Cooking with oysters
If your world is an oyster, you may want to give the National Oyster Cook-off a try. Top prize is $1,000 for the best recipe.
Original recipes must be submitted by Aug. 5. Twelve finalists will compete in the cook-off Oct. 19 in Leonardtown. To get a copy of the official rules, write to goinsam@mda.state.md.us.
The contest is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, St. Mary's County Department of Economic and Community Development and the Rotary Club of St. Mary's.
A holiday glow
At your July Fourth barbecue, you can dazzle your guests with drinks that glow red, white and blue. Litecubes are 1-inch clear plastic blocks with a battery-operated light; they resemble illuminated ice cubes. They are made of a non-toxic plastic and contain a gel that can be frozen to help keep beverages cold. Tapping one side of the cube turns it on; tapping another side turns it off. The cubes which can be reused time and again; also come in green, yellow and orange. Prices range from $9.95 to $11.95 for a four-pack and are available at Bed Bath & Beyond and other retail stores.
For more information, visit www.litecubes.com.
Show of colors
Sur La Table lets you dine with a touch of patriotic whimsy with stoneware plates and mug sets. Red, white and blue airplanes, balloons, fireworks and sundaes bring a cheery look to these white microwave-safe dishes from the Seattle-based cookware emporium.
Both mugs and plates are priced at $24.95 for a set of four. To order, call 800-243-0852 or visit www.surlatable.com.
What's new on the egg beat
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Eggland's Best, a Pennsylvania egg producer, sides with the chicken. The company has always fed its chickens a hormone-free vegetarian diet to get eggs with lower cholesterol than ordinary eggs.
Now Eggland has two new varieties of eggs laid by hens that are not caged - Best Cage Free eggs and Best Organic Eggs. Both are from hens that are "free to roam in a pleasant, natural environment," the company says. The organic eggs come from hens fed an organic version of the vegetarian feed the other hens eat.
The eggs are available in local grocery stores at the suggested retail price of $2.79 a dozen.
Events
Classic Catering People chef Amy Bernstein will lead a class on preparing hors d'oeuvres and salads from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the company's commissary, 99 Painters Mills Road, Owings Mills. $50. For reservations, call 410-356-1666.
Linganore Winecellars will hold its annual Classic Motown Wine Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event includes Motown bands, wine tasting, tours, food, crafts and pony rides. $8 for adults. Free for children with an adult. The winery is at 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy. Call 800-514-8735.
Learn how to cook with beer 7 p.m. today at Cook's Table, 717 Light St., $50. At 7 p.m. tomorrow, Blue Agave chef Michael Marx shares recipes from south of the border, $55. On Friday, explore wines that go with grilled fare, $30. Call: 410-539-8600.