April 2006 “Cooking Tips” Winner —
Jennifer Banahan

My favorite clean-up tip: Save used dryer (fabric softener) sheets in a bag under your kitchen sink and when you have a really tough cleaning job, like stuck-on lasagna, toss one of the used sheets into the dish, fill with warm water and let sit for an hour or two. The food magically releases from the dish and it is a breeze to clean! Also, if you have a George Forman or countertop grill that gets icky, you can lay a wet used dryer sheet on each surface and in an hour or two, the food will wipe out easily with a sponge. Save those used fabric softener sheets!

Jennifer Banahan

Prize:

• Cooking tips:
  Herbs de Provence
  Life In Provence

April 2006 “Cooking Disasters” Winner —
Amanda Dickerson


Our first anniversary was fast approaching and I wanted to make something simple yet delicious for our special meal. I was not one of the best cooks in the world but I sure gave it my all. I decided on steak and baked potatoes as that was one dish I knew would come out just right. I scoured my cookbook until I found the right dessert and came up with Cherries Jubilee. Although it was a little harder than my usual desserts of cake or cookies, it did not look overwhelming.
My husband came home and we had our romantic candlelight dinner. I then told him I had a surprise for dessert and I would be right back. I had followed all the instructions and even lightly simmered the brandy. I brought in the dessert and my husband's eyes lit up! I then told him it was time to light the dessert.
I struck a match and touched the dessert like the cookbook said. The only problem was the the match did not light, so I tried another one, then another one. Finally I lit the last one in the matchbook. Still no luck when all of a sudden it did light.The sudden flame startled me so much I screamed and tossed the match into the middle of the dessert where it went into flames! My husband, who was startled as well, quickly stood up, accidentally knocking over the flowers which went into the dessert. He threw his water over the flames while I ran to get the fire extinguisher. It was the first and only time I ever made cherries jubilee and I still smile at my culinary efforts. Twenty years later, my husband is still the fire and light of my life.

Amanda Dickerson

Prize:

• Cooking Disasters:
  Chocolate Mousse Mix
  Dean Jacobs Gourmet Selections

Previous Winners

Click here to see our previous "Cooking Tips" and "Cooking Disasters" contest winners!