Savvy Consumer: Five recipes put cornflakes to good use

Think cornflakes are just for breakfast? Think again. They’re the little black dress of the pantry, fit for any occasion. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute’s test kitchen has dressed this irresistibly crunchy staple up and down, from elegant desserts to simple suppers. Open a box and give one a whirl.

Honey-Mustard Chicken Fingers

Preheat oven to 450 F. Place a wire rack in a large jelly-roll pan. In a pie plate, crush 3 cups cornflakes with 1 tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until blended. Coat 1 pound chicken tenders with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.

Dredge each in cornflake mixture. Place on rack; bake 12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Serves 4.

Chocolate Clusters

In a large glass bowl, microwave 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1/4 cup peanut butter on high for 30 seconds; stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted. Mix in 2 cups cornflakes, 1/2 cup crushed potato chips and 1/2 cup unsalted peanuts; drop by tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate until hard. Makes 3 1/2 dozen.

Lemon-Butter Broccoli

In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 inch water to boiling on high. Add 1 pound broccoli florets; cook 3 minutes or until tender. Drain; sprinkle with 1/8 teaspoon salt. In skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter on medium. Add 1 cup cornflakes; cook 2 minutes, stirring. Add 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle over broccoli. Serves 4.

Apple-Pear Crisp

Preheat oven to 400 F. In a buttered 13-inch-by-9-inch baking dish, toss 3 pounds apples and pears, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks; 1/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice; and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a bowl, crush 3 1/2 cups cornflakes with 5 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice until blended. Sprinkle over fruit. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 8.

Mini Salmon Cakes

In food processor, pulse 1 pound skinless salmon fillet, cut up; 1 1/2cups cornflakes; 1 teaspoon grated orange peel; 2 tablespoons cilantro; 1/2 teaspoon salt; and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until finely chopped. Form into nine patties. Cook in a 12-inch nonstick skillet on medium for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Combine 1 orange, peeled and diced; 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro; and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve with cakes. Makes 9 cakes.

On another matter...

You don’t need a scientist to tell you how annoying it is to overhear one side of a cell phone conversation. But new research from Cornell shows that it’s worse than irritating: It interferes with attention more than hearing both sides of a chat or one person summarizing that same conversation. So while you might think it’s safer to have a passenger answer your cell phone while you’re driving, that “halfalogue,” as the researchers dubbed it, could interfere with the attention skills you need to stay in your lane or respond quickly to a changing traffic light. Let your ringing cell go to voicemail, and make it a rule that kids have to put their calls on speaker – that should get them off the phone!

Recalls alert

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC’s toll-free hotline, (800) 638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

• Lasko portable electric heaters: The Lasko Model 5540 was sold at Sam’s Club and other retailers from September 2002 through early 2004 for $39 to $49. The Air King Model 8540 was sold primarily through W.W. Grainger Inc. from late 2002 to 2004 for approximately $80.

  An electrical connection in the base of the unit can overheat, causing it to melt and expose the electrical connection, posing a fire hazard to consumers. Consumers should stop using the heaters immediately and contact Lasko to receive a free replacement heater. For more information, call Lasko at (800) 363-8044.

• 2009-10 Ford F-150: The interior door handle housing embossment retaining the interior door handle spring may fracture during normal usage, resulting in insufficient spring force to return the handle to the fully stowed position. In the event of a side impact crash, the door handle spring can fail, causing the door latch to open. Dealers will inspect and repair if necessary. For more information, call Ford at (866) 436-7332.

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