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Cravings: Stuff We Gotta Have

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 9, 2008

DOUBLE BLACK IS BACK

Beer freaks love to obsess about great, delicious craft brews that didn't catch on enough to stay in production. They talk about long-gone labels the way anglers painfully recount the giant beasts that shook off their hooks. Speaking of hooks and beer, Redhook Ale Brewery is bringing back its Double Black Stout for a limited run. Available nationwide through February, or until supplies run out, the intense, coffee-flavored malts leave drinkers with a deep, rich finish. If you're feeling extravagant, pair it with dark chocolate. Cost: $4.99 for a 22-ounce bottle. Available at specialty food stores and beer markets.

JAMIE IN YOUR PALM

The video game industry recently discovered that - gasp - cooking is fun. Several companies have tried to harness that fun by creating new games. "What's Cooking Jamie Oliver" by Atari showcases celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's recipes exclusively on Nintendo DS for Christmas. Oliver guides cooks through an interactive shopping list, so they can re-create his original recipes. A cooking game lets players chop, saute and bake. (It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but the recipe archive makes up for that.) Also, participants can save hundreds of their own recipes and share them via WiFi connection. Cost: about $30.

GOOD SEASONINGS

Two of our favorite food TV series are on PBS: "Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie" and "Cook's Country." Each is distinct. "Diary" is more of a whirlwind tour of the world from a food lover's viewpoint. "Cook's" is more of a tutorial from your brainy neighbor, Christopher Kimball. WGBH Boston has put the first seasons of both shows on DVD. Bonus: The "Cook's" DVD contains printable versions of all 27 recipes featured on the 13 shows from that season; the "Diary" discs offer 12 recipes. Cost: $34.95 for "Diary"; $29.95 for "Cook's." To buy, call 1-800-949-8670 or go to www.shop.wgbh.org.

By Jeff Houck

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