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Most People Have Trouble In Kitchen

Rick Bonino Food Editor

Feeling like the kitchen isn’t exactly your natural habitat? Don’t worry - you’re not alone.

More than two out of three people polled by Land O’Lakes said they struggle with cooking. The top five problem areas: overcooking/ undercooking (cited by 36 percent of those surveyed); trying to make meals without following a recipe (23 percent); reading and following recipes (14 percent); measuring ingredients (10 percent) and recognizing ingredients (8 percent).

The majority said they’re most comfortable preparing one-dish meals, such as pasta, salad or sandwiches, instead of full dinners with main and side dishes. And the younger the cook, the survey shows, the more likely they are to keep it simple. Generation X-press lane, perhaps?

Grill work

If you can manage to make a grilled cheese sandwich, the American Dairy Association has a recipe contest for you.

Just send your favorite original grilled cheese concoction, using five ingredients or less (not including butter, margarine or oil), along with your name, phone, address and age (adults only) to “Mr. Food’s Grilled Cheese to the Rescue!” Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 81560, Chicago, IL 81560-0560.

Entries must be received by March 21. The winner gets $5,000 and a trip to Florida for a taping of the syndicated “Mr. Food” TV show. Four runners-up receive $1,000 and a cookbook set.

Grade expectations

And speaking of putting the pressure on the chef, in honor of National Nutrition Month in March, the National Pork Producers Council is offering a “Family Meals Report Card” for your loved ones to rate how well you’re feeding them.

The report card shows how to score a week’s worth of dinners for nutrition, fat content, convenience, versatility and taste. (Just remember, it’s best to be charitable to people who work with knives.)

For a free copy, along with a “Lean Meals in Minutes” recipe brochure, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Nutrition Tips, National Pork Producers Council, P.O. Box 10383, Des Moines, IA 50306.

Global gobbling

Foods from Japan, China, France, Kenya and Korea, along with cultural demonstrations, will be featured at the annual banquet by Whitworth College’s International Student Club on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Whitworth’s Campus Center.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children and students with I.D. Proceeds support international events at Whitworth and in the community. For tickets and information, call 466-3232.

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MEMO: We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.

We’re always looking for fresh food news. Write to: The Fresh Sheet, Features Department, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. Call 459-5446; fax 459-5098.