Superfine sugar is one key to superior meringue

Published 4:21 pm Tuesday, April 1, 2008

My meringues always turn out flat. What’s your secret?

To improve your meringue, first take a look at the ingredients you’re using. Fresh eggs are essential. Even if they haven’t exceeded the expiration date, eggs that are several days old can result in deflated meringues.

As for the sugar, if you’ve been using a granulated product, you may want to switch to one that’s superfine; a pinch of cornstarch will act as a good stabilizer. I also find that equal parts confectioners’ sugar and superfine sugar results in drier, puffier meringues.

Last but not least, you need cool, dry conditions to make a perfect meringue, so avoid attempting one when the weather is hot and humid.

Should seed mixes in bird feeders be different during warmer months?

With milder temperatures making more natural-food sources available, your feathered friends won’t be dropping by the bird feeder as often. But shortages can occur year-round. As a result, you will still want to set out some food they can rely on.

Winter seed mixes are intentionally high in fat to help birds stay warm. Come springtime, your feeders should reflect the birds’ changing natural diet, which now relies more on protein.

Sunflower seeds make an excellent filler, as they attract so many types of birds. Millet is also good to include; the tiny yellowish seeds will bring in a steady flight of small-beaked ground feeders, such as quail, sparrows and towhees. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Web site (www.birds.cornell.edu) suggests seeds that will appeal to other species.

Calcium is also important for birds during spring, their breeding season. You can make a homemade supplement from crushed eggshells; bake them in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes to kill bacteria before adding them to a packaged seed mix. Pulverized oyster shells are a second calcium-rich option.

Nectar is also a component of birds’ spring diet. For an alternative that’s easy to make, bring a quarter cup of sugar and one cup of water to boil; let the mixture cool, and then add it to a hummingbird feeder. (Do not substitute honey, which turns moldy and toxic quickly in warm weather).

You can also make a concoction to replace suet cakes, a winter staple that goes rancid quickly in the summer heat: Combine one part peanut butter, a favorite of woodpeckers, with five parts cornmeal, and use the mix to fill drilled holes in a hanging-log feeder or crevices of large pine cones.

During the hot and humid days ahead, it’s important to keep your feeders clean. Plastic ones are the easiest to maintain, since you can usually take them apart and scrub the crevices with an old toothbrush and hot, soapy water. If mildew is a problem, soak the parts in a bucket filled with water and a capful of chlorine bleach; rinse thoroughly and reassemble.

Is it possible to prevent furniture from leaving dents in carpets?

When heavy furnishings are placed on soft carpet, some dimpling is inevitable. Even wool, the strongest type of carpet fiber, will eventually show signs of prolonged pressure.

The most fail-safe means to minimize dents is to place coasters under the legs of heavy items. Furniture dealers and home centers carry standard plastic and wooden varieties. You can often find interesting antique versions made from glass and other materials in assorted colors and shapes at flea markets.

If your carpet is already riddled with dimples, the solution depends on the type of carpet. For carpets made from synthetic materials, place an ice cube or two into the depressions; the fibers will swell as they absorb the melting water. After the water has soaked into the carpet, blot the area with a dry white towel, and then vacuum it to pull up the fibers.

Excessive moisture can cause mold to form on natural fibers, so a steam treatment is preferable. First, dampen a lightweight cotton towel, and place it over the affected area. With the iron set on the steam function (medium to high heat), pass it over the cloth for about 30 seconds. Allow the carpet to cool before raking the fibers into shape with your fingers or a clean coin. Vacuum to lift up the fibers completely.

Questions should be addressed to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.

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