Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: I battle with my weight, so my doctor gave me a few ideas that have helped me gain better control of my eating habits.

• Put your fork down after each bite and chew slowly.

• Use a salad plate rather than a dinner plate.

• Have salad dressing on the side. Dip the fork in the dressing then into the salad to get a bite, instead of having the dressing poured over the whole salad.

-- Liz in Michigan

DEAR HELOISE: Please, will you repeat your mother's recipe for Italian spaghetti sauce?

-- Ellen in Arkansas

DEAR READER: I'd be happy to. You'll need:

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup butter

1 cup finely chopped onions

1 pound ground beef

4 strips finely chopped bacon

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or to taste)

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon salt

Black pepper to taste

1 teaspoon crushed dry red pepper

2 ounces red wine

2 cans diced tomatoes or tomato sauce

1 small can tomato paste

1 cup water

1 finely chopped carrot

Heat olive oil over low heat in a large pot. Add butter and simmer until melted. Add onions and saute until lightly browned. Add ground beef and bacon, saute until browned, stirring occasionally.

Add garlic, parsley, bay leaf, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Add wine, cover and steam for a few more minutes.

Add tomatoes or tomato sauce, paste and water. Bring to a boil and add the chopped carrot. Cover and cook over very low heat for an hour, stirring occasionally. Remove the bay leaf before serving over your favorite cooked pasta.

DEAR HELOISE: Fat seems to collect at the top of my soups, and I have trouble getting it off. Is there an easier way other than trying to sop it up with paper towels?

-- Rita in Georgia

DEAR READER: You can easily remove the fat by dropping several ice cubes in the pot after you've turned off the heat. The fat will stick to the ice cubes, then scoop them out with a spoon. Or chill the soup and the grease will rise and solidify, then just scoop it off.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

[email protected]

Food on 04/01/2020

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