Beignet mix found for home cooks

Beignets are, it seems, one of those cult food items; they're unfamiliar to many, but those who do know them tend to love them.

First, a primer for the former group: Pronounced "ben-yays" and widely associated with New Orleans, they're pastry squares that puff up in the fryer into little clouds of bliss and are served hot, sprinkled with powdered sugar. The only place I know of locally that serves them is Chick & Benny's at 1659 Warm Springs Road in Henderson. But Taste of the Town reader Marge Phegley is looking for the mix from Big Easy-based Cafe du Monde, and fellow readers have come through.

Dolores Norelli, Debbie Taylor, Angelica Orme, Kim Breseman and Libby Casolari recommended Cost Plus World Market, which has stores at 2151 N. Rainbow Blvd. and 3890 Blue Diamond Road. Peg Wytrwal, Gwen Dawson, Mary Ann Tuer and Lily Dang recommended Fresh & Easy, which has stores on practically every corner. Both stores also sell Cafe du Monde chicory coffee, readers report. ...

For Elaine Irwin, who's looking for local restaurants that serve frog legs, Jack Lappin recommended Rhythm Kitchen at 6435 S. Decatur Blvd. ...

For Noel Newman, who's looking for lamb riblets, Lappin said he saw them at Sam's Club at 4800 E. Tropicana Ave. ...

For Barbara Simonie, Lucille Star reported finding fresh tarragon at Whole Foods Market, which has four stores in the valley, and Cindy Pitochelli found it at Vons at 45 E. Horizon Ridge Parkway in Henderson. ...

More on Friday night fish fries: Stephanie Manteris recommended the $6.95 all-you-can-eat fish and chips at Michael's Pub, 4012 S. Rainbow Blvd. Sue Bognaski recommended the haddock fish fry at Shuck's Oyster Bar & Tavern, 9338 W. Flamingo Road and 7155 N. Durango Drive, and the fish and chips at Crown & Anchor Pub, 1350 E. Tropicana Ave. and 4755 Spring Mountain road. ...

Here are more reader requests.

Breseman: Land O'Lakes Sharp American Cheese, which usually is found in deli departments, and Escal frozen escargot, or another brand;

Janet L. Kuzanek: asiago cheese spread;

Kris Waugh: Ultra Slim Tea from a source other than Albertsons;

Joan Crespi: Progresso tuna in olive oil;

Al Wirtzbaum: a Spanish restaurant that serves gambas ajillo (garlic shrimp) with saffron rice;

Carl and Lorette Parrillo: hot relish, like they used to get in Connecticut;

Paul Gardner: a local source of green coffee beans for home roasting;

And Lorraine Yancoski: a local source for hot peppers in oil, and Sol'eau Weight Loss Water;

Readers?

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