Infuse olive oil with herbs for a tasty treat

I would like to make herb-infused olive oil. Can you tell me how to do this?

Ashbymac via e-mail

Homemade herb-infused olive oil is a special treat to include with a meal. It should be used the same day or the day after it’s made, so you might plan it around an upcoming dinner party or barbecue.

The oil is great for summer grilling: Drizzle it on food before cooking. You can also offer it as a flavorful condiment on the table. Set the oil in shallow dishes alongside crusty bread for dipping.

For best results, start with a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Gather fresh herbs from your garden or pick up some at a farmers’ market. A good ratio is one bunch of herbs (about 1 1/2 ounces) for every 2 cups of oil.

To make an oil with leafy herbs (such as basil, tarragon or parsley), blanch the herbs by plunging them into boiling water for 15 seconds, then transferring them to an ice-water bath; pat dry. Puree the herbs in a food processor with the oil.

For woody herbs (such as rosemary, oregano or thyme), cook them with the oil in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

Transfer the oil and herbs to an airtight container, and let steep for eight hours. Strain the oil through cheesecloth and discard the herbs. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until guests arrive.

Present your infused oil in a small, pretty glass container, or reuse an old olive oil or vinegar bottle. To clean an old bottle, place 2 tablespoons of uncooked rice in the bottle, add hot soapy water, and shake vigorously. Rinse, and let dry thoroughly before using.

If you like, you can place a few sprigs of the appropriate herb in the bottle just before serving for a decorative touch.

My metal miniblinds are covered with dust and grime. What is the best way to clean them?

No Name, via e-mail

When working with metal and vinyl blinds, always handle them gently to prevent bending or breaking. You might also consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from cuts.

There are two ways to clean blinds yourself. The first method is to wash them at the window. This is better for blinds that aren’t overly dirty. (If you’ve ignored yours for years, this is not a solution.)

Prepare the area by covering the windowsill with towels, lowering the blinds and turning them to the open position. Saturate a sponge or soft cotton cleaning cloth with a general-purpose cleaner.

Starting at the top, wipe each slat of the blind, folding the sponge or cloth around the slat so you clean top and bottom at once. Repeat, cleaning all the slats. Go back over them with a clean, damp cloth to wipe off the dirt and cleaning solution.

To keep water spots from developing, dry the slats with a soft cloth. (If you have soft water, however, water spots will not form.)

The second method involves removing the blinds. Wash them outside on a nice day. If you have a clothesline, hang them from it. If not, lay a drop cloth on the grass and place the blinds (in the closed, or flat, position) on top of it.

Use a soft brush, sponge or cloth and general-purpose cleaner to clean the slats. Carefully turn the blinds over (if they are on the ground), and wash the other side.

If the blinds aren’t already hanging, you’ll need to recruit a helper for rinsing and drying: Hold them up and douse them with a hose. Let the excess water drip off; then leave them fully extended while they dry completely. Rehang the blinds.

In the future, remove dust from blinds regularly instead of allowing it to accumulate. Close blinds so that they’re flat, and use a feather duster, lamb’s-wool duster or the brush attachment of your vacuum to clean them from top to bottom. Turn the blinds over and repeat on the other side.

What causes freezer burn? What can I do to prevent it?

Sheryl, via e-mail

Freezer burn is the rough, dry, discolored patches that sometimes appear on the surface of frozen foods. It occurs when the dry air in the freezer causes the moisture in food to evaporate, leaving it dehydrated.

While it does affect flavor and texture, freezer burn does not make the food unsafe to eat. You can just cut away the affected pieces.

To prevent freezer burn, do your best to keep food from coming into contact with drying air. Always wrap food tightly, eliminating as much air as possible.

Use heavyweight wraps and bags made specifically for freezing, which do an excellent job of keeping air out and moisture in. Be sure to push out all the air before sealing bags.

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