HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: My husband loves sausage with his eggs, so I make sausage patties by hand. It’s cheaper to make my own patties than to buy pre-sliced. I always hated when the fat in the sausage stuck to my hands. So now I dampen my hands with water so the fat doesn’t stick to my fingers. I re-wet my hands if the fat starts to stick again. — Lisa in Wisconsin DEAR HELOISE: You have a recipe for pumpkin bread that I love! It always turned out great and was easy to make. Unfortunately, I lost the recipe and want to make a loaf when my parents come for a visit in late August. Would you repeat that recipe for me?
— Tina in Louisiana DEAR READER: Tina, this scrumptious recipe can be made any time of year and is a favorite of mine. You’ll need: 1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/2 cup salad oil
1 cup canned pumpkin
Sift together dry ingredients. Add nuts and mix well. Set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and add to dry ingredients. Mix just enough to blend. Pour into 9-by-5-by-3inch greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-75 minutes.
This easy-to-make recipe is one of three recipes found in my pamphlet “Heloise’s Baking Soda Hints and Recipes.” You’ll also find toffee cookies and carrot cake. If you’d like a copy, visit Heloise.com or send $5 along with a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box. 795001, San Antonio, TX. 78279-5001. Did you know baking soda can also be used as a natural deodorant, homemade toothpaste and as a gargle for fresh breath?
— Heloise DEAR HELOISE: My wooden cutting board has a terrible, lingering onion-garlic smell that I can’t seem to get rid of, no matter how much I try. What would Heloise do?
— Ellen, via email DEAR READER: Ellen, the best way I’ve found to kill those odors on a wooden cutting board is to sprinkle the surface with a generous amount of salt, then take half a lemon or lime and scrub the board in a circular motion. Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then wash with warm soapy water and air-dry. — Heloise