Helpful Household Hints

[cherub_rocker1979]

At night after having dinner, if you don't feel like washing the dishes right away you can pour some water over them (once you've put them in the sink)  This will make cleaning them much easier when you get around to it.

[Bob]

*Bob is not sure if that one will work.... Considering it might be six months until he gets to those dishes.*

Every six months, whether they need it or not.  Get that sink cleared out again.

[birba]

I'm getting used to my dishwasher here in Antibes.  Never had one in my life.  Never thought I needed one.  Until now.

[candlelightpiano]

I'm getting used to my dishwasher here in Antibes.  Never had one in my life.  Never thought I needed one.  Until now.

Birba:  Why do you need one now when you didn't before? Since you're using one, it's a good idea to load each type of cutlery into it's own compartment. Saves you time when unloading, but you probably know this already.

Bob: You're incorrigible!    But you're a lot of fun!

[candlelightpiano]

I love using white vinegar for cleaning, which leaves things smelling fresh and clean. I recently learned that you can use vinegar in place of liquid fabric softener in the washing machine. Works wonders on bed sheets when one of my littles has a nighttime accident.  

Yes, I agree. White vinegar is indispensable for the home. Canadians (except me) like it on their fries, too.

If you have a stubborn stain, even one that is months old, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 3/4 cup water. Spray on stain. Lay a damp white terry cloth over the stain. Use the steam setting on an iron and iron over the damp towel. The stain will lift off onto the towel. You may need to do this many times if it's a stubborn stain and you will have to change towels but this method is used by professional carpet cleaners.

[oxy60]

I'm getting used to my dishwasher here in Antibes.  Never had one in my life.  Never thought I needed one.  Until now.

Now I understand the picture you posted on another thread. I thought that coastline looked familiar.

Welcome to the RF. I have great memories of that stretch of coast. Have you found that English language radio station at the top of the FM dial? Back in the 90's I could hear it all along there.

[candlelightpiano]

Now I understand the picture you posted on another thread. I thought that coastline looked familiar.

Welcome to the RF. I have great memories of that stretch of coast. Have you found that English language radio station at the top of the FM dial? Back in the 90's I could hear it all along there.

What is the RF?

[birba]

Now I understand the picture you posted on another thread. I thought that coastline looked familiar.

Welcome to the RF. I have great memories of that stretch of coast. Have you found that English language radio station at the top of the FM dial? Back in the 90's I could hear it all along there.

Yes, what's the RF?  And are you here?  all I could find at the top of the FM station were rock songs and very faint italian station.  The rock songs are in english but there's no DJ.  What's RF?  Radio France?

[candlelightpiano]

Birba:

Bienvenue Republique Francaise.
Welcome to the RF

[candlelightpiano]

Professional chefs store butter at room temperature to soften it. If you soften butter in the microwave, most of the aroma and flavor is lost.

What if you need soft butter but forgot to take it out of the fridge?

1. Measure the correct amount of butter and grate it with your cheese grater. Small pieces of butter are easier to work with.

2. Or shave butter with a carrot peeler and shape into roses (that's what Martha Stewart would have done).

[oxy60]

I thought everyone knew what RF stood for because it is on their euro coins.

Birba: During the eighties and nineties there was an English language station that broadcast on various frequencies around 105 FM. Their studios were in Ventimillia. With the large ex-pat audience there must be another station around.

No I am not  there. I did spend a lot of time there in the past.

What amazed me the most about my time there was the quality of the food. I never needed to spend big money to have a fabulous meal.

Will you be there long? How good is your French? 

[candlelightpiano]

I thought everyone knew what RF stood for because it is on their euro coins.

Ne signifie RF République Française?

[Bob]

Ah, ah, ah....

Je ne suis pas français.

Je ne suis pas français non plus.

[birba]

Birba:

Bienvenue Republique Francaise.
Welcome to the RF

Of course, how stupid of me!!  I used to speak french very well years ago.  I was going to go study with Roland Barthes, of all people.  Then music got in the way...

