| How to Store Baked Muffins Posted: 13 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT Homemade muffins are a delicious treat, and they're perfect anytime, whether you're enjoying them for breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or a late-night indulgence. Even better, they're super easy to make yourself! However, after just a couple of days, moisture will start to evaporate from your muffins, leaving the outside soggy and the inside dry. Luckily, you can help slow that process by properly storing your muffins until you're ready to eat them! Keep your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature if you'll be eating them within 3 or 4 days, or freeze them if you want to keep them fresh for up to 3 months. [Edit]Keeping Muffins at Room Temperature - Cool the muffins on a wire rack if they're still warm. When your muffins come out of the oven, transfer them to a wire rack as soon as they're cool enough to handle. The rack will allow air to flow all the way around the muffins, so they'll cool evenly.[1]
- If you put the muffins into a container while they're still warm, the heat will produce condensation, which will then make the surface of the muffins soggy.
- Cover the wire rack with a towel to keep the muffins overnight. If you're planning to eat the muffins within about 24 hours, you don't have to put them into a container at all. Just cover them with a layer of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to keep your muffins fresh and moist until you're ready for them.[2]
- If you think it will be longer than 24 hours before you eat the muffins, you can put them into containers as soon as they're cool.
- Place the muffins in a paper towel-lined container for up to 4 days. Line the bottom of an airtight container with a layer of paper towels. Then, place a single layer of muffins into the container, and cover the muffins with a second layer of paper towels. The paper towels will help to absorb any condensation that forms, which will help prevent your muffins from getting soggy.[3]
- For best results, use 2 paper towels stacked together on each layer or fold a larger paper towel in half. If you have very thick paper towels, however, a single layer will be fine.
- Store your muffins in a cool, dry place. Try to avoid keeping your muffins in a warm or humid spot, like near your stovetop if you'll be cooking. If the muffins get warm in their container, it could cause them to get stale faster. However, don't put them in the refrigerator—the moisture in the fridge will change the texture of the muffins, creating a sticky top and a dry center.[4]
- If you'll be keeping your muffins longer than 4 days, transfer them to the freezer.[5]
- Reheat the muffins in a oven if you want them warm. While your muffins will be perfectly delicious at room temperature, if you're craving the comfort of another warm muffin after a couple of days, don't fret! Just wrap your muffins in aluminum foil—or put them on a baking sheet covered with foil—and pop them in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes.[6]
- Smaller muffins (about in diameter) will need 12-15 minutes in the oven, while muffins that are or larger will need about 15-18 minutes.
[Edit]Freezing the Muffins - Place your cooled muffins into a resealable freezer bag. To keep your muffins fresh for longer than a few days, cool them completely, then place them in a plastic freezer bag. Squeeze out as much extra air as you can without squishing the muffins, then seal the bag.[7]
- If you'd prefer, you can wrap the muffins tightly in foil or plastic wrap instead of putting them into a bag.[8]
- You can also use a hard-sided container, but try to pick one that won't leave a lot of extra air around the muffins for the best results.
- Keep the muffins in the freezer for up to 3 months. Your muffins will have the best texture and flavor if you eat them within about 12 weeks after freezing. However, they'll still be safe to eat after that—as long as you keep them at a steady temperature of , you can store frozen muffins indefinitely.[9]
- Store your muffins near the back of your freezer, where the temperature will remain the most constant.
- Thaw the muffins by letting them sit at room temperature for half an hour. There's nothing special you have to do when you want to enjoy a fresh muffin again. Just let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes to defrost, then either eat them cool or heat them in oven or microwave.[10]
- If you're in a hurry, defrost the muffins by wrapping them in a moist paper towel and microwaving them for 30-60 seconds. After the first 30 seconds, take the muffin out of the microwave and check whether it's heated all the way through.[11]
- Wrap the muffins in foil and heat them at for a warm treat. For the closest thing to fresh-from-the-oven muffins, wrap them in foil and place them in the oven at for about 15 minutes. If you have smaller muffins, they'll need about 12-15 minutes, or around 15-18 minutes for larger muffins.[12]
- For best results, let the muffins defrost completely before you put them in the oven. Otherwise, the center may still be cool when they're finished.
