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1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar ½ cup cold butter 2 beaten egg yolks 1 tablespoon water

“The bugs are not quick to fly following biting,” says Dr. Donald Lewis, Professor Emeritus of Entomology at Iowa State University, “so the victim usually has the satisfaction of removing the offender from the ranks of the living.” What Are Minute Pirate Bugs? Minute pirate bugs, a type of insect known as flower bugs (Orius spp.), are found all over the country, and there are more than 500 species worldwide....

Why Should I Blanch Vegetables? Many veggies, such as carrots, peas, and asparagus, benefit from blanching before freezing to maintain their color and texture, but there are more reasons to make sure you add this method to your food prep. Blanching loosens the skin of tomatoes and peaches so you can peel them with ease. When freezing vegetables, blanching slows the natural enzymes in the vegetables that can cause loss of flavor, texture, and color....

The terms boiled chicken and poached chicken are interchangeable. Cooking in boiling liquid is ideal for preparing chicken breasts, which can quickly dry out when roasted or grilled if we turn our heads for just one minute. Skin-on, bone-in breasts are ideal for boiling if you want the cooking liquid to become a tasty broth. Opt for skinless, boneless chicken breast halves for a shorter cooking time. For the quickest cooking time, use cut-up chicken breast....

How to Build a Deck Beam When determining the location for deck beams, be sure to assemble the beam so the 2x10s have the crown sides up. Miter-cut the ends of plywood spacers and point them upward. What You Need Tape measureCircular sawDrillLong bitHammerClampsAdjustable or socket wrenchLumber for the beam pieces (2x10s in this case)Pressure-treated plywood1 1/4-inch deck screws3-inch deck screws3/8 x 6-inch carriage bolts with nuts and washers Step 1: Stack and Square Deck Beams Stack the three 2x10 beam members on top of each other with their crowns facing the same direction....

Where to Plant Peperomias Peperomia houseplants are grown for their foliage rather than their flowers. They are low-maintenance, tolerant of most lighting conditions found in the home, and pet- and kid-friendly. What’s not to like? Peperomia Foliage and Flowers Grown for their foliage, peperomias are varied in their appearance. In general, they feature thick, fleshy leaves that store water. These leaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with some species having leaves smaller than a dime and others as large as a baseball....

How to Clean a Bathroom Sink Drain Regular preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your bathroom sink drain clean, which begins with cleaning the bathroom countertop and sink. Avoid using harsh drain cleaners or bleach, which can be harmful to both your pipes and your health. What You Need Drain snakeBiodegradable pipe cleanerHydrogen peroxide (optional) Step 1: Remove Debris from Drain Remove debris from the drain weekly. Remove pop-up stoppers or drain guards and discard any debris that has collected....

Fortunately, cleaning out gutters isn’t that technical or difficult of a job, especially when it’s done regularly. Here are the materials you’ll need and steps to take to get rid of the debris and keep your gutters clean. How to Clean Gutters We’ll walk you through the best way to clean gutters, plus maintenance tips for any leaks or repairs. What You’ll Need: LadderWaterproof glovesSafety glassesWaste bucket, garbage bags, or tarpToolbeltSmall hand shovelGarden hoseDrain snake or pressure washer (optional)Gutter sealant (optional)...

However, wires aren’t the only things that count during box fill calculations. You also need to take into account the cable clamps, outlets, switches, and other items you intend to put in the box. Here’s how to count the wires and other components to ensure you’re filling your electrical box safely. Find tips and information on counting wires in electrical boxes, the number of conductors allowed in a wiring box, and more....

Built-in Bookshelf Ideas No-Sag Spans According to architect calculations, books represent an average load of 25 pounds per cubic foot. Listed above are the no-sag span limits under load for the most commonly used shelving materials. Solid hardwood has the best no-sag rating; however, some species are stiffer than others. Birch, maple, and oak are the stiffest, followed by ash, cherry, and walnut. You can increase the stiffness of a shelf by sinking screws into it through the solid back of the case....

You’ll also need to select two colors of furniture paint. You can choose two shades of the same color, as we did, or for a bolder look, choose complementary or contrasting colors. We chose latex paint for its ease of use; however, oil-based paints are known for their durability and are often the go-to option for wood trim and cabinetry. Once you’ve chosen your piece and the paint colors, follow our step-by-step instructions for creating a look that appears aged over time....

A good rhizome will be about as thick as your thumb, have healthy roots, and have one or two leaf fans. Large, old rhizomes that have no leaf fans can be tossed out.

Test Kitchen Tip: Our original recipe calls for mozzarella, but any of your favorite cheese styles could certainly be substituted for—or added alongside—the mozz.

Buy It: Williams Sonoma Tart Pan with Removable Bottom ($25, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: Wilton 9x5-Inch Nonstick Loaf Pan ($9, Target)

High-protein: Made from hard wheat varieties, flours in this category have between 12% and 14% protein.Lower-protein: Made from soft wheat varieties, these types of flour have between 5% and 8% protein.Gluten-free: Made from grains that contain zero wheat proteins, these types contain rising agents from other ingredients in the recipe or flour blend. More protein creates more gluten, which in turn, yields a stronger, more voluminous, and chewier result. More isn’t always better though—yes, even if you’re not gluten-intolerant....

When faced with a big job like holiday dish cleanup, applying a strategy and breaking it down into distinct tasks will make it less overwhelming. 12 Tips for Holiday Dish-Washing In addition to the sheer volume of pots, pans, serving pieces, utensils, and glassware used to prepare and serve holiday meals, there are delicate and specialty pieces that require careful handling. And pans used to cook and reheat dishes often result in stubborn stuck-on messes....

Test Kitchen Tip: Trade supermarket rotisserie chicken for grilled chicken, if you like, to beat the heat in your kitchen. Test Kitchen Tip: Pour cava, Champagne, or sparkling wine if you prefer those to Prosecco.