Devil is in the details
Tricks to ensure perfect devilled eggs; and how to get stains out of dishwasher
Q Every time I make devilled eggs (which I love), the eggs fall apart as I peel them, and the filling is chunky unlike restaurants where the filling is smooth. What am I missing?
A Here are a few tricks to ensure perfect devilled eggs every time. Place the eggs into a pot and fill with enough cold water to cover the eggs. Sometimes people add cold eggs to boiling water, which causes them to crack. Bring to a boil and cook for 8-12 minutes (varies depending on the stove). Do not overcook because the yolks will become dry, grey and crumbly. When cooking is complete, submerse the eggs in ice cold water for 5 minutes. (trying to peel hot eggs will result in a mess). Peel eggs and cut in half. Scoop yolks and any broken egg whites into a food processor (do not use a fork) and add your favourite ingredients i.e. mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, onion, cheese, mustard, salt and/ or pepper. Blend until smooth.
Add filling into a sealable bag, cut the corner of the bag and pipe egg yolks into egg whites. Garnish with paprika, bacon and/or chives.
Q My dishwasher has developed a brownish staining on almost the entire interior, including the cutlery rack. It is a white interior and is only six years old. What can I do to get rid of this staining? The dishes come out clean. Hope that you have a solution.
A There is a product on the market called Iron Out. Open your windows and run powder through your empty dishwasher soap dispenser (the way you would a normal cycle). Iron Out is available at area hardware stores, but be prepared, it does smell strong, so remember to ventilate.
Q I spilled some fragrance oil on a dresser with veneer as a finish (the container fell over and I didn’t notice it for at least a week.) There is a brown area where it ate into the finish.
How do I get rid of the brown area? Any easy solution?
A Based on the feedback from readers, this is treatable with the help of Oxiclean (test on an inconspicuous area first). Combine 2 scoopfuls of Oxiclean into 2 cups water. Blot stain and scrub with a stiff brush. Rinse and wipe with water and a clean cloth. Worst case scenario, sand and refinish dresser.
Q Some time ago I read your column which said that putting vinegar into the wash load would allow us to avoid dryer sheets. How much vinegar? Also, I have a new front load washer, and does that make a difference for the amount?
A There are no bleaching agents in vinegar therefore adding
1 cup per load is safe for softening fabrics as well as cleaning out the hoses in your machine.
CONTRIBUTORS SHARE TIPS
Keep your sink from clogging
■ by not pouring fat down the drain. Collect fat in a container such as a metal coffee tin and let it solidify. Scrape the fat into the garbage
(not the compost pile). Wash and reuse the container. Sonja
Before you throw orange peels
■ into the compost, consider making a wonderful bathroom cleaner. Soak peels in vinegar for one week. Strain into spray bottle and use to clean bathroom, windows and countertops. Cameron
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.