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Ask Betty
- I used to have your recipe for chicken-rice casserole, but I seem to have misplaced it. Can you help? Thank you. --...
- When a recipe calls for butter for a cake or for making a meal, what kind of butter do I use if it does not specify...
- Do you have a good recipe for cheesy potatoes? They could be mashed or maybe using frozen hash browns? - Gloria
- We are planning on roasting a whole beef tenderloin for carving with rolls...
Dried-Out Raisins
How do you keep a box of raisins fresh? I use a cup or so of the box then don't use them for a couple months and when I go to use them again they are as hard as a rock. I have tried putting the box inside a sealed bag but that doesn't work.
—Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Oh, I hear you! There's nothing worse than a big old clump of dried raisins when you want plump juicy ones. Here’s how you can avoid (or delay) this. Definitely transfer to an airtight bag, as you have been doing. Squeeze out as much air as you can, seal tightly, then put in the fridge. Refrigerating them should extend their moistness quite a bit.
If you still are left with dried out raisins, put them in a bowl, cover with warm water, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. You could also microwave the soaking raisins for a half minute or so to speed up the process.

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QuestionHi Betty. I have a recipe that calls for Butavan flavoring or butter vanilla flavoring. What can I use instead? I can't find these in the store in my town. Thank you. --LouiseMarch 2012
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QuestionDo you have a recipe for jalapeno cheese bread? --MickMarch 2012
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QuestionI used to have your recipe for chicken-rice casserole, but I seem to have misplaced it. Can you help? Thank you. --DoreenMarch 2012
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Question
Do you have a cold pasta salad recipe for a picnic?
—Barb
May 2012 -
Question
Dear Grandma Betty: I enjoy receiving your e-mail recipes very much! However, these days, people such as myself are interested in the calorie and nutrition counts of foods, including sugars, fats (especially trans-fats), and sodium levels. I only eat what I need nowadays, to my displeasure. Nevertheless, your Sunday Waffles recipe sounds delicious! Could you not introduce a good tasting recipe with less sodium and saturated fat (butter)? I leave substitute suggestions to you since you are our chef. THANK YOU! Sincerely,
—Bill
May 2012 -
QuestionHi! I have a box of your recipes and I lost my favorite cookie recipe. I'm not sure of the name, but I think they're called Ginger Snaps. I remember the recipe makes 100. Thank you. --JessieMarch 2012
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Question
When you cook something in olive oil in a frying pan, is that still considered fried food?
--Ilene
May 2012 -
QuestionHow do you keep brown sugar from getting too hard? --VanessaMarch 2012
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Question
I need a simple recipe for chicken and noodles using boneless chicken and dry pasta noodles. I would also like a recipe for navy beans and ham, if possible. Thanks so much.
—Karen
April 2012 -
QuestionI would love to have a recipe for homemade apple dumplings! And I notice you don't have a basic recipe for bread pudding with raisins. I grew up on this and just love it!!! I am not the best at making baked goods that required a lot of work. So I hope you can come up with these recipes!! Thank you!! --DeniseMarch 2012





