Phyllis,
I also really enjoy my Farberware Coffee Pot. It makes really hot coffee in about 3 minutes. I saw several on ebay.com.

Smart ways to use cooking spray:

Spritz cooking spray on your grater and cheese won't stick.

Mist cooking spray on the inside of plastic containers before pouring in tomato sauce.

Spray noisy hinges with cooking spray and enjoy peace and quiet.

After you polish your nails, coat with cooking spray, and they'll dry in a snap!

Spray your knife before you cut anything sticky, like brownies, or crumble like hard-boiled eggs.

www.watkinsonline.com/hutto
sunnywatkinsgirl@aol.com
Order toll free: 888-965-7070

Watkins non-stick butter-flavored cooking spray lets you achieve virtually fat free cooking. Nearly
1,600 servings per can. #01040

I have a problem with sliced potatoes cooking all the way when I bake them. At Thanksgiving I made one of the scalloped potato recipes from the newsletter and I know I cooked it at least 1-1/2 hours or more and the other night I made a spam and potato casserole and again the potatoes didn't cook this time I think they had only been in the oven for around 40 minutes.

I know they need to be sliced uniformly, which they were. So I don't understand what the secret is to getting them to cook. I cooked different sized sliced potatoes in same pot on top of the stove and they all cooked in less time than in the oven. Does the oven need to be really hot to cook them all the way or is there supposed to be lots of liquid to make them cook? Would really like to know as this really ruins a dish for me. I don't have trouble getting quartered potatoes to cook in oven only sliced ones.
Nancyb

I made the 2008 Pillsbury Bakeoff recipe winner "Apple-Jack Chicken
Pizza with Carmelized Onions" today and it was excellent:
http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=44997

A couple of comments:
--I used fresh thyme when sauteing the onions because it gives onions a wonderful flavor
--I made my own pizza dough and added dry basil and onion powder to make it more flavorful
--I burned the first batch of apples when a neighbor we hadn't seen for six months came into the backyard to talk as I ran out to snip the thyme...advice: stay with the apples as they burn easily.
.
My husband says this recipe is good enough to make for company.
Leah

For Phyllis Knipp Baker, Mt. You can find Farberware percolators on Ebay. As of today 5/24, there
were 84 listings. Good Luck :)
Jackie

The last newsletter included my name with the links to buy the Farberware Coffee Maker, however, none of those is what I sent in. I said you could find them on Ebay.
Susan in Iowa

Phyllis from MT. Farberware percolators can be purchased at Sears.

Hi all,
I could have sworn I saw a cleaning solution or a window cleaner on this list that used Jet Dry Rinse aid in the recipe. Can you help me to find it? I bought the Jet Dry and now can't find what I bought it for. Thanks. I am loving this list and how it has expanded to what it is today.
Jane In Colorado

Nancy, I apologize in advance if the following information has been posted before, (I found one posting by searching - but it was not the same site as this.)

Microwave Conversion Chart - I found the following URL to a great site on microwaving today. I replaced my microwave in 2003 and have since burned more than I have cooked because it is an
1100 Watt oven. I was delighted to find (and print) a conversion chart at the following site:

http://www.microwavecookingforone.com/Charts

It clarifies that most microwave recipes are for 700-watt ovens. This shows how to convert recipes, no matter what wattage your microwave is.

Hope this helps someone else - Barbara in AL

Ohhhh Nancy you have me laughing so hard! I just got done reading about how that clever little Siggy is able to turn the fan on and off! That is just so funny. Can you imagine if you got that on video?

Your little Siggy is a clever kitty. Reminds me so much of my Tiki. Tiki knows how, with a good amount of effort, to turn the knob on the door. Granted he can't do this with all our doors, but knows how to do it with my husbands' little nap room. A couple nights a week my husband works at Wal-Mart, and he works late so the next day he likes to sleep in. Tiki does not like him to sleep in, or anyone for that matter; he wants everyone up so we can all play. So, Tiki knows how to stretch all the way up to the door knob and turn it, then pushhhhh the door open! How wild is that?
Dawn - Cape Cod, MA

Comment
I looked at your blog today. Saw a picture of your cute Tiki.

