ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010005
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Book bag
Serious cooks and eclectic cookbook collectors will probably find something to their tastes among the 115 titles listed in Gourmet Guides' cookbook sale catalog. Topics range from recipes for dog and cat treats to various cultural cuisine classics. To request a free copy, write to Pier 12 Sandy Beach Road, Vallejo, Calif., 94590 or fax to (707)554-1234.
Eggcellent offering
The Virginia Egg Council and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services have whipped up a mouthwatering compilation of house favorites from some of Virginia's most notable Bed & Breakfast inns. The inn-spired collection bakes, pours, stirs and blends eggs with such varied ingredients as crab, asparagus, grits and potatoes. "Favorite Breakfast and Brunch Recipes from Virginia Bed and Breakfast Inns" is available free by writing to the Virginia Egg Council, 911 Saddleback Court, McLean, Va. 22102.
Yes, you can can
Alltrista, marketers of home-canning products, including Ball, Kerr and Fruit-Fresh, is expanding its toll-free consumer hot line for canners with questions. Call (800)240-3340 for help with jelly that won't set or pickles that turn gray. The phones are open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.
A cutting-edge knife?
Now that the food processor is standard equipment in many kitchens, what will be the next big gadget? According to Food and Wine magazine readers, the reverse microwave, which freezes food instantly. Readers who responded to a survey by the magazine also picked a built-in oven rotisserie, pans that register temperatures, solar-powered barbecues and hand-held electronic recipe files as upcoming culinary must-haves. Anyone who's ever scraped their knuckles paring potatoes will appreciate another selection: the electric fruit and vegetable peeler.
Martha $tewart Living
If you're a Martha Stewart wannabe, you should know it could cost you big bucks to try to live the lifestyle championed by the queen of home decorating. Smart Money magazine tallied the cost of a variety of items likely to be found in Martha's home - including a glue gun, garden boots, stock pot, candy thermometer, wheelbarrow, calling cards, house paint and ash-blond hair dye. They can be pretty pricey in places such as Westport, Conn. (Martha's home), where the total came to $891.58, and Winnetka, Ill., where the tab came to $852.32. But they'd be much cheaper - $733.09 - in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. However, this doesn't even take into consideration Martha's country house, which will run you $2 million in Westport and $3 million in Rancho Palos Verdes. It's a relative steal in Winnetka at $1.5 million.
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