Readers have been asking about an omelet recipe making the rounds in which the eggs are cooked in plastic bags. They’re not sure what kinds of plastic bags they should buy that are safe to use in cooking. I found some answers that should get them experimenting with the bagged omelet without worries.
Of course, if you had a FoodSaver, you could use those bags, which can be boiled safely. Not to worry if you don’t have that handy appliance. Ziploc freezer bags with zipper seals are perfectly safe. According to SC Johnson, the company’s Ziploc brand bags are BPA and dioxin free. These are safe to be used in microwaves, and in high temperatures. From SC Johnson:
“All Ziploc brand Containers and microwavable Ziploc brand Bags meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator and freezer temperatures.”
Since these omelet recipes call for boiling the eggs in the plastic bags, not microwaving them, I decided to try it to make sure that the Ziploc freezer bags could withstand the boiling process without melting or leaking. I boiled an egg in the bag for 10 minutes without any problem. The Ziploc freezer bag remained sealed, it didn’t melt or leak, and the egg came out somewhat like rubber tubing.
Q: I am trying to find a lipstick made by Lancôme. It is called Saffron Silk #131. It has been discontinued. Can you find it for me? Thank you. Cathy Hurt, email
A: Cathy, at this point, if you want what's left of the stock available for Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Advanced Hydrating lip color in the vivid Saffron Silk tint, you'll have to go to eBay. It's the only place where I found it. The lipstick is available on eBay from several sellers, and it's priced at $39.95 from one seller who has five in stock. Luckily, the prices aren't outrageous, just a couple of dollars more than store prices before it was discontinued.
Q: I read a while back where you found head cheese for someone. Do you think you could find souse for me? The brand I like is made by Jenkins but I’ll take another if you can’t find it. Thank you. B. Harper, Tyrone
A: Similar to head cheese but with vinegar added, ingredients in Jenkins Country souse meat includes pork snouts, vinegar, pork, sweet peppers and pickle relish. You'll find souse stocked with the lunch meats at Ingles Market, 135 Highway 92 S, Fayetteville, 770-460-5973. A 16-ounce package of Jenkins Country souse meat costs $2.78.
Q: My son has always preferred the original flavored Goldfish crackers. The Publix, Target and Walmart stores near me have no less than a dozen different flavors of Goldfish crackers, but no original flavor. I found them on Amazon but only in multi-packs with other flavors. We really just want good, old-fashioned original. Can you help us track them down? Thanks very much. Mary Gaus, Roswell,
A: Pepperidge Farm Goldfish baked snack and soup crackers saltine, now are considered the original flavor — plain, no cheese or other flavoring. They're available at Publix Super Market, 1425 Market Blvd., Roswell, 770-640-6035. Each 6.6-ounce bag costs $2.15.
