CAN A GOOD CAKE BEGIN WITH FAUX EGGS?
November's "Eating Well" Magazine says that egg substitutes work well in most recipes, including those for cakes, cookies, muffins, even quiches and omelets.
Because the substitutes are made from egg whites, they lack the cholesterol and fat of whole eggs. But to preserve the texture of some baked goods that are already low in fat, they recommend a teaspoon of oil be added for each fat-free egg substitute.
"Check the label first: Not all egg substitutes are fat-free," they say.
"Some have up to 3 grams of fat already added, as well as artificial color, gums and emulsifiers."
Egg substitutes cannot be whipped for use in a meringue.
SPEAKING OF WADDLES
A New York artist, Meyer Vaisman, specializes in turkey dressing.
Clothing . . . not stuffing.
Well, stuffing . . . sort of.
He costumes taxidermic turkeys - in the name of art.
B.T. (before turkeys), Vaisman created costumes for a live monkey named Mary.
"The monkey and I didn't get along - she was really a cranky animal," he said of the beast.
At her art show opening, Mary, costumed as an organ grinder, behaved badly, was anti-social and required janitorial services.
Hence the dead turkeys . . . more manageable, in a "Psycho" kind of way.
Vaisman's birds wear skins from other animals, notably the rabbit and the fox.
One turkey is a 19th century widow in a mourning veil. A more vivacious specimen is decked out in a frilly feather gown, a la Zsa Zsa Gabor.
The turkeys are topped with wigs done up by McKinley Kirby, who has coiffed the curls of Hillary Rodham Clinton and Cher.
His latest creation is a turkey in curlers.
The price? $22,000 to $35,000.
The turkey artist clucks, "We are all mongrels. It's time to lighten up and get used to this attitude."
CULINARY QUOTE
Twenty-five years ago, Julia Child dropped a chicken onto the floor during a live broadcast from her studio kitchen.
Shrugging, patting her chicken and gazing straight into the camera, she said:
"Remember, you are alone in the kitchen. No one can see you."
AUNT BEE SAYS
Life is a turkey, and each day we just add a little more stuffing.