- Try putting a little butter on top of the muffins before you reheat them to help restore some of the moisture that may have been lost during the freezing process.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Keeping Muffins at Room Temperature - Plastic container
- Paper towels
- Dish towel (optional)
[Edit]Freezing the Muffins - Plastic freezer bag
- Foil or plastic wrap (optional)
- You can use this approach for storing any type of quick bread, including banana bread, biscuits, cornbread, and scones.[13]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Mosquito Net Posted: 13 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT A mosquito net refers to a canopy that hangs over your bed to keep mosquitos and other pests from biting you while you sleep. They're particularly helpful if you live in a warmer climate or you enjoy keeping your windows open at night. While mosquito nets are not particularly expensive, you can make your net for less than $20 or so. If you can't hang a net from your ceiling, you can easily build a simple frame for your net with PVC pipes and drape uncut mosquito netting over it. [Edit]Measuring for Netting and Rods - Measure the length and width of your bed. Grab a measuring tape and measure the length and width of your bed and frame. Jot down the length and width. The net you buy must hang at least past the edges of the frame for maximum protection, so add to each measurement to find the size of the netting you need.[1]
- If parts of the net hang directly against the frame, bugs may bite you through the net if you roll against it in your sleep.
- The ring-style canopy nets you may have seen are not as effective as the rectangular nets that cover each side evenly. These ring canopies tend to hang unevenly and are fairly distracting when you're trying to sleep.
- Buy a mosquito netting that extends a little past the sides of your bed. Go online and find a mosquito net that's at least bigger than your bed on each side. Make sure that the mosquito net has sleeves for mounting it on a frame. Most nets have sleeves, but just double-check to make sure you aren't buying uncut fabric.[2]
- The height doesn't matter unless you have a vaulted ceiling or a loft-style home. The netting always comes with plenty of height to work with.
- You cannot effectively sew a mosquito net on your own. The holes need to be incredibly small and the fabric has to be extremely breathable. Plus, premade mosquito netting is relatively inexpensive.
- You can still use uncut fabric by hanging it over the frame you're going to assemble, but you'll need to reposition the fabric by hand whenever it slides to one side or another.
- Mosquito netting is pretty cheap. Expect to spend $5-15 on the netting itself.
- Pick up some thin curtain rods and joints to make the frame. Buy 2 curtain rods that match the lengths of your bed and pick up 2 curtain rods that match the width of your bed. In addition, buy 4 elbow joints that match the width of your curtain rod, preferably from the same company that made your rods, to connect them together.[3]
- The thickness of the rods doesn't matter so long as they fit in the sleeve openings on the net. Generally, rods that are thick are perfect for this. The netting isn't very heavy, so you don't need a ton of support.
- If you can't find curtain rods that match the dimensions you need, buy some longer curtain rods and cut them to size with a handsaw. Measure each length or width you need and mark the cuts off with a permanent marker. Gently cut each junction at the spots you mark.[4]
[Edit]Installing the Hooks - Find 4 studs on the ceiling above the corners of your bed. To find a stud, turn a stud finder on and run it over your ceiling above each corner. When it beeps, mark the spot with a small pencil mark. Alternatively, you can knock on the drywall with your knuckle. Studs will sound firm and hard, while hollow drywall will echo a little bit.[5]
- You do not need to measure the distance between your hooks. You're going to hang the frame from wires or cords and the frame doesn't need to hang directly under the hooks for this to work. So long as they're within of the corner, you'll be fine.
- Drill 4 pilot holes in the studs and twist your screw hooks in. Get 4 screw hooks and grab a pilot drill bit that's slightly thinner than the width of your screw hooks. Insert the pilot drill bit into a drill and bore a hole for each hook in the ceiling, just outside the corners of your bed. Place each hole in a stud to keep the frame from ripping the drywall out. Then, twist the screw hooks into the holes you drilled.[6]
- Hang some fishing line or cord around each hook to hang your frame. You can hang your frame with heavy-duty fishing line, or any type of cord. Cut off a length of fishing line or cord and drape a section over each hook you've drilled into the ceiling.[7]
- The exact length of the cord or line doesn't matter. You're going to cut the excess off later, but the more cord or fishing line you have to work with, the better.
- Tie a loop off at the end of the line or cord and slide the other end through. At one end of each length of line or cord, create a small loop and wrap the end of the working end through it. Tie a tight, large knot at the end you slid through the loop and pull the loop tight. The knot will catch on the opening and leave you with a small loop. Let the fishing line or cords hang from your hooks.[8]
- Just to clarify, you are not placing the loops you just made on the hooks. You just need these hoops to hang your frame and adjust the length before tying it up.
[Edit]Assembling Your Frame - Spread the netting out on the bed to line the corners up with the hooks. Take your mosquito net and spread it out on top of your sheets. Adjust the corners of the top of the net to line up with the corners of your bed frame.[9]
- Slide a long rod through the first sleeve on the side of the net. Grab one of your longer rods and feed it through the sleeve on a long side of the net. Run the rod through all the way until it sticks out a little bit past the end of the net on each side.[10]
- The sleeve for the mosquito net may be sequence of loops and it may be located on the inside or outside of the net.
