Frugal Village

photo by startcookingkathy

DEAR SARA: I make bread in my bread machine frequently, but I can’t slice it thin enough to use as sandwich bread. I guess I just don’t know how to slice bread. Thanks for any help. — Tiffany, e-mail

DEAR TIFFANY: I used an electric knife until I bought a decent serrated bread knife. It might help if you use a bread-slicing guide, too.

DEAR SARA: I can’t cut brownies. I always thought I was cutting them too soon, but even when they’ve cooled, I make a crumbled mess. What’s the secret? — Nina, e-mail

DEAR NINA: Do you line your pan with aluminum foil? That can help you lift the brownies from the pan so they’re easier to cut. Once they’re cooled, lift the foil and brownies to remove them from the pan, peel the foil off and use a pizza cutter to cut your squares. A plastic knife will work well, too.

DEAR SARA: I can’t get my son to eat meatloaf. He eats meatballs and hamburgers, so I don’t understand why he won’t touch it. Any ideas to get him to eat it? — Amanda F., e-mail

DEAR AMANDA: Try cooking your meatloaf in a muffin pan. Once it’s cooked, have him help you “frost” the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and add cheddar-cheese “sprinkles” on top.

DEAR SARA: Brand-name cereal is expensive, and my kids eat a ton of it. They don’t like a lot of the store-brand choices. I try to offer options like eggs, oatmeal and pancakes, but they still want cereal before school. Do you have any suggestions on stretching a box of cereal? I have added fruit, but they aren’t crazy about it. — Emily, Florida

DEAR EMILY: Try putting boxed cereal into an airtight cereal container. Mix the store-brand alternative with the name brand. Over time, gradually decrease the amount of brand-name cereal or keep combining them. Or you can do what I’ve done in the past. I have a saying: “You get what you get.” I don’t say it in a mean way. I say it so my kids realize they can’t always get what they want. For example, sometimes young kids want a certain piece of cake, like the end piece with the flowers. I would be mortified if my kids whined over it when they’re guests in another home. Teaching them to accept what they get is a lesson in being less picky.

DEAR SARA: Can I make my own brown sugar? I run out of brown sugar sometimes, and I need a quick substitute so I don’t have to run to the store. — Kelly Folts, New York

DEAR KELLY: You can make your own. Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses. Store it in a plastic zipper-type bag or airtight container. If it hardens, add a slice of apple to the container, and leave it overnight to resoften it.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!