A tasty tour

You can take a peek at some of Camden and Rockport’s most elegant kitchens and taste some of the area’s best cuisine during Merryspring Park’s Kitchen Tour, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Wednesday, Aug. 6. During the self-guided tour, which includes eight kitchens, visitors can sample foods from The Rhumb Line, Atlantica, Thomaston Caf?, Oh! Bento, McMahon’s Rockport Grille, The Towne Motel, Cappy’s Chowder House, Sonny G’s, and Midcoast Culinary Solutuions, The Market Basket, State of Maine Cheese and Stonewall Kitchen. Tickets, which benefit Merryspring Park, cost $20 for the complete tour or $5 per kitchen and can be purchased at each kitchen on the day of the tour or in advance at Surroundings and Once a Tree in Camden.

A classic taste

In these parts, the name Baldacci is synonymous with Italian food, so it’s no surprise that Gov. John Baldacci has a recipe featured in A&W Root Beer’s American Recipe Collection cookbook, titled “Classic All-American Recipes from Alabama to Wyoming.” For the book, governors from each of the 50 states submitted their favorite recipes. To make Baldacci’s Italian Copenata, cut 2 pounds fresh eggplant into 1-inch cubes. Dust with 1 tablespoon of salt and allow the eggplant to drain in a colander. Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, saute 2 cups coarsely chopped celery, 1 cup chopped carrots and 3/4 cup chopped yellow onion in olive oil for about 15 minutes. next, saute the drained eggplant for 10 minutes in olive oil. Place sauteed vegetables in a heavy, 2-quart kettle and add 1/3 cup wine vinegar, 4 teaspoons sugar, 3 cups canned tomatoes (mashed), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 6 chopped green olives, 2 tablespoons capers and 4 or 5 anchovies, in oil. Let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Chill and serve. For other recipes, visit www.rootbeer.com.

Hot cakes

You won’t want to frost a cake made in this sunflower cake pan from Williams-Sonoma. A little fresh fruit and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar are all you’ll need. The summery pan costs $28 and is available at www.williams-sonoma.com or at the retailer’s Maine Mall shop.

Tidbits is hungry for news about local food products and events. Send your Tidbits by mail to: Bangor Daily News, attn: Kristen Andresen, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402-1329; by fax to 941-9476; or by e-mail to kandresen@bangordailynews.net.