Good News, Bad News on Onions

Question: I have just returned from the Kentucky/Tennessee/Georgia area and have fallen in love with Vidalia sweet onions. Do you know of a mail-order source for these onions? If so, I would appreciate having it.

Answer: This is one of those good news/bad news stories. The good news is that we have two mail-order sources for the onions. The bad news is that both have exhausted their supplies for 1987.

Shipping of Vidalia onions begins in May and continues as long as supplies last. This year they were available until the beginning of July. Write for information and order forms now, then mark a calendar for late April of 1988 to mail in the order.

The two sources are:

Bland Farms

P.O. Box 506

Glennville, Ga. 30427-9990

(800) 843-2542

G & R Farms

Route 3, Box 35

Glennville, Ga. 30427

(912) 654-2118

Q: Would you please help me in my search for bead molasses, which I use in making chop suey? I can’t remember who manufactures the product. It was always available in the Oriental food section of markets, but has disappeared. Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

A: It took some research, but the product you are looking for is La Choy Bead Molasses. Unfortunately, it is not currently available in the Los Angeles area. If you write to the Corporate Relations Department, Beatrice/Hunt-Wesson Inc., 1645 W. Valencia Drive, Fullerton, Calif. 92633, they will do their best to see that a market in your area will stock the product.

Q: We received a Donvier ice cream maker as a gift. Our family prefers frozen yogurt rather than ice cream, but the pamphlet that came in the box doesn’t give instructions for yogurt. Can it be made in the machine?

A: In its booklet “Ice Cream the Donvier Way,” the company gives the following instructions for making frozen yogurt:

“Any flavored or fruited yogurt may be used right from the original container. Simply place two cups of any flavored yogurt into the frozen cylinder and freeze as you would ice cream. Plain yogurt may also be used. Just add one-third cup of sugar, one-quarter cup of honey or five packages of (sugar substitute). Fruit may be added, and no additional sweetener may be necessary. This is especially true with fruits canned in their own fruit juices. Another way to avoid adding sweeteners is to use only 1 1/2 cups of yogurt and add fruit juices (half a cup) as flavor and natural sweeteners.”

The Times’ Test Kitchen prepared three batches of frozen yogurt using lemon, stirred, mixed berry fruit-on-the-bottom and plain yogurt with sugar substitute. All turned out smooth and creamy. We followed the manufacturer’s directions, but found it necessary to turn the handle a little more frequently to keep it moving freely.

Owners of Donvier ice cream makers may call the company at (800) 334-4559 Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. (Pacific time) if they do not have a copy of the booklet, or if they need further assistance and replacement of lost or damaged parts.