Are you ready to hit the deck this summer? Do you want some new recipes that will keep you fitting into your teeny weeny, itsy bitsy swimwear?
Grab your favourite summertime refreshment, jump into your patio recliner and discover these seasonal classics from Kraft kitchen:
Barbecued chicken
2 whole chickens 3 lb./1.5 kg each 2 small lemons, halved
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup barbecue sauce 250 mL
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 5 mL
Preheat both burners of barbecue to medium-high heat. Cut lemons in half. Squeeze juice into small bowl. Reserve lemon halves for later use. Add barbecue sauce and seasoning to lemon juice and mix well.
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Trim the excess fat from chickens and discard. Place two lemon halves and two garlic cloves inside the cavity of each chicken.
Turn off the burner on one side of barbecue, then place chickens, breast side up, on that side. Cover barbecue with lid. Cook for 11/2 to two hours or until juices run clear. During the last 20 minutes of cooking, occasionally turn and brush chickens with barbecue sauce mixture. Discard the lemons and garlic from chicken cavities before serving.
To go with your chicken, toss the following ingredients together in a large bowl.
Summer spinach salad
4 cups spinach leaves 1 L
1 cup raspberries 250 mL
or strawberries
1/2 cup sliced red onion 125 mL
1/2 cup sliced cucumber 125 mL
1/2 cup raspberry vinaigrette 125 mL
dressing
Try these two dessert recipes.
Jellied fruit salad
1 package (four servings) cherry
flavoured gelatin
1 package (four servings)
strawberry flavoured gelatin
11/2 cups boiling water 375 mL
ice cubes
1 cup orange juice 250 mL
2 cups fresh strawberries, 500 mL
sliced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved 250 mL
11/2 cups whipped topping 375 mL
Mix dry gelatin mixes in a large bowl. Stir in boiling water at least two minutes or until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to orange juice to measure 21/4 cups (560 mL). Add to gelatin; stir until slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice. Stir in fruit.
Pour into a serving bowl and refrigerate two hours or until firm. Top with whipped topping. Store in the refrigerator. Makes six servings of one cup (250 mL) each.
Floating fruit parfait
1/2 cup sliced strawberries 125 mL
3/4 cup boiling water 175 mL
1 package (four servings) strawberry
gelatin
1/2 cup cold water 125 mL
3/4 cup ice cubes 175 mL
1 cup whipped topping 250 mL
6 tablespoons whipped topping 75 mL
Divide strawberries among six dessert glasses. Stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in medium bowl at least two minutes until completely dissolved. Add cold water and ice cubes; stir until ice is completely melted. Remove 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the gelatin and pour it evenly over the strawberries. Refrigerate 20 minutes or until gelatin is set, but not firm.
Add one cup (250 mL) of whipped topping to remaining gelatin; stir with wire whisk until well blended. Spoon evenly over gelatin. Refrigerate one hour or until firm. Top each parfait with remaining whipped topping just before serving. Store leftover parfaits in refrigerator. Makes six servings.
Organic food value
Dear TEAM: I would like to try organic produce but it is so expensive. Is it really better for me? Is it worth the extra price? – C.P., via internet
Dear C.P.: The trend shows that the organic food industry is slowly gaining momentum. The choice is really yours, and until there is conclusive evidence that organic produce is much better to eat, many of us will be riding the fence on spending the extra money.
Until further studies are done, keep eating fruits and vegetables, and always rinse them under running water. Also, discard the outer leaves on cabbage and lettuce and scrub thick skinned vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes. Skip the produce washes, as none of them claims to remove pesticides. Also, watch the flyers for sales on organics.
See for yourself whether the flavour is better as some people claim. I am sold on President’s Choice organic coffee and tea for the robust flavours. And if you have ever tasted organic strawberries, you will never go back.
Power savings
Here are some money-saving tips from Sask Power. Could you use the potential $190 in savings for something else?
- Don’t keep that old, inefficient fridge running day and night in the garage or basement for those few occasions when you need extra refreshments. Unplugging that 15-year-old-fridge could save up to $100 per year.
- Hang one load of laundry a week, instead of using the dryer, to save $20 over a year.
- Turn off the TV when not in use. Leaving the TV on just one extra hour per day can add $5 per year to the electric bill.
- Turn off the computer. If it is off for 12 hours a day the savings can be up to $55 per year.
- Use an electric kettle, instead of heating water on the stove to save up to $14 per year.
Debunking mosquito myths
We’ve all heard our share of myths and home remedies that can prevent mosquito bites. However, use caution before trusting in these remedies.
Experts agree that none of the home remedies are as effective as covering up and wearing a federally registered insect repellent such as products containing DEET.
- Fabric softener sheets – This home remedy was introduced as a solution to the issue of not being able to apply DEET to infants. No scientific studies have been done that show it to be effective at preventing mosquito bites. The best protection for infants and toddlers is to keep them covered in light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing and drape netting over prams or strollers.
- Bananas, garlic and other foods – It is said that eating bananas will attract mosquitoes, whereas eating garlic will repel them. While peoples’ pores can emit scents, no studies suggest these attract or repel mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide and strong fragrances from soaps, lotions, deodorants, hair care products and perfumes.
- Skin care products – From babies to adults, some people have been using common skin care products such as bath oils to keep mosquitoes at bay. However, a study published in the July 4, 2002 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine stated that the insect repellent ingredient IR3535 found in common skin care products afforded shorter protection times than DEET-containing products.
- Bug zappers and electronic devices – Researchers have found that while bug zappers do attract and kill thousands of insects within a 24-hour period, mosquitoes comprise only 6.4 percent of a five-day insect catch and only half of the mosquitoes killed were females, which are the ones that bite humans. Numerous scientific studies have also shown that electric devices that emit high frequency sounds have not been proven to significantly reduce exposure to mosquito bites.
- Citronella – According to Health Canada, registered citronella oil repellents protect people against mosquito bites for less than one hour. Citronella should not be used on children younger than two. Products containing citronella, such as candles, are only effective at repelling mosquitoes at close range.
- Bats and purple martins – Research shows that bats and purple martins are selective feeders and mosquitoes make up a small part of their diet. If given a choice, both these winged animals will dine on larger insects.
Source: Government of Ontario or contact your local public health unit.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four columnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
