A change of pace

DEAR HELOISE » My husband loves asparagus, but he’s bored by the way I prepare it. Normally, I just boil it. Are there any other ways to fix asparagus that are more interesting than just boiling it? — Pamela H., Vernon, Connecticut

GARBANZO BEANS

DEAR HELOISE » I love to make huge salads with many of our evening meals, and I often add garbanzo beans to the salad because I heard they are a good source of fiber. Unfortunately, my kids hate them. They are just now learning in school how important good nutrition is and how it affects them. But are garbanzo beans really a healthy item to include in salads? — Bonnie G., Bellingham, Washington SHRIMP SPREAD

» I’ve lost your

DEAR HELOISE

Shrimp Spread recipe, and I really need it for a party I’m having on New Year’s Eve. Would you reprint it for me? — Rebecca V., Norman, Oklahoma

Rebecca, yes, here it is. You’ll need:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

½ cup mayonnaise

4 ounces tiny cocktail shrimp, drained and rinsed, preferably fresh

2 tablespoons seafood cocktail sauce

½ cup finely chopped onion, yellow, red or white

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt Thoroughly mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise until well blended. Mash or chop the shrimp and add to the mixture; stir in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until needed. Serve at room temperature as a dip with crackers and veggies or on bread for a sandwich. Don’t let it set out for more than an hour.

It’s so easy to come up with new recipes when you have my “All-Time Favorite Recipes” pamphlet. With the holidays and a new year just around the corner, it’s always nice to have a few new ideas for dinner and snacking. To get a copy of this pamphlet, just send $5 along with a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to Heloise/All-Time Fav., P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. You’ll be glad you have this handy referral at your fingertips.

MAKEUP REMOVER

DEAR HELOISE » I used to have such a difficult time getting all my eye makeup off at night until I tried the method used by my best friend. She told me to take a flat, round makeup pad, squeeze a little baby shampoo on it and then run some water on the pad and gently wash my eye makeup off. It worked beautifully, and no stinging from the baby shampoo. It took off all that black eyeliner and mascara without drying out my skin or forcing me to keep rubbing my skin. — Tracy P., Cortland, Ohio