Posts for May 22nd 2007

News

Who Says Jail Food Is Terrible?

Remember that scene in Arrested Development where they host a dinner inside of the prison?

Remember that scene in Arrested Development where they host a dinner inside of the prison? Turns out that might not be such a ludicrous idea after all. Diners in Pisa, Italy are swarming to an exclusive restaurant located inside a top security prison - one where all the chefs, waiters and staff are robbers, murderers and mobmen.

The patrons eat their meals in a deconstructed chapel next to the 60ft-high walls, watch towers, and security cameras belonging to Fortezza Medicea. While inside they dine on a signature vegetarian menu that has been cooked up by a someone who's serving life for murder - he's part of the 20 person team of chefs, kitchen hands and waiters who have all been through strict security checks and are constantly supervised by armed prison wardens.

The restaurant opened two months ago, but is so popular, Italy is considering doing this in other jails.

Source: Spluch

Come Party With Me

CPWM: Memorial Day BBQ - Dessert Menu

The menu for my Memorial Day barbeque is coming along quite nicely.

The menu for my Memorial Day barbeque is coming along quite nicely. I've decided to use recipes from a bunch of different regions to maximize flavor. It's also a good idea to have a lot of options when feeding a bigger crowd, this works especially well in case there are any picky eaters or guests with special dietary needs. To start, offer guests seafood skewers, olives, nuts, and hummus. For the main course make baby back ribs, grilled eggplant, a mozzarella sun-dried tomato pasta salad, and a refreshing fruit salad. Dessert will be the perfectly cool finish to a meal, delicious and decadent coconut lime bars. Sound tempting? Take a look at the recipe, read more

definition

Definition: Blanch

Blanch A culinary technique in which food is plunged in boiling water for a brief moment then quickly removed.


Blanch
A culinary technique in which food is plunged in boiling water for a brief moment then quickly removed. Often times the food is transferred to ice water to stop the cooking process. Blanching nuts, peaches, tomatoes, etc. allows for easy skin removal, decreases the bitterness of citrus zests, and gives certain vegetables a bright green color.

recipes

Happy Hour: Orange Julius Martini

When I was little I used to love getting an Orange Julius at the mall.


When I was little I used to love getting an Orange Julius at the mall. I haven't had one for years, but when I crave that creamy, frothy orange goodness I make an Orange Julius Martini instead. Vodka, orange juice concentrate, and a teeny bit of vanilla ice cream combine to create a grown up version of this classic mall drink. This martini is a treat best consumed after a meal or as a specialty drink at a party. It also makes a great substitution to a brunch time mimosa. To pour yourself a glass, get the recipe - just read more

Teamsugar

Wear Your Cupcake On Your Sleeve... or Clutch!

I was looking through the bookmarks on TeamSugar and noticed that one thing seems clear: cupcakes are awesome.

I was looking through the bookmarks on TeamSugar and noticed that one thing seems clear: cupcakes are awesome. Or perhaps it was actually: cupcakes are damn cute. Either way one thing is clear, you guys have done a great job hunting down fantastic cupcake finds. First up is this way too cute cupcake wristlet. It's simple, cute and has an anthropomorphic cupcake on the outside, what's not to love! Available for $25. Great find eruntale!

Next up is the Hello Kitty Cupcake Tote found by anti curl. This tote features cupcakes with Hello Kitty's face on them and we all know that cupcake + kitty = super cute! Available for $19.99.

Three more cupcake finds you can wear, so read more

Come Party With Me

CPWM: Memorial Day BBQ - Main Menu

Woo-hoo! Not only is this weekend a three day weekend, but it's also my big Memorial Day/start of summer BBQ.

Woo-hoo! Not only is this weekend a three day weekend, but it's also my big Memorial Day/start of summer BBQ. Yesterday I made a flyer invitation and emailed it to everyone I know. Today I'm putting together an edible outdoor feast for a crowd. Instead of choosing one culinary theme and sticking with it, I'm taking elements from a variety of cuisines to create a cohesive summer inspired menu. The seafood skewer appetizers have Asian influences, while the Caprese style pasta salad has Mediterranean flavors. The barbecued ribs are all American and the grilled eggplant (for the vegetarians) has a Greek feel. On the side - a simple fresh fruit salad. Doesn't all this talk about bbq food make you hungry?? Let me tempt you more with the recipes, just read more