- If you find it hard to feed the rod through the sleeve, you can crumple the net up as you work the rod through to keep the net from catching on the end.
- Grab a shorter rod and slide it through the sleeve on the shorter side. Grab one of your shorter curtain rods. Run it through the sleeve on the shorter side of the mosquito net. Feed each portion of the rod through the sleeve of the mosquito net until the ends stick out on either side.[11]
- Connect the 2 rods using an elbow joint. Some elbow joints screw into the curtain rod, while others just slide into the hollow opening of the rod. Connect the first elbow joint to the end of the long rod where it meets the shorter rod. Then, connect the other end of the elbow joint to the shorter rod to connect the 2 pieces of the frame together.[12]
- Repeat this process with the 2 remaining rods to finish the frame. Take your second longer curtain rod and feed it through the sleeve on the remaining length and connect the end to the shorter rod with a second elbow joint. Then, feed the last short rod through the remaining side. Use 2 elbow joints to connect the ends to the longer lengths on either side to finish assembling the frame.[13]
[Edit]Hanging the Net - Slide the line or cord around the first joint you're hanging. Lift the first corner of the frame up a little and thread the cord or fishing line around the joint. If the sleeves are on the inside of the netting, there is a small corner where the fabric separates to hang the frame. Run the line or cord around the joint.[14]
- Raise the corner until the base of the net rests gently on the ground. Slide the unknotted end of the fishing line or cord through the loop you made earlier. Then, pull the unknotted end to raise the corner up. Continue raising the frame until the bottom of the mosquito net rests gently against the ground.[15]
- Tie the cord or line around the joint to secure it in place. Once the frame is raised to the height you prefer, wrap the unknotted string around itself and make a large knot at the base where it meets the loop you made. Clip the excess cord or fishing line off to finish hanging the first corner.[16]
- You can also tie the cord or fishing line to the loop you made. It doesn't really matter how you secure the line or cord.
- Repeat this process with the remaining 3 joints to finish your net. Continue wrapping the line or cord around the joints one at a time. Raise each corner up until the corner is on the same level as the previous corner. Tie the fishing line or cord off and cut the excess off. You now have a perfectly secure mosquito net over your bed![17]
- Some mosquito nets have a Velcro strip to let you get inside the net. If your net doesn't, just lift the base up and slide underneath it.
[Edit]Warnings - Mosquito nets are flammable. Do not smoke in bed if you're using a mosquito net and keep candles away from your bed.[18]
- Before you go to bed, push the fabric out away from the bed. If you don't, you may end up rolling against the net where the mosquitos can bite you.[19]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Drill
- Pilot drill bit
- Screw hooks
- Fishing line or cords
- Curtain rods
- Measuring tape
- Mosquito net
- Scissors or utility knife
- Handsaw (optional)
- Permanent marker (optional)
[Edit]References |
| How to Grow Newsletter Subscribers Posted: 13 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT A newsletter is a great tool for you to use to engage, advertise, or communicate with your readers about new developments, sales, and many other topics. But if you don't have subscribers, then nobody will read it! Fortunately, you can use strategies to help attract new subscribers to grow your mailing list and reach more people. You can also keep your current subscribers engaged so they continue to read your newsletters and are more likely to share it with their friends and colleagues. [Edit]Attracting People to Sign-Up - Create a pop-up that prompts people to sign up to receive something. On your website or in paid ads, use a pop-up that asks people to join your newsletter mailing list in order to receive a prize, discount, free e-book, or some other sort of incentive. When they enter their information to join the mailing list, send a welcome email that includes information about how to receive the item or offer.[1]
- Use offers like a 10% discount in your store or free shipping on their first purchase for joining your newsletter.
- People are much more likely to join your newsletter if they'll get something in return for it.
- You could also simply advertise information as your incentive. For example, the pop-up could say something like, "Join the Weekly Brew for a hot and fresh recap of the week's biggest news stories."
- Write a blog post and include an opt-in form for your newsletter at the end. If you don't have a blog for you or your business, start one! Use it to post longer-form articles, and as a secondary location for the content you place in your newsletter. Include a link for people to subscribe to your newsletter in your blog posts and place it at the end, when readers have finished the article and are more likely to want to join.[2]
- Include links to your blog on your social media and on your website, if you have one.
- Use your blog to archive your previous newsletters so people can go back and read them if they want to.
