The art of the meal

If you’re looking for a way to heat up a wintry weekend, make reservations now for the Red Hot Carnaval Party, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport. Tickets cost $25 per person and include dinner, drinks and dancing to live music by Mr. Whoopie. If you purchase the $35 tickets, they include a one-year membership to the CMCA. Festive, red-hot attire is required, but masks are optional. For information, call 236-2875 or visit www.artsmaine.org.

Cookies for cash

A warm-from-the-oven, oatmeal-raisin cookie can’t be beat – or can it? Try your hand in Quaker Oats’ and Blue Bonnet’s Search for the Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie. The top baker will win $6,250 and have his or her recipe featured on www.quakeroatmeal.com. Recipes may fall into one of two categories: Easy Everyday Cookies & Bars or Special Occasion Cookies & Bars. All must include a minimum of 1 stick Blue Bonnet margarine; bars must include a minimum of 1 cup Quaker oats (quick or old-fashioned) and cookies must include a minimum of 2 cups oats. For complete contest rules, visit www.quakeroatmeal.com; e-mail OatContest@aol.com, or send a business-size SASE to: “Search for the Ultimate Oatmeal Cookie” Contest Rules, P.O. Box 3305, Chicago, IL 60654. Contest deadline is May 31, 2003.

A fresh idea

Avocados aren’t just for summer salads or guacamole. For a fresh twist, the Mexican avocado board suggests Mexican Green Rice with Chicken and Avocados. In a large bowl, toss together 3 cups cooked rice, 1 19-ounce can rinsed, drained black beans, 1 cup chopped fresh tomato, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and 1/4 cup prepared oil-and-vinegar salad dressing. Arrange on a platter lined with lettuce. In the same bowl, combine 2 cups cooked chicken cubes, 2 ripe Mexican Hass avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes, and 1/4 cup oil-and-vinegar dressing. Spoon over rice salad. Makes 6 servings.

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.