Here's to Spanish wines
A colorful 120-page paperback, Wines From Spain: Far From Ordinary Wine Guide 2005-2006, is available to explain the latest developments in Spanish wines, wine styles and regions. The book has an introduction and tasting notes by Doug Frost, master sommelier of Kansas City, Mo. It is available online at winesfromspainusa.com.
Associated Press
Kitchen tip
To ensure the temperature inside is what you want it to be, use an oven thermometer or buy a basic white-cake mix and follow the directions exactly. If the cake is dry or undercooked, the temperature is not set correctly. If the oven isn't heating correctly, it may need to be recalibrated or have a new thermostat installed.
mrappliance.com
Know a helpful shortcut in the kitchen? Send it to Liz Atwood, Food Editor, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278 or e-mail it to food@baltsun.com.
EVENTS
Sauerkraut party -- Celebrate the tradition of sauerkraut in Baltimore from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Gertrude's at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. You'll hear about the city's German immigrants and taste kraut and sausages. Free. Call 410-889-3399.
Party with Astin --Join actor John Astin and dine on gourmet foods from 25 area restaurants and caterers at the 16th annual Heartfest at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at Martin's West. Tickets are $100. Proceeds benefit the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Preventive Cardiology Center. Call 410-560-2230.
Winemaking adventures --The American Institute of Wine and Food/Baltimore invites you to share food and wine with chef Jerry Pellegrino at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at Cork's Restaurant, 1026 S. Charles St., where he will discuss his experiences working in the wine harvest in Oregon. $75 for AIWF members; $86 for nonmembers. Call 410-244-0044.
SITE DU JOUR
eatright.org
Start the new year off right with a more healthful diet. The American Dietetic Association's Web site provides food and nutrition information such as the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and reports from food-safety surveys. Daily tips give advice on how to incorporate healthful foods in meals and snacks.
Liz Atwood
