Dear Heloise: I love cooking meals in my slow cooker, but sometimes the meats do not cook as well as I’d like. What am I doing wrong? — Amy in Pennsylvania

Amy, tougher cuts of meat and firm vegetables should go in the slow cooker first, at the bottom of the pot, where they are closer to the heating element. Place the other ingredients on top of the meat.

Also, it’s important not to open the lid to check or to stir until there is only a half hour of cooking time left. Every time the lid is lifted, the temperature drops and may add to the cooking time by 30 minutes. I hope this helps. — Heloise

ITALIAN PASTA SOUP

Dear Heloise: I’ve lost your wonderful recipe for Italian Pasta soup. It tasted great, and my kids loved that it had hot dogs in it. Would you reprint this recipe for us soup lovers? — Rae-Ann in Colorado

Rae-Ann, this is always a nice tasty treat on these chilly fall days! Here it is. You’ll need:

3 cans stewed tomatoes

2 cans cannelloni beans (small white beans)

4 cups water

2 stalks celery, sliced

1 small onion, diced

2 carrots, sliced

Pinch of each (or to taste) of sweet basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, pepper and salt

1 cup elbow macaroni (prepared according to package directions)

3 to 6 hot dogs, sliced

In a large pot, heat stewed tomatoes and cannelloni beans. Add 32 ounces of water. Stir in celery, onion and carrots. Sprinkle with basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer until vegetables are cooked, about an hour. Add sliced hot dogs and simmer an additional 15 minutes. In another pot, cook elbow macaroni until firm, but don’t overcook. Rinse and drain. Add to soup, stir and serve. Makes about 8 to 10 servings.

Would you like more of Heloise’s soup recipes? You can have a six-page pamphlet full of them by visiting www.Heloise.com or by sending $5 along with a long, self-addressed, stamped (70 cents) envelope to: Heloise/Soup, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX. 78279-5001. If you are not a big fan of hot dogs, you can add a cup or two of cubed ham instead. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.