Cooking with Susie Q

This week I have several friends who shared the same recipes! Thanks to Karen, Kristen, Marianne and I won’t forget Lisa, even if she wasn’t as enthusiastic as the others. However, after trying these products, she came around. I think you are going to like these. The recipe for laundry soap makes 4 1/ 2 gallons so, it is great fun for several friends to get together to make it and split it up to take home. One husband was pleased, he said the cost was about a penny per load! Thanks, Mike. The ingredients doesn’t include the wine and snacks you may want for the party!

    Directions: Cook grated Fels Naptha bar soap with 2 gallons water until totally melted stirring occasionally. Dump into 5 gallon bucket and mix in borax and washing soda. Stir in remaining 2 1/ 2 gallons of HOT water.
Pour into jugs. Shake well before using and measure the same amount you would use of your regular detergent. I saved a couple of my detergent bottles and just reused those. You can leave it covered in the 5 gallon bucket if you need to and pour it into canning jars as you use it. Stir before you pour it into any container. Another reader said she uses a few drops of her favorite essential oil to the mix to give it a really artisan smell. However, whether you add the oil or not, I think you will enjoy the smell.

  Directions: Mix above ingredients, put into container (again, you can use canning jars). Use 1 tablespoon per dishwashing cycle.
Such simple recipes that will save us money. All of the ingredients needed to make both of these products are available locally. Have a great time and Happy New Year!
Do you have any request? Is there a recipe you have been looking for or remember from your younger years? Can I help you find it? Do you have any recipes that are special to you that you could share with us? If you do, mail them in or drop them off at the Pioneer Times Office on Court Street.
Please contact me at susieqcooking@ainop.com or c/o Pioneer Times, P.O. Box 456, Houlton, Maine 04730.