A softer approach for brown sugar
Dear Heloise: I read your column every day in the Houston Chronicle and enjoy the tips offered. I have a question: How do I get my DARK BROWN SUGAR back to soft? I do not use it often, and it has gotten very hard. — Charlie R. in Houston
Charlie, here are a couple of my favorite ways to soften brown sugar:
* Keep in an airtight container with a slice of fresh bread on top of the sugar. Seal it and leave it overnight. It may take one to three days to soften.
* Put it in a microwave-safe bowl with a small bowl of water beside it and microwave for about 60 seconds. If it’s not soft enough, microwave again for 30 seconds more.
— Heloise
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Heloise
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OUTSMARTING THE BUGS
Dear Heloise: I’m hosting a retirement party, and I plan to have a large cake on a table out on the patio. There’ll be a lot to do before the guests arrive, so how do I keep insects from attacking the cake and other food items on the tables? — KeaLani M. in Honolulu
KeaLani, I used to live in Hawaii, and we had a trick for keeping insects from feasting on food. Take each leg of the table and place it in a container of water, making sure the legs of the table DO NOT touch the sides of the water-filled container. An empty coffee can or a pot works well in this situation, because it keeps crawling insects out. Then, cover the food and especially the cake with a plastic cover and weigh it down with stones or something heavy so it won’t blow away. This will keep flying insects out. — Heloise
CRISP LETTUCE
Dear Heloise: For crisp lettuce, I put a head of lettuce in a pan of cold water and let it sit for half an hour or more. I take it out and put it in a colander, and let all the water drain off. Then I pull the lettuce leaves off and put them in a zipper-top bag, and I have nice, crisp lettuce for sandwiches for several days. — Dolores K., Omaha, Neb.
FUN FOOD FACTS
Dear Readers:
* Apples, pears and plums are members of the rose family.
* A few centuries back, chocolate was used as currency.
* The peanut is not a really a nut; it’s a legume.
* Coffee beans aren’t actually beans. They’re fruit pits.
* During the American Civil War, acorns were ground up and used as a coffee substitute.
— Heloise
THIS DESSERT IS A LEMON!
Dear Heloise: I have a summer dessert that is yummy and easy to make! You’ll need:
* 300 ml heavy cream
* 1 can sweetened condensed milk
* 3-4 lemons, juice and zest
Whip the heavy cream and set aside. Pour the condensed milk into a bowl and blend in the juice of 3 or 4 lemons. Add the zest of 1 lemon. Fold in the heavy whipped cream and blend all ingredients. Place in pretty dessert dishes and chill for 2 hours. Serves 4. — Lisette B., Downey, Calif.