The original readers' forum of ideas and advice
Thanks for rhubarb recipes Dear Chatters:
Please forgive me for not responding sooner to all the great people who sent rhubarb recipes. Thank you so much to: RV, SUE, BURLINGTON MOLL, GOLDEN HANDS, RUGOSA ROSE, MUTT & MONKEYS, WIM3G6, DOT LESLIE DEE, MAJOR DAN, CRIMSON SUNSET (I liked the pictures you drew), and to those who did not send a name. I really appreciate it. Here's a recipe I hope you all will enjoy.
RHUBARB UPSIDE DOWN CAKE
5 cup fresh rhubarb, cut in 1/2-inch pieces
6 ounces strawberry Jello (dry)
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cup (5-ounce bag) mini marshmallows
1 yellow cake mix (Betty Crocker supermoist)
Place rhubarb in greased 13-by-9-inch pan. Combine next three ingredients and sprinkle over. Prepare cake mix, pour over. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto a serving dish. Serve with whipped cream.
SUMMER GOLD
Dried fruit compoteThis is for HEALTHY EATER who asked for a dried fruit compote recipe.
DRIED FRUIT COMPOTE
1 pound dried pitted prunes
1/2 pound dried apricots
1/2 pound dried peaches or pears or both
1 cup yellow raisins
1 can cherry pie filling
handful of dried cranberries
peeled orange, thinly sliced
1 14-ounce can pineapple chunks
2 cups brandy or red wine
(You may increase or decrease any of the above dried fruits to your liking)
Cover dried fruits with water and simmer over low heat until plump. Drain and reserve liquid.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put all above ingredients in pan, add a little lemon juice and bake for about 40 minutes. If you find that there is too much liquid from the dried fruits, decrease. This recipe may be altered. Enjoy!!
ZEES
Tips for diabetic dietDear Chatters:Being the author of a new book, ''Winning the Fight Against Diabetes," I am sensitive to recipes with food items that are not good for diabetics. Recently I noticed the recipe for Poutines Rapees (pork and potatoes) that appeared in Confidential Chat. It called for two or more cups of mashed potatoes. This is a food item that is very bad for diabetics. The reason, the potato skin, with all its nutrients, has been removed, and the remainder becomes a fast-digestion food that is not good for you. White rice, which has the brown rice milled, removing its nutrient layer to become a fast-digestion food, is another example. FOREVER THANKFUL VEGETARIAN should consider taking a B-12 supplement. Your body needs it if you are not eating meat. The only other supplement you should take with it is folic acid. Any other will cause the B-12 to just pass out of your system.
CHARLIEFOX
Lower-sodium chop sueyDear Chatters:Since the Confidential Chat is such a great place for giving and taking advice, I need to correct a recipe that was printed last year. I've been a cook and baker for more than 40 years, so I'm pretty well qualified. There was a recipe for American Chop Suey that had one TABLESPOON each of soy sauce and salt. Oh, my goodness! I hope not many have made this dish. This is just an unbelievable amount of sodium and totally unnecessary. The amount of sodium that we should try to stay under in a full day is about 2,000 mg. The amount of sodium in this recipe not counting the tomatoes was 8,100 mg. This is enough for four full days. Please throw that recipe away. The amount of sodium in that one meal could hurt you by dangerously raising your blood pressure. I would like to offer the following recipe. It's a healthy one, having only 1/2 tablespoon of salt (sodium). Plus, it's absolutely delicious!
SUMMER GOLD'S MACARONI AND BEEF (a.k.a. American Chop Suey) 3/4 pound hamburg
1 cup onion, cut in large pieces ( 1/2 inch to 1 inch)
3/4 cup green and or red pepper, in 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 cup celery and 1/8 cup celery leaves
16 ounce macaroni, fully cooked and drained
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons garlic powder
28 ounce can whole tomatoes cut in pieces, plus the juice
6 ounce tomato paste
1 1/2 cup hot water
8 ounce can tomato sauce
2 teaspoon basil
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces white extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Cook hamburg and vegetables over low-medium heat until the vegetables are tender but crisp, and the meat loses its pink color, about 7-10 minutes. Drain.
Cook the pasta until it is tender. Drain. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Stir until blended and thickened. Add tomato sauce and seasonings. Add drained pasta and mix well. Add 1 3/4 cup cheese. Mix. Pour into greased 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes, until bubbly. Remove from oven, sprinkle parsley on top, cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
SUMMER GOLD
Recipe a successDear Chatters: I wrote in a few weeks ago (my first note after 30 years of reading) for a long-lost recipe for Austrian chocolate balls. The note was promptly published, and I received a couple of responses. I particularly want to thank BADGER, who enclosed a gracious and thoughtful note. I cannot begin to describe my delight. Last night, I baked for the first time in years and today brought them out to my son and his new family, along with BADGER's note. I presented them to my son for Mother's Day, since without him my daughter-in-law would not be a mother! He immediately recognized the recipe from the flour company, and the product was as delicious as we remembered. Thank you to the Chat and BADGER, for many smiles and my family's amazement at my baking prowess!
