Table Talk, May 28

Rocky Mountain News

Published May 27, 2008 at 3 p.m.

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Have it your way, bar none

With dozens of types of energy bars cramming supermarket shelves, many die-hard fans still haven't found their one true bar. The answer, according to a California company, is to have consumers design their own. At YouBars.com, you choose a nut or seed butter, add a protein powder, nuts, dried fruits, sweeteners, seasonings, grains, cereals and supplemental infusions. The wrapper is labeled with a name you pick and nutrition information.

Our Nibbles bar: cashew macadamia butter, dates, dried cherries and pineapple, honey, walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, soy and whey proteins, oat bran, brown rice syrup and a vitamin infusion. We loved the fresh taste and creamy texture.

As with any custom-made product, YouBars are pricey. A box of 12 costs $40 plus $7.99 for shipping. Still, a fine gift for the athlete on your shopping list.

Info: YouBars.com, 1-866-682-2771

Produce pick

Asparagus, once the green shoots of spring, are showing up in white and purple colors for a trifecta vegetable dish. The white variety, long popular in Europe, is grown without light and is more delicate in flavor; the purple variety is described as "succulent." Regardless, choose asparagus that looks fresh (don't be above asking the produce manager how long it's been sitting there). Asparagus spears past their prime can be bitter and woody. And with the white variety at $4.99 a bunch, that can be a costly mistake.

Tasty TV

Shane Lyons, of Colorado Springs, will compete for the title of The Next Food Network Star on the fourth season of the popular series, premiering at 11 p.m. Sunday. The 20-year-old caterer of Experience Dining is a former child star of Nickelodeon's All That. The 10 finalists will hit the ground cooking in their first challenge in New York - before even unpacking their bags, they'll be asked to make a meal for a table of Food Network stars.

Food for thought

The Share Our Strength's Taste of the Nation benefit features a reception, a four-course gourmet meal with wine pairings prepared and presented table- side by Denver's top chefs and celebrity sous-chefs, live and silent auctions, entertainment and a VIP After Party. Gary Hart is honorary chairman, with the Coors family serving as celebrity bartenders.

The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Sunday at the Westin Tabor Center, 1672 Lawrence St. Info and tickets, $100 to $150: 1-877-26-TASTE, www.tasteofthenation.org

What women (and men) want

Ye ol' trend-watcher has been hard at work, picking up on the latest snack-food trends. Seems that sweet and salty are the popular duo de jour and all we can say is, "Oui, oui." (Translation: "Omigosh, these are sooo good.")

* Fleur de Sel Caramel ice cream from the Häagen-Dazs Reserve Series combines a caramel ice cream base with caramel sauce and chocolate-covered fleur de sel caramels. The caramels are made with fleur de sel (sea salt); the combination of caramel, chocolate and the tiny bit of salt is worth every calorie.

* Well, if you can stick to one pack, it's only 100 calories. Nabisco's Milk Chocolate Covered Mister Salty Pretzels are the right combo of delicious and amazing.

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