HELOISE: Pancakes go from frozen to fresh again

Dear Heloise: My husband makes pancakes and waffles for the household. We always have a few left over. I put them in a freezer bag, and when heating them again, he puts them on a plate on top of a dampened paper towel and covers it with another one before putting them in the microwave. They taste as if he just made them.

Darlene Minor, New Braunfels, Texas

Love this hint, and why not make up a double batch and freeze? Cook once, eat twice.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I love having oatmeal for breakfast and occasionally for supper, but I get tired of the same flavor, and those little packets are expensive.

I take several nuts, put them in a food processor and grind them into powder, then add to the serving. The other flavorings I use are vanilla extract and any you find in the grocery store. I also use these liquid flavorings in my cold or hot tea. Sure beats the extra expense of paying for the flavored tea bags.

William V. Bean via email

Dear Heloise: A tip for those who make cakes in angel-food or ridged ring pans: I cut a hole in the center of a paper plate and put it on the top of my cooled, baked cake over the tube in the center, and then turn the cake over. This gives you a base to hold to turn the cake back on its right side on a serving plate. (I keep the paper plate and use it again.)

Mary K., Mulberry, Fla.

Dear Heloise: I repeatedly attempted to slice meat on my cutting board, only to have the board slip and slide all over the countertop. Remembering that I had extra rubber shelf liner, I cut a piece and put it under the board. No more moving around, and the shelf liner rolls up easily to be stored in a kitchen drawer for future use.

Jane D., Danville, Ky.

Dear Heloise: When using your electric grill (double-sided), this hint will keep the grill spotless, with no cleaning required after use. Put a sheet of nonstick foil on the bottom part of the grill while preheating. After applying food such as fish or chicken, etc., place another sheet of nonstick foil on top of the food. After grilling, you will find your grill free from having to be cleaned.

Steve G. Hammond, Ind.

Dear Heloise: Every week, I read your hints. I buy block cheeses because they are much cheaper than deli or presliced. A simple way to cut cheese is to use your vegetable peeler each time you need a piece. It’s the perfect thickness, and it is an easy cleanup!

John Lang Friendship, Ohio

Dear Heloise: I use a cheese grater to make egg salad. It only takes a minute to grate several eggs, and then you can add mayonnaise and whatever your family enjoys.

Cheryll E. Ventura, Calif.

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