More "Quick" and "Easy" Kitchen Tips

OK.  I should probably let this die, but it's too much fun.

First, make sure you have the proper pre-requisite to continue reading this.  Good?  All right then.  Some more "helpful" ideas from 1980...

"To reduce foam when pouring carbonated drinks over ice cubes, rinse off ice cubes with water before filling glasses."  Or, pour more slowly.  Where's the fire, pal?  Relax!

"When out of cream, try the beaten white of an egg in your coffee."  Or, knock on your neighbor's door, tell them of your plight, and they will go out and buy you more cream if it will keep you from doing this.  And, if they're not so neighborly, drink it black.  It won't kill you.  I promise.

"Leftover whipped cream: Drop dollops of whipped cream on a cookie sheet, then flash-freeze before storing in plastic bags."  Leftover whipped cream?  Whoever heard of such a thing?

"Fill a large bowl with cheap wine and set it under the sink.  The roaches will drink it, get drunk, fall in it, and drown. This is not a joke.  Its been known to have great results."  First, I didn't accidentally leave the apostraphe out in the word "its".  I quoted directly.  Second, this might work fine, but the mental image just freaks me out.  I imagine all the roaches leering at each other and talking like Peter Lorre over their boxed wine.  Yuck.

"Two similar stockings of different shades can easily be made into a matching pair. Drop them into boiling water and add a couple of tea bags.  Remove them when the water has cooled and they will match perfectly.  The more bags you use, the darker the shade will be." And the more interesting tea time will be!  Just make sure to clean up before the neighbors drop in, or you'll have to explain why your pantyhose are on the stove.

But let it not be said that I was all criticism.  There are actually a number of applicable and very good tips in this worn-out little pamphlet.  Here are some that I have actually used, with positive results:

"Add one-half envelope instant cocoa mix to one cup of strong black coffee."  Ross, not generally a coffee person, calls this the "poor man's mocha" and he enjoys it, especially if I add a splash of flavored creamer or whipped cream!

"Prepare frozen juice concentrate as directed.  Fill glass half full and mix with club soda for a nutritious soda pop."  I also like to mix cranberry juice with diet ginger ale.  Delish.

"[Brown sugar] won't harden if stored in the freezer."  It's true!

I am just wondering how long it will take all of our Good Housekeeping magazines and Food Network shows to start sounding ridiculous.

Time will tell. 

And maybe my kids will be making fun of them then.