HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: Years ago, I recall a column you had about microwaving. The reader was drying herbs, I think. If I recall correctly, you stated that you should not use any paper towels with designs when microwaving, just plain white ones. Am I remembering correctly?
— Tina D. in Kentucky DEAR READER: You remembered correctly. And thanks for the reminder that it’s time to reprint this hint. Only use plain white paper towels when putting anything in the microwave, especially if cooking or reheating food. The dyes in paper towels with designs are not approved for use with food when microwaving if the paper towel will be touching the food. Also, paper towels made of recycled material ( typically not white in color) may cause “arcing” if there are tiny flecks of metal in the material.
DEAR HELOISE: I needed 1 cup of raisins and sunflower seeds for a salad recipe. I was going to use the bulk section at the grocery store and didn’t want to get too much or too little.
I took my measuring cup from home and lined it with the plastic bags in the bulk section. This way, I could get exactly 1 cup, and there was no waste. I lined the cup because I didn’t want to dip my cup in the bulk bin, as this probably would be against health- department rules. — Carol G., Fort Wayne, Ind.
DEAR READER: Carol, not sure about the health laws, but since they are bulk bins, you can always ask someone at the store. A little over or a little under for a salad recipe will not affect the dish.
DEAR HELOISE: Frequently, a recipe may call for liquor. As an infrequent imbiber, not much is kept in my house. I recently needed ¼ cup of rum for baking; I did not want to spend the money on a full bottle. The liquor store had “airline- size” bottles of everything for 99 cents.
— Myrna W., Ventura County, Calif. DEAR READER: You do need to check the recipe for the amount of alcohol needed. Some of the little bottles contain 50 ml of liquor. Some are larger or maybe smaller.
DEAR HELOISE: When they stopped making smallsize steel- wool pads, I started cutting the large pads in half. Large pads tend to hang around longer, getting smelly and rusty.
— Mary D., via email