What is the most popular cheese?
Dear Readers: Do you know which cheese is the most popular cheese in the world? Is it: (A) Swiss
(B) Cheddar
(C) Ricotta
(D) Stilton
(E) Parmesan
If you thought about it and came up with
“B,” then you guessed correctly! Cheddar is a worldwide favorite for so many people because it not only has a nice flavor, but can be used in several dishes. — Heloise
Leftover soup
Dear Heloise: I always had trouble getting my family to eat leftovers. Since I refuse to waste food, I found a great way to reuse leftovers by making soup from items in the refrigerator.
I start with 2 cans of tomatoes, which I always have on hand. I add water, but the amount varies depending on how many people will be home for dinner and how many left- overs I have. Next, I add 1 or 2 bouillon cubes, diced meats, and frozen vegetables or leftover ones. Then I heat it up.
Before serving, I sprinkle Parmesan cheese and serve some warm, fresh bread as a side. It’s a much healthier dinner than takeout. For one thing, it has less salt and fat. — Meghan F., Reno, Nevada
Meatloaf like Mama makes
Dear Heloise: With five boys, I have some very large meals to make, so I usually make two meatloaves. Of course, like most people, I crush soda crackers or add another type of filler in the meat loaf, but my mother-inlaw told me years ago to add 1 or 2 raw eggs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to keep the meat loaf from drying out.
Well, it must have been a favorite with the men in this house because my oldest son is getting married in June, and he asked his future bride to get the meatloaf recipe from me! — Matty B., Schuyler, Nebraska
Cookies so good you can fall in love
Dear Heloise: I got married last year, and my husband jokingly told friends it was my chocolate chip cookies that made him fall in love with me. I make them the same way my grandmother made them when I was a little girl.
Any basic cookie recipe will usually do the trick, but I always add lots of butterscotch chips along with chocolate chips. I also triple the recipe. Sometimes I add broken walnut or pecan pieces, too, if I happen to have them on hand. Then I drop the dough out little by little to make large individual cookies on parchment paper instead of aluminum foil. Bake at 300-325 F until done. They’re delicious! — Anne, Jackson, Mississippi