"reference" news and stories

Have you ever had to quickly run to your computer to use google or had to search through the indices of a few cookbooks to look for equivalent measure conversions? If so, you'll probably like this idea from a practical standpoint, and if not, you might like it from an artistic one. This Equivalent Measure wall transfer is easily applied to a kitchen wall or cabinet by rubbing the design with the included burnishing tool. Once on, it is permanent and can easily be washed without rubbing off, although it won't damage the wall in any way. It lists common equivalencies that most cooks will need to reference from time to time and has a graphic of lightly colored measuring spoons in the background, which gives it a slightly "country" feel and prevents it from looking like you simply decided to write on your wall. It measures 14" x 19" and comes in light or dark brown.

If you have neat writing or are reasonably artistic, you might want to consider skipping the $70 expense and trying to do it yourself.

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I recently came across a review of The Essential Reference of Domestic Brewers and Their Bottled Brands, 2nd Edition (right), a nearly 350-page guide to American breweries and the beers they produce. Conveniently known as the DBBB, the book offers an alphabetical list, a guide to beer styles, state-by-state availability, brewer profiles and product lists. There's also an online companion, provided via the DBBB's publisher, MC Basset. A .pdf sample of the book is also available on the site. The DBBB doesn't rate the beers, and actually, much of the individual brewery information is provided by the brewers themselves. According to the aforementioned review, the DBBB isn't widely available in stores. It sells for around $50 on its website.

Rose Levy Berenbaum has entered the blogosphere with her Real Baking with Rose website. Ms. Berenbaum is the author of such staple baking cookbooks as The Cake Bible and The Pie and Pastry Bible, in addition to six other books. On her blog, which is sponsored by General Mills, she will answer reader questions and help to troubleshoot recipes. She has been answering reader questions by mail for years and this is the first opportunity for everyone to read her responses. I'm thrilled to see her blog, not only because she posts very often, but because her insightful responses are helpful and interesting to read. Her blog is sure to become a great baking reference for anyone who has ever overbaked a batch of cookies or had a cake fail to rise in the oven.

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