In this section, you will find frequently asked questions and answers. Check back often, as our list will continue to change and grow.
Question:
How can I save money on presents this holiday season?
Answer:
Online is the place to be for savings this season. You might not always find the best prices online, but you can comparison shop to sniff out which retailer is offering a good deal (whether it be online or in a retail store). Oftentimes you can also get ratings and reviews of products you're interested in to make sure they're worth the money!
Question:
How can I host Thanksgiving without breaking my budget?
Answer:
A great way to cut costs on feeding your entire extended family is to make the meal a potluck. Aunts and uncles can bring the sides, Grandma can bring her fabulous dessert, and you can prepare the turkey and the stuffing. When you assign everyone a different dish, you'll cut costs, save work, and help your guests feel more involved in the dinner. Now, that's something to be thankful for.
Question:
What are some fun "fall" foods I can share with my family this autumn?
Answer:
This time of year usually elicits cravings for apples, sweet potatoes, corn, and pumpkins. The fall harvest can provide plenty for great family dinners. Prepare these recipes—Hearty Harvest Soup, Pumpkin Biscuits, or Apple-Sweet Potato Bake—at home to help save you money and enjoy some fall favorites.
Question:
What's the best way to cook vegetables without losing a lot of nutrients?
Answer:
When you don't cook your vegetables properly, not only do you cut down on color and flavor, you also lose important vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. The best (and fastest) way to cook vegetables to get the most out of them is by steaming them. Do you like crispy veggies? Try stir-frying them. It's fun—and still maintains most healthy aspects of vegetables.
Question:
How can I get my kids to eat healthier after-school snacks?
Answer:
Kids are most likely to grab whatever is handy after school. Make it easy for them to snack healthfully by having plenty of healthy options readily available. You can also get the kids involved with the prep work so they'll know how to make their own treat next time. Try celery sticks topped with peanut butter and raisins, or a fruit-and-yogurt parfait. The kids will get a boost of nutrients and still have room for dinner.
Question:
What's the difference between a smidgen, a pinch, and a dash?
Answer:
Usually these kinds of measurements aren't meant to be exact, so your best guess is probably close enough. But if you're looking for more specific info, here's how they measure up: A smidgen is about 1/32 of a teaspoon, a pinch is about 1/16 of a teaspoon, and a dash is about 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Question:
When I grill salmon, it always falls apart. Is there an easier way to grill fish?
Answer:
Fish usually falls to pieces when it's flipped too often. Watch for the edges of the fillet to become opaque and flaky, then give it a flip and let it cook on the other side. When you think your fish is done, use an instant-read thermometer to test the center and take it off the grill.
If you're working with a more delicate fish (or grilling veggies), using a grill basket is another great way to keep it all together.
Question:
What's the difference between regular and organic fruits and veggies?
Answer:
Organic means that the food was grown without (or at least with fewer) preservatives, pesticides, or other chemicals. Generally, this is better for you and the environment. However, it's important to wash all fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
Question:
How can I pick the right asparagus this season?
Answer:
Look for straight, bright green stalks with stiff tips. And remember, for the best nutritional value and flavor, try steaming asparagus instead of boiling it.
Question:
Are egg substitutes, such as Egg Beaters®, as healthy as shell eggs?
Answer:
Egg Beaters Original is actually more nutritious than traditional shell eggs. By eliminating the yolk (except in Egg Beaters With Yolk and flavored varieties), you'll avoid all of the fat and cholesterol and more than half of the calories found in shell eggs. In addition, Egg Beaters contains greater amounts of important vitamins such as A, B-12, D, and E, as well as other essential nutrients including folic acid and riboflavin. Each serving of Egg Beaters also has 6 grams of protein, which is just as much as you'll find in one large shell egg.
Question:
What's the best way to melt chocolate?
Answer:
Effectively melting chocolate can be sticky business—literally! Chocolate melts better and faster at lower temperatures, so try not to get your chocolate above 115° F. Once the chocolate starts to liquefy, stir milk and white chocolate almost constantly, and dark chocolate frequently.
Question:
How do I keep brown sugar from getting hard?
Answer:
Try a different storage method. Buy brown sugar in a bag. After opening, keep the sugar in the original bag, and place it inside an appropriately sized sealable bag. This will help to keep your brown sugar from getting hard.
Question:
What is an aperitif?
Answer:
An aperitif is an alcoholic drink served as an appetizer before a large meal. It's meant to stimulate the appetite and taste buds. Some popular aperitifs are dry white wines, martinis, champagne, or sherry. Try serving an aperitif before your Thanksgiving dinner.
Question:
How do I manage all of the Halloween candy my child brings home?
Answer:
There are a few different routes you can take to try to curb your child's consumption of all those sweet treats. Here are two ideas.
Allow your child to pick a few of his or her favorite treats to enjoy now, and put the rest away for another time. Dole out the candy as a snack from time to time.
"Buy" the candy from your child or exchange it for new clothes or toys.
Question:
What is lycopene and where can I find it?
Answer:
Lycopene (LY-ko-peen) is a carotenoid and has antioxidant properties. More information on the potential health benefits of antioxidants can be found at the website of the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.
Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene, and a 1/2 cup of tomato sauce or canned spaghetti sauce has 20 mg of lycopene, compared to the 8 mg in a cup of watermelon. Lycopene is also found in guava, ketchup, and pink and red grapefruit.
Question:
How do I make sure my kids' packed lunches are safe to eat?
Answer:
It's important to keep foods at their regular temperature. Use a thermos to keep hot foods hot, such as soups. For cold foods, such as deli sandwiches and yogurts, make sure you include a cold pack. Also, remember to wash out lunchboxes regularly.
Question:
Why are seasoned canned tomatoes a good item to keep in the pantry?
Answer:
Seasoned tomatoes save time and money. Because they come seasoned, you don't have to stock your kitchen with lots of expensive spices and take the time to measure them out. One can (14.5 oz.) of Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano is great tossed with pasta (8 oz. dry).
Question:
What is an easy way to thaw frozen vegetables?
Answer:
Place the vegetables in a colander and rinse with cold running water until thawed; drain well.
Question:
How do I prevent cheese from sticking to foil when I cover my casserole?
Answer:
Spray the underside of foil with PAM® before covering the casserole. The cheese won't stick!
Question:
When should I use Ro*Tel® tomatoes?
Answer:
Add a can and lose the bland! Ro*Tel® tomatoes add a spicy zestiness to your cooking. They can be added to a tomato dish to give it some zing—or add them in the unexpected such as macaroni and cheese.
Question:
Why are silicone hot pads great?
Answer:
Silicone hot pads are a great invention. First, they truly protect your hands from heat—even if they get wet. They are flexible and easy to use to grab small handles and edges; they are not flammable. You can use them as trivets and they can be put into the dishwasher to clean. Plus, they come in many fun colors!
Ask us any of your cooking-related questions, and we’ll try to answer them for you.
