No more bland-wich

, Star Tribune

Spanish-Style Grilled Cheese Sandwich (with Smoky Paprika Roasted Pepper & Tomato Topping) created by Edwina Gadsby, grand prize in the 2008 Mezzetta Make That Sandwich

Last update: August 5, 2009 - 11:58 AM

G.L. Mezzetta Inc., producer of imported and domestic peppers and olives, is sponsoring its second Make That Sandwich Contest, seeking people's best-ever, revved-up sandwiches in the cold, hot and vegetarian categories. Grand prize is $25,000 and a trip to Napa Valley headquarters. Two runners-up will win $1,000. And yes, you must use at least two Mezzetta products in your creation. For entry details, go to www.mezzetta.com.When seconds count

If you're among those who wonder if, confronted with a fire, you'd waste time reading the instructions on the fire extinguisher, Tundra may be an option. Tundra Fire Extinguishing Spray looks more like a can of hairspray, and is designed to stop small household fires such as those involving paper, fabric, wood, cooking oils, electrical appliances and equipment.

A trial test by the Sacramento Bee newspaper found it light (22 ounces), easy to hold and aim, and small enough to be kept on a kitchen counter, in a boat or a camping backpack. Its nontoxic spray can be cleaned up with a damp cloth.

Cons? "It's not suited to a large fire and the can is good for one-time use only. Total discharge sprays out in about 30 seconds." Tundra sells for about $20 at selected Sears, Ace Hardware, True Value, Wal-Mart, Kmarts and Costco stores.

Wishful thinking dashed

Marketing researchers at the University of Arkansas report that as the calorie content of a fast-food meal increases, so does a diner's tendency to underestimate its calories, fat and sodium levels. For example, while people expected a large cheeseburger and fries to be high-cal, they guessed it had about 725 milligrams of sodium, underestimating the amount by about 1,000 milligrams.

The study may help explain why people who frequently eat out have trouble losing weight. The final bit of bad news for restaurants facing possible legislation calling for mandatory calorie counts on menus? When people discover the actual counts are worse than they thought, they take it out on the restaurant.

More Farmer's Wife

Nostalgia sometimes gets a bad rap as being too sentimental, too rose-colored. Maybe, but rarely when it comes to food. Decades ago, the Farmers Wife magazine was the go-to resource for hard-working rural women about every aspect of their lives. Meals were the centerpiece of daily life and remain these women's legacy to their skills in coaxing flavor, finding economy and satisfying their families.

Voyageur Press in Osceola, Wis., began publishing collections from this magazine, updating recipes to modern times, but republishing clips of original articles and artwork, making the cookbooks as much fun to read as to use. Three new titles are out this summer: "The Farmer's Wife Canning and Preserving Cookbook," "Slow Cooker Cookbook" and "Cookie Cookbook" (each $15.99), all edited by Lela Nargi. From Rhubarb-Raisin Conserve to Sour Cream Molasses Cookies, there are good reasons to look back.

KIM ODE

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