Heloise

Dear Heloise: Some kids like toasted cheese sandwiches, but they usually need an adult to make them. Well, not anymore!

All they have to do is toast a couple slices of bread and put lots of grated cheese (or a couple of slices of cheese) between the two toasted pieces of bread. They can place the sandwich on a napkin or paper towel and microwave it for 12 to 20 seconds. Then, just remove it from the microwave and eat! — Amy R., Anaheim, California

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795001

San Antonio, TX 78279-5001

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

Email: Heloise@Heloise.com

HELOISE’S COUNTRY-STYLE BEEF SOUP

Dear Heloise: My wife did 99% of the cooking at home for 24 years. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), and now I do all the cooking for her. She always loved a beef and vegetable soup, and I was told you had a recipe for this kind of soup that was a time-tested treat. Would you print that in your column so I can make it for her? Many of the things she enjoyed doing are now impossible for her to do, so I like to prepare meals for her that I know she loves to eat. — Earl N., Bowling Green, Ohio

Earl, I’m so sorry to hear about your wife’s illness. I hope she enjoys this recipe for my Country-Style Beef Soup:

In a large 6- to 8-quart pot, boil a large soup bone in 8 cups of water (add more if needed) and 8 ounces of tomato sauce for 4 to 6 hours (depending on size). Then add:

— 1/3 cup rice

— 4 large garlic cloves, minced

— 1 large onion, cubed

— 1 cup carrots, cubed

— 1 cup celery, cubed

— 1 large potato, cubed

— 1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cubed

— 2 teaspoons salt (add more or less according to personal taste)

— 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

— 1/4 teaspoon sugar

Boil for 20 minutes. Add 4 to 6 ounces of medium-sized egg noodles. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with cornbread.

With cooler weather on the way, it’s always so nice to come home to a hearty bowl of soup and warm bread. If you enjoy a cozy room and a yummy bowl of soup, you’ll absolutely love my pamphlet “Heloise’s Spectacular Soups.” It’s so easy to get a copy, too. Just go to www.Heloise.com or send $5 along with a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/Soups, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.

These recipes have been a part of my family for many years, and I hope they become a part of your family, too. — Heloise

MUSHROOMS

Dear Heloise: Do mushrooms have any nutritional value? — Rita R., Minot, North Dakota

Rita, mushrooms have a number of vitamins and minerals. Just to name a few, white button mushrooms contain, on average, 2.89 g of protein, 4 g of carbs, 16.3 mcg of folate, 2 mg of vitamin C, 8.6 mg of magnesium, 82.6 mg of phosphorus, 2.9 mg of calcium and 1 mcg of vitamin K. They are also one of the very few plant-based foods that have vitamin D. In other words, mushrooms not only look and taste great, they’re also healthy for you. — Heloise