Box of broth makes this dish great
Dear Heloise: I have a great tip for corned beef and cabbage, which is not one of my favorites. It always seems flat, even with the spices that come with the meat.
I put a box of beef broth in with the water and made sure to completely cover the meat and vegetables. It was really great.
My husband and I smacked our lips.
Try it — you’ll love it.
— A Devoted Reader in Ohio
A SUMMER SOUP
Dear Heloise: A couple of years ago, I served your Sparkling Papaya Soup to three friends who came for lunch, and it was a fantastic first course!
Everyone loved it, but now I can’t find the recipe. Will you please reprint it? — Esther P. in Arizona
Esther, this is such a refreshing tropical soup on a warm day. Here it is:
SPARKLING PAPAYA SOUP
2 large, ripe papayas, peeled and cut into large cubes
3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
(nonfat won’t work)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed
lime juice
1/4 cup mild-flavored honey,
such as clover honey 1 cup sparkling water,
divided
4 sprigs of mint for garnish
Place the papaya, ½ cup of yogurt, lime juice and honey in a food processor, reserving some of the papaya for garnish. Process until smooth. Add ½ cup of the sparkling water and continue processing until blended. Keep chilled until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the remaining sparkling water and mix well. Garnish each serving with papaya cubes, 1 tablespoon yogurt and a mint sprig. Makes 4 servings.
If you enjoy delicious recipes that will fill you up but not weigh you down, you’ll love my pamphlet Heloise’s Spectacular Soups.
To order a copy, send $5, along with a stamped (70 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, to: Heloise/ Soups, Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Your friends will love this chilled, tasty surprise on a hot day. — Heloise
THE HUMBLE WATERMELON
Household Hints
Dear Readers: In1 cup of cubed watermelon there is only about 40 calories, on average, and there is no cholesterol, sodium or fat, making it a perfect summer treat. Watermelon also contains lycopene, which is an antioxidant that destroys free radicals and reduces inflammation.
Watermelons have been cultivated in Egypt for over 5,000 years.
The Egyptians drew pictures of watermelons on tomb walls and left the fruit as an offering for the dead.
Watermelons are native to Africa and need a hot, sunny area to grow. They usually mature in 85 to 100 days. It’s only an old wives’ tale that watermelons will grow inside you if you eat the seeds. — Heloise
DON’T FORGET
Dear Readers: If you have pets that go outside or mix with other animals at the park, on the street, etc., they will need to get rabies and distemper shots.
And if your city requires a pet license, make sure to get one. — Heloise Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise. com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.