LITTLE ROCK — DEAR HELOISE: I read your reply to a question regarding the shelf life of olives. We use olives a lot and keep them in their original brine in the refrigerator. The past few months, when we’ve openeda jar that some olives have been used out of, there has been mold on the top, they’ve tasted funny, and we’ve ended up throwingthem out. What do you suggest?
- I.H., via e-mail
DEAR READER: Hmmm. Olive manufacturers say olives last for up to 12 months in the jar in the refrigerator. But never use your fingers to get the olives out of the jar! You may be adding bacteria or germs.
If white film or mold develops, simply remove it by tipping over the jar and pouring out the film. You can add a teaspoon or so of vinegar to the jar to keep this film from forming. The olives still should be safe to eat. However, if they taste funny, then you should throw them out.
DEAR HELOISE: How do you get coconut on the sides of a frosted coconut cake? If I put it on with my hand, it just gets all over my fingers and comes off the cake.
- Jo in Texas
DEAR READER: Yyou could buy disposable gloves made for food preparation, or just take a plastic sandwich bag and put it over your hand. This keeps your hand from sticking to the coconut while allowing you to press the coconut into the frosting.
DEAR HELOISE: When I am buying eggs, I always open the carton and give each egg a twist to make sure it isn’t broken or cracked.
Once home, if you find an egg stuck to the carton, try this hint: Run a little cool water into the carton, after removing the other eggs, and let it sit for a few minutes.The water will loosen the egg enough that you can remove it. I have found that some stuck eggs weren’t broken or cracked, they just needed help getting out of the carton.
- Georgia D. in North Carolina
DEAR READERS: If you drink hot coffee and tea, it’s easy to use nondairy creamer. However, serving sizes usually are not used, if you are like most! To figure out just how many calories you’re getting, use a measuring spoon to “catch” what you normally pour as you add it to your drink as usual. You’ll get a good idea of how many calories you might be pouring.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
Food, Pages 36 on 09/26/2012