Subscribe now

Old Glory Takes The Cake In D.C.

Rick Bonino Food Editor

Betsy Ross, meet Sara Lee.

In honor of Flag Day, a 52- by 90-foot cake in the shape of Old Glory will be assembled today on the lawn of the Washington Monument.

The ingredients: 5,700 pounds of cake, crowned with 3,600 pounds of whipped topping, with another 5,700 pounds of strawberry pie filling for the stripes and 1,700 pounds of blueberry filling for the field.

Volunteers will put the cake together like a puzzle, out of 1,430 individual pans. In case there are any leftovers, they’re headed for food banks.

Sure-fire recipes

Trying to advance your backyard barbecuing skills beyond burned burgers? Here are some sources for ideas:

Recipes from Fajitas-on-a-Stick to Steak With Parmesan-Grilled Vegetables, along with grilling tips, are available by sending a stamped, self-addressed, business-sized envelope to: Meat Board Test Kitchens, Dept. GB, 444 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.

If soy sauce is more your style, you can get La Choy’s Summer Sizzler recipe leaflet, featuring a variety of marinades and basting sauces, by calling 1-800-252-2469.

And if you really enjoy hitting the sauce, Jim Beam’s “Bourboncuing with Booker” brochure will put you in the true spirits of summer. Send your name and address to: Jim Beam’s 200th Anniversary, “Bourbouncuing with Booker” Brochure, P.O. Box 5002, Ronks, PA 17573.

Spinach is as spinach does

Life is like a … bowl of salad?

That’s none other than Jim Hanks starring in one of the new television ads airing in Spokane and other selected markets for Fresh Express Farms packaged salads. His previous claim to fame was filling in for big brother Tom as a double during the jogging scenes in “Forrest Gump.”

Go for the lettuce

Speaking of salads, there may still be time to toss together an entry for Fetzer Vineyards’ “Great Salad Toss II” contest, which features a $5,000 grand prize.

Recipes must include at least one type of green and a made-fromscratch dressing. Compatibility with wine is one of the judging criteria. Deadline is July 1; for a complete copy of the rules, call 800-846-8637.

You’ve got more time - and you’ll need it - to prepare for the National Salad Head Competition, for the best edible sculpture of a head.

Grand prize is $1,000; deadline is Sept. 1. For information, write to: National Salad Head Competition, The Association for Dressings & Sauces, 5775-G PeachtreeDunwoody Road, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30342.

, DataTimes