To soothe coughing

Drink a mug of hot water well mixed with a spoon each of lemon juice and honey.

Red wine stain on tablecloth

If you stain your tablecloth with red wine, pour some white wine on the stain right away; at the end of the evening there will be no stain!

If you over-eat...

Infuse ten minutes a teaspoon of crushed dry bay leaves in a liter of water. Filtrate and drink a cup after you indulged too much...sweeten it with a little honey.

Your face is tired, skin looks older than it should?

Steam two carrots until tender and mash them with a fork. Make a paste adding a spoon of honey. When not too hot apply on your face for twenty minutes. You will be amazed by the results!

Sesame seeds

They will “revitalize” your body and soul after a disease, or the flu. They will help to keep you in shape and sharp. Apparently they are good for memory too! If you can buy them untreated, then just put them in a pan with a little salt and a few drops of good olive oil. Let them roast a few minutes and then use on salads, poultry, fish!

Are your gums on fire?

Infuse 60grams of well cleaned sage leaves in one liter of boiling water. Filter and use as a gargling liquid several times a day.

No cooking wine for your roast?

No problem: just use a spoon of vinegar diluted in a cup of water!

ELDER TREE FLOWERS FRITTERS (FOR 4) from Piedmont, Italy

INGREDIENTS
Elder tree flowers (Sambucus nigra), at least four large clusters (inflorescences). NB: be sure the flowers you are using are “ripe” as Elder tree parts, especially if nor ripe, contain cyanide!)
125 gr. flour
3 spoons dry white wine
1 nut butter
1 spoon milk
3 eggs
1 spoon honey
Sugar
Cinnamon
Olive oil

PREPARATION

Beat the flour, egg yolks and the spoon of milk in a bowl. Add a nut of melted butter, the wine and the spoon of honey. Whisk the egg whites until stiff and then amalgamate with the bowl mixture to make a batter. Wash the flowers and holding them by the stem dip them into the batter. Fry in hot oil and serve.

NOTE: Elderberry extract helps after a flu, and protects from witches and evil. However, if you chop down an Elder tree, a nasty spirit will come out, and you better be prepared to chant a protective phrase. Watchmakers use the pith of the wood to clean fine instruments before using them. It is unclear if they need to chant before each use....

Eliminate cooking smells (from frying etc.)

Pour a couple cups of milk in a bowl, add a table spoon of powdered cinnamon and mix well. Leave the bowl on the kitchen counter. The mixture will absorb most of the smells. Do not forget to throw it away after use...and make sure no one drinks it!

Do not waste the water you use to wash/rince lentils, chickpeas, beans

Use it instead to water your apartment plants. The results may be surprising!

Keep your dry beans longer

Wanna keep your dry beans longer?
Close them in a airtight container with some pepper corns!

Headaches remedy

Add a little lemon juice to your coffee

Fresh bread.

To keep your bread fresh and tasty keep it in a covered clay container, with an apple inside.

Slow digestion?

A little chunk of liquorish, to chew slowly at the end of the meal: it tastes good and will help you greatly.

Apple fritters

Grandma secret to make them tender, juicy and even tastier: add to the batter two little spoons of grappa or fruit distillate (apple, pears etc.).

Sweet dreams with a cabbage

Beside being an excellent winter vegetable, cabbages will help you to sleep. Boil 15 minutes 3 large leaves in a litre of water. Strain and drink the decoction during the day, leaving the last sip for the evening. ...good night!