Observing the Lemon Bar Code

DEAR SOS: I would love a recipe for lemon bars to send to my daughter in school. The ones she loves are served at Misto restaurant in Pacific Palisades.

--MARY JO

DEAR MARY JO: Misto executive chef-owner David Williams sent us this recipe. Yum.

MISTO LEMON BARS

2 1/4 cups sifted flour

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 cup butter

8 eggs

3 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup lemon juice

4 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon unsifted flour

Sift together sifted flour and powdered sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbs.

Pat in bottom of 13x9-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown.

Beat eggs with granulated sugar and stir in lemon juice, zest, baking powder and unsifted flour. Mix well. Pour over crust. Bake at 350 degrees 45 minutes. Cut into 32 (1 1/2x2-inch) bars.

Makes about 32 bars.

Each bar contains about:

193 calories; 88 mg sodium; 69 mg cholesterol; 7 grams fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams protein; 0.02 gram fiber.

Super Slaw!

DEAR SOS: My family enjoys dining at Catavinos in Pasadena, where they serve a wonderful slaw salad called Kathy’s Salad. I would love the recipe.

--MARILYN

DEAR MARILYN: Keiko Suzuki-Dutcher of Catavinos says the slaw salad was named after a friend, Kathy Hamilton of Pasadena. It may be used as a side dish or as a lettuce substitute in tacos.

KATHY’S SALAD

1 medium head white cabbage, shredded

1 cup chopped tomatoes

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Combine cabbage, tomatoes and cilantro. Chill. Pour half of Kathy’s Dressing over the salad. Taste and add more dressing, if needed.

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DRESSING

1 to 2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Freshly ground pepper

3 to 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

Mix garlic, salt, mustard, pepper and vinegar in bowl. Whisk in olive oil. Adjust seasoning.

Makes 6 servings.

Each serving contains about:

207 calories; 189 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 18 grams fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 1.42 grams fiber.

Got a Mac (and Cheese) Attack?

DEAR SOS: I’ve lost my wonderful recipe for Mrs. Reagan’s Macaroni and Cheese and I’m heart sick. How can I get the recipe again?

--GLORIA

DEAR GLORIA: Simply ask and ye shall receive.

MRS. REAGAN’S MACARONI AND CHEESE

1/2 pound macaroni

1 teaspoon butter

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup warm milk

1 tablespoon hot water

Shredded sharp American cheese

In medium saucepan, cook macaroni in lightly salted boiling water until tender, then drain. Mix butter, egg, mustard, salt, milk and hot water in bowl. Add cooked macaroni. Add 3 cups shredded cheese. Combine. Pour into buttered casserole. Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 45 minutes, or until custard is set and top is crusty.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Each of 4 servings contains about:

272 calories; 649 mg sodium; 60 mg cholesterol; 5 grams fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 11 grams protein; 0.21 gram fiber.