Garlic Sauce, Poppy Seed Cake, Fried Green Tomatoes

(2)DEAR SOS: I would appreciate having the recipe for the garlic sauce served at Zankou chicken restaurant in Hollywood. --NORMA

DEAR NORMA: Zankou’s take-out chicken, which, according to the proprietors, is cooked naturally with only a bit of salt added to the cavity, is definitely enhanced by the garlic sauce served with it. You could use the garlic sauce as a marinade and basting sauce before and during cooking.

ZANKOU GARLIC SAUCE 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced or crushed 1/2 cup oil Juice 1 lemon Salt

Combine garlic, oil, lemon juice and salt to taste. Use as sauce for broiled or grilled chicken or as marinade or basting sauce before and during cooking. Makes 1/2 cup or enough for 6 chicken breasts or halves.

Each tablespoon of sauce contains about: 122 calories; 37 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 14 grams fat; 1 gram carbohydrates; 0 protein; 0.01 gram fiber.

DEAR SOS: I remember a dark Poppy Seed Cake served at the Bullocks Wilshire Tea Room many Christmases ago. It was made in a bundt pan. Is it possible that the recipe can be found? --MRS. P.F.

DEAR MRS. P.F.: Found, no, since the tearoom no longer exists. But we offer a standard recipe for Poppy Seed Cake that becomes dark when baked with many poppy seeds.

POPPY SEED CAKE 1 cup poppy seeds 1/4 cup water 1/3 cup honey 1 cup butter or margarine 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 eggs, separated 1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 cups sifted flour 1 teaspoon soda 1 teaspoon salt Powdered sugar

Combine poppy seeds, water and honey in small saucepan and cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes. Cool.

Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in poppy seed mixture. Add egg yolks 1 at time, beating well after each addition. Stir in sour cream and vanilla. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to poppy seed mixture, beating well after each addition. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into batter.

Turn batter into greased and floured 9-inch tube pan and bake at 350 degrees 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until cake springs back when lightly touched with finger. Cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove cake to rack and cool. Before serving dust with powdered sugar. Makes 10 servings.

Note : Use more poppy seeds if darker cake is desired.

Each serving contains about: 554 calories; 463 mg sodium; 144 mg cholesterol; 30 grams fat; 66 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams protein; 0.97 gram fiber.

DEAR SOS: My recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes has suddenly disappeared! Could you run it by once more? --DARYL

DEAR DARYL: Here’s the standard Southern recipe.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES 4 large green tomatoes Salt, pepper 1 cup white cornmeal Oil

Cut tomatoes into thin slices. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place cornmeal in paper or plastic food bag, add tomato slices, 1 at time, and shake until well coated. Fry in hot oil until brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Do not overcook.

Drain on paper towels and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.

Each serving contains about: 211 calories; 85 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 8 grams fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams protein; 1.01 grams fiber.