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Small bites

By TIMES STAFF
Published April 25, 2007

Mario Batali, master of Italian cooking and the Web

If you love Italy, good food and wine, check out Mario Batali's new Web site, www.mariobatali.com.

You can learn about the things he loves that helped shape his culinary adventures. The Explore Italy section offers travel articles along with information about local wineries and ingredients specific to the region. The wines mentioned can be purchased through his wine shop, Italian Wine Merchants. Check out the Music Picks section to download Batali's favorite music, played in his restaurants. Current fave: the Decemberists, an indie pop group from Portland, Ore.

Shortcuts for dinnertime

Ragu pasta sauce is offering Soccer Mom Shortcuts, a booklet featuring simple solutions for snacks and dinners. Of course they feature Ragu pasta sauces, which, according to the company, provide a full serving of vegetables in a half-cup serving of sauce. Get the kids into the act: Let them choose a recipe, help you shop and prepare the dish.

To receive a free copy of the colorful booklet, request one online at www.ragu.com. 

Contest alerts

- Are you a clever burgermeister? Enter Sutter Home Winery's Build a Better Burger contest and you might win $50,000. Ten finalists get a trip to Napa Valley to cook up their entries on Sept. 29. Just so you know what you're up against: Last year's winning classic bacon cheeseburger was adorned with fresh figs, sun-dried tomatoes and lemon-grilled fennel.

Recipes may be submitted between May 1 and Aug. 19. For a complete list of rules go to www.sutterhome.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Build a Better Burger, Sutter Home Winery, P.O. Box 248, St. Helena, CA 94574.

- To celebrate Mrs. Fields' 30th anniversary, the cookie company and iVillage.com have teamed up to search the country for the best cookie recipe. It will be used to create Mrs. Fields' official "30th Anniversary Cookie," and will be sold in 400 Mrs. Fields stores nationwide. The grand prize winner will receive a Dream Kitchen from GE.

If you have a fabulous creation, submit it online by May 25 at the Web site www.ivillage.com. Professionals and novices can enter. Recipes should be accompanied by a short description of the inspiration behind the cookie and a digital photo of it.

Your questions, answered

Cookbook author James Peterson has assembled 40 years of kitchen experience into What's a Cook to Do? (Artisan, $16.95), a helpful collection of nearly 500 tips and techniques. There's learning here for the skilled cook (measure and conversion charts) as well as someone who wants to learn how to make the best grilled cheese sandwich (aged Gouda or real English cheddar is a good start).

A sample of cooking tips: Uncover the pot so cooking vegetables don't turn gray; brush pie crust with a paste of beaten egg and flour and bake five minutes to create a seal between the crust and a wet fruit filling; and put beer in a glass to release its aroma and increase its flavor.

[Last modified April 24, 2007, 19:45:09]