The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

NORTHWEST HERALD Section B Wednesday, September it, i»IS P«9t J Food Tips for making crisper pickles crisp topping over soft apples phis smooth ice cream makes for a dessert that's really tops. Apple dessert easy* elegant to the core A dessert that may well be the apple of your eye is this quick, crunchy apple crisp. It's also peachy made with sliced peaches. The reci­ pe is featured in "Betty Crocker's Baking Classics" cookbook, consist­ ing Of the best Gold Medal flour recipes of 100 years. It's published by Random House and sells for 17.95 in book and department stores. Apple Crisp 4 cups sliced pared baking apples (about 4 medium) 2/3 to 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup Gold Medal all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup regular oats 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease baking pan, 8 by 8 by 2 inches. Arrange apples in pan. Mix remain­ ing ingredients with fork; sprinkle over apples. Bake until apples are tender and topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Serve with cream, ice cream or hard sauce if desired. Six servings. * Self-rising flour can be used in this recipe. Cherry Crisp: Substitute 1 can (21 ounces) 'cherry pie filling for the apples and use lesser amount of sugar. Peach Crisp: Substitute 1 can (29 ounces) sliced peaches, drained, for the apples and use lesser amount of sugar. Do you ever wonder why many pickle recipes call for cutting off Vfc-inch of the blossom end? Or why they often recommend soak­ ing the cucumbers in salt or saltwater? It's all part of the search for a crisp pickle. "One of the reasons that pickles get soft is that the pectin is broken down," according to University of Illinois Extension Home Economist Nancy Moore. "Pectin is part of the 'glue' that makes cell walls stiff and holds them together -- in a cucumber and most other plants." As a cucumber grows, enzymes (active proteins) produce pectin. There are also enzymes to break down the pectin. As long as the cucumber is young and green and attached to the vine, the pectin- making enzymes are working and the pectin-degrading enzymes are kept out of commission. But when the cucumber is pick­ ed, no more food is getting to the pectin-making enzymes, so they slow down and eventually stop. Then the pectin-degrading en­ zymes take over. And as the pec­ tin is broken down, the cells become unstuck, limp and lose their water. The cucumber becomes soft and flabby. "So to keep a cucumber crisp, one thing to do is stop or get rid of the pectin-degrading enzymes," said Moore. "In a growing cucumber, the greatest concentration of these en- * zymes is right under the blossom. That's where the cucumber -- or zucchini or squash -- is growing the fastest. So, by cutting off that slice of skin at the blossom end, a large part of the enzymes are removed. The end result is a crisper pickle." The salt or saltwater soak works in a similar way, Moore said. Salt draws juices out of the cucumber slices. As the Juices come out of the cells, they carry enzymes with them. At the same time, salt helps to firm the pectin itself. By then discarding the saltwater and rins­ ing off the juices that were drawn out of the cucumbers, a lot of the pectin-degrading enzymes are removed. The final result is again a crisper pickle. "If you have a recipe that calls for either of these steps, dont' skip them," Moore said. "If your recipe doesn't mention them and you'd like a crisper pickle using your favorite recipe* try trimming the blossom end off the cucumbers or zucchini before proceeding with the rest of the directions. You'll probably like the results." Home canners may also self- prescribe the salt or ice-water treatment for pickle recipes that do not call for it. Cover the pickles with crushed ice and let stand three to four hours, then drain well. Or cover with up to M cup salt for each 4 to 6 pounds cucumbers, then ice or cold water. Let stand for three to four hours. Drain, rinse and proceed with recipe as called for. "Even if you soak the pickles In salt water, it's still important to prepare the recipe with all the salt that is called for," Moore said. Lime and alum are no longer recommended for pickle-making, Moore said. Remember, pickle recipes call for 5-percent acetic acid vinegar for safety's sake -- not just for flavor. But some (not all) bargain brands of vinegar are less than 5- percent acid. Check the label before you buy, if you plan to use the vinegar for home-canning. For additional information, con­ tact the McHenry county Office, 789 McHenry Ave., P.O. Box 431, Woodstock, 111. 