A Stock With No Face

Perfect Addition Rich Frozen Stocks now include frozen vegetable stock as well as beef, fish (fumet) and chicken stocks. Like the rest, the vegetable edition contains no salt, fat or MSG and is sold in the freezer case at Bristol Farms and Mrs. Gooch markets and several branches of major supermarket chains: about $2.59.

The New Wave in Spreadables

Well, here’s the first reduced-fat cheese spread made with Simplesse, the whey protein product that mimics the taste and texture of fat. Probably as important is the fact that, unlike most reduced-fat cheese spreads (which use skim mozzarella), Kaukauna Lite 50 (for 50% as many calories) is flavored, like its Kaukauna Club ancestor, with Cheddar. At most supermarkets, $1.79 to $1.99 for an eight-ounce cup.

Waiter, There’s a Mitten in My Bisque

The English magazine Petits Propos Culinaires relays a Dutch report on Eriocheir sinensis, a crab native to coastal China that has established itself in European waters. It’s a notable crustacean for several reasons: It likes to migrate up rivers (as far as 1,000 miles in China), it has hairy “mittens” on its claws, and a Dutch scholar describes it as “zeer smakelijk, “ really delicious.

Recipes Analyzed

A company called Nutrinfo has published a series of books analyzing the fat, salt, cholesterol and calorie content of the recipes in 15 popular cookbooks, including “The Silver Palate,” “The Frugal Gourmet” and “The New York Times Cookbook.” They’re $5.95 apiece, shipping included, and you can order by check from Nutrinfo, 835 University Ave., Norwood, Mass. 02062, or by phone from (800) 676-6686.

O No

How many new varieties of SpaghettiOs can Campbell Soup come up with? The latest is Where’s WaldO, a canned pasta in the shape of the hat, face, shirt, walking stick and dog (Woof) of Waldo, the main character in the “Where’s Waldo” children’s books.

Bet You Can’t Gossip About Just One

There’s an old rumor that green-coated chocolate candies have aphrodisiac properties. Hence a lawyer named Wendy Jaffee has started marketing the Green Ones, which resemble largish M&Ms;, as “the only candy with a reputation.” Tastewise, anyway, they’re pretty good. Available at some shops, including Camp Beverly Hills, or by phone from (800) 444-4535 at $4.95 per 6.9-ounce box.