HELOISE: Oven cleaner gets baked-on grease out of pans

Dear Heloise: How can I get burned or baked-on grease off of my glass and metal pans? That stuff takes a lot of scrubbing, and still it doesn’t all come off. Thanks! Carolyn Lamb, Biloxi, Miss.

Carolyn, I have just the thing! Set the pans on a couple of layers of newspaper, and then give them a generous spray of oven cleaner. Do this in a well-ventilated area, or use the no-fume cleaner. Let sit a short while (out of reach from kids and pets), then put the pans in the sink and give them a good scrubbing. The gunk should just roll off. If not, apply another spray of cleaner and then clean. Good luck! Heloise

Dear Heloise: My mother used to blend leftover fresh vegetables with tomato juice and assorted spices for her own delicious version of gazpacho. L.D., Dallas

Yum! I make quick gazpacho with a small can of chilled vegetable juice, and just chop up some cucumbers and other vegetables. Want to try other easy-to-make soups? Just send $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (61 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Soup, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. You will find recipes for Potato Soup, Chicken Tortilla Soup and others, along with many quick, low-cost ones. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use sour cream instead of milk when making mashed potatoes. Leftovers stay creamy and taste fresh when microwaved. Maxine in Arkansas

Sounds yummy! Here’s another mashed-potato hint from Jill M. of Springfield, Ohio. She says, “When preparing mashed potatoes, preheat the milk and butter, and the mix will stay warm much longer in the pan until served.” Heloise

Dear Heloise: When using plastic plates for a dinner, I buy two different colors and alternate the colors. This way, it is easy to get one plate at a time as guests use the buffet line. Everyone always loves this hint. Marvalene Given, Sidney, Ohio

Dear Heloise: I have used the salmon croquettes recipe for ages; however, my husband had a health problem (and I’m always looking for ways to cut calories), so I made them according to the recipe but dropped them on a cookie sheet and baked them instead. Granted, they are not as crunchy and crisp as when fried in oil, but they’re rather darned good served with ketchup or hot sauce. Wanda Richardson, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I save all of the lids from things that come in plastic tubs, such as butter, cream cheese, dips, coffee, etc. I put them in the drawers around my kitchen, under the microwave and next to the stove, and I use them as spoon rests. When finished, I just throw them away. It’s so handy! Saves cleaning countertops and buying a regular spoon rest. K.B. in 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