BARBUN
Seeks mini baseball batDear Chatters:Several years ago I purchased a wooden, miniature baseball bat from a company in Maine that engraved names on the bats. It was a great gift for a very small youngster and seemed like an authentic big-leaguer's bat. I have no clue how to contact this company for a bat for my new grandson. Any help?
BABE
Needs special shoesDear Chatters:At 70, I find it is difficult to get around and I find it especially hard finding shoes. I need two different sizes, 7 and l0, shoes with a soft sole, not rubber; leather or suede; flats, with a strap around the foot. I walk with a cane and have difficulty doing just about everything. How can I find the right shoe for me? Thanks in advance for your help.
JPGIRL
Coupon concernsDear Chatters:To PASTA FACE, ROSY, and other couponers: Almost two years ago we all had a discussion in this column about our dissatisfaction with the recent change in grocery coupons, where now you have to buy two or more items to get a dollar off. Not only do we not want to have to buy multiple items, but we don't get to double the coupons either. I thought you all might be interested in this. We just spent the winter in Florida, and I discovered that down there lots of coupons are available for amounts under $1 on just one item. Here's the catch: The grocery chains there do not offer double coupons. So it looks like the manufacturers know just what they're doing, adjusting their offerings so that no one gets to benefit too much. I brought home as many of the Florida coupons as I could gather for things I buy, and then used them up here, waiting for triple-coupon weeks. It felt like the old days again, and I felt like I was getting the last laugh.
YANKEE PANKEE
Thanks for suggestionsDear Chatters:What wonderful suggestions! I knew you would come through for me! Thanks to BEAN SUPPER LADY and WHITE SAILS. Special thanks to FRECKLES and ACTON LADY who provided information in the area I needed. To those who provided names and address, I will get back to you. I am slowly getting to things. Again, thanks.
WEREWOLF'S GRAMMY
Alternatives to moth balls SDB wants alternatives to moth balls for storing woolens.
ROMANTIC DREAMER: Have the clothing dry-cleaned and/or wash in cold water. Do NOT place in dryer. To prevent moths, place cedar blocks or cedar balls and use cedar hangers for coats, jackets, and dresses. Place in plastic containers or cover with plastic bags to keep out the dust. This has always worked for me.
SELEX: Whole cloves work very well in keeping away moths. For a closet, place cloves in an old pair of pantyhose and tie the leg portions around the closet pole. For storage containers, sprinkle the cloves around the woolens.
JAMJAR: I use bars of soap removed from their wrappers instead of moth balls and/or flakes. I use either Irish Spring or Cashmere Bouquet. The best thing is you don't smell any moth balls.
LOVE TO DANCE: I also wear all wool in the winter months and do not like the smell of moth balls and flakes. I read somewhere to use whole cloves in a sheer knee high stocking and/or get cedar shavings from a pet supply store. Both cedar and cloves have a slight odor, but they're much nicer than moth balls.
Planning trip to SpainDear Chatters:I am planning a 15-day trip to Spain. When is the best time to go?
Is it better to tour or to go on one's own? I want to see Barcelona, Granada, Seville, Madrid, possibly Fatima, and Portugal. What other places should I see? Do the hotels in Spain offer tours?
BALD EAGLE
Eager to travel Dear Chatters:
I use a walker and cane and can only walk short distances. I want to take a train trip across the northern United States or lower Canada. Can I do this alone, except for help with luggage? Is there a tour group that will accept me with my limitations?
AN IRISH SWEET ADELINE
A chatter passes onDear Chatters:The family of ICE TEA, longtime Chatter who graciously received many handmade mittens and recipes from Chatters, announces that she has passed. The family says she fought a long battle with scleroderma and has now gone to be with God. Chat brought her many caring friends and she enjoyed the exchange very much.
CHAT STAFF
Confidential Chat is a forum for Globe readers to exchange ideas, advice, or helpful information on any subject. Letters should be addressed to Confidential Chat, Living/Arts, The Boston Globe, P.O. Box 55819, Boston MA 02205-5819, or via e-mail to chat@globe.com. Writers should choose a pen name but include real name and address (for our files only) in order for the letter to be printed. When a letter is addressed to a writer, it is always forwarded and may also be printed. 
