Cool cracks hot glassware
Heloise
Dear Heloise: Your column about GLASS
SHATTERING was new to me. I bought a new piece, and instructions do state not to place it directly from the oven onto a cool surface. I never knew it until I read it in your column. Please let others know. — Mindy W., Lincoln, Neb.
Mindy, I’m glad you read it here, then bought a new glass baking dish. This is the perfect example of why many old hints or ways we do things may not be safe today!
You can trust me and HELOISE CENTRAL to update and retest hints. Please don’t trust a website/blog/email you see that says, “Oh, here is a great way to clean a glass baking dish: Just sprinkle with scouring powder and scrub with steel wool.” DON’T DO THIS! It will scratch the glass, which becomes weak and may shatter. Reminders below:
DO NOT place hot glassware, just out of the oven, on a cool surface. Not on a metal/glass cooktop, burner covers, stone countertop or ceramic/ metal trivet.
DO use a cooling rack, thick dish towel or potholders if you are serving right away. For baked goods, like a dump cake, use the cooling rack. I put potholders on trivets and balance the dish between for air circulation underneath. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Many times I get asked how to freeze blueberries. Never wash before freezing. Sort, remove stems and place in plastic bags or containers. For eating or baking, remove only what is needed and rinse lightly. Eat partly frozen, or run through a little warm water to thaw. — Judy I., via email
Dear Readers: I make pots of tea for hot tea, iced tea and “fro- zen slushy” flflavored tea using tea bags. I love teapots and have many, and the tall, large ones would “swallow” the tea bags!
No more! I put on my Heloise Hat and came up with this hint: I cut a small, rectangular piece offff the tea box, folded it in half, then cut a slit in the fold.
Voila! Now I slip the strings through the slit and tie a knot, if needed. No wet tags, and no fifishing for bags. I use pinking shears to make a heart shape. — Heloise
Dear Readers: A follow-up hint from Anna about using ripe bananas: Make pancakes! Peel one or two, place into a plastic bag and seal, making sure there is no air inside. Gently mash bananas, cut one corner of the baggie and squeeze the contents into pancake batter. Blend in and cook. Delicious pancakes, and no wasted bananas. — Heloise