Bruttles stand out in Saveur

If you’ve never tasted the delectable candies made by Bruttles in Spokane, the picture alone in the latest issue of Saveur magazine could be enough to send you straight to the shop for a bag.

There’s a page dedicated to the story behind the gold-wrapped, nutty, chocolate-dipped confections in the April edition. They couldn’t look more scrumptious.

Owner Carol Measel created the confections with the help of her great-aunt Sophia Gerkensmeyer. It was Gerkensmeyer who started the family confection tradition in 1951 when she created the original signature creation sold at Bruttles: the soft peanut butter brittle.

Bruttles, either peanut butter (pictured above) or cashew, are made with the same recipe as the soft brittle, except the whole nuts are left out and each candy is dipped in semi-sweet chocolate.

Bruttles can be found at two retail shops in Spokane: Davenport Hotel Candy Shoppe, 10 S. Post St., and Bruttles Candy Shoppe and Factory in the Spokane Valley at 11400 E. Sprague Ave.

For more information call (509) 228-9509 or go to www.bruttles.com.

Nacho contest deadline Saturday

The deadline for entries in the Inland Northwest Healthy Nacho Recipe Contest is looming.

Amateur chefs ages 18 and older can submit an original recipe for nachos by this Saturday for a chance to win a $500 gift certificate to the Downriver Grill, 3312 W. Northwest Boulevard, and to have the dish featured on the restaurant menu.

The recipe must include at least one reduced-calorie ingredient and two varieties of cow’s milk cheese. Three finalists will compete in a cook-off at the restaurant on April 14 at 11 a.m.

More details and entry forms are available at the Downriver Grill or online at www.thedownrivergrill.com.

Spokane author releases three new cookbooks

Karen Jean Matsko Hood and her publishing company, Whispering Pine Press, have released three new cookbooks: “Coconut Delights,” “Squash Delights” and “Raspberry Delights.”

The books are the latest in her “Delights” series which includes 14 other cookbooks, from “Apple Delights” and “Easter Delights” to “Huckleberry Delights” and “Holiday Gifts-in-a-Jar.” The books are sold for $19.95 each.

The books each contain more than 250 recipes, along with historical facts, folklore and poetry, according to a news release.

For more information or to purchase a book, go to www.whisperingpinepress.com or call (509) 927-0404.