Every night as I am doing the newsletter Ditto and Siggy sleep on the desk beside the computer.  Ditto tends to think that the TV remote control is his personal pillow.  Tonight as they were sleeping when the phone rang.  Ditto barely opened his eyes but Siggy ran away meowing at the top of his voice.  I realized that Ditto was actually using the telephone as a pillow.  Ditto has little or no hearing so he kept on sleeping but it scared Siggy so much he ran and hid in the bedroom. 
Nancy Rogers

Re: Sue in FL is wishing for more representatives from other countries. I would like to see some
authentic Polish recipes, as that is my heritage from my mother's side.

I am Polish too and would love to see recipes from people that grew up eating Polish food. My Mom used to make all kinds of pierogis, but my sister is now the only one that makes them, since my Mom passed away in 1991. She does a wonderful job, but still is not happy with her cheese ones, claiming they are not like my Mom used to make. For me, they are all delicious, my favorite being the sauerkraut filled ones. Golumpki is also a fond memory of mine, I even make those
occasionally.

I would be curious to find out if anyone has heard of a Polish bread called Placzak. I am sure the spelling is wrong, but my Mom used to make it and it was absolutely wonderful. Kind of like an egg bread with a crumbly kind of topping on it. I have checked Polish sites, asked at Polish restaurants and bakeries and no one seems to know what it is. One bakery had something very very close and it was just called streusel coffee cake. No cinnamon in the topping at all, like what you would think a streusel cake would have. That bakery has since gone out of business. : ( We can't find my Moms recipe, it has vanished. I do remember it took my Dad and her all day to make it, lots of kneading and letting it rise etc, but it sure was worth it. Of course, I didn't have to do any of the work. ; )
Jan Muskegon, Mi

Hi,
I ran across Rotel clone recipe of yours online. It sounds really good. There's just one problem, your recipe calls for "diced green chilies." Now, I'm no expert on this subject, but I'm wondering what exactly is the difference between "diced green chilies" and sliced jalape?s. The reason I ask is that I'm an English teacher in Seoul, South Korea. Here, I have NO access whatsoever to Rotel and am 99.99% sure that I'm not going to run across any "diced green chilies" either. I have indeed located a can of pickled jalape? slices though. I can get canned diced tomatoes and all the other ingredients that your recipe calls for. Any idea if sliced jalape?s would work?
Many Thanks! Jerry B Seoul, South Korea

Hello to all faithful Nancyland readers and Nancy as well. Does anyone have a TNT North Carolina vinegar barbeque sauce? I would greatly appreciate it.
Nancy thanks for all your hard work.
Marie in VA

I have found a lot of great sounding rhubarb recipes in the newsletter, but can't get any fresh rhubarb. Does rhubarb come frozen or might I find it with canned fruit? Years ago I bought it frozen, but can't seem to find it now.
Anne

HI! I am looking for some good chicken burger recipes. Many years ago when I worked in a small restaurant that had a special that people from miles away would come and get. I ask what was special and the owner told me it is chicken made like tuna salad, but made like a patties and put on a bun or toasted bread with lettuce and tomato. I have tried to make chicken burgers and they are very dry and bland. Anyone out there have same problem I do.
Any help appreciate. I have passed on the tip about the tabs at end of foil. It seems it has been the best kept secret.
Mary, Green Brook, NJ

Regarding the Farberware Electric Percolator - Phyllis Knipp Baker, Mt

While in Macy's yesterday I noticed that they had all three sizes of Farberware Electric Percolators and they were on sale. I just went online to check to see if there were available from www.Macy's.com if you don't have a Macy's nearby and they are with the same sale price.

Hope this helps....I hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday weekend.
Fran in FL

Susana in LA-Were your ribs greasy by cooking in crockpot and not boiling or broiling them first? The recipe sounds delish and I want to try it. Also, I see where Masterpiece brand sauce makes a sauce with brown sugar included. I am wondering if that is sufficient brown sugar flavor?
Thanks Ella in CA

Hi Nancy,
Does anyone have a recipe for mustard green beans? My mom made them and they were so good. Appreciate any help I get.
Martie in Oregon

For the person with computer freeze up connected with this newsletter. Suggest you look elsewhere for the problem. I have Vista and have had ME 2000 for a total of 8 or more years. Never a problem with the newsletter. My ISP is AOL and some claim problems with that which I do not have either. As all the others, thanks Nancy. One of the high spots of my day.
The old guy in Mesa, AZ.

