Being single, I've had my fair share of online dating experiences. However no online dating service seems as exciting as this cooking show that FitSugar told me about. The interesting website — Feed Me, the Brooklyn Cooking Dating Show — invites two singles into the kitchen. They cook together, and the date is filmed and then posted for all to see on the site.
I love the concept behind this idea: that food and cooking can bring two people together. However, you won't see me on an episode anytime soon — the service is for New York residents only.
It did get me thinking about cooking and the effect it can have on romantic relationships. What do you think about the service? Is cooking a way to heat up a date?
Spring is food-festival season, and there's no shortage of events to attend this weekend. From shrimp to strawberries, there's food for everyone to enjoy. If something is missing from this list, let us all know about it in the comments below!
The mint julep — a refreshing mint whiskey cocktail — is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Naturally, one should offer guests the potent concoction at a watching party. This classic recipe features a mint-infused simple syrup so don't wait until the last minute to make it.
Traditionally mint juleps are served in special silver glasses, but they're equally delicious in any festive glass. For the mint julep recipe, read more
We learned who had the knowledge to create a delicious meal fit for a family, and we got to see some adorable sous-chefs help out with the whole process. I had a lot of fun watching it, but had even more fun coming up with the quiz questions. Were you paying attention? Find out when you take our Top Chef quiz!
Photos courtesy of Bravo
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Although incredibly delicious, nachos are deceptively filling making them a dish that's easy to overeat. Since Cinco de Mayo is next week, I wanted to make a less-heavy variation of nachos that would allow for maximum margarita consumption. To make the nachos lighter — I have no clue if they're healthier, we'll have to ask FitSugar — I baked the tortillas instead of frying them and replaced the meat with black beans. The final nachos were fresh and delectable. I devoured them in minutes! For the details on how to make them, read more
Win a Williams-Sonoma Picnic Basket!
Now that the sun is shining, it's time to enjoy as much time outside as possible, and this Williams- Sonoma Picnic Basket with a liner can help you do just that! Fill it with your favorite foods and your favorite wine, lay out a blanket and soak up the rays with your significant other or best friends!
When I was in Tibet last year, one of the things we tried was yak butter tea. Popular in Tibet and southwestern China, this drink is made from tea, yak butter, and salt. It's very warming, and according to tradition, your cup (or bowl) is constantly refilled and never empty.
Unfortunately, I found it to be quite strong and incredibly salty, with barely any hint of tea. I was trying to figure out how not to get more added to my glass. It was more like salty butter soup, and I — the girl who can eat just about anything — had to force myself to drink it. I should mention that my guidebook actually said it was one of the most revolting things they'd ever had.
I could see where it might be amazingly tasty if you were in a cold wind on a Himalayan mountain top because the fat coating would be quite soothing. However, at a regular cafe, it wasn't quite so nice.
So tell me, would you try yak butter tea, or would you steer away?
No one was eliminated on this week's episode of Hell's Kitchen. Instead, Vanessa decided to leave the competition. The pressure of successfully performing with only one hand — the other was severely burnt — was too difficult so she asked Ramsay for permission to leave the show. I spoke to her on the phone yesterday and found out how she is doing. To see what she had to say about her decision to leave and her experience working at Hell's Kitchen, read more
Although bottled water isn't great for the environment, it seems like there's a new kind out each week. We've had holy water, vitamin water, mint water, flavored water and even fiber water. While it seems like you couldn't add another kind to the mix, Los Angeles based Activate is doing just that.
The new marketing gimmick trick is that the vitamins and herbs in their vitamin and herb-infused water are stored in a chamber inside the cap. When you twist the cap clockwise, the chamber is cut and the powder drops into the water below. The founders of the company came up with the idea because they had a hard time remembering to take their daily vitamins. Storing the ingredients in the cap will keep them fresh until they're released.
If you're interested to see how Activate tastes, the purified water is currently available in four flavors — Fruit Punch (Vitamin), Orange (Immunity), Berry (Antioxidant), and Lemon-Lime (Energy) — and claims to have no syrupy taste. There's no sugar — although it is lightly sweetened with Splenda — and it does contain caffeine.
So tell me, are you going to try Activate?