[birba]

                   
What amazed me the most about my time there was the quality of the food. I never needed to spend big money to have a fabulous meal.

 

Well, THAT'S changed!  at least, here in cap d'antibes.  But here we have Eltsin and Abramowitz's estates, Heineken's, etc. you name it.  In fact, I don't what I'M doing here...

[candlelightpiano]

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH LEFTOVER RICE:

FRIED RICE

I usually use a rice cooker for my rice so I don't know if this would work with instant rice. But whenever I have leftover rice, I leave it in the fridge for one day and make fried rice the next day. It's easy to make. Add 1-2 tbsp oil (I like a mix of canola and olive oil) to wok/ pan, fry garlic, onions, frozen green peas & carrots, tofu or your choice of meat, 1-2 eggs, oyster sauce.

RICE PUDDING

Place 2 cups cooked rice in bowl, add 1-2 cups low fat cool whip, 1/2 - 1 cup raisins & 2-3 tsp cinnamon. Mix well and cool in fridge till needed.

[candlelightpiano]

What do you do with honey that's hardened?

Place the container in hot water for 15 mins or put the glass container in a pot of warm water and gently warm until it liquifies. When the honey spills over the rim into the water, you know it's turned to liquid! Well ...maybe you don't have to wait THAT long unless you'd like to share it with ants!

DO YOU KNOW THAT:

Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence. It was found in the tomb of King Tut and was still edible! Honey never spoils due to the high sugar content and acidic PH which help to inhibit micro-organism growth.

Soothe sore throats with honey. Opera singers often consume 1 tsp of honey before hitting the stage.

Honey is considered the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life. It was the most used medicine in ancient Egypt and during WW1, it was mixed with cod liver oil to treat soldiers' wounds.

Honey is a healthy choice, containing vitamins and antioxidants similar to spinach, but is fat, cholesterol and sodium free.

[oxy60]

Well, THAT'S changed!  at least, here in cap d'antibes.  But here we have Eltsin and Abramowitz's estates, Heineken's, etc. you name it.  In fact, I don't what I'M doing here...

Well, in any case, enjoy it! During my time there I hung with a poorer crowd than your present neighbors. My lunches and dinners averaged 50 francs. Now and then I would make an exception and spend 80.

Now back to the thread. To eat well one doesn't need to spend big money. Often the extra money you spend doesn't get you any better food. When visiting a new town take some time to walk around and read the menus. Open your nose to the aroma of good cooking.

[candlelightpiano]

Well, THAT'S changed!  at least, here in cap d'antibes.  But here we have Eltsin and Abramowitz's estates, Heineken's, etc. you name it.  In fact, I don't what I'M doing here...

Birba: I hope you are having a wonderful time. Cap d-antibes sounds like a playground for the rich and famous. How far is that lovely spot (where you walk your dogs) from your place?

[candlelightpiano]

With Valentine's Day around the corner, here's some tips for a Chocolate Party:

1. Purchase a variety of chocolates i. e. dark, white, semi sweet, milk, bitter, raspberry, pomegranate, orange or coconut, etc

2.  Choose a large table. Decorate with a red tablecloth and lace overlay or paper doilies.

3.  Make little cards so guests know what kind of chocolates they're eating.

4.  Have at least 6 different kinds of chocs, about half oz of each variety per guest.

5.  Make a nice display of chocolate bars and boxes, like a chocolate tower.

6.  Display chocolate cookbooks or magazines on the table.

7.  Purchase extra chocolate so you don't run out!

8.  Tasting tips:  Pick up choc and smell. Hold the bite of choc in your mouth and allow it to melt. This will help distinguish all the flavors on your tongue.

9.  Serve warm light tea.

10.  Make take home chocolate treats, wrapped in cellophane paper and ribbon.

Is your mouth watering now?


LEFTOVER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Make a trifle. Chop up the entire choc cake or leftover cake into bite-size nuggets. Place the pieces in a large glass bowl. Add chocolate pudding, cut up strawberries and whipped cream. Garnish with shaved chocolate. Yummy, yummy in my tummy!!!