Dear Héloise: In response to a reader in a recent column, although it is wise to cover and refrigerate, it is not for all foods. Homemade fried beans do not refrigerate well when covered. I continued to cover my fried beans and they continued to grow mold. As a Hispanic man, beans are a staple in my home, as I’m sure many of your Hispanic readers across the country can attest to. My mother taught me to refrigerate in an open container. I kept them uncovered for about 10 days without mold. They dry out a bit, but just add a little water to moisten when warming up.
– Elijah in California
Dear Héloise: Before freezing an item at room temperature, I put it in the refrigerator and chill it carefully before putting it in the freezer. Freezing an item at room temperature warms the items around it in the freezer and takes longer to freeze.
– Mary H., by e-mail
Dear Héloise: My cakes were dry until my daughter told me to use milk instead of the required water. I use 2 percent milk, and it works very well!
– Sue, Fort Wayne, IN.
Prosecute: When you replace milk with water, you get a much richer flavor due to the added fat, which also keeps the cake moist. And, as a bonus, you add nutrients. You can also increase the humidity of a cake by adding a can of instant pudding or four egg yolks instead of three whole eggs.
Dear Héloise: My aluminum pots and pans are dull. How can I bring them back to their shiny appearance?
– Mattie D, Norton, Ohio
Mattie D .: Fill your aluminum pots and pans with water and add two tablespoons of cream of tartar, then bring to a boil. The radiance returns in a few minutes.
Dear Héloise: My old laminate counter has become so dull. Am I using the wrong cleaner?
– Carmen in Colorado
Carmen in Colorado: First of all, never use an abrasive cleaner on laminate worktops. They are sure to scratch and possibly remove the finish. A solution of warm water and a mild dish soap with a soft cloth should be enough to clean the surface. Try polishing your countertop with a plastic laminate cleaner, which will give you a soft, faint shine.
Dear Héloise: How can I remove burnt fat from my glass cookware?
– JoAnn W., Butte, Montana
JoAnn W .: The best way to remove burnt grease from the glass is to use ammonia and a soft nylon scrubber.
Héloise’s column appears six days a week on washingtonpost.com/advice. Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or email it to [email protected].