Brussels sprouts? Yes!

Dear Readers: Did you know that Brussels sprouts are closely related to kale, and are nutrientdense with high doses of vitamins C and K as well as folate, manganese and potassium? They also contain antioxidants that fight cell damage and certain types of cancer, and are high in fiber. So the next time you’re looking for a tasty, healthy vegetable, give Brussels sprouts a try. — Heloise

ADDING THE SHERRY

Dear Heloise: I have a recipe that calls for adding sherry to a soup recipe, but it doesn’t say when the sherry is to be poured into the soup. Any ideas? — Kate V., Hutchinson, Minn.

Kate, sherry is usually added just before serving. Some chefs in New Orleans add the sherry right at the diner’s table so the taste doesn’t evaporate. — Heloise

GOOD GRAVY

Dear Heloise: When making gravy from the drippings in a pan, I realized I needed some broth. Having a container in the refrigerator, I decided to use that. The cold broth solidified the fat, and it was so easy to remove it. Love all your helpful hints. — Nancy S., Penn Yan, N.Y.

PEANUT PROBLEM

Dear Heloise: A few weeks ago, you printed a hint for making turkey moist by rubbing the turkey in peanut oil. Now that may make a great meal, but it also presents a serious danger to people with peanut allergies.

As the parent of a child with a peanut allergy,

I was very concerned that this dangerous idea didn’t come with a warning. Anyone using this method NEEDS to contact everyone who will eat the meat to alert someone who probably would not expect such a danger. — Michael B., Clifton Park, N.Y.

Michael, thank you for your letter. Peanut allergies can be very dangerous, and cooking apparently does not change that fact. I use olive oil in most of my dishes that call for oil. It’s a safer choice than peanut oil. — Heloise

LEMON WATER

Dear Heloise: Every morning I have a glass of water with the juice of a half (or sometimes a whole) lemon. This is a good way to help prevent hunger spikes, and it helps the stomach digest food, which in turn helps to prevent bloating. It sort of cleans out the kidneys and adds vitamin C to my daily intake of vitamins. However, always rinse your mouth out with clean, clear water after drinking your lemon water. The acid in lemons should never be allowed to rest on your tooth enamel. — Melissa via email

STORING APPLES

Dear Readers: Just a word on storing apples: store apples without wash- ing in a crisper or moisture-resistant wrap that has breathing holes. Don’t store apples and carrots in the same crisper drawer of the refrigerator. Apples give off ethylene gas, which will make carrots bitter. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise. com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.