DEAR HELOISE: Some kids like toasted cheese sandwiches, ...

... but they usually need an adult to make them. Well, not anymore!All they have to do is toast a couple slices of bread and put lots of grated cheese (or a couple of slices of cheese) between the two toasted pieces of bread. They can place the sandwich on a napkin or paper towel and microwave it for 12 to 20 seconds. Then, just remove it from the microwave and eat! Amy R. Anaheim, California Dear Heloise: My wife did 99% of the cooking at home for 24 years. Two years ago, she was diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), and now I do all the cooking for her. She always loved a beef and vegetable soup, and I was told you had a recipe for this kind of soup that was a time-tested treat. Would you print that in your column so I can make it for her? Many of the things she enjoyed doing are now impossible for her to do, so I like to prepare meals for her that I know she loves to eat. Earl N. Bowling Green, Ohio Earl, I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's illness. I hope she enjoys this recipe for my Country-Style Beef Soup:In a large 6- to 8-quart pot, boil a large soup bone in 8 cups of water (add more if needed) and 8 ounces of tomato sauce for 4 to 6 hours (depending on size). Then add:⅓ cup rice4 large garlic cloves, minced1 large onion, cubed1 cup carrots, cubed1 cup celery, cubed1 large potato, cubed1 small zucchini or yellow squash, cubed2 teaspoons salt (add more or less according to personal taste)¼ teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon sugarBoil for 20 minutes. Add 4 to 6 ounces of medium-sized egg noodles. Simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with cornbread.With cooler weather on the way, it's always so nice to come home to a hearty bowl of soup and warm bread. If you enjoy a cozy room and a yummy bowl of soup, you'll absolutely love my pamphlet "Heloise's Spectacular Soups." It's so easy to get a copy, too. Just go to www.Heloise.com or send $5 along with a stamped, self-addressed, long envelope to: Heloise/Soups, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001.These recipes have been a part of my family for many years, and I hope they become a part of your family, too. Heloise Dear Heloise: Do mushrooms have any nutritional value? Rita R. Minot, North Dakota Rita, mushrooms have a number of vitamins and minerals. Just to name a few, white button mushrooms contain, on average, 2.89 g of protein, 4 g of carbs, 16.3 mcg of folate, 2 mg of vitamin C, 8.6 mg of magnesium, 82.6 mg of phosphorus, 2.9 mg of calcium and 1 mcg of vitamin K. They are also one of the very few plant-based foods that have vitamin D. In other words, mushrooms not only look and taste great, they're also healthy for you. Heloise Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001; by fax: 1-210-HELOISE; or by email: Heloise@Heloise.com