Dear Heloise: I've noticed that some saltshakers and pepper shakers have small holes, while others have larger holes. Which one should contain the pepper? If one shaker had three holes and the other four holes, which would the pepper be put in? Thank you. — Carol Yoemans, Caldwell, N.J.
Hmm . . . to salt and pepper, a lot or not? Well, Carol, after checking around, we found that everyone has a different opinion.
Salt manufacturers said to put the salt in the shaker with the larger holes, while pepper manufacturers said to put the pepper in the shaker with more holes. The pepper manufacturer also said that since pepper is sometimes larger or coarser, the larger or more holes would accommodate it better.
If you live in an area that has high humidity, salt can sometimes cake. The classic way to keep this from happening is to add a few grains of dry, uncooked rice to the saltshaker. The rice absorbs the moisture, and the salt remains easy to pour. You can also put salt substitute in one of the shakers. To make your own, send for my Seasonings, Sauces and Substitutes pamphlet. Please send $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/SSS, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. According to a leading spice manufacturer, pepper has an indefinite shelf life, and it was actually used as money in ancient times. And according to our friends at the Salt Institute, salt is an essential element in the diet of not only humans but animals and even many plants. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: Your article in the Kingsport (Tenn.) Times-News had a piece about getting the grease out of chicken and turkey broth.
My wife, Betty, discovered a quick way of taking care of the grease of chicken, turkey and beef broth. While the broth is hot, place a good-quality kitchen paper towel inside a metal-screen strainer placed over a heavy container. Slowly pour the broth into the towel, and the grease will stay in the towel, with good, clean broth in the container. Quick and easy, don't you think? —Morrison A. Slagle, Pennington Gap, Va.
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