Dear Heloise: Sometimes we forget some of the kitchen hints that we’ve learned over the years. Here are a few reminders:

— You can substitute beer for wine as the liquid in stews or soups, and you’ll discover a nice, rich sauce. But only use as much beer as the recipe calls for, and don’t forget the water that is often called for as well.

— If a recipe calls for champagne, use a fairly inexpensive brand. Or use wine instead and keep the champagne to celebrate a special occasion!

— Should a recipe call for wine, you can use nearly any kind, although a number of chefs prefer to use a good quality. They claim that it makes a superior dish, but you can be the judge. Personally, I can’t tell the difference.

— Many wines that are specifically advertised for cooking contain monosodium glutamate or salt, making them undrinkable. The rumor is that salt was added to wine to keep cooks from drinking it instead of adding it to the recipe. So, just use the real kind that is drinkable.

— Don’t have the red wine you need? Try using balsamic vinegar in its place.

— If you need to add sherry to a soup, add it just before serving time. Use about 1 teaspoon of sherry per cup of soup.

— Tired of ordinary vegetables? Try steaming them in white wine or balsamic vinegar instead of water.

— Not all food benefits from cooking them with wine. Acidic foods like vinegar, citrus, tomatoes, asparagus, onions, pineapples and artichokes may taste off if you use wine. — M.H., in Connecticut

DRINK YOUR WATER

Dear Heloise: More women should really listen to their bodies in order to look and feel their best. One practice women often neglect is drinking enough water, which ends up dehydrating them. There is a simple test you can do right at home to see if you need to drink more water:

Pinch the skin on the back of either hand, and if the skin seems to stay up for a few seconds, you need more water in your system and lotion on your hands. Try to drink 8 glasses of water a day.

If you remember, squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of water in the morning before you brush your teeth. It will give you vitamin C and do wonders for your kidneys. — S.I., in Arizona

SCRATCHING FURNITURE

Dear Readers: When you bring a new kitty home, it is normal for them to scratch furniture due to their growing claws. So, to prevent your kitten from ruining your sofa or chairs, buy a scratching post for it.

To get your kitten used to the scratching post, sprinkle a bit of catnip over it because cats love catnip! — Heloise

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Hello! This is Keely the cat. Thank you for featuring her! — Roseanne, in New Jersey

Readers, to see Keely and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.