About our Hints and Tips webpage

Welcome to the new section of Starlight Tower's website "Hints and Tips" where contributing editors are its residents providing to fellow Starlighters and the public in general useful information and household hints and tips for just about anything: cooking, baking, cleaning, removing stains, odors and much more. 

I am very happy to launch this new section welcoming our first contributing editor, my fellow floater and "buddy" Sheila that all of you know for many years.

I found her material extremely helpful and I hope more Starlighters will follow her example and send me their hints and tips to add them in this section at webmaster@starlight-tower.com

So here is Sheila with her hints and tips and I am using her own words as introduction because they are right on target!

Here are some ramblings on what might go into the website. Perhaps a place for folks to ‘share’ good household hints, cooking tips, recipes, etc. I’d like to say I’ll always have something to offer, but I know that isn’t true. That is why asking others to contribute is a good idea, but for now here is an attempt at that…
 

Hints and Tips to avoid crusted pan with burnt food
Don’t you just hate it when you bake something and the pan is crusted over with burnt food? It takes more elbow grease than you have to give toward that pan.

Well, here is a hint that might help make the job easier. Fill the pan with soapy water and toss in a dryer softener sheet. Let it soak a while (overnight is my choice) and then see how much easier it is to clean up that pan.
 

Hints and Tips for easy restaurant quality French fries at home
French Fries are my downfall. I would eat them 3 times a day. Some say that I surely must. But, actually I don’t eat them in restaurants often at all. However, I do make them at home. So can you. It is soooooo easy. Just peel and cut up potatoes into somewhat even strip sizes. An older potato is best, but so far I haven’t figured out how to tell an old potato from a newer one. Anyway, soak them in water for 5-10 minutes and change the water about 3 times. Meanwhile heat up your oven to 325.

Then, prepare a pan. I use a jellyroll pan because it has low sides. Spread a very thin layer of oil with a paper towel. (I use canola oil here). Sprinkle salt onto the pan (I use Kosher Salt) and heat up the pan during the final soaking process. After a final rinse of the potatoes, dry them off and toss them in a very small amount of olive oil. Even for extra large potatoes I never use more than 1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons of oil. When the pan has been heated up for a while toss the strips onto the pan. Try to keep them separated. Then crank the temperature up to 400. After that it is a matter of watching them. Usually within 30 minutes or less you’ll have wonderfully browned French fries. Enjoy.

Hints and Tips for fresh fish on Gulf Coast

The joys of living on the Gulf Coast are the fact that we have choices and affordable fresh fish available to us all. How many Starlighters know my favorite place to buy fresh fish? It is called Sav On. It is on 49th Street South at 15th Avenue South in Gulfport. I’d still check the chain stores for their specials but meantime you can always find bargains at Sav On. I’ve learned to be creative with their fish pieces, which they sell for $2.50 per pound. Other times I’ve got eyes for those fillets of Grouper and Snapper. And, for those fish lovers when was the last time you found Pompano to purchase? Check them out and pick up some good for you fish for your next dinner.
 

Hints and Tips for good bread, bagel and pizza dough
Do you bake breads often? Well, here is a hint that has improved my bread, bagel and pizza dough. Use potato water instead of plain water. That’s right Potato Water. So, next time you boil up some potatoes, save the water and refrigerate it until the time you bake bread.

Hints and Tips for better pancakes

Who doesn’t like pancakes once in a while? Here are some hints that make for better pancakes. Try this and you’ll find you’ll want them more often. Use club soda water instead of milk. It makes them fluffier. I also put in a bit of whole wheat flour. Not more than a tablespoon in exchange for the All Purpose Flour makes them a bit denser. Here is yet another addition to a pancake batter.

Hints and Tips for old bananas

Next time you have an old banana save it, who doesn’t have an old banana once in a while? I peel them and freeze them for when I need them. Then, defrost it and smash it into your batter. I think you’ll like the extra flavor.
 

Hints and Tips for helpful phone numbers to call

Hi Guys. Remember, if you're old enough, when years ago you'd be able to call a newspaper to answer a burning question to solve curiosity or win a bet? Well, there was a long dry spell and then along came Google. But, this morning I heard about these phone numbers that you can call. So, I'm sharing them with you.
About traffic:
866 MY TRAFC apparently beyond what the traffic report on TV Radio will provide, And besides once you've left home and you're in the car wouldn't it be nice to make a call and know where to detour.
About general questions:
334 844 4244 General questions. I believe this phone is manned at a university. Matt Lauer tested it with the 'real and full name' of Barbi Apparently it is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Who knew?
About quitting smoking:
800 QUIT NOW Of course for those who need a support hotline to stop smoking.