Happy Discoveries

When ice cream is a part of dessert or the only dessert, it's my habit to put the half-gallon container on the table with the scoop and let everyone serve themselves. This usually results in meltage because people are too busy talkinig to interrupt themselves by adding ice cream.

Thanksgiving Day I made a happy discovery which is: our double-walled "plexiglass" ice bucket is exactly the right size to hold a half-gallon of ice cream! The ice cream stayed cold; the table cloth dry and altogether it was a happy ending for Richie's pumpkin pie with pumpkin ice cream, garnished with candied pecans.

A cookbook I'm reading (to be reviewed) says that to make "perfect" poached eggs use 4 cups of water, 1/2 teas. salt and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Slip the four eggs into the boiling water mixture using either an empty cup or a saucer. Poached eggs are a good thing because it's pure egg -- no additives like bacon fat or butter. I think of them on buttered toast as "comfort food."

An old boyfriend ('70s, so both of us are now truly old) taught me this one -- for perfectloy round meatballs, don't fry them! Put them on a cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees - they will crisp up all around. Cooking time acording to the size of your meatballs.

World's Fluffiest Matzo Balls! Use club soda or seltzer water instead of plain water.