Edible art

“ART a la Carte,” a thought-provoking, culinary-themed exhibit is open now through March 26 at ArtCenter Manatee. The show features the work of many local artists, which run the gamut in styles and mediums from lifelike renderings of culinary favorites to more fanciful and thought-provoking abstractions. Visitors to the exhibit can also browse or purchase a companion “Art a la Carte” cookbook, which features recipes from many of the artists in the show, as well as ArtCenter members.

Here’s a sample recipe from the cookbook by artist John Barends:

Beer-bread, by John Barends

3 cups self-rising flour

3 tbsp. sugar

1 can warm beer

Mix and bake in a nonstick (or buttered) loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes (test with a toothpick). It makes your whole kitchen smell wonderful. I make it for potluck dinners and never have to bring them home.

— Paul Videla