Re: can rhubarb be canned? Lori in NE

Yes you can make it into a sauce and then put it in hot jars and place lids on and water bath for 20 minutes. This is what I have done.
Emma from Montana

Thanx for the information on canning rhubarb. I have another question does anyone have a recipe for a rhubarb cake with a cooked coconut frosting? thanx in advance.
Lori in NE

This is for Laurie from Brooklyn looking for a banana cream pie recipe. We have made this one for ages and everyone loves it.

Banana Cream Pie
1 deep dish pie crust
1 large box of vanilla pudding (the kind you have to cook)
Milk for pudding
1-2 bananas
1 small container of heavy whipping cream
Powdered sugar for whipping cream

Cook pie crust as directed. While pie crust is cooking make the pudding according to the package directions.
Once the pudding comes to a boil it is done, remove from heat. Slice bananas in bottom of pie crust and arrange in a single layer. I slice them about 1/4 or so thick. Then cover the bananas with the pudding. You might not use all the pudding. Chill for several hours to set. Before you serve whip the cream and powdered sugar then add to top of pie and serve.

Toni in SW FL

Hi, all.  I haven't been online in ages and now trying to catch up...wheww, what a job! Anyway, I was reading today's newsletter about the WrapMaster gadget, and it brought to mind a little trick I've been doing for umpteen years and is SO easy.  All you have to do is keep your box of plastic wrap in the freezer and you'll have no problems with the plastic rolling over on itself.  Works like a charm;  try it. 
Jenny in Virginia

This is for Sue in Florida
I tried to make some Cat Head Biscuits to go with that wonderful Sawmill Gravy but they just weren't as good as the Pillsbury bagged and frozen Homestyle Buttermilk Biscuits. Try those. They are just like MawMaw used to make. Let me know if you have success.
Susana in Louisiana

This is for Rose in NC
I'm glad you like the Barbecued Ribs in the Crock Pot recipe. Can't go wrong with that one. I roast my asparagus like this:

Wash and cut off lower 1/2 of the stems. Spread out on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle liberally with extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper and Tony Chacherie Cajun Seasoning (or you could use some other seasoning to your liking. Place cookie sheet in preheat oven at 475 degrees for about 15-20 minutes. Our boys even fight over these asparagooses. Smilin'
Susana in Louisiana

This is for the friend that told us about www.FetchBooks.com. I am sorry that I don't remember your name but you know who you are. I received my $30.00 cookbook today, "Home Recipes" that -- thanks to you - I ordered off FetchBooks.com for only $6.00. I chose the used but like new one and it was JUST like new. Thanks so much for the wonderful tip. I have the link saved in my favs now.
Susana in Louisiana

Hi Nancy and Furry Assistants,
I recently bought a used gas stove that I thought had black grates. The lighting in the small shop was very bad to say the least but the price was right at only $89.00 and the stove is only 4 years old (I saw the original sales receipt). Low and behold when I got it home the grates were supposed to be a light gray. I have tried everything from The Works Cleaners, oven cleaner, etc and nothing has helped does anyone out in Nancy land know of some way to get these thins clean. I'm convinced the previous owner never even wiped them off let alone cleaned them. I will try almost anything. I can't afford new grates or that would be the route I'd take.
In response to Phyllis Knipp ?, in MT who wanted to know where to purchase a new Farberware coffeemaker the last place I saw them was Macy's. You could also try Bed, Bath, and Beyond or any one of the finer department stores.

Thank you Nancy for all you do and for this wonderful family that you have helped us to create. Give Ditto and Siggy an ear rub for me.
Sandy Miller, Wixom, MI (formerly from Hazel Park, MI)

Banana Cream Pie

Crust:
1 stick soft butter or margarine
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
Mix and press into 8-9" pie plate and bake 350 till golden.
Cool shell.

While shell is cooling make filling.

Mix together:
2 pkg French vanilla instant pudding
2 1/2 cold milk
1 cup sour cream

Line cooled crust with 1-2 ripe bananas
Pour pudding mix on top of bananas in crust. Refrigerate 2-4 hours. Top with sweetened whipped
cream.
Judy/Buffalo

For Sylvia
I have made Rhubarb Jam and never peeled the Rhubarb. I never peel it when baking or cooking
with it. I just cut it up.
Mary in Va