HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: You had a recipe that was a favorite with my husband and four boys, especially when they were watching a football game on TV. It was a taco casserole that they devoured with gusto. Please reprint that for me, as I have misplaced the ingredients list.

— Judy T., Long Beach, Calif. DEAR READER: This always has been a big hit with football fans. It is one of those “non- recipes” we all keep handy, where there is no set amount for each ingredient, and really, it can vary according to preference or whatever you have on hand.

Here it is: Tacos or taco chips Salsa Taco meat or leftover ground

beef Beans ( borracho beans work

best) Cheese Sour cream Black olives Green peppers Chopped lettuce

Start by greasing ( or using nonstick spray) a casserole dish. Put a bit of salsa on the bottom, then add broken taco chips or corn chips and layer with taco meat, then beans, cheese, peppers and more salsa. Bake until hot, then cover with sour cream, black olives and some chopped lettuce before serving.

DEAR READERS: With football season comes grilling outdoors at games, but it also can bring reminders of safety tips for grilling:

Do not light charcoal with kerosene, gasoline, alcohol or other volatile fuels as an explosion could occur.

Be sure to place your grill away from dry grass and shrubs, or anything combustible.

Never add starter fluid to hot ( or even warm) coals. Flare- ups can be dangerous.

Use heat- resistant cooking mitts and long- handled utensils, and no long, loose- fitting sleeves.

DEAR HELOISE: I used your suggestion to use a clean shoehorn in my kitchen for lifting out muffins and it works like a charm. — Diana S., Idaho Falls, Idaho

DEAR READERS: Avocados do not ripen in the refrigerator. Refrigeration will make the flesh of the avocado turn black. You can freeze pureed but not whole or cut avocados.

Send a money- or time- saving hint to Heloise, P. O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279- 5000; fax to ( 210) 435- 6473; or email Heloise@ Heloise. com