HELOISE: Warm up to idea of a slow cooker

Dear Readers: With winter here, it’s a perfect time to use your slow cooker for some delicious comfort food and to save on your food budget! Here are some helpful hints:

Can’t find the lid of your slow cooker? Check out resale shops for a match.

If the pot of your slow cooker is not removable, clean with water and some dish soap. If baked-on food remains, fill the pot with water and plug in for about 20-30 minutes. Stuck food should loosen and be easier to clean.

Newer models of slow cookers have a “warm” setting to keep foods, dips and beverages warm.

No peeking! Every time you look in on your food cooking, it adds 20 to 30 minutes to your cook time, which means dinner is late and you use more energy.

Cut up veggies the night before, or use frozen ones.

Concerned about leaving the cooker on all day while not at home? Don’t be. They can be safely used while no one is watching.

Once you use one, you’ll ask yourself, “Why didn’t I do this before?”

Heloise

Dear Heloise: For big family dinners, I use my insulated, glass-lined coffee carafes for the gravy. It works great for a large family dinner, and everyone can be assured that the gravy will be hot, especially for those return trips. I also use my slow cookers for keeping mashed potatoes and dressing warm.

Susanne in La Habra Heights, Calif.

Dear Heloise: When I buy boxes of cereal, I immediately pour the contents into a clear, gallon-size zipper bag and throw away the big, bulky boxes. Now it’s easy to determine which cereal you want, and the sealed bag keeps it fresher. Takes up less space on the shelf, too!

Jean in Torrington, Conn.

Good point. I cut off the label and the nutritional info and slip it in the bag for later reference.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Celery’s life can be prolonged and/or improved by cutting an inch off the bottom immediately after purchasing. Place celery in a large container containing fresh water (you only need an inch or so of water — Heloise). Store in the refrigerator, and change the water every couple of days. This can be a big help during the holidays in always being ready with basic ingredients for your cooking!

Patti C. in Humble, Texas

Dear Heloise: I keep the tops of spray-oil cans. After washing them, I use them as biscuit and cookie cutters.

Treva Easterling in Florida

Dear Heloise: After the holidays, I always have leftover candy-coated chocolates. I separate them into two different bags — red for Valentine’s Day and green for St. Patrick’s Day. I put them in cookies when baking for those holidays!

Linda in Dublin, Ohio

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

King Features Syndicate