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Sunday, Jul. 06, 2008

Screamin' Mimi's turns up the heat

For decades, Mimi Cox of Lexington made a hot sauce that received raves from friends and family. In 1992, her daughter Donna Madden and Donna’s husband, Bill, turned Cox’s recipe into a best-selling Kentucky Proud product.

Their first products were sweet hot and sweet hotter Screamin’ Mimi’s salsa; over the years, the Maddens have added other items, including sauces and chips. The ­newest creations are Screamin’ Mimi’s Kentucky bourbon marinade, Screamin’ Mimi’s garlic sauce, and a new salsa that many fans have been waiting for: Screamin’ Mimi’s sweet hottest salsa. The ­Maddens have really turned up the heat on this one. “This isn’t a salsa for sissies,” Bill Madden said.

The products are available at Liquor Barn stores, Good Foods Market & Café, Spirits Liquor and Party Store, and at www.screaminmimissalsa.com.

Vines, wines and good times

Kentucky was a leading wine-producing state from 1792 to the late 1800s; ­Prohibition in the 1920s ended wine production ­altogether. But now the industry is flowing again.

During the past 15 years, 46 wineries have opened, and in August, the Kentucky State Fair will have its first ­commercial wine competition.

Kentucky’s wineries are ideal spots for day trips, weddings, picnics or music venues. Most are open for tours, and some provide food and entertainment.

Here are some events taking place at wineries this month:

■ Talon Winery and ­Vineyards in Lexington will feature Zydeco Bon in ­concert on Friday. Go to www.talonwine.com.

■ Equus Run Vineyards in Midway presents the ­Sensations in concert on July 12. Go to www.equusrun vineyards.com.

■ Smith Berry Winery in New Castle is hosting concerts July 12 (the Rigbys) and July 26 (Johnny Berry and the Outliers). Dinner is also served. Go to www.smithberrywinery.com.

■ StoneBrook Winery in Camp Springs, near ­Cincinnati, will offer buffet dinners in its 1890 farmhouse on July 12 and 26. Go to www.stonebrookwinery.com.

■ Ruby Moon Winery in Henderson is ­hosting ­Australian singer and ­songwriter Martine Locke on July 12. Go to www. rubymoonwinery.com.

■ Chrisman Mill will serve an eight-course Tuscan ­dinner July 18. On July 19, the winery will have a summer steak and shrimp cookout. Go to www.chrisman mill.com.

Here’s what’s cooking

Here’s the Quick Take recipe I prepared Friday on WKYT-TV’s 27 Newsfirst at Noon. My cooking segment airs between 12:35 and 12:40 p.m. Fridays on WKYT, then becomes available on Kentucky.com at 1 p.m.

With fresh blackberries ripe and wonderful, here’s a very simple dessert that can be prepared in minutes.

Easy cobbler 2 cups fresh blackberries 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar, divided 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 stick butter, melted 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup hot water

Place blackberries in the bottom of a 9-by-9-inch square pan. Combine flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, melted butter, milk and vanilla. Pour over fruit. Combine remaining 1/2 cup sugar and water, and pour over flour mixture. Bake in 350-degree oven about 45 minutes. Canned or frozen fruit may be used.