Peanut butter pancakes

DEAR HELOISE >> I usually take the tiny amount of PEANUT BUTTER left over in the jar and microwave it until it’s soft and runny. (Keep an eye on it.) Then I add it to my pancake batter. The peanut butter isn’t wasted, and my peanut butter pancakes are a big hit with my family.

— Mia N., Gaffney, S.C.

DEAR HELOISE >> I had a dish at my sister-in-law’s house last night that was out of this world. She said it was called Bootleg Beans, and it was your recipe. Well, she misplaced her recipe card, so would you reprint that for me and anyone else who loves a tasty bean dish?

— Barbara in Pennsylvania

DEAR BARBARA >> Barbara, this is an all-time favorite recipe, and one that I get many requests for. You’ll need: 3 strips bacon 1 small onion, chopped 1 (15-ounce) can of pork and beans in tomato sauce

1 tablespoon packed brown sugar 2 to 3 tablespoons ketchup Fry the bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat until almost crisp. Add the onion and continue frying until the onion starts to brown. Pour off almost all of the grease. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix well, cover and simmer until heated through.

DEAR READERS >> A tasty and healthy vegetable is the zucchini. It’s a good source of vitamin C and copper. It is also high in fiber, beta carotene and vitamin A, which is essential in the development of cells.

For dieters, this is a good vegetable to stock up on because it’s low in calories and low in starch. Since zucchini is a low glycemic food, you feel full longer, which helps to keep down the urge to snack. DEAR HELOISE >> I had company coming and was busy in the kitchen, with no time to press the tablecloth. Then I remembered one of your hints, to take the tablecloth and toss it in a dryer with a damp towel, and the wrinkles and fold lines will come out. It worked! No need to iron.

— Grace S., Laconia, N.H.

DEAR HELOISE >> I like to switch out my table runner according to the season or holiday, which means I have several table runners. To store them, I roll them around used cardboard rolls that once held paper towels. This keeps them clean and wrinkle-free, and makes for easy storage.

— Lisa D., Manchester, Maine

DEAR HELOISE >> I love iced tea all year, even in winter. I also like fresh lemon in my iced tea, so to make sure I have fresh lemons on hand, I freeze freshly squeezed lemons in my ice cube trays. When I want lemons for my tea or for any other dish that calls for lemons, I have them fresh and ready to use.

— LaDonna, via email

DEAR READERS >> Be sure to visit my website at Heloise.com for hints and recipes!

Write to Heloise at P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795000; Fax 210-HELOISE; or email Heloise@Heloise.com.