GOOD TASTES.SCARLET CORN: Fresh ears of sweet corn dotted with lots of eye-catching scarlet-colored kernels are among the newest kids on the block in supermarket produce sections. Introduced commercially this season by Salinas-based Colorful Harvest, the California sweet scarlet corn, as it is known, is being grown on 85-plus acres in Merced. It is a traditionally bred sweet corn (NOT genetically engineered), notes Doug Ranno, the company's chief operating officer Chief Operating Officer (COO) The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president. . The pigment in this corn is a naturally occurring antioxidant known as anthocyanin anthocyanin red-colored agent in fruit. , which may help fight aging and certain diseases, according to Steve Marshall, a plant breeder and researcher who developed it at Seminis Inc. in Oxnard. The corn is best grilled, microwaved or steamed. When cooked, it turns a darker color, the deepest (almost beet purple) when boiled and the least when grilled, says Ranno, who advises against boiling it. Although the corn we sampled was delicious, it didn't have as pronounced a corn flavor as regular or white corn. ``Bland'' is how one taster taster /tast·er/ (tas´ter) an individual capable of tasting a particular test substance (e.g., phenylthiourea, used in genetic studies). described it. Ranno points out that it is just as tender as other corn, and while sweet, it doesn't have as sugary sweet flavor as other corns. Look for more new Colorful Harvest produce items this fall - gold beefsteak tomatoes in October and violet broccoli in November. The scarlet corn will be available through August at selected supermarkets including Ralphs, Vons and Albertson's and Trader Joe's. It commands a premium price - in the neighborhood of two ears for $1. - Natalie Haughton TRENDY MOJITOS: Planning a party with Nuevo Latino cuisine? Serve mojito cocktails to enliven the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. . To assist, a mojitos kit from Bradshaw International is now available that includes four tall plastic glasses, a sugar spoon, muddler (to crush the mint leaves), lime reamer reamer Rotary cutting tool of cylindrical or conical shape, used for enlarging and finishing to accurate dimensions holes that have been drilled, bored, or cored. A reamer cannot be used to start a hole. , shaker lid, stir sticks and a serving stand. It also includes a recipe - you'll need mint sprigs, sugar, lime, light rum and club soda - along with directions for making the libation li·ba·tion n. 1. a. The pouring of a liquid offering as a religious ritual. b. The liquid so poured. 2. Informal a. A beverage, especially an intoxicating beverage. b. . Suggested retail is $24.99. Look for the kit at Bed, Bath & Beyond and Target stores. -N.H. DELICIOUS BREAD: The recently opened bakery and cafe The Baker brings delicious European-style breads, pastries, sandwiches and salads to the Valley. Among the more than 20 breads (ranging from $1.75 to $4.95) are sourdough, five-grain, walnut and raisin, rye, olive, poppy seed, rosemary, challah, brioche and more. Tasters gave the variety we sampled a thumbs-up - and would definitely buy many of them. They also offer a line of pastries and sweets including croissants, Danish, cheesecakes and an array of fruit and nut Fruit and Nut some times known as Cadbury Fruit And Nut Bars are bars of milk chocolate with raisins and almonds which are made by Cadbury and based on their solid Dairy Milk bar, but containing nuts and raisins. tarts and cakes (ranging from $1.75 to $24.95). Specialties include napoleon hats, marzipan mar·zi·pan n. A confection made of ground almonds or almond paste, egg whites, and sugar, often molded into decorative shapes. [German, from Italian marzapane, and more. Pickup or eat-in selections include gourmet sandwiches such as Brie, caprese, goat cheese, smoked salmon or roast beef ($5.95 each) on their wonderful breads or salads such as Greek or tuna ($5.95) that come with a roll. Located at 21600 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 340-1987, The Baker is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays. - N.H. DINING OUT Two Ma Maison alumni from that restaurant's heyday on Melrose Avenue, Jonathan Weiss and Mark Brown, have reunited as co-owners of Foodies - An American Grill in West Los Angeles
Chef Brown struggled with a tiny but very good restaurant called Half Moon Cafe in Encino a decade ago and since then founded Jack Sprat's Grille in West L.A., which he sold. He teams with general manager Weiss in the very visible, former La Terrazza second-story space at Wilshire and Barrington. Brown, who likes to spice up some of his fare, but isn't stuck in that direction, makes a fire-roasted tomato-tortilla soup ($4.95), a triple decker hamburger ($12.95), achiote a·chi·o·te n. See annatto. [American Spanish, from Nahuatl achiotl.] chicken breast with roasted corn and black bean salsa ($12.95) and a macadamia macadamia (măk'ədā`mēə), name for the nut of the Macadamia ternifolia, an evergreen tree native to Australia, but cultivated in Hawaii. The nuts, also called Queensland nuts, are eaten roasted or raw. nut encrusted en·crust also in·crust tr.v. en·crust·ed, en·crust·ing, en·crusts 1. To cover or coat with or as if with a crust: salmon ($14.95). His pasta selection includes linguini with a turkey bolognese sauce ($9.95) and butternut squash ravioli with a roasted tomato cream sauce ($11.95). Starters run from $3.50 to $13, pastas and entrees from $8 to $24. Half a dozen children's plates range from $4 to $6. Foodies, 11701 Wilshire Blvd., serving wine and beer (numerous microbrews), is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and for dinner nightly from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Information and reservations: (310) 473-8272. - Larry Lipson CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1) no caption (scarlet corn) (2) no caption (Mojitos) |
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