GOOD TASTES.

COOKBOOK: If you're a fan of Rachael Ray, who hosts ``30 Minute Meals'' on the Food Network, you're bound to like her sixth cookbook, ``Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals: Get Togethers'' (Lake Isle Press; $18.95). It's filled with lots of different menus (with recipes) for brunches, lunches, party bites, the big game and dinners that can be cooked from start to finish in half an hour or less. She includes a list of store-bought items to round out party meals in a jiffy. Instead of having two or three big parties a year, she advocates having smaller groups more often. After all, with fast, simple menus it shouldn't be such a big production - and it is also less expensive and more fun. Get togethers, by Ray's definition, ``are small, informal gatherings that pair great food with a few great people.'' Even novice cooks will feel comfortable with the easy recipes here, some using convenience items.

- Natalie Haughton

NEW: Who would have thought Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn would team up with Cinnabon, the makers of those overly sweet, gooey cinnamon rolls, to produce Orville Redenbacher's Cinnabon Cinnamon Butter Popcorn? Doesn't sound like a likely match (frosting and cinnamon with popcorn), but the concept may have been driven by data showing that sweet popcorn is the fasting-growing segment of the microwave popcorn category, up 66 percent in the past year.

Although most tasters were surprised by the sound of the combination, once they tried it they liked the flavor and gave the product a thumbs-up. In fact, some found the popcorn so tasty that it was difficult to stop eating.

Like the rolls topped with frosting, once microwaved, the popcorn is topped and tossed with a sticky white frosting (from a prepared packet). Some liked this popcorn flavor better than sweet and salty kettle corn.

Although your waistline couldn't afford a daily dose of this popcorn, it certainly adds interesting variety to the popcorn flavor palette.

Available in two- or four-packs, with retail prices ranging from $2.29 to $2.69 and $3.99 to $4.29, respectively, look for the popcorn at Target, Wal-Mart and major supermarket chains.

- N.H.

CONTEST ALERT: You could become a millionaire if your recipe is the winner of the 41st Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest. So get cooking and send your entries soon. Entry deadline is March 10.

The $1 million grand prize will be awarded during the contest finals June 26-29, when 100 finalists will be selected to cook their creations at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood. In addition, four $5,000 runner-up prizes will be handed out, one in each of the recipe categories, which include Breakfast Favorites, Weekends Made Special, Dinner Made Easy, and Fast Snack and Appetizers.

Entry forms, contest rules and specific products eligible (with the amount of each that must be used) can be found at the contest Web site - www.pillsbury.com/bakeoff - or by sending your name and address to Pillsbury Bake-Off Entry Form Request, P.O. Box 7200, Melville, NY 11775-7200. The contest is open to amateur cooks ages 13 and older. All entries must be newly created and original. Recipes will be judged on taste, appearance, creativity and consumer appeal.

- N.H.

DINING OUT

Jean-Louis De Mori of Locanda Veneta, Ca'Brea and several other Italian restaurants around town, has opened Cafe Veneto (next door to his Locanda Veneta) that he describes as ``a combination of a pizzeria and a bacaro in Venice.''

Bacaro, according to De Mori, means wine bar. Venetian bacari, he says, are simple and casual cafes where the Italian version of tapas, called cichetti, are served.

His cichetti plates are all priced under $10 except a charcuterie platter ($12) and a cheese plate ($14.50). They are divided into eight fish dishes that include pan-fried filet of sole ($7.50), grilled salmon ($7.90) and shrimps flamed with Pernod ($7.80), nine meat dishes and 10 vegetarian items. Among the meat plates are osso buco ($9.25), grilled chicken ($7.50) and a flatiron steak ($9.95).

There are also individual pizzas ($7.25 to $9.95), foccacia with varied toppings ($8.25 to $9.50), mezzaluna-shaped folded and stuffed pizzas ($7.25 to $9.50) and a trio of house specialty pizza items at $9, $9.25 and $9.50).

Wines, sold by the ombra (a 3.2-ounce glass, $4 to $7.50), glass ($7 to $12) and bottle ($21 to $42) will soon be expanded to include a selection of organic bottlings.

Cafe Veneto at 8636 W. Third St., is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to midnight daily except Sunday. No reservations (first come, first served). Information: [phone].

- Larry Lipson

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (book: ``Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals: Get Togethers'')

(2) no caption (Orville Redenbacher's Cinnabon Cinnamon Butter Popcorn)

(3) no caption (Pillsbury Bake-Off)