BITES : Soap Dishes

“Love and Dishes: Scene-Stealing Recipes From Your Favorite Soap Stars,” edited by Irene Krause Keene (Hearst Books, 1996; $16.95), seems to be another sign that old-fashioned Hollywood glamour now belongs to soap operas, whose stars don’t disdain all the little things it obligates them to do. Somehow it’s hard to imagine Brad Pitt or Emma Thompson giving out recipes.

But in this book, Joseph Mascolo (Stefano di Mera of “Days of Our Lives”) freely gives a chicken with orange recipe that his late wife was going to include in a cookbook she was writing. Kimberlin Brown (evil nurse Sheila Carter Forrester of “The Bold and the Beautiful”) reveals, “I often make [Peaches and Cream Pie] for romantic evenings and special occasions, and it’s always a hit.” Linda Cook (formerly Egypt Masters of “Loving”) gives the recipe for Grandma Sadie Stone Cook’s West Texas Sweetheart Salad and proudly says the dish is much in demand at her New York friends’ buffet parties.

Take a lesson, Hollywood.

Pepsi to Turn Blue?

Pepsi Cola is planning to change its can coloring from red, white and blue to electric blue. The new color will be introduced in foreign markets first and reach us in 2000.

Who Is a Celebrity Cigarmaker?

Here’s a headline we couldn’t ignore: “Celebrity Winemaker Alex Trebek Announces Line of Ultra-Premium Cigars.” The host of “Jeopardy” will call his brand of cigars Creston Prestige Cuvee, after the name of his winemaking property, Creston Vineyards.

The Honduran-made stogies will be sweetened with a drop of cane sugar to allow the smoker’s taste buds to adjust after a dessert or sweet wine “without shocking the palate.” Creston Prestige Cuvee cigars will largely be sold by hotels and restaurants under their own proprietary labels, as Trebek’s wines are.