Tips for tortillas and turnips
Q. While on vacation I saw a lady with a rectangular type of flat bread, which she claimed was lower in fat and healthier than regular tortillas. Do you know what this might be? Do you know of any other frugal, healthy alternative to tortillas?
Jean, Canada
A. There are low-carb tortillas. You can make your own, and you don’t even have to use oil — you only need masa harina and water. A tortilla press makes the job easier, but you don’t have to have one. Visit simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_make_corn_tortillas/ for a tutorial.
You might consider buying or making pita bread (wheat is an option), lavash (Middle Eastern bread) or naan (Indian flat bread). Depending on the contents, you can use lettuce to make lettuce wraps, as well.
Q. How do I freeze turnips?
Laurie H., email
A. Wash, peel and cut the turnips into roughly ½-inch cubes. Boil water and blanch the cubes for two minutes. Don’t overcook them. After they’ve been blanched, plunge them into a bowl of ice water. Allow them to cool, then place them in freezer storage bags.
You can cook them entirely, mash and freeze them, too. Consume within six months.
Q. I just bought three half-gallons of almond milk. Can I freeze it?
Sindi, forums
A. Almond milk has quite a long shelf-life, so you might not need to freeze it. Oftentimes, manufacturers discourage freezing it because the milk separates and it doesn’t have an appealing appearance when frozen and thawed. In fact, it’s very unsightly. But that doesn’t mean you can’t freeze it and use it.
Freeze the milk in an ice-cube tray, then transfer to freezer storage bags. Use as needed and see if you like it frozen and thawed. You can shake it in a spare container or use a blender to blend it back together. It can be frozen in its original container, too. I recommend removing some milk to create about 1½ inches of space in the container so it doesn’t explode in the freezer when it expands.
Q. How do I remove nail polish from a pair of cotton jeans?
Lisa P., Ohio
A. You can use Off bug spray (aerosol). Simply place a cloth underneath the stain to catch anything that might bleed through. Saturate the stained area, then rub with a cloth or toothbrush. Repeat as the stain lifts and then launder as usual. If there’s still a bit of stain remaining, don’t place the jeans in the dryer. Try spraying hair spray onto the stained area and launder again.
You can try pure acetone, too. I suggest purposely staining a piece of cotton fabric and testing stain-removing methods before attempting the jeans. This will allow you to use the least amount of chemicals on your jeans.
Ÿ Sara Noel owns Frugal Village (frugalvillage.com), a website that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. Send tips, comments or questions to Sara Noel, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106, or email sara@frugalvillage.com.