Fresh sheet: It’s time to tidy up the kitchen
The weather’s warming, the sun is shining. Must be time for … a little spring cleaning.
Here are some kitchen cleaning tips from Mr. Appliance of North Idaho in Athol:
“To eliminate refrigerator odors, pour a little vanilla into a paper towel-lined bowl. Avoid using citrus products, which can be absorbed by plastic.
“Clean the refrigerator coils. Unplug the appliance and pull away from the wall. Use a vacuum wand or brush to clean dust off coils.
“Wipe food off electric burners when cold. If residue remains, turn on exhaust fan, turn heat to high and let food burn off. Scrape off melted plastic with a wooden spoon while coils are warm.
“Ensure proper ventilation when cleaning the oven.
“Wash oven racks by hand.
“Wipe interior surfaces of the microwave with a mixture of two tablespoons baking soda with one quart water. For stubborn residue, heat a microwave-safe bowl of water for three minutes, then wipe down surfaces.
“Run the dishwasher empty with a cup of white vinegar to eliminate odors and food residue.
“To stop white appliances from yellowing, mix ½ cup bleach, ¼ cup baking soda and four cups of warm water. Apply with a sponge and let sit for 10 minutes. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
“Use car wax on large appliances to remove small scratches and make them shine.
Party like a lentil
It’s time to get tickets for the 2007 National Lentil Festival Wine Tasting and Poster Unveiling. The event takes place May 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Old Post Office Wine Cellar and Gallery, 245 SE Paradise St. in Pullman.
Pullman artist Laurel Nickels painted the festival poster image, which is reminiscent of a vintage-style kitchen print, according to a news release.
Party tickets are $30 and include samples of 12 wines, hors d’oeuvres and a wine glass to take home. Tickets are available at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
The National Lentil Festival runs Aug. 17-18 in Pullman.
Call (509) 334-3565 for more information.
Awards for Barrister
Barrister Winery’s 2005 cabernet franc and its 2004 Columbia Valley merlot earned gold medals at the 2007 Northwest Wine Summit recently. And in March, the Spokane winery’s 2004 merlot won Best Red Wine at the 2007 Olympic Wine and Food Festival.
For more information on Barrister Winery, log on to www.barristerwinery.com.
Reunion food tips
Do you have a great recipe to feed a hungry family reunion crowd? How about some advice about organizing all of those meals? We want to hear from you for an upcoming Food story. Please contact correspondent Carol Price Spurling at writer@plumassignment.net.