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Peanut butter pancakes

Dear Heloise: I usually take the tiny amount of PEANUT BUTTER left over in the jar and microwave it until it's soft and runny. (Keep an eye on it.) Then I add it to my pancake batter. The peanut butter isn't wasted, and my peanut butter pancakes are a big hit with my family. - Mia N., Gaffney, S.C.

BOOTLEG BEANS A LA HELOISE

Dear Heloise: I had a dish at my sister-in-law's house last night that was out of this world. She said it was called Bootleg Beans, and it was your recipe. Well, she misplaced her recipe card, so would you reprint that for me and anyone else who loves a tasty bean dish? - Barbara in Pennsylvania
Barbara, this is an all-time favorite recipe, and one that I get many requests for.

You'll need:
3 strips bacon
1 small onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can of pork and beans in tomato sauce
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons ketchup

Fry the bacon in a medium saucepan over medium heat until almost crisp. Add the onion and continue frying until the onion starts to brown. Pour off almost all of the grease. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix well, cover and simmer until heated through. - Heloise

ZUCCHINI

Dear Readers: A tasty and healthy vegetable is the zucchini. It's a good source of vitamin C and copper. It is also high in fiber, beta carotene and vitamin A, which is essential in the development of cells.
For dieters, this is a good vegetable to stock up on because it's low in calories and low in starch. Since zucchini is a low glycemic food, you feel full longer, which helps to keep down the urge to snack. - Heloise

TABLECLOTH

Dear Heloise: I had company coming and was busy in the kitchen, with no time to press the tablecloth. Then I remembered one of your hints, to take the tablecloth and toss it in a dryer with a damp towel, and the wrinkles and fold lines will come out. It worked! No need to iron. - Grace S., Laconia, N.H.

TABLE RUNNER

Dear Heloise: I like to switch out my table runner according to the season or holiday, which means I have several table runners. To store them, I roll them around used cardboard rolls that once held paper towels. This keeps them clean and wrinkle-free, and makes for easy storage. - Lisa D., Manchester, Maine

ICED TEA

Dear Heloise: I love iced tea all year, even in winter. I also like fresh lemon in my iced tea, so to make sure I have fresh lemons on hand, I freeze freshly squeezed lemons in my ice cube trays. When I want lemons for my tea or for any other dish that calls for lemons, I have them fresh and ready to use. - LaDonna, via email

Mentoring youth

"Dear Heloise: Many cities have youth mentoring programs that help young people develop self-esteem and learn more about future careers. They also encourage school attendance, help young people resist bullying and maintain positive relationships with adults and people of other cultures. These programs need responsible adults from all types of careers and backgrounds to help the youth of their community build their confidence and further their education, and often steer them in a positive direction. For those who volunteer, it is often a learning experience for them as well and offers a feeling of having done something important and worthwhile." - Helena R. in Texas

FAST FACTS

Dear Readers: Here are some ways to make a small room seem larger:

• Paint the walls a lighter color.

• Don't use small furniture; use regular size, but fewer pieces.

• Have ottomans and end tables that also double as storage.

• Avoid clutter. Throw away or give away items you don't like or don't use.
- Heloise

FIRE SAFETY

Dear Heloise: There are a number of ways to prevent a fire, but sometimes people forget simple and basic rules to keep their home safe from a fire:
1. Never run cords under rugs.
2. Have an extinguisher handy in the kitchen.
3. Install smoke alarms in the home, and change the batteries at least once annually. (Replace the entire alarm every 10 years.)
4. Don't store lawn mowers or anything with gasoline in unventilated places.
- Jayden P., Woodbridge, Conn.

LAY FLAT

Dear Heloise: I have garments that say to lay them flat to dry. The problem is, I don't have a place to lay these things in my tiny apartment. Any hints for me? - Jackie P., Jefferson City, Mo.
Jackie, lay a towel in the bathtub, then lay your garment on top. When that side is dry, turn it over and dry the other side. - Heloise

TRUFFLES

Dear Heloise: I see truffles being used in cooking shows and mentioned in cookbooks. I was told they're hard to find and expensive. Why? - Margery L., Yazoo City, Miss.
Margery, truffles grow under the ground, which makes them hard to find. Dogs and pigs are used to search for them due to their powerful sense of smell. The majority of truffles come from Europe, but they are also found in China and even Oregon here in America. This might explain why they're expensive. - Heloise

TEATIME

Dear Heloise: I have a lot of different types of tea in bags and loose. Most of it has been stored in a glass container or in the box in which it came. How long does tea last? - Millie G., Mesa, Ariz.
Millie, tea, if stored correctly, can last a long time. Teas need to be kept in a cool, dark place. It's best to store tea in a tin or other dark container. Enjoy! - Heloise

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