Columnist Muriel Stevens: Misleading label mars 'Mrs.' mix

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at [email protected] or 259-4080.

Of all the disappointing new food products I've tried this year, the "New!" Mrs. Manischewitz Sweet Potato Pancake Mix (artificially flavored) is the worst.

So why, after reading the label, did I buy it? Because I just had to taste this sweet potato pancake mix that does not contain a trace of sweet potatoes!

Reading labels is always important, but I had to marvel at the clever writers who put a masterful bit of copy from "Mrs. Manischewitz" on the side of the box. "My recipe combines brown sugar, nutmeg and other spices to achieve a delicious sweet potato flavor." Mrs. M goes on to say that the potatoes are the same quality potatoes she uses in her potato pancake mix.

Nowhere does it just come out and say there are no sweet potatoes in this mix, just white potatoes colored to resemble sweet potatoes. Look carefully at the photo on the box. You can almost see the bits of sweet potato, only there aren't any. At just under $3 for a 6-ounce box, this product is no bargain.

The instruction says to drop the mix by the tablespoon into hot oil, but the calorie count does not include the calories absorbed through the frying. According to the box it makes 18 to 24 pancakes. No way. Try as I might I could not get more than 13 small pancakes. Once the batter thickens it's pretty difficult to handle. Only by patting it flat with the back of a spatula did it resemble a pancake.

The taste is hardly memorable. No amount of cinnamon or nutmeg could make up for the lack of sweet potato. I would have called the company to complain, but the box did not include any consumer information.

New wine journal: Wine enthusiasts can subscribe to a new bi-monthly publication called Tastings, published by The Beverage Tasting Institute in Chicago. According to Craig Goldwyn, one of the founders, BTI is the largest full-time beverage review body in the world. To avoid any conflict of interest, said Goldwyn, the publication does not accept beverage advertising.

Subscriptions to Tastings (six issues) are $54; two years, $95. A one-year subscription to the Insider's Club at Tastings.com is $45; 2 years, $75. One year of both Tastings and The Insider Club is $59; 2 years, $110. The Insider's Club gives members advance information on limited-production fine wines. For additional information, call 312-226-7857.

Home products guide: One of the best ways to learn about new home products and where to find them is through Better Homes and Gardens home products guide magazine.

You can't subscribe to this useful guide (it's available on newsstands), but it's an invaluable tool if you're considering building, remodeling or decorating. It doesn't take the place of professional help, but it does answer many consumer questions. To produce the guide BHG attends trade shows and contacts manufacturers. What they learn about new products can save you time and money.

Wherever possible prices are included, but not all manufacturers include such information. Of course, any professional you work with can get the information needed. What the guide supplies are the sources.

A wide variety of products is covered, including tea kettles. At long last I've found just the kettle I want -- a cordless electric Cuisinart that turns itself off after the water boils.

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