Great Falls Tribune from Great Falls, Montana • Page 13

GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE CONTACT: -Call Associate Editor -STomKotynskiat (800) 438-6600, ortomkotynskimcn.net EATURES I 1 1X1 T7i a rrn Wednesday, October 6, 1999 5M Painless, trendy gem of an idea: tattoo jewelry Give and tek Jackie Rice By BRENDA BARBOSA Gannett Newspapers They're the hottest thing right now They're fun, inexpensive and, if you don't like them, you're not stuck with them. Cynthia Sutton, marketer 1 i- 'I -r Si QNt photo onto the skin started catching on. The jewelry pieces are made of stretchy nylon plastic and fit around body parts, creating an intricate pattern. Some are simple; others are dotted with rhinestones or flowers. The removable body art is a good alternative for a lot of young people who like the look but don't want the pain, either from a needle or from their tattoo-abhoring parents.

Sutton says the jewelry was a big hit over the summer, with sales jumping significantly in the past year. "Teen-agers want to look good, they want to feel good, and they don't want permanency of the real thing," Sutton says. Tattoos are the hottest way to accessorize these days, with everyone from Pamela Anderson Lee to Dennis Rodman sporting cool and sometime not-so-cool designs on their bodies. But if needles make you cringe, the thought of disease gives you night sweats, or you're terrified of a spelling mistake, then tattoo jewelry just might be for you. THey look like the real thing, fitting snuggly around throats, ankles and wrists.

But the best thing is you don't have to worry about laser surgery if you decide you don't want them any more. They're the hottest thing right you don't like them, you're not stuck with them." According to Sutton, tattoo jewelry became popular last spring, about the same time body decals tattoo-like stickers that are rubbed now," says Cynthia Sutton, executive director of marketing for Claire's, a nationwide retail chain that sells jewelry and other accessories. "They're fun, inexpensive and, if Tattoo jewelry pleases both teens and parents. mm mm Si A. Mi, 4 Local restaurant shares prized recipe for creamy tomato soup By JACKIE RICE Tribune Staff Writer Maybe it's the increasing chill as autumn moves in.

Maybe it's the universal appeal of a hot mug of good old-fashioned soup. Maybe it's close to lunch time. Whatever, When Dona Laas of Chester asked for a recipe for the tomato soup 4B's restaurants serve, she unleashed a flood of responses including one from the restaurant chain itself. The numbers tell the story for this popular soup. At the local 10th Avenue South eatery, gallons of the soup are served.

"Depending on the day, we serve up to 10 gallons of it," manager Marg Anderson said. It's so popular, it has a permanent place on the daily menu and the recipe is handed out on printed cards. Readers sent in several versions, often relating tomato soup stories of their own. "When I was a fresh- I love (this soup) and so do my grandchildren. Dona Laas JJ Perfecting the puffed pancake Several readers answered a request for a puffy, baked pancake recipe.

Thanks to Gladys Johnson of Cut Bank, Ellen Brodock of Belt and Phyllis Woods of Great Falls. GERMAN OVEN PANCAKES 2gge u2 egg white cup whole milk 4 tbep. eoftened butter cl cup flour 2 Up. eugar 44 top. celt cMix well in blender.

Pour into greased 8-inch pie pan. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes. PUFFY GERMAN PANCAKES -'1 cup flour xl tbsp. sugar 4 eggs i1 cup milk "4 tbep. butter, cut Into bite Powdered eugar Preheat oven to 425.

Heat 2 9-inch cast iron skillets or hpvy cake pans. Mix flour, see ar and salt Add milk and eggs, blending only until well ojjjibined. Take pans from own. In each, put 2 tbsp. bflfter.

Swirl to coat with better as it melts. Divide the batter equally between pans, pouring it in quickly. Immediately return pans to oven. Bake until golden brown and ptiffy, about 25 minutes. Don't worry if the pancakes start to sing as soon as they are removed from the oven.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut in wedges. Serves 4 to 6. SEMINAR: Hunt wild mushrooms, learn to identify, cook and grow them yourself at a mushroom symposium Friday to Sunday in Hot Springs. Admission to workshops all weekend long is $30; admission to a five-cpurse mushroom banquet is $62. Call Larry Evans at (406) 543-6630 to register.

Karla Swita, a spokesperson for Saco Food, sent the if cipe that won first place in tat company's State Fair contest. LLinda Graft of Great Falls vgjp the "Bake Your Best" CMttest with Razzle-Dazzle Truffle Cake. Second place went to Almee Hachigian-(Seuld of Ulm. Tawnee Wln-bXXry and Tia Riebe-Ricketts tf armed up to take third. For a free sample of Saco's Buttermilk Blend, cJJIpons and recipes, call ()) 373-7226.

