Wordless Wednesday: Guitar Rock!

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Tackle it Tuesday

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About six months ago, I replaced my coffee perk.  I love my new perk, but for some reason, the glass carafe got really really stained, really quickly!  I tried cleaning it with plain dishsoap and and water, but nothing happened at all.  So I did some research.  I found a number of ways to clean glass coffee pots. 

 

Here is what I started with (gross, I know!):

 

 

 

The first method I tried was combining hot water and comet and swishing around inside the pot.  After the water was cool enough, I put my fingers inside rubbed the sides down.  This worked pretty well for all the light stains.  If your pot is not as nasty stained as mine was this would definitely be a good choice for you.  I may use this for upkeep now.

 

Here is what it looked like after just the comet and water:

 

 

 

The second method I tried was making a paste of lemon juice and baking soda.  This smelled so nice!  I dipped a cloth into the paste and used it to scrub the inside of the pot.  It worked SOOO WELL!  The stains just came away with almost no effort at all.  After I was done, I looked around my kitchen for other things that could be benefitted by this little paste. 

 

Here is what it looked like after the lemon and baking soda:

 

 

 

Here are some other methods I read about but didn't need to use to clean my coffee pot:

1. Combine a mixture of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and run it through the coffee perk 2 times.  After that, let the mixture sit in the coffee pot for a short while and then scrub the pot.
2. I have heard that you can use a toothbrush and toothpaste to scrub the pot clean.
3. SOS pads work very well.
4. Baking soda on a sponge is another option.
5. Make a paste of salt and vinegar (spread over it, leave on surface for a while and then wash off a few hours later).

Irish Soda Bread (or Spotted Dog)

If your "soda bread" has raisins, it's not "soda bread! It's called "Spotted Dog" or "Railway Cake"! If it contains raisins, eggs, baking powder, sugar or shortening, it's called "cake", not "bread." All are tasty, but not traditional Irish Soda Bread!

(btw, by the time I remembered to take a pic, this is what was left!)

Ingredients
•4 cups plain white flour
•1/3 cup sugar
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon baking soda
•1/2 cup raisins, currants or sultanas
(we have been known to sneak in chocolate chips instead LOL)
•1 1/2 cups milk soured with 11/2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Directions
1.Sift the dry ingredients, add the fruit and mix well.
2.Make a well in the center add most of the milk. Using one hand, mix in the flour from the sides of the bowl, adding more milk if necessary. The dough should be softish but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, turn it out onto a floured board and knead lightly for a few seconds - just long to tidy it up.

3. Pat the dough into a round about 1 1/2 inches deep and cut a deep cross in it (to let the faeries out!). Let the cuts go over the sides of the bread.

4. Bake in a preheated 450 degree F oven for 15 minutes, then turn the oven down to 400 degrees F and Bake for another 30 minutes or until cooked. If you are in doubt, tap the bottom: it will sound hollow when cooked.
5. Serve freshly Baked, cut into thick slices and spread with butter.