NEW & NOTEWORTHY.

Byline: - Daily News Staff and Wire Services

CEDAR SUPPORT: Now you can easily duplicate the delicious sizzling flavor of planked salmon so popular in the Pacific Northwest in your own back yard with cedar planks from Oregon Cedar Grill. Simply place 4 to 6 salmon (or halibut or swordfish) steaks or 1 large salmon fillet (half side of fish) on one 16x7x1/2-inch cedar plank and drizzle with maple syrup or sprinkle with brown sugar and top with some Old Bay Seasoning, pepper and crushed garlic. Set the plank on the grid over a preheated hot gas grill or hot charcoal briquettes. Grill covered, without turning, 18 to 20 minutes total or until fish is cooked. (Within five minutes of placing on the grill, the plank will start to smoke and smolder). Lift the entire charred and burned plank (it cannot be reused) containing the food from the grill and place on a heat-resistant serving platter. Serve the fish pieces - which have been infused with pungent smoky flavor and aroma - right from the plank. You can also use the planks for grilling pork tenderloin, baby back ribs and turkey breast. The planks, which come three to a package, are available for about $16 at various locations of Bristol Farms and Barbecues Galore. Or you can order for $17.90 (including shipping) by calling the company at [phone]. Or check out their Web site at www.outdoorgourmet.com.

COOL LUNCHBOX: If the kids are already complaining about having to take their lunch to school, try packing it in the Crushproof Lunch Carrier from Arctic Zone. The sturdy tote has a hard plastic lining (removable for easy cleanup), so sandwiches and fruit won't get squashed. It's insulated to keep foods cold. The adjustable shoulder strap is removable. This tote is also great for grownups who brown-bag it. It's $10 at Target, Kmart and Wal-Mart stores.

< HOT SALSA: Want a little more spice in your salsa? Try Muir Glen Organic's new flavors that turn up the heat. You can almost feel the temperature rise just reading the labels. There is Fire Roasted Tomato which is a bit milder than the Habanero Hot (which was really spicy and too hot for most tasters), but both are well stocked with chile power. Tasters liked the tamer fire roasted variety on chips, but it would also work well on grilled burgers or fish. Just keep a glass of water nearby. Each 16-ounce jar costs around $3.25.

< NUTRITION FACT: With all those fresh tomatoes in season, you're bound to be enjoying them in a variety of ways. Besides being a good source of potassium and vitamin A, they provide vitamin C, phosphorous and other minerals. One large raw unpeeled tomato has about 40 calories.

< COOKBOOK

The words ``cheese course'' may rekindle images of cubed Cheddar and brick getting hard on a plank of wood stationed between the cocktail wieners and ranch dip. But that was then, and this is now.

An ever-growing variety of artisanal cheeses from around the world is appearing in supermarkets. So the timing is right for author Janet Fletcher's sophisticated primer ``The Cheese Course'' (Chronicle; 19.95), where you'll find tips on buying, storing and serving. Most of the book's 40 recipes are for dishes to serve with specific cheeses like cranberry pear chutney to serve with Vermont Cheddar, or pistachio-currant biscotti to serve with sheep's milk ricotta, or baked goat cheese with warm red cabbage salad.

< TRENDY

It's unsightly, weighs up to 10 pounds, has a protruding trunk the size of your forearm and has the texture of a crunchy rubber band. It also has a strong briny taste. Sound delicious or what? It's the geoduck clam (pronounced ``gooey duck''), which just happens to be the gourmet ingredient of the moment, the Wall Street Journal reports.

< Eating out

New at Southern California McDonald's restaurants is a Fiesta Menu that includes seven breakfast, lunch/dinner and sweet items ranging from burritos and guacamole chicken or beef sandwiches to a fiesta salad and a Dulce de Leche McFlurry. Prices range from $1.79 (a la carte) to $4.39 (if part of an Extra Value Meal).

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Cedar Planks from Oregon Cedar Grill)

(2) no caption (Crushproof Lunch Carrier)

(3) no caption (Muir Glen Organic salsa)

(4) no caption (cookbook ``The Cheese Course'')