Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Is there a way to tell if baking powder is still active? – G.H. in California

You bet your baking powder! Here’s what you do: Add 1 teaspoon of baking powder to 1 cup of hot (not warm) water. The more bubbles you see, the more active the powder is. No bubbles? Time for a visit to the grocery store.

Did you know that if the baking powder is bad, you can make some up by mixing 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar for each teaspoon of powder needed? Want to know more substitutions and some easy-to-make seasoning mixes? Just send for my four-page Seasonings, Sauces and Substitutes pamphlet filled with recipes by including $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (63 cents) envelope and mailing to: Heloise/SSS, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Don’t store baking soda or powder that you’re going to use for baking in the refrigerator – the moisture can make the products unusable. – Heloise