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GREENSBURG – As I look out my kitchen window, I can see the beautiful fall leaves on the trees in the woods. I really enjoy this time of year. The beautiful fall decorations and leaves in our area and in the neighboring areas are just as beautiful as Brown County and doesn’t have near the traffic.

So much for that. How about a few household and cooking hints and tips!

Leftover tea is good to water houseplants.

Mayonnaise is a great substitute for sour cream, especially in casseroles.

3 level Tbsp. cocoa plus 1 T. shortening equals 1 square of baking chocolate.

“Cheep” birdseed: Dried seeds from melons, pumpkins or squash make great birdseed.

Hard water stains in your stainless steel sink etc. can be cleaned with pure vinegar.

If you wish to use less sugar, most recipes can be made with only half the sugar.

To quickly cool Jello, use six ice cubes to equal one cup of cold water.

Buttermilk and sour milk can be interchanged in recipes. To make sour milk add 1 T. vinegar or lemon juice to 1 c. milk. Let stand for five minutes.

A pie crust is easier to make if all ingredients are cool.

Vanilla adds flavor to fruit pies.

Dry herbs fast in the microwave. Place a few sprigs between paper towels for 2 minutes or until dry and crumbly.

When rolling out sugar cookies use powdered sugar instead of flour.

Try using crushed corn flakes, cornbread or onion-flavored chips instead of bread crumbs in a meatball recipes.

To keep popcorn fresh and encourage more kernels to pop, store it in the freezer.

There are many more hints and I am sure we all have our favorites

Here are few recipes to try.

Sausage and Chicken Casserole

5 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dried oregano

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 lb. Italian sausage links, cooked and cut in 1 inch pieces

4 bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed

2 T. oil

Place potatoes in a greased 9 by 13 baking dish. Combine the seasonings. Sprinkle half over the potatoes. Arrange sausage and chicken over the potatoes. Drizzle with oil and rest of seasonings. Bake at 400 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes until chicken and potatoes are tender. Makes four servings.

Broccoli Corn Bake

1 1/2 c. crushed Chicken in a Bisket crackers

3 T. melted butter

2 1/2 c. frozen broccoli cuts, thawed

1 can of whole kernel corn, drained

1 can cream style corn

Combine crumbs and butter; set aside 1/2 c. for topping. Add remaining to vegetables and mix well. Put in a greased 1 1/2 qt. baking dish. Sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Makes six servings.

Pear Praline Pie

1/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp. lemon peel

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

4 medium pears, peeled and sliced

Pastry for double crust pie

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. chopped, toasted pecans

1/4 c. melted butter

Combine flour, lemon peel and ginger. Add pears and toss to coat. Place bottom crust in pie plate. Add pear mixture. Combine brown sugar, pecans and butter and sprinkle over pears. Put on top crust. Be sure to put slits in the top. Brush top with milk. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cover edges with foil the last 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.

JUST ABOUT THE TIME YOU THINK YOU CAN MAKE ENDS MEET, SOMEBODY MOVES THE ENDS.

THE EXTRA MILE IS NEVER CROWDED.

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