Is it really necessary to poke a potato with a fork before baking it? You have to spend only one afternoon cleaning bits of potato inside your oven to know that exploding tubers aren’t an old wives’ tale. Because of their tough skin and moisture content, these root vegetables build pressure inside as they’re baked. Small holes in the skin are necessary to release that steam — just a few on both sides of the potato will do the trick.
For best results, place potatoes directly on an oven rack so that air can circulate around them. Wrapping spuds in aluminum foil is not recommended, as trapped steam results in less crisp skins. When baking sweet potatoes, remember to put a cookie sheet on the rack below them to catch their juices — it’s no fun cleaning that up, either.
What causes sweaters to pill? Pills, the unsightly, fuzzy balls that form on sweaters and other clothing, occur when a garment’s fibers come loose and rub together or against another material. Certain high-friction areas are especially prone to pilling: under the arms, for example, or on the shoulder from which a purse hangs. Buying well-made sweaters makes a big difference.
Lower-quality products contain a high percentage of short fibers, which are quick to loosen. While wool is susceptible to pilling, other natural fibers, such as cotton and silk, are not.
Synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester, conduct static electricity, which attracts lint and thus accelerates pilling. Pills produced by these kinds of fibers are also particularly tough to remove. To determine if a sweater will pill excessively, rub the fabric gently between two fingers.
If pills start to form on contact, keep shopping. Also, examine the sweater closely to make sure its knit is tightly woven, and check the ply of the yarn; many sweaters come with a packet of spare yarn for repairs, which allows you to inspect a strand to ensure that it’s at least double-ply.
Be wary of sweaters covered in a layer of fuzz: This is a trick that manufacturers use to make lower-quality fabric feel softer. It may seem luxurious at first, but will almost certainly lead to pilling. Once you buy a sweater, proper care will minimize pilling. Hand-wash garments, and lay them flat to dry. If any pills form, remove them at the first sign. The simplest method is to skim them off gently with a fine-toothed hair comb. Specially designed fabric combs and battery-operated sweater shavers are also available — just be certain to inspect your garment for snags and tiny holes, problems these devices can worsen.
I would like to force some bulbs this winter. What’s the easiest way for me to get started? Forcing bulbs is a great way to maintain fresh flower displays inside your home throughout the winter months. But keep in mind that many bulbs — including tulips, hyacinths, crocus and narcissus — require a cold treatment in order to flower. This involves keeping the bulbs at a temperature of 35 to 45 degrees for 10 to 17 weeks. Expect flowering to occur two to six weeks after that. Certain bulbs, however, do not require this treatment. Paperwhites are one of the easiest to work with. These bulbs still need to be kept in a dim, cool location (55 to 60 degrees); perhaps a basement. To begin the process, fill a shallow, nondraining pot about two-thirds full with a suitable substrate, such as marbles, pebbles or gravel.
Place the paperwhite bulbs on the surface of the substrate, tips up and shoulder to shoulder. Add a bit more substrate to stabilize them, and then pour in tepid water until it just reaches the base of the bulbs. Store in your designated location for at least two weeks or until the green shoots that appear at the tips of the bulbs reach 3 to 4 inches. The bulbs can then be moved to a brighter location in your home. Flowering may ensue as soon as two weeks later (although the process may take longer, depending on your bulbs).
Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036. E-mail to mslletters@marthastewart.com.
&Copy; 2007 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
