Citrus juice helps keep apples from turning brown

Dear Heloise: I’ve heard that putting apple slices in baking soda will keep them from turning brown. Is this true? I have baking soda on hand at all times. I’d rather use that instead of purchasing lemon juice when needed. Tracy, via e-mail

Tracy, baking soda will not keep apples from turning brown, as far as I know. The best thing to use is any citrus juice — lemon, lime or even orange juice — which most of us have on hand. The acid in these juices stops the oxidization.

Apples aren’t the only things that turn brown once cut — pears, bananas, peaches and potatoes also do. You can simply put the slices in water until you need them.

Baking soda does have a multitude of other uses around the home. It’s a cheap and effective cleaner and deodorizer. For many money-saving hints and some recipes, please send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Baking Soda, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. To keep the garbage disposal smelling fresh, put a couple of tablespoons of baking soda down the drain once a week. Heloise

Dear Readers: Hot oatmeal is wonderful on a cold morning! Here are some additions to consider: Add chopped nuts, chocolate or butterscotch chips, fresh or dried fruit (chopped), molasses or even a spoonful of your favorite jam. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have enjoyed your articles for many years and have used so many of your hints and recipes. I started to make potato salad a few nights ago. Instead of boiling the potatoes, I put them in my microwave for about 12 minutes (time may vary with your microwave — Heloise), turning them once. I took them out, let them cool, and the peel came right off. I added the eggs, pickles, etc., and presto - delicious potato salad. No more messy pans for making potato salad. Wava Patterson, Cleveland, Tenn.

Good idea! This is a good way to preserve the nutrients, too! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I save the plastic containers that muffin cups come in. I put baked muffins in them so they don’t get smashed by the other things in my lunch bag. Peggy Raiche, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Dear Heloise: I read your column daily and appreciate all the useful hints. Here is a timesaving hint that will help when frying hamburger for chili or sloppy Joes, etc.: Use a pastry blender while frying hamburger to keep it from “clumping” or staying together in large chunks. Lonnie Blasko, Warren, Ohio

Dear Heloise: I have found that clean paper coffee filters make great “bowls” to hold the shells when eating shrimp. I give each person his or her own filter, and this makes the cleanup oh so quick and easy. I put the filters in a plastic bag from a newspaper and freeze until trash day. Ruth S., Rockport, Texas

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate