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Food

dish briefs

Briefs and news of note on the food and drink world.

By JANET K. KEELER and CHRIS SHERMAN
Published April 26, 2006

CALL FOR RECIPES

Got a scrumptious lasagna recipe you're eager to share with the world? How about a great salsa or luscious pie?

International Plaza & Bay Street in Tampa is looking for recipes for its Tampa Bay Favorites cookbook that will publish in September to benefit St. Joseph's Hospital.

Submission forms are available at www.shopinternationalplaza.com click on IP Cookbook or at the International Plaza Concierge Desk located in Grand Court on the lower level. Recipes may be returned to the desk in person or e-mailed to ipcookbook@taubman.com They also can be mailed to International Plaza, 2223 N West Shore Blvd., Suite 2000, Tampa, FL 33607, or faxed to (813) 342-3788.

Deadline is May 31.

INDIAN COOKING

Dr. S.P. Nanda of Pinellas Park has revised his helpful Everyday Indian Cooking, adding recipes for savory dishes including various pakoras, kebabs and tikka dishes. Nanda, a retired pediatrician from New Delhi who moved to Florida in 1994, has a clear writing style and his simple recipes are easy to follow. Most of the cooking takes place on the stove and the techniques are simple.

The ingredients, however, might take a hunt, though larger groceries now carry garam masala and ginger paste. Fenugreek and black cumin seeds will require a stop at an Indian market.

The book is $15.99 and available at larger bookstores in Pinellas County and on www.amazon.com.

QUESO FROM SPAIN

There's more to the cheeses of Spain than tangy manchego (not that there needs to be). Gallegos love big kisses of mild Tetilla, Basques prefer smoky Idiazabal and almost everyone likes sturdy Mahon from Minorca. You can find all of them, and real Serrano ham and cider, at Spain Plus, a new bakery and European-style deli in Pinellas Park (8674 49th St. N; (727) 497-0513). Owners Jordi and Rosa Prat are Cuban-Americans with Catalan and Galician heritage, but they stock and serve a variety of Italian and Spanish breads, sandwiches, takeout entrees and pastries. Caldo gallego soup is thick enough to use a fork.

THERE'S A NEW DOCTOR IN TOWN

Raving Brands, the fast food inventors from Atlanta, have sent a third brand to town. Doc Green's, for the salad set, joins Mama Fu's and Moe's Burritos. RB evicted a Mama Fu's from a new Tampa strip center after only a few months to set up the doctor's first Florida practice (3838 W Neptune St.; (813) 251-0303).

The menu mixes Caesar salad bar, panini, burrito-style DIY choices and comfort foods with healthful hints. Salads start with romaine, spinach or field greens, add five toppings from dozens (the usual plus roasted beets and such). There are meatier entrees and pressed sandwiches plus grilled sirloin and poached salmon. Sides are homier: tomato bisque, mac and cheese, garlic mashed potatoes, corn and bacon. Plus no-crust PB&J for the kids.

CHEFSPEAK

Outback's premier restaurant, Roy's, has parted company with Rand Packer, the chef partner who brought Roy Yamaguchi's fusion of Asian flavor, French technique and fine seafood to Tampa. Packer, who started with Yamaguchi in Hawaii 10 years ago, will stay in Tampa. He'll do some private chef work while he plans for two new restaurants here: The first will be small and casual, the second more high end. At Roy's, sous-chef Mike Roche has moved to executive chef and partner. . . . At SideBern's in Tampa, Amy Cairns, the restaurant's first female sommelier, has left to join the wine industry.

RAVIOLI CO. STAYS

Googlers looking up a phone number on the Internet to order chicken mushroom ravioli got a scare from an ad posting Tampa's Ravioli Co. for sale. Not really, says co-owner Lauren Otis, although she said they are regularly approached by would-be franchisers. She and husband Dwight agreed to try an ad to gauge the value of the business a few months ago but decided they aren't interested in selling. The ad will be taken down soon.

Compiled by JANET K. KEELER and CHRIS SHERMAN of the Times

[Last modified April 25, 2006, 13:45:57]