60098. Phones: \J (815) 338-3737 or 338-4747. Mini beef loaves are quick and easy Making mini beef loaves can seem almost like loafing if you follow this cooking technique. These are from the new Betty Crocker's Tlmesavtng Cookbook. The book features 280 quick-and- easy and do-ahead recipes. Mini Beef Loaves 6 servings --^ 1 pound ground beef legg Vi cup milk 2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs Vi teaspoon salt ^ teaspoon pepper 1 medium onion, chopped (about ^ cup) , % cup shredded cheese Mix ground beef, egg, milk, crumbs, salt and pepper. Press half of the beef mixture in bottoms and halfway up sides of 12 ungreased 24x11 v<-inch muffin cups^JUU-each with onion, green pepper and cheese. Top with re­ maining beef mixture, pressing edges to seal. Place muffin pan in greased 15^x104xl-inch jelly roll pan. Cook uncovered in 350* oven until done, 30 to 35 minutes. i I I I I I i 1 I I i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Edition-Addition1 SWEEPSTAKES • £• 4?r. > •> :.i i t it •' «• '> ; < • - WEEK ONE $100 WINNER MARGARET JOHNSON OF CRYSTAL LAKE Questions & Answers For Week 1 Sept. 3 through Sept. 7 TUISDA Y'S ANSWIRS 1. How old Is the social security system? 50 years. 2. The modern day McHenry County Fair Is how old? 37 years. 3. An area community Is named after an Indian tribe which has major Importance In the history of Il­ linois. Name the community. Algonquin. 4. How many schools are in the Fox Valley Conference? Seven. S. McHenry County was founded In what year? 1S36. WEDNESDAY'S ANSWIRS 1. How old is Elgin this year? ISO years. 2. Who Is McHenry County named after? William McHenry. 3. How many U.S. Senators are there? 100. 4. Who won the Fox Valley Football Conference In 1984? Crystal Lake South. S. In what year was McHenry County Col* lege founded? 1968. THURSDAY'S ANSWIRS 1. What two counties originally made up McHenry County? Lake and McHenry. 2. House of Represents* tlve districts sre drawn based on: Federal Census of Stste Population. 3. What was the location of the first McHenry County Courthouse? McHenry. 4. To what town was the McHenry County Courthouse moved in 1844? Centervllle. 5. What was Woodstock's name prior to 184S? Centervllle. FRIDAY'S ANSWIRS 1. How many U.S. Representatives are there in the House? 43S. 2. What was the first McHenry County Newspaper? Illinois Republican. 3. In what year was El* gin Community College founded. 1848. 4. Whst famous ski club makes its home In Fox River Grove? Norge Ski Club. S. What area city did Christopher Walkup help layout In 1840? Crystal Lake. SATURDAY'S ANSWIRS 1. In what year was Woodstock named All-American City? 1964. 2. Where did the 1988 tornado strike In McHenry County? Crystal Lake. 3. What state repre* sentative districts are located In McHenry County? 83, 84, A 65. 4. What was the first McHenry County high school to a win state athletic championship? Hebron. S. What world famous comic strip creator made his home In Woodstock? Chester Could. Play Editions Addition SWEEPSTAKES EVERY SATURDAY ̂ RIORTHWEST IIEWSPAPERS BABY SALE ! 'J** Infants Calico Print Dresses. Reg. 15.00. Infant 2 Piece Knit Overall Set. Reg, 17.00. 33% OFF Health-tex. Reg. 6.00-20.00. Infants & Toddlers 5.99 Fringed Shawl. Great gift for , ,,,nGNyt)orns. Reg. 9.00. 9.59 Infants Hooded Sweaters or 2 Piece Sweater Sets. Reg. 12.00-13.00. 25% OFF Carters Layette Wear. Gowns, boots bonnets & more. Reg. 2/2.75-9.00. 11.99 One Piece Infant Footsie Outfit. Heart or train jaquard print. Reg. 16.00. 25% OFF Reg. 10.00-14.00. Toddler Sweaters. 10.99 7.99 Knit Pram Bag. Reg. 15.00. Carter* Basic Blanket Sleepers. For infants & toddlers. Reg, 10.00-11.00. SPRING HILL CRYSTAL LAKE ST CHARLES CHARGE IT' Use your SPlESS CHARGE, Visa, MasterCard 6 American Express I