Food for naught

Waddle to the border: California restaurants are finding ways around a ban on foie gras, made from the fatty livers of force-fed ducks. Some restaurants are giving it away, while others, such as those on federal land, are claiming they're exempt from state law.

Others are getting around the ban by using ducks that haven't been force-fed. Instead the ducks are fattened by giving them each $6 and sending them to Taco Bell for a "Fourthmeal" of Volcano Nachos and a 40-ounce Mountain Dew Baja Blast.

--

Can you freeze-dry foie gras? NASA scientists are already at work developing foods that can be sent on a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s that will keep astronauts healthy and satisfied for a mission that could last up to three years.

How tough can it be? We got through five years of college on peanut butter, Top Ramen and store brand macaroni and cheese.

--

Hey, Kool-Aid! Herald recipe columnist Judyrae Kruse has a couple of recipes from a longtime Forum reader and Everett cook, Carol Wilson, who developed cake and pie recipes that use Kool-Aid drink mix for flavoring.

Astronauts can substitute Tang for the Kool-Aid, but should adjust the recipe for high altitude.

--