Exploding beans
Dear Heloise: It was a treasured casserole dish, and the green bean casserole turned out beautifully, until I made the mistake of placing it on the back burner. I put the lid on it to keep it warm while I made something else. I didn’t realize the back burner was still on. The green bean casserole EXPLODED! Glass pieces were all through the casserole! I just thank God I wasn’t holding it at that moment. So, my hint for today is … if you’re done using the burner, turn it off.
I read your column every day in the Bradford Era. — Shirley F., Bradford Pennsylvania
THE VERSATILITY OF BAGELS
Dear Heloise: As a way to say thank you, a couple of dear friends of mine sent me some bagels from a well-known shop in New York. In fact, a package of 28 bagels. That’s a lot of bagels, so I froze them and take them out when I want to eat them. I toasted one this morning and topped it with cream cheese and strawberries, thinly sliced and stacked on top of the cream cheese. I can toast them, put cheddar cheese on top and have an open-face cheese sandwich. They also can become mini-pizzas or just regular sandwiches. I also love to toast them and put butter and jam on them or, in place of jam, sometimes I use honey. Bagels have so much versatility.
By the way, I love reading your column in the San Antonio Express-News. — Irene R., Boerne, Texas
SALMONETTES
Dear Heloise: Some years ago, I made your mother’s recipe of Salmonettes. They were delicious, as I recall, and my son, who never liked fish of any kind, raved about them. Would you reprint that recipe? He is coming in about a month and bringing his family to visit us here in Colorado. — Theresa M., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Theresa, this was one of my favorites, too. Here it is. You’ll need:
14 ounces canned salmon or tuna
1/4 cup liquid from salmon or tuna
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup flour
1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
Pepper, optional
Oil for deep frying
Drain the salmon or tuna, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid. Put salmon or tuna in a mixing bowl and break apart into small flakes using a fork. Add flour, a little at a time, slightly beaten egg, then pepper (no salt). Mix well but don’t overmix. Add the baking powder to the reserved liquid and beat well with a fork until foamy. Pour this into the fish and blend together. Do not overmix.
Using two teaspoons or small spoons, scoop out the mixture with one and then use the other to push the mixture off the teaspoon into a deep fryer, which is half full of hot oil. After they are browned (be sure to watch them, as it does not take long), drain on a paper towel and serve. note: You can’t make this mixture ahead and then cook. You must fry them immediately.
To get this and more recipes, send $3 along with a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to Heloise/Main Dishes, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. — Heloise
MORE ON SAFELY DISPOSING OF DRUGS
Dear Heloise: Here in South Texas, we, too, have medications that are no longer needed. Our local Walgreens has a bin inside the store, usually by the pharmacy, where people can dump their pills. Obviously, any liquid medications should not be poured into the bin. A kind pharmacist could provide information on the liquid items.
Also, if you plan to put the bottle in the bin, remove all information from the bottle. You wouldn’t want your prescription information to be found by others.
I just dump the pills and keep the bottles, which I clean and recycle for our local elementary school. They have an amazing art teacher who does all kinds of arts and crafts and appreciates the empty, label-removed bottles. Thanks for your column. — Debbie, via email