ZBere's the winning cake. RrtEZLE DAZZLE TRUFFLE (SikE 3 cupa all purpose flour 3V4 cupe auger top. baking eode 3 top. salt 2 cup Saco Cocoa cup butter or margarine, Softened 3 cup milk, divided top. pure vanilla 3 eggs cup Seco chocolate chunks, melted IBreheat oven to 350.

(Base two 9-inch cake pans. Marge bowl, sift together ffiur, sugar, baking soda, sQ and cocoa. Add butter art 13 CUP mUk- Beat until vtM blended. Add remaining VDup milk, vanilla and ens. Beat two minutes.

Pour ie prepared pans. Bake 30 tfl35 minutes or until wood-eryick inserted in center ceenes out clean. Place on (Sling racks for 10 minutes, tji remove from pans. Let oeel on racks. Once cool, p2Jce first layer on plate.

Pfjst top with of frosting (Mcipe follows). Place sec-cQ layer on top and frost sjjps only with remaining ic-iM and arrange 10 fresh rl5berries inside circle, rrjzzle onto sides the melted cCcolate chunks. CING: Beat together cocoa, Vi cup butter, ted, 1V4 tsp. vanilla ex-tfilt, 3V4 cup powdered sug-aJ-6 tbsp. milk, 1 cup fresh Sherries (reserve 10 for ish).

Zwrite to Give end Take, (W Falls Tribune, P.O. Jdx 5468, Great Falls, MT Serve Broiled Tomato Soup in crisp bread bowls. So what happens if summer makes a rebound and it's too hot for steaming soup? Serve it cold. YELLOW TOMATO GAZPACHO 2Va pounds ripe yellow tomatoee, eeeded end chopped 3 medium garlic clovee, finely chopped 1 medium cucumber, peeled, eeeded and chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium yellow pepper, chopped cup chopped red onion 3 cupe tomato Juice 14 ounces chicken broth cup finely chopped fresh basil Vi cup lemon juice cup honey cup red wine vinegar 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce Salt and fresh ground black pepper In large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients; whisk together until well blended.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight. CHILLED TOMATO SOUP WITH MINT 9 medium tomatoee 3 stalks celery 1 Vi top. fresh mint 1V4 top. honey 1 top.

chicken bouillon granules 2 tbsp. prepared horeeradish 6 tbsp. eour cream 1 Vi tbsp. horseradish 6 mint sprigs Boil tomatoes until skins start to peel. Remove from hot water and run under cold water to cool.

Remove skins and cut out stem ends. Using a food processor, coarsely chop celery and set aside. Using food processor or blender, puree six tomatoes, mint, honey, bouillon and 2 tbsp. horseradish. Place puree in stainless steel bowl and add chopped celery.

Using a wire whisk, blend thoroughly. Refrigerate 45 minues. While soup is chilling, blend sour cream and remaining horseradish. Dice remaining tomatoes and place lA diced tomato into each of six soup bowls. Ladle soup over tomatoes and top with a rounded spoonful of sour cream mixture.

Garnish with mint sprigs. Serves 6. TrtbuM photo by Larry Baekrwr Dennis Norheim samples tomato soup at 4B's Restaurant in Great Falls. man in home ec class, my group got an on our homemade tomato soup because I added baking soda, and it wasn't in the recipe! We ate our soup; the rest of them had to throw theirs out. My mom taught me to keep the cream from curdling (by adding baking soda)," Phyllis Woods of Great Falls wrote.

"This soup is wonderful, and so easy," Ginny Jones wrote. Thanks to Susan Henderson of 4B's in Missoula, Sena Jupka, Phyllis Woods and Bonnie Peterson of Great Falls, Ginny Jones of Cascade, Agnes DeLeon of Melrose, Andrea Poulos of East Helena and a few nameless cooks. Here's the recipe, straight from 4Bs. 4B'a OLD FASHIONED CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP 32 ounces canned diced tomatoee 9 ouncea chicken broth, undiluted 1 ounce butter 2 tbsp. sugar 1 tbsp.

chopped onion 1 pinch of baking soda 2 cupa cream Mix tomatoes, chicken broth, butter, sugar, onions and soda. Simmer 1 hour. Heat cream in double boiler. Add to hot tomato mixture. Ready to serve and enjoy.

Makes Vi gallon. Hi. 10 to 15 minutes. Remove garlic cloves as they brown and soften and turn pan around for even cooking. Turn vegetables over and broil until lightly charred and tender about 10 minutes longer.

Remove pan from broiler and cool; peel skins from tomatoes. In food processor or blender, puree tomatoes, onions and garlic with the pan juices until fairly smooth. Pour into a medium saucepan; stir in chicken broth. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer to blend flavors about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and keep warm. To make bread bowls; preheat oven to 400. Using sharp knife, cut off the top of each roll. Pull out soft center leaving lA-inch thick shells. Discard soft bread.

