Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: I save broken cookies, coarse chop them and freeze for use as open-face fruit-pie crumble toppings. They are delicious.

-- Doris B., Spokane, Wash.

DEAR HELOISE: Is there any way to take the "hot" out of radishes? I've tried soaking them in water, to no avail. I tried soaking them in vinegar (that was a step to my mom's canning hot peppers). Vinegar took the hotness out, but the radishes tasted like pickled eggs and had to be tossed.

-- Debbie B.,

Kerrville, Texas

DEAR READER: Soaking them is good, but in full-strength vinegar, as you found out, is not the answer. Better to soak them in cool tap water, with a hefty dose of salt added.

DEAR HELOISE: Iced coffee is one of my special drinks for summer. I use 1 pound of coffee (decaf, if preferred) to 2 quarts of fresh water. Mix coffee grounds in the water, cover and let soak for 24 hours. Strain out the grounds. Pour part of the strained coffee into ice trays to use in the coffee so it does not get diluted.

-- Stephanie L. in Houston

DEAR READER: This is one home-style way to make a "cold" coffee without brewing. Readers, you may have to experiment to get the strength you like. I stir the water and grounds every so often, but do let them settle before decanting. I love decaf iced coffee, especially at night when I want something sweet but no caffeine. If you don't finish the pot in the morning, pour the rest into a container and put it in the refrigerator. Cold coffee anytime you want it.

DEAR READERS: When I have a handful of berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries) to "wash," I use my plastic coffee basket. Plop the berries in and rinse under running water for a few minutes. They are ready to eat, and no large colander to wash.

DEAR HELOISE: When reheating greasy foods, I wrinkle aluminum foil to create pockets. I place the food on the foil and reheat it in the oven or toaster oven. The grease and oil will drain into the pockets.

-- Bobbie L.,

Huntington Beach, Calif.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

Heloise@Heloise.com

Food on 07/29/2015

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