Practical housewarming gift was not appreciated
Dear Heloise: I went to a housewarming party recently and, like everyone else, I brought a gift. It was a fire extinguisher. I have two in my house, and on one occasion it really came in handy. However, the hostess was greatly offended that I would bring an extinguisher for her kitchen, and said so in an email! She asked if it was a comment on her cooking skills. She claims if she has a kitchen fire all she has to do is toss cornstarch on the flames. Isn’t that a little dangerous? — Kelly A., Denver
Kelly, cornstarch and flour are combustible materials and could possibly cause an explosion. Some people panic and toss water on a grease fire, which causes the flames to spread. Baking soda can be used in place of an extinguisher on a small fire, but a fire extinguisher is really the best thing to use. I think your housewarming gift was a terrific idea! — Heloise
Baked Italian Chicken
Dear Heloise: I used to have a recipe of yours that I liked, and my husband and kids keep asking me to make it again. It was your Italian chicken. It was one of the easiest and quickest dinners I know of and tasted delicious. Sadly, I don’t know where the recipe is. Would you please reprint that one? — Sherry M., Mansfield, Ohio
Sherry, this so easy to make and was always a favorite at my place:
Baked Italian Chicken
1 chicken, cut up, or equivalent parts
1 (8-ounce) bottle nonfat or regular Italian salad dressing
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
4 medium potatoes, sliced (peeled or not) into bite-size pieces
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a casserole dish with nonstick spray. Place the chicken in the casserole dish and cover with the Italian dressing. Top with the onion and potatoes. Bake for about 1 hour or until done.
If you work a full-time job, this is one of the quickest and easiest meals to make. If you like meals like this one, you can go to Heloise. com to order a pamphlet, or send a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Heloise/All Time Favorite Recipes, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 782795001. — Heloise