DEAR HELOISE: Do you have any suggestions or recipes for an overabundance of cooked oatmeal cereal? Our church group makes breakfast every other month (pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, fruit and oatmeal), and there is usually a pot of oatmeal left over. I have no ideas on how to transition this into something else.
-- Vickie D., Burke, Va.
DEAR READER: Cooked oatmeal can be used in place of uncooked in most recipes for cookies, muffins, breads, etc. You'll need to first mix the dry ingredients, then add the oatmeal with the eggs, oil or shortening. You might have to adjust the liquid ingredients to get the right consistency.
DEAR HELOISE: An older lady told me to put salt in the water when washing greens. Try it and see how fast the dirt settles to the bottom.
-- Juanita, via email
DEAR READER: This is the method I use, and the salt not only seems to have a cleaning action, but it helps remove any "critters" that might be hiding among the leaves.
DEAR HELOISE: What is the difference between a food processor and a blender?
-- Carolyn K.,
Perryopolis, Penn.
DEAR READER: Food processors have interchangeable blades with each blade designed to do different tasks. Blenders have blades that are fixed and may not be suited for some foods. For blending liquids, making purees or chopping smaller items, a blender is fine to use. Food processors have an opening at the top that allows you to add more items while the processor is working. A blender does not have an opening at the top. You'll need to stop the blender to add items or other ingredients. A food processor is built to handle larger, solid items because their motors are far more powerful than the motors usually found in a blender. A blender needs a little liquid to grind properly, while a food processor does not. A blender is cheaper and less bulky.
DEAR HELOISE: A friend of mine is getting married and she has a bain-marie on her wedding registry. What is this item?
-- Rebecca in Vermont
DEAR READER: A bain-marie is a French cooking utensil that's similar to a double boiler. It has one pot for heated water and another pot that sits in the heated water to keep its contents warm.
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 03/25/2020