On the side or end of an egg carton, you’ll find stamped numbers and letters. Usually the stamp is two lines long. On the bottom line, you’ll find the phrase “sell by,” “expires” or “best if used before.” All three refer to the sell-by date, which is the last date the eggs should be sold, not the date they expire.
To arrive at the true expiration date, look at the first line of the stamp. There, you’ll find a three-digit number between 001 and 365, with 1 meaning Jan. 1 and 365 meaning Dec. 31 (in a nonleap year). This number refers to the date the eggs were processed and packaged. According to the American Egg Board, eggs will keep four to five weeks after the date they were placed inside the carton.
You can also perform the following test: Dissolve four teaspoons of salt in two cups of water. An old egg will float in this solution, and a fresh one will sink. If the egg hovers somewhere in the middle, it’s not particularly fresh, but is certainly safe to eat. The test works because as an egg matures, it loses water and the air bubbles inside expand, making it float.
The traditional bouquet garni – a bundle of herbs used to flavor soups, stocks and stews as they simmer – includes fresh parsley and thyme (about eight to 10 sprigs of each) and a couple of dried bay leaves.
However, you can customize a bouquet garni according to what you have in the garden or cupboard and what you are cooking. Add other fresh herbs, such as tarragon, marjoram, savory, rosemary and dill, or include some spices, such as peppercorns, coriander, cloves or fennel seeds.
If you’re just using sprigs of herbs, you can make the bundle by tying the stems together with kitchen twine. With smaller, loose ingredients, wrap everything in a double thickness of cheesecloth, and secure with twine. Either way, the bundle will be easy to remove when the dish is finished cooking. Store what you don’t use right away in an airtight container.
Grooming pets regularly is necessary for their comfort and good health. Even if you let a professional groomer deal with baths and haircuts, you should still do regular touchups at home. Long-haired pets should be brushed every day; those with short hair should be brushed weekly.
Start slowly if your pet is not used to the process. Work the hair gently to remove knots – matted fur can sometimes be loosened with a drop or two of mineral oil – or cut them out with scissors. While you work, check for fleas and ticks, and if you’re comfortable doing so, trim your pet’s toenails. It’s safest to have your vet demonstrate this first.
Good grooming makes long-haired cats and dogs less prone to the snarls and matting that can hurt their skin. Pick the right tools to ease the task and go slowly. Always brush in the opposite direction of hair growth, one section at a time, starting at the skin and moving outward.
Slicker brush: An all-purpose brush used for long- and medium-haired dogs and cats.
Curry comb: Similar to those used on horses, it is good for grooming short-haired breeds such as Dobermans and beagles.
Mat splitter: This comb is designed for going over matted fur and for gently picking apart the knots.
Nail clippers: Don’t attempt to cut your pet’s toenails unless you are confident that you will not cut to the quick, because if you do, there will be bleeding and your pet may develop a permanent fear of clippers. The idea is to cut cleanly, halfway between the end of the vein and the tip of the nail.
Undercoat rake: This is useful for getting through to the undercoat of dogs that have very thick fur, like Akitas, but it can be used on all breeds. Some groomers also use the rake on long-haired cats.
Wood-handled comb: This is good for combing any kind of cat or dog. It should be used gently to unsnarl mats, but it will stand up to strong, thick coats.
Basic comb: This comb has wide teeth for general grooming of cats and dogs.
Shedding blade: Be careful with this tool, which removes loose and dead hair. Some groomers discourage their customers from using it. If handled improperly, the sharp, fine-toothed blade will cut healthy hair or even the skin of the animal.
Write to Ask Martha, care of Letters Department, Martha Stewart Living, 11 W. 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. 10036 or e-mail mslletters@marthastewart.com. For more information on topics, visit www.marthastewart.com.
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