Rum makes humdrum dinner biscuits yummy

Dear Readers: Here is a recipe I wanted to share from one of my mother’s (the original Heloise) columns from the early 1960s, which has not been reprinted! It’s Heloise’s rum biscuits, which are made from canned biscuits and are really easy.

Bake a can of ready-made flaky dinner biscuits. Before putting them into the bread basket, open each one up and put a few drops of imitation rum extract in the center, spread it around a bit, close and smear a few drops on top of the biscuit.

You also can try this: Mix some powdered sugar with a teaspoon of rum extract until it makes a thin paste. Just before the biscuits are browned well, smear them with the mixture on top and pop them back in the oven for a minute. This makes a shiny, slick glaze that is just yummy.

You can use orange extract with powdered sugar on the biscuits for breakfast instead of the same old toast and coffee. A little fresh orange peel also can be grated in the mixture.

Do not put the glaze on before baking. They must be baked first. Heloise

P.S.: Stock up when canned biscuits are on sale!

Dear Heloise: For the quickest hamburgers, buy ground beef in a one-pound package and then slice it into four equal quarters, flatten and fry. When cooked fully, season and serve on slices of toasted bread. Jessie, via fax

Dear Heloise: I have found that if I place a damp towel on the counter and then place a cake (or even a cupcake) pan on top of it, it helps keep the cooked item from sticking. Nothing is worse than baking a beautiful cake only to have it stick in the pan and come out in pieces. This is my solution to that problem, and it works great! Melissa in Tennessee

This hint has been passed down for generations, but be sure the counter can take the heat and moisture. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read your column in Valparaiso, Ind. A reader suggested a computerized grocery list on which you cross off unwanted items. I, too, have a computerized list that is categorized. I keep colored markers next to it and highlight the same-store things — one store is pink, another is yellow, etc. I always can tell at a glance what is needed in each store. I circle the items I did not get and cross off the ones I did. Whenever I go without my list, I am lost and forget items. Gail Schroeder, Valparaiso, Ind.

Dear Heloise: We like to make homemade pizza. I have found that if I save the last slice of leftover meatloaf, a leftover sausage link, etc., they are great to add as toppings to the pizza, and no pizza is ever exactly the same! The entire family loves it! Sarah Preston, Omaha, Neb.

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