HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR READERS: My mother, the original Heloise (1919-1977), in one of her books, Heloise’s Kitchen Hints ( 1963), printed an unusual blender hint. A reader from Ohio shared how she used her blender to make slaw. So get your blender out, and use it for more than just smoothies:

“Heloise, I wonder if everyone who owns a blender uses it as an aid. I use mine for loads of chopping chores, especially for onions and green peppers. I cut cabbage into chunks, cover with water and give it a buzz. Drain it and I have slaw.”

Readers, I can see my mother in the kitchen doing just this. I opened the refrigerator and had half a head of purple cabbage. I retested this hint and now am going to have very fine (meaning cut up small) purple coleslaw for lunch. When in a hurry (like today), I add some green salad olives, a little low-calorie Italian salad dressing, a dash of dill and just a shake of paprika.

DEAR HELOISE: For your readers who are new to baking, here is hint I learned the hard way as a young bride: When baking a cake, don’t open the oven door until the cake is almost done. My first cake, I kept opening the door to see how well it was doing, and it wouldn’t rise. A flat cake. — No Name, Youngstown, Ohio DEAR READER: Oh yes, the kitchen mistakes we all have made. Reminder: The oven window is so you don’t have to open the door.

DEAR HELOISE: Here are some of my favorite hints using lettuce:

To release the stem, slam the head firmly on the cutting board or edge of the sink. Then twist out the core. Run cold water into the hole, shake the head and let it drain.

Sprinkle some paprika on a piece of waxed paper. Roll the cut side of a damp head of lettuce in the paprika. It will be so pretty.

To keep lettuce fresh, wrap the head in a damp cloth and put in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.

— Leslie H. in California

DEAR HELOISE: Here is how I keep parsley fresh: I put the bunch upright in a widemouthed jar after cutting off about ½ inch from the stems. I keep just enough water (about ½ inch) in the bottom, then cover the top with a plastic bag. — Helen in Montana