water...
Microwave Candy Recipes?
Heres a great Microwave Fudge recipe, taken from the Sharp Carousel Convection Microwave Cookbook, copyright 1983 by Sharp Electronics Corp. The book is full of great info, and the old oven it came with is still working! The recipe: 3 Cups semi-sweet or milk...
Soaking A Romertopf Clay Covered Casserole?
Check out http://fantes.com/romertopf.htm This looks like a pretty interesting site for tips, recipes, etc. regarding your casserole. Good luck!
Zesty Fried Green Tomatoes
This sounds great Robin! As the previous feedback said, Ive always just used flour (seasoned with salt and black pepper) but this sounds better to me. Couple of suggestions: the *best* F/G/Tomatoes Ive ever had were at a small Mom & Pop Gyro place years ago...
Recipes Using Honey?
When I was entering my teen years Mom decided she wanted to try her hand at beekeeping, so we did. We wound up with five hives of bees and more honey than we could sell, give away, or eat, so we used it in place of sugar for just about everything. I still love...
Sugar Free Frosting?
Hmmm... have you considered Home Schooling? Seriously (or rather more on topic), fruits, cream cheese, a little (pure) vanilla extract, and a bit of honey to sweeten. The sugar-free puddings and Jello are artificially sweetened so if you dislike artificial...
Rotten Egg Smell Coming From Sink?
First Id check the drain trap... the J shaped curve in the drain pipe under the sink. Make sure it isnt leaking. Then sniff around to be sure the odor is coming from the sink itself and not perhaps from the bathtub drain, behind a wall, etc. If it is certain...
Good Soup Recipes?
Here are a few suggestions for vegetable soup. What I like to do around this time of year is visit the local farmers market for fresh veggies, then make a large stock pot full of soup and freeze individual portions in freezer bags. The main trick to great vegetable...
Non-alcoholic Substitute for Wine in Recipes?
Regarding how much alcohol, if any, remains in a dish after cooking: there are several variables to consider. How much alcohol was added, how long and how hot it was cooked, was it cooked in an open or covered pot, etc. I suspect a tiny amount will remain, regardless...
Hot and Spicy Mayonnaise
Good project, Terri! I havent tried any flavored mayo but if you want it *really* hot and spicy Id try Daves Insanity Sauce and probably a little Colemans dry English mustard. A few suggestions though: first be very careful with the Daves Sauce; that stuff...
5 Minute Fudge
This recipe sounds good and easy but if you have a microwave heres one thats easier (and otherwise similar, though somewhat different). Next time I make the microwave recipe it will get 1 or 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; thats got to make it even better...
Recipes Using Canned Crab Meat?
Check out http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=canned+crab+meat&ls=re RecipeZaar is pretty amazing in the number and variety of recipes you can find; canned crab meat brought up 2,011 listings. They are also rated one to five stars (if anybody got around...
Turning Jelly Into Syrup?
The stuff that causes jelly to jell is a substance called pectin, a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in ripe fruits and berries. Many jelly recipes call for adding pectin in case the fruit doesnt have enough to allow it to congeal. (Krafts Sure-Jell comes...
Pepperoni Biscuits
Robin, these sound great! Ill bet theyd also be good for making ham or sausage biscuits or sliced and filled with sliced fresh tomatoes or sauteed mushrooms, onions, chiles... heck, the skys the limit! I gotta try these... thanks, Robin!
Recipes Using Potato Flakes?
I havent made instant mashed potatoes in years, but often use Idahoan (the best, IMO) to thicken my beef stew, chicken soup, etc. Also, try it in any recipe that calls for bread or cracker crumbs. It works great in salmon patties, meat loaf, etc. Theres a guy...
Vermicomposting - Indoor Worm Ranching
Great article! My mom used to keep a compost bin (sort of a walled- in area about 3x5) in the back yard. One of the few garbage items she didnt put in there was potato peels. I dont know where she got this info, but she said they would cause blight on tomato...
Easy Stir Fry Recipes?
I recently found a site, http://www.asiarecipe.com/ that is worth checking out. Havent had time to play with any of their recipes yet, but some sound really good. Ive done very little stir-fry but I love the way the food comes out regardless of the sauce... not...
Better Heat Distribution for Your Stock Pot
ahahaa! In response to Debbie52: Good answer, and Ill be quick to admit my trick isnt as good as a quality, heavy, thick-bottom stock pot. I have since acquired a few of those (not Revereware but still pretty nice). Having the highly conductive metal (aluminum...
Light Summer Meals?
