Food for Thought
Cheerios set celebrates 60 years

By Wanda A. Adams
Advertiser Food Editor

Miscellany from the mail:

Morning cheer: Cheerios, which was America's first ready-to-eat cereal, is marking its 60th anniversary with a limited-edition package that includes a commemorative Lone Ranger mini-lunch box and two boxes of Cheerios — one of the 1941 box and one of today's box.

Initially named "Cheerioats," the long-lived oat cereal was once closely associated with the popular Lone Ranger radio and TV series, and many of the Lone Ranger box prizes from the '40s and '50s have become collectibles, including a movie film ring, a flashlight pistol, a decoder and a deputy badge. Theory is this "Cheerios Then and Now" trio, unwrapped and uneaten, will become a collectible, too.

Animal world: Nabisco is searching for a new animal to join its menagerie of Barnum's Animal Crackers in celebration of the cookie's 100th anniversary. Animals in the running are koala, walrus, penguin and cobra. Consumers can vote by logging on to nabiscoworld.com or mailing a postcard to: Barnum's Animal Crackers 100th Birthday Vote for the New Animal Sweepstakes, P.O. Box 324, Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0324.

New in stores: Locally made S&S Brand yakisoba — fresh, precooked noodles in a pair of vacuum-packed 6-ounce portions made by a traditional Japanese steaming method to maintain the noodle's firmness while precooking it for ultra-quick preparation. Serve under stir-fries. The noodles sell for as low as 75 cents a two-pack on sale; regularly about $1.25. At Daiei, Marukai, Star and Times.

How much to serve: It's a pesky question. Here are some guidelines for your weekend entertaining.

Beef: Five pounds of cooked roast beef (expect a little shrinkage from the uncooked weight) is enough for eight 8-ounce servings.

Poultry: For whole turkey, figure 1 pound per person with no leftovers or 1 1/2 pounds per person for generous servings or leftovers. For chicken, figure two pieces per serving, except for the breast.

Vegetables and casseroles: As a side dish, allow 1/2 cup cooked vegetables per person. For vegetable casserole dishes that are rich in cheese or cream, plan on about 3/4 cup per serving. If it's your only vegetable dish, you may want to increase the serving size to 1 cup.

Reach Wanda A. Adams at Taste, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802. Fax: 525-8055. E-mail: taste@honoluluadvertiser.com.