Want to be sure to take your lunch with you as you run out the door to work? Place your keys in the refrigerator, and you will never forget.
This also works well when sending leftovers home with company.
Take a cup, add an ice cube, and cover with milk. Grab two cotton balls, a towel for under your chin, and lie down. Dip the cotton balls in the ice milk, close your eyes, and place one on each lid.
When the cotton balls are no longer cold, dip again in the milk, and put back on your lids. Do this for about 15 minutes.
You will be amazed at how fresh you look ... and feel!
Posted in Food Tip
Tagged Al A Carte, alexandra anne carte, ask al a carte, Food Tip, Ice, Milk
Here’s a way to have egg on your face without being embarrassed!
Separate one egg into two small cups.
Using your fingers or a pastry brush, spread a layer of the egg white on your face. Note: Do not get it too close to your eyes.
Let dry. Spread a second layer of the white. Once that is dry, put on a coat of the yolk. When dry, rinse with warm water. Pat dry and apply your favorite moisturizer.
Your skin will glow, and you’ll feel great!
Posted in Food Tip
Tagged Al A Carte, alexandra anne carte, ask al a carte, Egg, Face, Food Tip
Need some food for thought? Email askalacarte@cs.com.
Posted in Al A Carte
Tagged advice, alexandra anne carte, ask al a carte, food, Problems
One of my favorite gifts to give is a picnic basket filled with something special. For a romantic evening include a bottle of champagne, glasses, candlesticks, cloth napkins, and gourmet goodies. Remember, picnics are not just for the summer. Enjoy a winter picnic in front of the fireplace or any other room in the house.
For the Movie Buff: Fill an old-fashioned popcorn box with microwave popcorn, candy bars, soda, and a couple of DVDs or movie tickets. You might even want to include a subscription to an entertainment magazine. Lights! Camera! Action!
For Food Lovers: Always appreciated is a gift of food. Place a favorite recipe and the ingredients to make it in a pot or bowl. Add a wooden spoon, measuring cup, and anything else that goes with it, along with a novelty dish towel or apron. Bon Appetit!
Wrapping Things Up: Baskets make great containers for gifts, and anything can serve as a basket: Flower pots, bowls, coffee mugs, jars, even a Frisbee. Fill them with anything from cookies and candy to scarves and jewelry. Wrap in cellophane and tie with a bow!
Family Fun: Find a gift that encourages the family to spend time together. Here are some thoughts: A digital camera to record special moments; a jigsaw puzzle to work on together; tickets to an event, activity, or movie. A gift card for a local restaurant, complete with takeout menu, also makes a great gift. Happy Holidays!
Hi, All. My daughter – Carrie Out – will be joining me on my blog. She is the expert on dialing for dinner and galloping to the grocery! Watch for her first post, coming soon!
Ask Al A Carte (aka Alexandra Anne Carte) is collecting recipes for her upcoming ebook. Send your favorite recipe – along with a paragraph telling why it’s your favorite. You can even include a pic! Send to askalacarte@cs.com. By submitting, you are giving permission for your essay to be published.
Posted in Al A Carte Ebook
Tagged alexandra anne carte, ask al a carte, Collecting, Ebook, Food Memories, Recipes
Dear Al A. Carte,
I have a boss who’s always making advances toward me. And when I don’t acquiesce, he over-fills my in-box, so I have to work overtime. I like my job, and I know I am lucky to have one. But I hate the boss. Can you help?
Overtimed
Dear Overtimed,
You should not have to put up with this behavior. There are laws against sexual harassment. Use your NOODLE.
Noodle Pudding
1 8-oz. package of cream cheese
6 eggs
scant ½ cup sugar
¼ lb butter or margarine, melted
2 ¾ cups hot milk
1 tsp. salt
1½ tsp vanilla
1 8-oz. package of broad noodles, cooked
½ cup of corn flakes, crushed
Optional: 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ cup raisins
Beat cream cheese and eggs together until well-blended. Add sugar, margarine, milk, salt, and vanilla. Stir noodles into this mixture. Add cinnamon and raisins if you’d like.
Pour into a well-greased, large baking pan. Cover with crushed corn flakes. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 hour.
* * *
Ask your boss for a copy of the company’s sexual harassment policy. If that “warning” doesn’t stop his behavior, then follow the outlined procedure.
Dear Al A. Carte,
Every woman with whom I become serious usually ends up leaving me, saying they want to have a more open relationship and date others. Usually, when I’m content to spend my time with just them, they decide it is time to end the relationship. What should I do?
Left Behind
Dear Left Behind,
Chill out with some GAZPACHO!
Chilled Gazpacho
2 15oz. cans tomatoes, drained (reserve liquid) 1 red pepper
1/2 onion
5 cloves garlic
1 TBL parsley flakes
3 basil leaves
½ tsp. cumin
1 TBL cilantro
1 TBL lime juice
Chop all ingredients in food processor except for tomato juice and lime juice. Place in a large bowl and add tomato juice. Then chill in freezer. For serving, ladle into cups and sprinkle a few drops of lime juice.
Coarsely chopped, this can be used as a dip.
Chill in freezer. Then ladle into cups and add a few drops of lime juice before serving.
* * *
Now’s the time to enjoy dating a variety of people. When you find that special someone, and the relationship is good, she will not want to see anyone but you.
Posted in Relationships
Tagged advice, ask al a carte, chilled gazpacho, dating, food, women
Dear Al A. Carte,
My neighbor is “high-strung,” and I try to maintain cordial relations with her and her husband. At times, she is overly friendly, and can tie me up, carrying on a conversation for hours. The rest of the time, she totally ignores me. I’m tired of dealing with her, but need to remain friendly, for the sake of the neighborly thing. Any suggestions?
Fed Up
Dear Fed Up,
Sounds like your neighbor is a PESTo.
David’s Basil Pesto
2 cloves of garlic
1 ½ TBL lightly toasted pine nuts
2 cups fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
¾ cup plus ½ tsp. extra virgin olive oil
½ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Combine all the ingredients, except the ½ teaspoon olive oil, in a food processor and process until a puree forms, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Transfer to an airtight container and pour the remaining ½ teaspoon of olive oil over the pesto, covering completely. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
The pesto will keep for several days, tightly covered, but will lose its bright green color after the first day.
* * *
You neighbor may have serious problems that you don’t know about. When you see her, smile, even if she’s in a bad mood. If she tries to engage you in conversation, keep it brief and excuse yourself. If she persists, tell you have an appointment or need to return a phone call. After a while, she may get the hint.