Some of my favorite summer meals are salad variations. I eat them so often it is best to make a large, covered bowl of greens, onions, carrots and such, and keep it in the fridge. When I want a salad I just dig out a platter full and add tomatoes, peppers, cheese...
Crockpot Stew Meat Is Dry?
Everyone has given some very good tips here, and each one needs to be considered. One I havent seen mentioned is salt. If you use salt in your meat dishes it tends to dry the meat, so I avoid using much if any. One exception to this: as Carla Bledsoe wrote...
Recipes Using Bulk Chocolate Cake Mix?
Note that boxed mix can differ from one brand or style to another. If you know the manufacturer and style/name of the mix Id try to find their Website on the Internet. If they dont have tips and recipes on the site there will probably be an email address for...
Ecology Bread
Thanks Bobbie, this sounds really good! I almost never make bread my bread machine cant mix but I think Ill make an exception for this one. I usually use the machine on the dough cycle and bake the loaves on a bread stone, but some breads just work better in...
Microwave Rolls?
Mary, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I dont think it can be done. There are several problems with making almost any kind of bread in a microwave involving browning, texture, etc. However, there are some good recipes for all kinds of breads you can...
Glazed Donut Recipe for a Bread Machine?
Most bread or dough recipes adapt pretty easily to bread machine use, but life is so much simpler if you can start your quest with a recipe actually created *for* machines. I havent tried this one but it sounds interesting, and might be a good place to start...
Grilled Steaks Taste Like Lighter Fluid?
The chimney starters are great, and have another advantage over electric: they work anywhere there is dry newspaper available. Jilsons other suggestions are good too. I have made the mistake of putting the food on too soon, and its hard to resist if Im really...
Adapting a BBQ Rib Recipe for Chicken?
For chicken and pork, sauces, marinades and cooking methods are often almost interchangable. I usually tweak the sauce a bit differently for chicken, and use slightly different rubs. Also there are smoke woods I use on fowl that Id never use on pork, and if...
Light Icing Recipe for Cakes?
One suggestion: I noticed the recipe from the Taste of Home site calls for *imitation* vanilla extract. I mean no disrespect here... Ive found some good recipes on that site... but I dont have imitation vanilla extract in my house. If you like vanilla the fake...
Garlic Chilli Sauce Recipe?
I dont have a recipe but checked the ingredients on a jar I bought. They are: chili, garlic, vinegar, salt, sugar, corn starch, MSG, and sodium benzoate added as a preservative. If you have lots of chilies to play with Id suggest just mixing the first three...
Substitute for Chicken and Beef Bouillon?
If youre going to use it in another dish the homemade stock/broth suggestions are a great way to go (the veggie broth recipe sounds wonderful!) Depending on what youre cooking you might consider using fruit or veg. juices, wine, or beer in place of the bouillon...
Grilled Barbecued Spareribs?
Different parts of the country use different methods for barbecue, but to me the smoke is the thing. I usually use a marinade based on vinegar, mustard, peppers and garlic, with anything else that sounds good at the time. If you dont have time to marinate it...
Recipes Using Breakfast Cereal?
As to crushing the cereal, I have read (probably here on ThriftyFun!) that a good way to crush stuff is in cereal bags. Someone suggested saving the inner bags from boxes of cereal for crushing crackers with a rolling pin or can. These bags are pretty durable...
Ellen's Tips for Conserving Water
Some great ideas, folks, and especially you, Gladys. I would add this note about the pots and pans, though: if theyre cast iron, never let them see soap. Scrub them with a (soap-free) rag, a dab of hot water, and table salt, rinse them in scalding hot water...
Eagle Brand Cookie Bars
My mother used to make something similiar but it also had cream cheese. Ive been looking for her recipe for awhile with no luck, so Ill try this one and maybe play with it a bit. Sounds great! (Anything with chocolate sounds great to me).
Cake With Too Much Brown Sugar?
I expect it would change the texture considerably, and brown sugar has a flavor of its own so the overall flavor would probably change as well. However, many great dishes are created due to cooking errors. Id probably contact the recipient, confess the error...
Cranberry Walnut Bread?
To Debbie52: Id cut the recipe in half or third (one egg) and try it for muffins. The cooking time / temp might need to be adjusted but on first try check other muffin recipes, make best guess and *write down any variations* you may use. After the first small...
Not Buying Scratch Tickets Helps Pay Off Debts
It has been said that the Lottery is a game for people who are very, very bad at math. I was grinning about this (Im pretty good at math so I dont play it) and feeling somewhat smug, until I realized there are other things I do that are a total waste of money...
