Now that Fall is here we can start to think about cold-weather cocktails, especially the warming toddy. With its burnt orange color, caramelized sugar rim, and creative name, this modern variation of the classic drink is not your grandmother's nightcap. Made with rum and Canton Ginger Liquor, it's delicious and surprisingly easy to drink. Created especially for my birthday party, by superstar bartender Aaron Smith, of 15 Romolo, the Sweeney (Hottie) Toddy is also a wonderful concoction for a Halloween party. Lighting the glass on fire to caramelize the rim makes for a fabulous party trick! Learn how it's done and read more

Yesterday, Burger King announced that all of its restaurants in the US and Canada have made the switch to cooking with trans fat free oils. The second most popular fast food chain also announced that all of its menu items, including baked goods, will contain zero grams of trans fat by Nov. 1 — earlier than the company anticipated.

According to a statement issued by Burger King, customers who tried the new trans fat free foods were either unable to tell a difference in the taste of menu items or felt that the products tasted even better. The hamburger chain attributes this to its two proprietary blends of three oils.

The company has fallen under criticism for taking so long to cut out trans fat oils: Both KFC and Taco Bell switched in 2007, and Wendy's a year before that. Number one fast food chain McDonald's is now one of the last to make the complete switch, promising a menu free of trans fats by the end of the year.

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A great thing about Fall fruits, specifically pears, is that they can be used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. In this case, the pears are a crisp addition to a scrumptious salad. The classic pairing is pork and apples, but pears complement the peppered protein as nicely as their crunchy counterpart. A drizzle of a quick honey-mustard sauce finishes off this hearty and delicious dish. To start your weekend with this salad, read more

If you're lucky enough to have access to a barn, host the hoedown inside. Open the doors and place a long table covered with a red bandanna-print tablecloth in the middle of the space. Set the table with blue bandanna-print napkins and divided plastic plates. Serve the food buffet-style on another table. Plate the brisket on a large white serving platter and spoon the beans into a matching white bowl. Outside of the barn, light a fire in a fire pit. Create a circular seating area around the pit with bales of hay. Place the keg and punch nearby under a tree. Stack etch-it cups next to the keg and have guests label the cups with their name. A bouquet with Fall's beautiful colors adds a touch of elegance to this rustic soirée.

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Animal-rights organization PETA is known for its head-turning campaigns, and its latest one is no different. PETA Asia Pacific's newest ads feature model-actress Alicia Mayer in a lingerie set holding a suggestive banana, provoking, "Eating meat got you down? Get it up! Go vegetarian." PETA states:

A man who stuffs his belly full of dead pig flesh in the kitchen might end up delivering dead wood in the bedroom. High cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, prostate cancer and inflammation, and hormonal imbalances cause the vast majority of all cases of impotence. The good news is that medical science has proved that all of these conditions can be virtually eliminated with a low-fat vegan diet.

My guess is that this campaign is part of an effort by PETA to turn more guys into vegetarians. After all, masculinity has long been associated with eating meat. While I find the ad entertaining, I'm not sure it will be enough to convert insecure men. Do you find the tagline amusing or offensive? And could you see it converting more males into vegetarians?

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• A surprising tip for making delicious zucchini. — Gourmet
• These cactus napkins are ideal for a hoedown! — CasaSugar
• Fabulous recipes that use Fall produce. — Chow
• Submit your best tailgating recipes to win a trip to the Super Bowl. — Epi-Log
• Would you eat this hamburger fatty melt? — Serious Eats
• Everything you need to plan a spooky chic dinner party. — Hostess with the Mostess
• Get to know some of your favorite food bloggers better. — Cookthink Questionnaire
• Make the perfect buttercream frosting. — The Kitchn

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I wasn't able to celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich this year, but I still wanted to bring the holiday's festivities to my home. I wound up making a German-inspired dish with sauerkraut, smoked sausage, and beer. Even though I used smoked beef sausage, you could easily use knockwurst, bratwurst, kielbasa, or any other sausage link. For a sweeter edge, add a few tablespoons of brown sugar into the mix (I prefer savory dishes, so I left this out). Best of all, the rest of the beer is yours to drink while making it! To get the basic, no-brainer recipe, read more