Dear Heloise: The special roasting pans for chicken that hold the chicken upright are a bit expensive. Instead, I use a simple fluted cake pan. I use a cooking spray inside the pan then set the chicken upright in the pan with the open center piece inside the chicken to hold it up. The juices collect in the ring and the chicken roasts evenly and is very tender — Rosemary W., Grimes, Iowa

QUICK APPETIZER

Dear Heloise: So many times I find I need a quick appetizer when company drops by. I always have cream cheese on hand, and what I do is crush some nuts very fine and press the cream cheese into these chopped nuts. Then I take a flavored oil and lightly drizzle some over the cream cheese/nut combination. Serve with crackers; it makes a quick treat for guests. — Gloria Y., Hooper, Utah

CAKE FOR KIDS

Dear Heloise: My grandbabies love it when I have a cake waiting for them when they come for a visit. I think their favorite one was a strawberry gelatin cake, but I have lost the recipe. It was simple to make, as I remember, and it was a real hit with my little ones. Would you reprint that recipe for all of us who love to spoil our grandchildren? — Joan C., Mesa, Ariz.

Joan, of course I will. And here it is:

Strawberry Gelatin Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 box strawberry gelatin

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup water

1 box frozen strawberries

4 eggs

Mix the cake mix and the gelatin together well. Add oil, water and eggs and mix until smooth. Add half of the strawberries and juice (keep the rest for icing).

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour or so. This makes three round layers.

Icing

1 box powdered sugar

1 stick butter/margarine

1/2 box of strawberries (from above)

Mix well and spread on cooled cake.

Are you looking for a recipe your friends and family will all enjoy every time they come to visit? Then you’ll need my pamphlet “Heloise’s Cake Recipes.” It’s so easy to get a copy. Just go to www.Heloise.com, or send $3, along with a stamped (75 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Cake, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. — Heloise

POTATO SALAD SECRET

Dear Heloise: My neighbor, who is an outstanding cook, taught me a little secret when making potato salad. After dicing the potatoes into cubes and cooking them, she ran them under cold water to cool them off. After that she squeezed lemon juice over the potatoes, not a lot, but just enough to add some flavor. She made the best potato salad I’ve ever eaten. Lots of flavor! — Mary Jane J., Maui, Hawaii

ROUND PEG, SQUARE HOLE

Dear Heloise: It’s tree-planting season. I’ve discovered a great hint. I dig my hole for the tree in the shape of a square.

Why? The roots will not wrap around each other like they would if planted in a round hole; the roots will spread out deeper and wider. The tree will also grow more quickly.

Experts also recommend refilling the hole with its original dirt instead of expensive fertilizer. The tree will do better in its native soil.

Also, I trim away any matted or stuck-together roots. This will encourage growth. — Donald G. in Alabama