- Share posts on social media inviting people to subscribe to your newsletter. Use your personal or company social media to share a link to join your newsletter's mailing list. Include an inviting caption that will attract people's attention such as, "Subscribe to my newsletter for tons of useful info and helpful articles!"[3]
- Avoid sharing multiple posts in a row so people aren't turned off by it.
- Don't post a link to join your newsletter in groups or pages that you don't really participate in or people will think it's spam and aren't likely to subscribe.
- Use social media ads to reach your target demographics. Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram all feature the ability for you to make targetted ad campaigns and sponsored posts that will be seen by your target audience. Create an ad campaign on one or more of the platforms that includes a link to join your newsletter.[4]
- You do have to spend money for ad campaigns on social media.
- Use free giveaways to get people to subscribe. In your pop-up ads, ad campaigns, social media posts, or on your website or blog posts, include information about a prize or offer for new subscribers. When a new person signs up for your mailing list, send them an email thanking them for joining and include information about how they can claim their prize or redeem the offer.[5]
- The prize could be a branded item such as a magnet or a drink koozie, or it could be a discount or free shipping for an item that they purchase from your store.
- Collect email addresses at your store or at events to add to your list. A classic way for you to grow your newsletter subscribers is to have a clipboard with a sign-up sheet in your store or at your table during an event or trade show. Take the sign-up sheet and input the email addresses into your mailing list so you can start sending them your newsletter.[6]
- If you're using a sign-up sheet at your store, you could offer people a small incentive, such as a pen or a 5% discount on a purchase if they sign up.
- Ask people only for their email address so they feel secure. Allow people to enter their email address so you can send them your newsletter and make it optional for them to share their name, address, or any other personal information. If people feel comfortable signing up for your newsletter, then they're much more likely to do so, and they may provide their personal information if it's optional.[7]
- Don't force people to give you information or they may not join your mailing list.
[Edit]Keeping Your Readers Engaged - Write articles that are polished and well-formatted. Make sure there aren't any spelling or grammatical mistakes before you release your newsletter or people may not want to subscribe to it. Use language, information, and data that is relevant and useful to your readership so they'll continue to read your newsletter and recommend it to their friends and colleagues. Format the articles correctly and include them in your newsletter.[8]
- For instance, if your newsletter is intended for young lawyers or paralegals who practice environmental law, you'd want to include information about new legislation and cases that are relevant to their field.
- Always proofread your newsletter for spelling or grammar mistakes, which can quickly cost you subscribers.
- Include content that is relevant to your target audience. Add graphics and images to your newsletter to help break it up visually and to keep people engaged. Use content that makes sense for the people you want to attract and read your newsletter so they're more inclined to subscribe.[9]
- For example, if your newsletter is aimed at young business professionals, you could add a funny meme or two in addition to your data about the stock market to make your readers more engaged, and more likely to share the newsletter with their friends.
- Avoid including irrelevant content just to fill out your newsletter. For example, if your newsletter is aimed at middle-aged homemakers, don't add images of your favorite pop star.
- Publish your newsletter on a set time and day so it's consistent. Choose a specific time and day to release your newsletter so your readers can anticipate and expect it, which makes them more likely to read it and recommend it to their colleagues and friends. Use a scheduler or set a reminder for that time so you can always release your newsletter on a consistent basis.[10]
- If your subscribers know they can rely on your newsletter being delivered consistently, it will make it seem more credible and professional, which makes them more likely to share it.
- Send a follow-up email to subscribers who haven't opened the newsletter. Use your metrics to determine which subscribers haven't clicked on your newsletter to open it. Send an email to those subscribers that includes your recent newsletter to gently prod them or get their attention so they'll open it and read it.[11]
- Use an email subject line that innocently gets their attention such as, "In case you missed it…" or "Here's a look at last week…"
- Be careful not to spam your subscribers or send them multiple follow-ups in a row or they may block or unsubscribe from your newsletter.
- Give your subscribers prizes for referring your newsletter. Include a link at the bottom of your newsletter that allows your subscribers to share it with their friends so they can subscribe to it. Keep track of how many people they get to sign up for your newsletter and give them a prize when they reach a certain number so they have an incentive to do it.[12]
- For example, if a subscriber gets 3 people to sign up for your newsletter, they could get a discount at your store or a coffee mug with your logo on it.
- People are much more likely to subscribe to your newsletter if they're referred to it by a friend or colleague.
- Only count referrals that lead to actual subscribers so people have further incentive to get others to sign up for the newsletter, and won't just share the link blindly.
[Edit]References |
No comments:
Post a Comment