Super Mommy Secrets: Cleaning Cast Iron & Stainless Steel

Tonight's Super Mommy Secrets are about two things... Cast Iron and Stainless Steel.

The first tip on Cast Iron comes from none other than my Super Mom...

When you have a dirty cast iron skillet, NEVER- EVER use soap to wash it.

Soap destroys the seasoning of the skillet and makes it "stick".

Instead, put hot water into it and let it sit until the water turns luke warm.

Then use a scrubbing sponge and it should come right off.

Dry it off immediately with a paper towel.

Now spritz with oil.

Now, your skillet is ready to store until the next time.

But what about Stainless Steel?

Follow the same steps (minus the oiling part), except add this special ingredient to your water step and cover.

Easiest clean up- EVER. And, your stainless comes away nice and shiny!

Do you have any dish doin' Super Mommy Secrets? Don't leave me standing at the sink all alone, do share!

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Super Mommy Secrets: Getting the Washer Lid to Stay Up

Dear Reader-- I have had this problem for some time...

Ya see, my washer lid would never stay open since I have cabinets directly above it...

But, my Puddie came up with this FABULOUS idea to help keep it open while I move clothes from washer to dryer...

This doo dad...

I think it is technically a picture hanger, but it is the best little washer lid hanger ever...just sayin'

That Puddie, he is a genius I tell ya... that and he was fearful that if he didn't come up with a solution I might just stop washin' his tighty whiteys.

Hey... we all need different forms of motivation... just sayin'

This is seriously one of my favorite "gadgets" in the house.

Now if I could just find a way to make laundry fun...

Linked to: Works for Me Wednesday

Benefiel Yeast Rolls

There are plenty of reasons to love the holidays... tons. 

But the fact that mom makes these yeast rolls every holiday is at the top of the list.

Psst... Mom... ya know today is technically a holiday... just sayin'

Now to say my mom has been making these puppies as long as I can remember is a bit of an understatement. I give you EXHIBIT A.

No, that is not the original Bill of Rights stolen from Independence Hall... it is the original recipe card for this family favorite.

You start by dissolving 1 pkg of yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.

Then take 1/3 cup sugar and add 1/4 cup of oil in a large bowl.

Add 1 cup of milk after you scold it. Try not to hurt its feelings, but scold it just the same ;)

Now add 1 t salt. Mix 'er up and let cool until luke warm.

Now add in 1 1/2 cups sifted flour

Add in yeast and 1 beaten egg

Then blend in another 1-2 cups flour to form a soft dough.

Now place in a greased bowl turning once to coat the dough and set aside to let double (about 1 1/2 hrs)

XXX

(Photo missing due to multi-tasking)

Flatten dough with hands until about 3/4 inch thick and cut dough into rolls using a glass.

Place rolls in a pan and let double again. Mom used muffin and brownie pans to help the rolls keep their shape.

Now bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes

And top with butter.

Pass the rolls please!

Enjoy!

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Tasty Cookie Pops

Looking for a fun treat to make with the kiddos? Look no further! Tasty Cookie Pops fit the order perfectly.

This recipe is just another GOODe find in Gooseberry Patch's-- soon to be released-- 101 Cupcake, Cookie and Brownie Recipes.

And, in case you missed it... Gooseberry Patch sent me one as a sneak peek and one to giveaway... and I am giving one of these away BEFORE you can buy it! Head on over to my giveaway post to enter to win ;)

Now, back to the cookies! 

Truth be told, Miss Add was drawn to this recipe...

I don't know why... cookies... with sprinkles... on a stick??? Crazy kid.

We started with 1/2 Cup of Butter

And 1/2 Cup of Shortening

And added 1 Cup of Sugar and 1 Cup of Powdered Sugar

Once that was smooth we added 3/4 Cup of Oil

2 Eggs and 2 t of Vanilla

While that mixed up, Miss Add took 4 Cups of Flour and added 1 t Baking Soda, 1 t Salt and 1 t Cream of Tartar. 

I would bore you with the pics, but they all look very similar... you dump a bunch of white stuff --albeit important white stuff-- into the other white stuff... the flour.

Mix up the dry goods and then gradually add to the butter mixture.

Mix until dough forms.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

We then prepared our decorating station...

We picked up this Merry Muffin Tin Tip from Pillsbury.

As a mama of a lil Monkey that likes to taste all the spilled ingredients... 

This sprinkles-in-the-tin tip comes in quite handy for cookie dippin'

Now, roll your dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and ask the kiddos to roll them in the sprinkles.

Then place on a lined cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Then insert sucker sticks into each cookie.

Then bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

Once they are done baking, let them cool for a couple minutes on the cookie sheet and then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

For a fun spin on this tasty treat, skip the sprinkles and roll in toffee bits instead.

These were Puddie's favorite...

Yum!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter to win!

Tools used in this post:

101 Cupcake, Cookie & Brownie Recipes

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer, Empire Red

Oneida Raffia 4-Piece Measuring Cup Set in Brushed Stainless Steel

Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Measuring Cup, Clear with Red Measurements

Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set

Oneida Kitchenware Portman 4 Piece Measuring Spoons

Copco Smart Gadget Silicone Scraping Whisk

Wilton Excelle Elite 12-Cup Muffin Pan

Wilton Recipe Right Cookie/Jelly Roll Pan, 17-1/4 by 11-1/2-Inch

DeMarle 2409 Silpat 11-5/8-by-16-1/2-Inch Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

Nordic Ware Extra Large Cooling Rack 16 Inche by 20 Inch

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Made By You Monday

Life As Mom