COOK'S CORNER
Famed lawyer lives on in a hearty party dish
Posted on Thu, Jul. 24, 2008
By LINDA CICERO
Q: Several years ago, you had a recipe for a dish similar to paella made by Chesterfield Smith. Can you run it again?
Richard Mason, Miami
A: This wonderful preparation by the late Chesterfield Smith Sr. appeared in Cook's Corner in 1991. I've condensed it slightly here. South Florida's preeminent lawyer for half a century, he called ''The Dish'' a work in progress, subject to frequent tweaking. A champion of the poor and disenfranchised, Smith (1917-2003) was president of the American Bar Association and made national headlines when he demanded an investigation of President Richard Nixon early in the Watergate affair.
Q: I recently had an unusual ''cookie'' at a catered gathering. The base seemed seemed similar to a graham crust but apparently was baked in a jelly roll pan. Chocolate chips, chopped Heath bars and nuts are placed on the hot crust.
Phyllis Breitkopf, Ormond Beach
A: There are many versions of this fun recipe. Some call for saltines or Waverly wafers rather than graham crackers. I've also seen it made with high-quality chocolate and/or Heath baking chips, but I think simplest is best.
ON A BUDGET
We've received a lot of excellent responses to our appeal for inexpensive but interesting meal ideas. The pasta recipe is from Marianna S. who writes, ''This is a family favorite. We have it at least once a week.'' We'll share more budget dishes in coming weeks.
SLEUTH CORNER
Q: We frequented a little Italian restaurant in Miami Springs in the 1980s called Joe Pepe's. They had a dish on the menu called ''Veal Dante'' that I crave to this day. Joe said he obtained the recipe in Italy. The million-dollar question is, does anyone have it?
Mark Hanlon
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