DEAR HELOISE: Everyone talks about fiber in our diets, but no one says how much fiber we should be eating, or which foods have the highest fiber. Can you set the record straight on this matter?
-- Jillian M., Oregon
DEAR READER: Women need about 25 grams of fiber daily, and men need about 38 grams. Here are some delicious ways to get your fiber:
• Pears -- 5.5 grams of fiber.
• Avocados -- 10 grams per cup.
• Raspberries -- 8 grams per cup.
• Bananas -- 3.1 grams in a medium banana.
• Kidney beans -- 11.3 grams per cup.
• Almonds -- 3.5 grams per ounce.
• Air-popped popcorn -- 3.6 grams per 3 cups.
To add more fiber into meals or snacks, try putting nuts and berries on your cereal and using whole-grain tortillas or bread.
DEAR HELOISE: I lost the recipe for Shrimp Dijon. Would you please reprint it?
-- Judy W.,
Newport News, Va.
DEAR READER: This one of my all-time favorite recipes! You'll need:
1/4 cup butter or margarine
11/2 pounds peeled, deveined shrimp
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup flour
11/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 6-ounce package cream cheese, softened
Melt butter or margarine in a frying pan. Add shrimp and onions and saute for 3 minutes; do not brown. Sprinkle flour into the mixture while thinning the mixture with the milk a little at a time to avoid lumping. Add mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper, and cook 3-5 minutes. Stir in cream cheese until blended; warm through but do not boil. Serve over rice.
DEAR HELOISE: I always have way too much pie crust. What can I do to use up all that dough?
-- Patty F., Minnesota
DEAR READER: I roll it out and brush it lightly with a little melted butter. Then I sprinkle it with some brown sugar, cinnamon and maybe some finely crushed almonds (optional). After this, I roll it into a long tube shape and slice into 1-inch-thick rolls. I place these circular chunks on a cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. You can bake these with the pie or after the pie is done baking.
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 10/09/2019