Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have a collection of mismatched socks. I never throw them away because they are perfect for dusting gurines. I just spray the cleaning solution onto the sock, and I can get into small places by putting my hand inside of the sock and gently moving it around. This is a great way to keep collectables dirt-free. -- Harriette N., Lima, Ohio SEND A GREAT HINT TO: Heloise@Heloise.com

BANANAS VERSUS PLAINTAINS

Dear Heloise: About a month ago, I was trying a new recipe that called for plantains. I gured since bananas are the same as plantains, I’d just use one of the bananas I had on hand. e recipe turned out to be a disaster. What went wrong? Aren’t plantains the same as bananas? -- Carmella W., Bozeman, Montana

Carmella, there is a di erence between bananas and plantains. First, plantains are larger than most bananas, and their skin is thicker. ey also have a higher starch content than a banana. A plantain is ripe when the skin turns yellow or brown. If the skin is green, it’s not ripe yet. One of the best things about a plantain is that it can be eaten with sweet or savory dishes. It’s not unusual to cook a plantain with vegetables, and they are delicious when fried.

Bananas are best eaten with other fruit or when peeled and eaten as a snack. ey are very rarely eaten in savory dishes. -- Heloise

THROAT SPRAY TRICK

Dear Heloise: is past winter, I seemed to catch a cold every other week! e worst part was having a sore throat and the disgusting throat spray I had to use to deaden the pain. In my mind, I told myself that this must be what swamp algae must taste like. Finally, I took a large tablespoon and turned it bowl-side up to cover my tongue before I sprayed my throat. is way, I covered my taste buds and still managed to deaden my throat. -- Sandra J., Newberry, South Carolina

DEAF PETS

Dear Heloise: We have two blue-eyed white cats that were born deaf. It’s not unusual for their breed. Since they cannot hear us, we developed hand signals to keep them interested and communicate with them. ey caught on quickly, and although we do talk to them, it’s our facial expressions and hand signals that really speak for us. ey know the sign for “pre y ki y” and usually purr when they’re paid a compliment. -- Bob and Karen, Murray, Utah

ROASTING A WHOLE CHICKEN

Dear Heloise: A friend of mine said she had an idea for roasting a chicken that she had go en from your column. I tried it, and it worked out well. Maybe some of your newer readers would like to try this out:

I placed a chicken in the center of a bunt pan and sprayed the sides of the pan with nonstick oil. Most of the chicken juices drain into the pan, but I place the chicken and pan on my cookie sheet that has sides, just in case some of the juices drain down the open center where the chicken sits. e center of the pan is high enough to roast a chicken and keep it in place throughout the entire baking time. -- April H., Blue Springs, Missouri