Making soup? Use slow cooker

Dear Readers: With the colder months on the way, doesn't a warm bowl of soup or stew sound like just what you need right now? And there is no easier way to make these dishes than to use a slow cooker. Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind when using one:

• There are many good recipe books out there that are filled with great recipes. You can also check on the Internet — there are many sites with slow-cooker recipes.

• It's usually best to purchase a slow cooker with a removable liner. This will make cleaning and serving a lot easier.

• You should always cook ground meats first and then add to the slow cooker.

• Some seasonings, like Tabasco sauce and cayenne pepper, do not do well when cooked for several hours. So, if you are using them, add them at the end of the cooking time. Check your instruction manual to see which spices or seasonings don't do well in your slow cooker.

• Some veggies overcook and get extremely mushy, so again, add them at the last of the cooking cycle.

• Only add the amount of liquid that is required for the recipe, because liquids do not boil away in a slow cooker.

• Don't fill up the entire pot. Only fill it up three-quarters of the way.

Here's to a delicious dish! — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have found an easy way to warm buns (especially hamburger buns) for a large group. Put the buns in a heavy metal pan, cover with foil, then make several slits in the foil. Put a clean, wet tea towel or several wet paper towels on the foil and tightly cover with more foil (heavy foil would be best). Put in a 200- to 250-degree oven on the middle rack for at least 20 minutes. The buns will be moist and hot. If the buns/rolls are a little stale, it helps bring them back. — Freda Boren, Amarillo, Texas

Dear Heloise: We order out for food at least once a week, and so I save coupons to use for these occasions. It seemed that every time I wanted to use a coupon, I could never find it. To solve this problem, I now keep the coupons in the phone book so that when I call, I have the coupon handy. Works like a charm! — R.R., Indianapolis

Marshmallows hard as a rock? Soften them in the microwave! Put them on a paper plate (separate them so they don't melt into each other), microwave on high for about 30 seconds and check. If they aren't softened enough, "cook" them a few seconds longer. When cool, place in an airtight container. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have often substituted applesauce for the oil called for in boxed cakes, but I decided to be adventurous and branch out a bit. Crushed pineapple (in yellow or white cake) and apple butter (in carrot or spice cake) are also delicious substitutes. — Tamara Anderson, Bentonville, Ark.

Send a great hint to:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 210-HELOISE

E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com

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