Perfect set of buns
Good news about one of the most vexing problems of barbecue season: Too many hot dog buns.
Chicago hot dog maker Vienna Beef and bun baker S. Rosen have announced they will make equal-sized packages (that’s 8 hot dogs and 8 buns), according to the Chicago Tribune.
Now, there will be fewer hot dog buns left to mold or abandoned in the freezer. Wieners have forever been sold in packages of eight while buns were more likely to be found in bags of six or 12. More than two million buns are wasted every year, according to a company news release.
Now, if we can just get the rest of the hot dog and bun makers talking…
Legume Lowdown
Time to polish those lentil recipes: The National Lentil Festival is accepting entries in its annual cook-off. This year’s contest is “The Legendary Lentil Cook-Off,” and they’ll be looking for recipes of legendary proportions, designed to appeal to all lentil connoisseurs, according to a news release.
The categories include main dishes, breads, salads, desserts, soups, side dishes and snacks. There also is a category for cooks younger than 14 to show off their creations. The winners will be chosen by the people who attend the National Lentil Festival in Pullman this summer. (It’s Aug. 19 and 20 for those who want to mark their calendars now.) Each recipe must include 1/2 cup of dried or 1 cup cooked lentils.
Entries must be postmarked by July 8 and a preliminary cook-off will be held Aug. 2.
The lentil festival coordinators produce a booklet of contest recipes each fall which is available at the National Lentil Festival office. For more information about the festival, cook-off or to request a recipe booklet, call Michelle Poesy at (800) 365-6948 or (509) 334-3565. Or write to: National Lentil Festival, 415 N. Grand Ave., Pullman, WA 99163.
Boat-Thru Service
Boaters on Coeur d’Alene no longer have to disembark to find a decent burger for lunch.
The Beachouse has launched a Boater’s Drive-Thru and will be serving flame-broiled burgers, German sausages and bacon tarragon chicken sandwiches. The meals are served with chips for $6. Beer and soda is also available.
The boat-thru is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. You’ll find the service at the end of the Beachouse’s guest dock. The Beachouse is overlooking Silver Beach, adjacent to the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.
In Season
The Copper River salmon are running and are showing up at the grocery stores and on local menus. Don’t miss the season. The season opened May 14 in Alaska and lasts just a little over a month.