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CONSUMERS ASK

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By MARY A. KEITH Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

I have a package of carrots, and the end of one carrot is black and soft. It looks moldy. Do I have to throw the whole bag away?

No, it's not necessary. Cut off the black end, plus another 2 inches of firm carrot. Check the rest of the carrots and trim any soft or black spots. Lay them out on the counter to dry if they're damp, then put them in a clean bag and keep refrigerated.

It also would be a good idea to wash the vegetable drawer in your refrigerator. Use hot soapy water, rinse, then wipe with bleach. Let the drawer air dry before putting the vegetables away.

That will kill mold spores and protect the rest of your veggies.

Can I make a pot roast out of a rump roast?

Making beef stew or pot roast is the recommended way to cook a rump roast.
Moist heat for an extended time will soften the collagen and tenderize the meat.

When I bread fish or chicken, I often have a lot of leftover seasoned flour. Can I refrigerate the flour to use again next week?

Don't save any flour that was in the dish used to coat the fish or chicken. But the flour can be saved when it is kept in a separate bowl and added a little at a time to the breading tray. Remember, though, to throw away any flour on the tray.

Do I need to store dried fruit in the freezer?

Dried fruit does not need to be frozen. Being exposed to light and air is what makes it turn dark, and moisture will cause it to mold.

Repack the fruit into smaller zipper-seal plastic bags and squeeze as much air as possible from the bags. Then store them in a place that is cool, dry and dark. A cupboard, heavy paper bag, coffee or oatmeal container - or anything that keeps out light - will work.

I have a cookie recipe that calls for rose water. Where can I find this?

Look in a store that carries Middle Eastern groceries or in a store selling supplies for making candy or cake decorating.

What is the closest equivalent to light cream? I can't find anything by that name in the store.

Use coffee cream. Both coffee cream and light cream are about 20 percent milk fat. In comparison, whipping cream is almost 40 percent milk fat. Half-and-half is between 11 and 18 percent milk fat.

Mary A. Keith, a nutrition and health agent at Hillsborough County Extension, can be reached at (813) 744-5519 or mkeith@ufl.edu.

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