DEAR HELOISE: Whenever I'm at a loss as to what to make for dinner, I turn to the restaurant ads in my local newspaper. Many of them list their weekly and daily specials, and even if I don't make the exact same dishes, they provide "food for thought."
-- El in Conyngham, Pa.
DEAR READER: Now that's a creative idea. The ads provide variety and sometimes clever ideas.
DEAR HELOISE: What is the best way of storing seasonings after opening them so that they don't lose their freshness?
-- Joyce H., Corbin, Va.
DEAR READER: First, make certain you have the cap on tightly. Store someplace dark, away from dampness and heat. Many people store their seasonings near the stove, which can change the flavors and potency.
DEAR HELOISE: I don't remember what kinds of wine to serve with different meats. Please help me get it right.
-- Patty W., Nebraska
DEAR READER: The following should help:
• Beef: pinot noir, merlot, cabernet or shiraz
• Pork: chardonnay
• Chicken: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, dry riesling, pinot grigio
• Lamb: shiraz, merlot or cabernet sauvignon
• Fish: chardonnay, pinot grigio, dry riesling
• Pasta with red sauce: pinot noir, merlot, cabernet
• Pasta with cream sauce: sauvignon blanc
DEAR HELOISE: I had a difficult time keeping my stuffed peppers upright, so I put them in one of those fluted cake pans to cook.
-- Elaine, via email
DEAR HELOISE: I recently heard about food irradiation. What is it, and how does it affect our food?
-- Betty F., Oregon
DEAR READER: According to the Food and Drug Administration, irradiation does not make food radioactive, nor does it compromise the quality of the foods you eat. The taste and texture of food are the same, too. What irradiation does is destroy insects and eliminate organisms that cause illnesses, such as E. coli and salmonella. It also delays ripening, for shipping purposes, and kills most organisms that cause spoilage, which extends the shelf life of foods. Overall, irradiation makes foods safer for public consumption.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Food on 08/07/2019