Dear A.L.: Soft bread crumbs are made from fresh bread which has been grated with a cheese grater or put in the blender. Since they are made with fresh bread you will use more than if you used dry bread crumbs.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: Do herbal teas have caffeine? C.T., Somerset.

Dear C.T.: Most packaged herbal teas, such as those made from rose hips, hibiscus, alfalfa and chicory, do not contain caffeine.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: Quick! I need a couple of easy but tasty recipes for meals that I can prepare in a hurry. W.A., Warwick.

Dear W.A.: Here are three good recipes that are quick to make which I am sure you and your family will enjoy.

BLACK BEANS AND RICE 1 1 cups cooked rice 1 15 oz. can black beans, undrained 1 cup shredded, sharp Cheddar cheese 1 small onion, chopped 1 tomato, chopped COMBINE beans with 1 tsp. ground black pepper in a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and being careful not to burn. Spoon rice onto a serving platter. Pour beans over rice. Top with cheese, onion and tomato. Serve with a lettuce salad.

QUICK TURKEY DIVAN 1 lb. thin, sliced, cooked turkey 2 10 oz. pkgs. frozen broccoli spears, thawed 1 10 oz. can cream of chicken soup, undiluted 1 4 oz. pkg. shredded Cheddar cheese WRAP turkey slices around the broccoli spears, place in a lightly greased baking dish. Spread soup over turkey rolls, cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F. for 20 minutes. Uncover, top with cheese, and bake an additional 5 minutes. Serve with potatoes cooked with 2 garlic cloves and mashed together.

LINGUINI WITH CLAM SAUCE 1 lb. linguine 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup margarine, melted 2 6 1 oz. cans minced clams, drained 1 tsp. dried basil 1 tsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. salt 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional) COOK linguine according to package directions. Drain and return to pot. Set aside. Saute garlic in margarine in a medium skillet; add clams and next three ingredients. Cook over low heat stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Pour over hot linguine. Add parsley if desired and toss gently. Place on a warm platter and top with Parmesan cheese. Serve with garlic bread.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: What is Georgia ice cream? B.L., Flatts.

Dear B.L.: "Georgia ice cream'' is not ice cream at all but what the people in the Deep South of the US call grits. Grits are dried hominy or corn. They are cooked in water until tender and are an acquired taste for those outside the deep south.

Dear Miss d'Arcy: Some of my spices have little or no aroma. Are they still good? C.T., St. David's.

Dear C.T.: Spices do lose their potency over a period of time. It is best that you buy spices in containers with an unbroken seal. Date the container when you open it and keep it in a dark, dry storage area in order to get the longest use. Spices which have no aroma are not bad but add little flavour.

Dear Readers: Recently I went to a tea and was served a very different Brownie that had a taste all it's own. I would like to share the recipe with you.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES 6 1 1 oz. white chocolate bars with almonds 1 cup butter 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 cup all purpose flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. almond extract 1 1 oz. square of semi-sweet chocolate OR 1 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 tsp. shortening COMBINE 4 of the white chocolate bars and butter in top of a double boiler and bring water in bottom section to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook until candy melts. Set aside and cool. Beat eggs at medium speed with an electric mixer until thick and lemon coloured. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt, add to egg mixture, mixing well. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture and flavourings. Coarsely chop remaining 2 chocolate bars and stir into batter. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on rack. Combine the semi-sweet chocolate and shortening in small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring until chocolate melts. Drizzle over brownies. Cut in squares.