Store fresh veggies right
Dear Heloise: I would like to know the proper way to STORE FRESH VEGETABLES. Which drawer in the refrigerator do they go in: the low-humidity or the high-humidity? Also, should they be put in a plastic bag or left unwrapped? — Carol, via email
Vegetables last longer in high humidity. There usually are two humidity drawers in refrigerators, so put veggies in one, fruits in the other. Don’t store certain fruits with veggies. Apples give off ethylene gas, which makes other fruits and vegetables ripen and go bad.
Keep your veggies (including leafy greens) wrapped in plastic bags or containers to keep moisture loss as low as possible. You also want to keep the drawers as full as possible for them to work well. — Heloise
P.S.: If you keep them in the plastic bag, add a paper towel to absorb moisture.
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Heloise
P.O. Box 795000
San Antonio, TX 78279-5000
Fax: 210-HELOISE
Email: Heloise@Heloise.com
PERSONAL OMELETS
Dear Heloise: Here is a hint for when you have overnight guests: In the morning, for breakfast I love to make omelets, but everyone has a different taste. I chop tomatoes, ham, onions, mushrooms and peppers, and have several grated cheeses lined up on the counter.
I hand each guest a plastic zipper-top bag and ask them to place the ingredients they would like in their omelet. I add two to three eggs, well-beaten, and mix it all together. When the pan is ready, I dump the egg and ingredients in and cook the omelets one at a time. Guests love to choose their own ingredients, and it’s fun to mix everything together in the bag, with no mess! — Diane W. in Chicago
REHEATING HINT
Dear Heloise: I use the microwave to reheat dinner leftovers for lunch the next day. It drives me crazy when the cheese on top of food items sticks to the paper towel that I place over the plate to keep splatters contained.
The other day, before reheating eggplant Parmesan, I decided to stick a toothpick in the eggplant. The paper towel still covered the entire plate, but my cheese was able to melt without any sticking to the paper towel. — Katharine W. in Tennessee
CUTTING SUGAR
Dear Heloise: One of my favorite cold breakfast cereals comes with sugar already added. I prefer it less sweet, and the sugar isn’t good for my health. One day, I got the idea of mixing it with another favorite cereal that isn’t sweetened. It tastes great, and I don’t have the problem of extra calories. — Doug J., Denham Springs, La.
Doug, thanks for writing. An easy way to “have it your way” and watch the calories. — Heloise
CAKE PROTECTOR
Dear Heloise: When carrying cakes of any size or shape, take large marshmallows and stick them on a toothpick. Place them on the cake in various places. Wrap in clear plastic wrap. When you get the cake there, unwrap and then eat all the marshmallows! Yummy! This works for any dessert that needs protecting. — Janice J., via email