Mid week Tip or Two

 Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions for future posts.  I wrote them all down and have a few things to research - but I am glad to.  I think it will be fun and I love everyone chimed in!  Thanks.

USING COFFEE FILTERS

I have a ton of coffee filters left from when I used to make coffee for Glen.  I would get them at the dollar stores or at Kroger for next to nothing.  Well I figured I needed to come up with some uses.

The extras I keep back in the pantry - but the open ones I put in a berry basket.  I mean, square items seem to fit spaces better!  I keep that little container in the kitchen cabinet.

I use them to thaw a piece or 2 of meat (I place the meat on it, so juices are absorbed)

They are great to use for soaking grease from fried foods

I often use them for a little snack or treat instead of dirtying a dish.  They are great for popcorn!

I use them as splatter guards in the microwave.

I have even used them to strain liquids and grease to get particulates out.  

They are biodegradable and compost well.  I get done and just scrunch it up in a little ball and throw in with my compostable items.

I have seen people use them as stabilizers when doing embroidery or hand quilting.  Dampen them and they will pull right off when done!!!

They sure are cheaper than paper towels, they compost, and it uses up something I no longer had use for.

Call my an idgit, call me crazy, call me slow - but I learned something the other day about the way I have done something my entire life!!!!!

I love sliced tomatoes - FRESH sliced tomatoes.  They are so juicy and tasty and MESSY.  I saw a story about how I was cutting them 'wrong'!  I bet others do it the same way.

I have always cut the stem (core piece) out and then sliced horizontally (nice rounds).  Well, you guessed it - they said you should slice vertically!!!!!  WHAT???  I tried it and I will be dog dang nabbed if it didn't make less mess.

If you slice them vertically - you do not open as many membranes inside - therefore you don't lose as much juice or seeds.  Much less mess - still the same wonderful tasting tomato!!

I am learning every day!!!!!

Remember the other week I got all those hoagie buns for FREE?  I used one to make a subway like sammie and I used one for a smoked sausage dog.

They are kind of dry and very dense.  Kind of meh!!!!  Well, I wasn't going to throw them out - so I needed to come up with other ideas.  I did freeze most for later.

They are solid (not cut) - so I will slice in half lengthwise and make pizza from them!  I love French bread pizza and one of these will be perfect.

I can cut in half and toast - add butter and PBJ for a snack or melted cheese or a little garlic powder for garlic bread.

I can cut in half lengthwise - then cut each half into thirds or halves and butter and add garlic and bake for bread sticks.

I cut rounds and make French toast.

Come the holidays I will most likely use some for dressing.  I love bread that has a crust for dressing/stuffing.  If you have never tried it - do!  It just gives a hearty taste to the dressing and it doesn't get all smooshy.  I won't be making a lot of dressing since it is just me - but when I do - I will put all leftovers in a muffin tins and freeze in individual servings for later.

Love me some homemade dressing!

There you go - my tips for today.  Hope these give someone some new ideas.

Have a great  Wednesday!!!  Talk to you tomorrow.