By JANET K. KEELER from staff and wire reports
Published April 28, 2004
[Photo: SHNS]
Cupcakes
Instant-read thermometer
Anthony Bourdain
Cupcakes
There's no reason to be writing about cupcakes other than they are one of those foods that make you smile. And no, you don't have to be a kid to get a kick out of cake in your very own paper cup.
Well, maybe there is a reason to write about cupcakes. They are trendy, which is sort of like saying water is in style. Come to think of it, that's true too.
Cupcakes were served earlier this month at Binion's Horseshoe, a legendary Las Vegas gambling palace that closed its door abruptly in January. To celebrate the reopening, employees and customers enjoyed Champagne and chocolate cupcakes.
Cupcake bashes are hot in New York City reports www.trendsetters.com thanks to a Sex and the City storyline featuring Miranda and Carrie. And bakeries all over the city are attempting to out-cupcake one another with clever decorations and icing tricks.
Then there is the 8-year-old boy in Stoughton, Mass., who got himself into hot water by throwing a cupcake at a passing truck on Easter Sunday. The driver, who had a baby in the car, wanted police to charge the boy, but they declined, the Associated Press reported. The police chief joked he might have considered charges if the truck was hit by a heavier pastry, such as a bear-claw or a day-old Twinkie. The boy's mother grounded him.
Make cupcakes, not war. That's our new motto.
This web site cooks
www.hollywoodcookbook.com This site is a bit of a mystery to us but still worth a look at 3 a.m. when you can't sleep and your regular online poker site is down. A collection of recipes from stars is what you'll get when you click on, but this isn't the O.C. crowd, that's for sure, or 90210 or even Friends. This is more TV Land than Must See TV. The Leave It to Beaver gang is well-represented. Jerry Mathers Australian Pumpkin Soup and Barbara Billingsley's Caesar Salad A.1. are offered along with recipes from Adam West, Sally Struthers and Bob Newhart. Things that make you go, hmmmm.
Cooking class
Have some dry mustard in the cupboard gathering dust? A little of the dry powder reconstituted with water can be added to Dijon mustard to bolster flavor. Certain vegetables - especially green beans, carrots and celery root - need that extra punch, so whenever you make a mustard dressing to go with these vegetables, add a tablespoon or so of reconstituted dry mustard. - From How to Peel a Peach by Perla Meyers (Wiley, 2004).
Constant comment
"I highly recommend falling in love with a city. It's more faithful and stimulating than a man. And if you pick the right one, you never have to cook again." - Author Sarah Dunant (The Birth of Venus)
Hot tip
Instant-read thermometers are the handiest tools for checking meats, fish, poultry and even breads so that they are cooked to the desired degree of doneness. Generally, these tools are reliable. However, if a reading seems out of whack, test the thermometer by sticking it into rapidly boiling water. Because water boils at a predictable temperature - 212 degrees at sea level - you will know if your thermometer is registering correctly.
A gourmet weekend
Some of the biggest names in the culinary world will be giving demonstrations and talks at Gourmet magazine's Gourmet Institute, a weekend of cooking demos, test-kitchen tours and food styling, as well as wine and spirit tastings. Ruth Reichl, Alain Ducasse, Rocco DiSpirito, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and Anthony Bourdain are just some of the food glitterati who will attend. The event is Oct. 22 to 24 in New York City. For details, visit www.GourmetInstitute.com Cost is $1,295.
A field guide
The handy, easy-to-carry Field Guide to Produce by Aliza Green (Quirk, 2004; $14.95) includes photos plus cooking and buying tips to help you negotiate the produce section of the grocery store. It might sound silly, but with the dozens of fruits and vegetables there, it's not such a bad idea to have a guide to show you the difference between acorn and butternut squash. History and storage information included.
