Eco-friendly DIY project: Wine cork potholders

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While wine corks are not currently being recycled in Southern California — Whole Foods in Northern California has a six-month test program underway — we have a tip on what to do with those extra wine corks resting in jars and drawers in your kitchen. (Face it: You can only make so many trivets.)

Simply insert three corks underneath a low-lying handle on the lid of your favorite saucier, saute pan or dutch oven, and you’ll have an easy-to-grab, stay-cool handle. No more hot pads or scalded fingers. Even The Times’ test kitchen crew dubbed the idea ‘genius.’ Credit for the idea goes to my husband, Tom, who called them ‘cowboy potholders.’

Send the rest of your wine corks to Yemm & Hart Green Materials in Missouri. The company has created a wine cork recycling program with the goal of converting them into useful items such as cork floor tile.

-- Lisa Boone