Wednesday, Oct. 07, 2009

Heloise: A honey of a month

If you are a honey fan, here are some sweet hints for you:

- One tablespoon of honey contains approximately 60 calories, depending on the type.

- Honey is best stored at room temperature. There is no need to put it in the fridge, because honey gets granulated if stored there. Expiration or package dates usually are in the two-year range. However, honey can last indefinitely (according to the National Honey Board) when properly stored in a tightly sealed container.

- 100 percent pure honey literally has no ingredients added and comes to the table just as honey bees produced the nectar.

- There are hundreds of varieties of honey, depending on what flowers bees visit. Not only can honey have different flavors, but also different ranges of color. - Heloise

VEGETABLE BROTH

When I buy fresh veggies and bring them home to clean, I keep the scraps. I put them all in a pan with some water, a bit of salt and pepper, and make my own vegetable broth. You can then save it by freezing. - Susie, Little Rock, Ark.

HANDY GRAPEFRUIT SPOON

I read about using a spoon to clean out bell peppers. I use a grapefruit spoon. The points clean better and faster than a regular spoon.

Eating a melon with a grapefruit spoon gives you a spoon and a fork to dig into the melon easier and enjoy the juice, too. - Brandi F., Farmington, N.M.

NO TEARS

I keep a small fan handy for the counter where I usually chop onions. I direct the flow of air toward the onions while I am chopping, and no more watering eyes. All it takes is the faintest breeze. - Ann N., Saltillo, Miss.

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