Dear Heloise: I wanted to drop you a line to let you know that I received a copy of your book “In The Kitchen with Heloise” at my bridal shower, and I’ve tried some of your ideas for cooking. You mentioned using beer as a substitute for wine in stews to get a delicious, rich sauce. I tried it, and wow! It was out of this world. Everyone loved it, and I was asked what made my beef stew so good. I said Heloise gave me the recipe. Many thanks for all the creative ideas in your books and column! — Georgia W., in Bloomington, Indiana

ANGEL BISCUITS

Dear Heloise: My sister and her husband are planning a visit very soon, and she had only one request, which was for some of your “Angel Biscuits.” She is battling cancer, and I’ll make her anything she wants. However, I’ve misplaced the recipe, so will you please reprint it in your column? I read “Hints From Heloise” every day in my local newspaper. If you print this in the paper, I can cut it out and save it. — Stephanie S., in Hillsboro, Oregon

Stephanie, of course I’ll reprint this popular recipe:

Angel Biscuits

1 package dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 cup sugar

1/2 cup shortening

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Grease a baking sheet. Let the yeast dissolve in warm water and set aside. Mix all the dry ingredients together as listed.

Cut the shortening into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse meal. Stir in the buttermilk and yeast mixture. Thoroughly blend the mixture. The dough can be refrigerated or kneaded lightly. (After removing the dough from the refrigerator, it should be allowed to rest at room temperature to allow it to rise.)

Roll the dough out on a floured board. Cut out the biscuits with a biscuit cutter. Place the biscuits in a prepared pan and allow the dough to rise a little before baking. Bake them for 12-15 minutes. — Heloise

PREPARING FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

Dear Heloise: To make your doctor’s appointment more effective, gather the necessary information about your medical condition beforehand. When did it start? What are the symptoms? Do you have a fever? This information may help with your doctor’s diagnosis. After my visit, I document the name of the attending physician or physician’s assistant, as well as the names and dosage of medications that were prescribed.

By recording this information, I become more aware of any recurrences and medications that do or do not eliminate my symptoms. Creating a spreadsheet with this information has been extremely helpful.

At each appointment, because I am asked about my current medications and supplements, I created a document listing this information, including the dosage. It is easy to update and print for my appointment with the current date at the bottom of the document. — Karen K., in Lincoln, Nebraska

TWO-IN-ONE HINT

Dear Heloise: I appreciated Peyton L.’s tip about how to get leftover wax out of a candle by freezing the jar. I got mine out by using a knife or a sharp object to break up the wax until the pieces fell out. Then I put the pieces in small organza bags to make sachets to put in drawers or on shelves in the linen closet.

Also, in response to Elaine F., about how to reuse a sheet set’s matching cloth bag, I bought pillow forms to stuff inside the bag and have yet another decorative pillow for my couch! — Andi L., in Springfield, Ohio

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com