Reserve tops. Place bowls and tops on baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes, turning once. To serve, place rolls in soup plates. Ladle hot soup into and around bowls.

Top with cheese cubes. Garnish with basil or parsley, if desired. Serve immediately. There's more than one way to get your tomato soup. The Florida Tomato Committee offered this version of the ail-American favorite BROILED FRESH TOMATO SOUP 2 pounds fresh tomatoes 3 medium onions, cut In halves 6 garlic cloves 2 tbep.

olive oil 1 tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 top. eugar 1 top. salt 1 can (14 ounces) ready-to-serve chicken broth 4 large kaiser rolls cup cubed Muenster cheese Use tomatoes held at room temperature until fully ripe; cover and cut in half. Preheat broiler.

On shallow pan, arrange tomato md onion halves, cut side down. Place garlic cloves around the vegetables. In a cup, mix oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Brush over vegetables, coating completely. Broil 3 to 4 inches from source of heat until lightly charred, Technology speaks, but is it saying anything you need to hear? 7 Trends and I technology Deborah Vi showoff purposes seem pointless.

While it's neat to be able to ask a car the time of day, it's just as easy to glance at the dashboard clock. Likewise, its automatic weather reports did little to enhance my driving experience. While driving down a rain-slicked parkway, a weather alert forecasting rain came on. The CUE system's traffic alerts also never kicked in, even after we deliberately headed toward the Tappan Zee Bridge on a busy Sunday afternoon. When the traffic slowed to a crawl, the Auto PC didn't even notice.

To get the most out of the system, it should be programmed for your specific needs. If the Tappan Zee Bridge was listed as a frequently traveled route, perhaps the Auto PC would have warned of the traffic snarls. and "Auto PC, directions," my voice grew hoarse. And even though the mikes were placed above me, I kept looking down at the machine in an odd effort to make eye contact with my high-tech traveling companion. Once the machine and I were on good speaking terms, it easily guided me to various places in the New York suburbs, a mall in Yorktown, a restaurant in Tarrytown, a train station in Rye.

The one thing it couldn't do, however, was get me out of Manhattan. When the Clarion rep showed me how to use the Auto PC outside a city hotel, I was warned that the skyscrapers would make it difficult for the global satellites to track the car. He suggested I get directions from the hotel concierge! Some of the Auto PC's other functions while fun for Clarion and Microsoft en- vision the day when drivers will depend on computers to do everything, from remind ing them it's time for a tune; up to remembering the way to a friend's house. And they have society's love of high- tech conveniences on their side. Once people expert- ence life in a computerized car, it may be difficult to go back to driving unwired.

A week after returning thj Auto PC demo, I was on my: way home from New Jersey and took a wrong rum. While driving on unfamiliar back roads, searching for someone who could point me in the direction of home I found myself thinking, Auto PC, where ARE you?" PorterfMd covers trends and technology for Weetcneeter Journal News. Send your trend tips to her at 1 Gannett Drive, White Plains, N.Y. 10604. You I can also reach her vie e-mail at debpcyburban.com.

noying exceptions. During a weekend drive with a fully loaded Auto PC in the car, I thought we would bond. But I hadn't memorized all the instructions, and the computer, which runs on a Microsoft Window's CE operating system, was a little temperamental about its "insufficient memory," so it kept whining that its navigation CD wasn't loaded, even though it was. The ability to tell the machine what to do, rather than punching in commands, makes the Auto PC a safer driving option than navigation devices that rely exclusively on hands-on controls. Even so, getting used to talking to a machine takes time.

To help it differentiate between regular conversation and orders, you're supposed to bark out the commands. But after three days of shouting "Auto PC, radio," "Auto PC, messages" Determined to get the car to talk, I tried different inflections of the same command: "Auto PC, where am "Auto PC, Where AM "AUTO PC, WHEEERRRE AAAMMM And then, at last, an answer. "You're at home, Mommy!" Not only was my impatient backseat driver right about where the car was parked, but he also honed in on a frustrating truth about technology. You can waste a lot of time getting sophisticated, expensive gadgets to tell you the most obvious things. For example, a basic Clarion Auto PC unit costs $1,300.

Once you add in the extra navigation software, wireless receiver and Global Positioning System the price approaches $3,000. In spite of this, I'm still in awe of all the gee-whiz things the Auto PC can do. When the radio-sized dashboard computer and the car's driver do everything right, the machine can give turn-by-turn directions to a specific place (even if you make a wrong turn on the way), follow spoken commands, receive e-mails, issue traffic and weather alerts, tune in to a favorite radio station, play a CD, share information with other computing devices, track business mileage and dial the office on your car phone. But as with any item of cutting-edge technology, there are always those an.