FYI ... food

Here is this week's FYI ... food column:

St. Patrick’s Day dining specials

* Fred’s Diner, 2700 Immokalee Road, Naples, is offering corned beef and cabbage, at $8.95; shepherd’s pie, at $7.95; and chicken stovies — a type of chicken stew or casserole — at $9.95, for lunch; and corned beef and cabbage with steamed potatoes and carrots ($12.95); and shepherd’s pie ($10.95); the chicken stovies and “luck of the Irish” cake ($4.95) for dinner.

Reservations: 431-7928

* Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 8985 U.S. 41 N., Naples, is offering a “Go Green” wine dinner Tuesday with three courses and wine. $55.

Reservations: 598-2424

Healthy pizza

RedBrick Pizza has a multigrain whole-wheat crust pizza made with acai berry. Visit at 6355 Naples Blvd., Naples.

Information: 514-3900

Hail, Caesar for Ides of March

The Caesar salad may not be named for Julius Caesar, but you can enjoy one on March 15 for the Ides of March in honor of the ruler on the date of his death. Here is a recipe from thereluctantgourmet.com:

Caesar salad

Ingredients

Croutons

2 large garlic cloves

Pinch of salt

3 tablespoons virgin olive oil

2 cups French baguette slices cut up into 1/2 inch cubes (white bread works too)

Salad

1 large egg

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 medium garlic clove, crushed

1 pinch salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1½ teaspoons anchovy paste or 4 flat anchovies

1 teaspoon capers

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/3 cup virgin olive oil

2 medium heads of romaine lettuce, outer leaves removed

1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Preparation

Croutons

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

* Crush the garlic cloves with the side of a chef’s knife — be very careful — or with a garlic press.

* Slice up the baguette and cut them into ½-inch cubes.

* Combine garlic, oil, salt and bread cubes in a bowl.

* Mix until cubes are coated evenly.

* Spread the coated cubes onto a baking sheet and bake until the croutons are golden. Approximately 10 minutes.

Salad

* Crush the garlic.

* If you are using flat anchovies out of a can, mince one or two to make 11/2 teaspoons.

* Grate the Parmesan cheese.

* Bring a pot of boiling water to boil, add egg and cook for just 45 seconds. This is coddling the egg. Remove from heat and let it cool off.

* Mix the Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper, anchovy, mustard and capers in a bowl.

* Crack egg and add to these ingredients and whisk until smooth.

* Slowly add the oil in a steady stream while constantly whisking again until smooth. Reason: If you add the oil too quickly, the dressing will be separate and not emulsify.

* Tear the romaine lettuce into 1- to 2-inch pieces and add them to a large bowl (wooden if you have one).

* Add half the dressing, toss, add remaining dressing, Parmesan cheese, and croutons and toss again.

* Serve on chilled plates.

Sweet Tomatoes

Sweet Tomatoes will open at the Granada Shoppes, 10940 U.S. 41, Naples, on March 22. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. on March 19 and from noon to 2 p.m. on March 20 the restaurant will offer an all-you-can-eat meal for $5 with all proceeds going to the American Red Cross, Collier County Chapter.

Cooking lessons, demonstrations

These events are at Whole Foods Market, 9101 Strada Place, Naples, 552-5100:

* Learn about knife skills at 11 a.m. March 17, free; be introduced to Indian cooking at 6 p.m. March 22 , $10; and learn about sauce basics at 6 p.m. March 24, $10. All require registration at www.acteva.com/Go/LifestyleCenter

These are at the Good life of Naples, 2355 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples.

* Asian parchment cooking lesson with Shelly Connor from 6 to 8 p.m. March 23, $50, and a cooking demonstration of a coffee cake from noon to 12:30 p.m. March 27 with Bobbie Thompson, free. Registration is required for the Asian cooking lesson at 514-4663.

New place

Table 82 has opened at 13800 U.S. 41 S., Naples.

Waffle sandwich

Dunkin’ Donuts has brought back its waffle breakfast sandwich. It is an oven-toasted sandwich of two maple infused waffles with scrambled eggs, sausage and American cheese for $2.99. The company is also servng a special St. Patrick’s Day donut with chocolate icing, white and yellow sprinkles and green clovers (89 cents).

Food in the Louvre

Take a visual tour of food artwork in the Louvre and make recipes from Grand Louvre chef Yves Pinard. Pinard and Paul Bocuse have written “Food in the Louvre” to bring beauty as well as flavor to the table. Buy it at local bookstores for $19.95.

For your information

Did you know there are 12 flowers in the design on each side of an Oreo cookie?

Deadline for FYI is 10 a.m. Thursday. E-mail to snmesulam@naplesnews.com or mail to Sheila Mesulam, Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, Naples, FL 34110. All briefs are printed on a space-available basis. Connect with Sheila Mesulam at www.naplesnews.com/staff/sheila_mesulam

© 2010 gonaples.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.