HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 2

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

MANY NEW IDEAS IN A “ BLUE BOOK ” Try adding a sprig of mint to give' that extra flavour to gooseberry jelly, is the advice given in the section devoted to “potted exotics” in Polly Pennant’s Blue Book of Household Hints, issued by the Shell Company of New Zealand. In the same section it is suggested that rhubyb and mint jelly be served with lamb as a change from apple or red currant. jelly. The addition of a little colouring may improve the colour of the jelly. The addition of a scented geranium leaf for the last five minutes o'f cooking apple jelly is suggested for an improved flavour. Other new ideas in the booklet include adding half a cup of brandy to the syrup when preserving peaches, and serving spiced gooseberry preserve with cold meat. Hints tor the cook suggest pricking the top of a jam roll before putting it in the oven to prevent it from splitting; adding a teaspoon of brown sugar if too much salt has been put in a soup, stew, or gravy. The sugar neutralises the salt. The addition of a little grated nutmeg to creamed soups is considered a great improvement, and the addition of a little finely-chopped apple to sausage roll mixture will mske them disappear more quickly than usual. Useful household hints include these two: soften old and stiffened paint brushes by soaking them in vinegar. To clean a waste pipe from the kitchen sink, pour into it half a cup of vinegar and a small handful of bicarbonate of soda and quickly put in the ■plug; leave the plug in for half an hour, during which time the mixture, will generate cleansing gases. This is one of the few remedies that will not harm septic tanks, it is reported. The book also gives many gardening hints.'