Posts for January 8th 2009

Love It or Hate It

Joy of Cooking Frozen Meals: Love It or Hate It?

First published in 1931, the Joy of Cooking has been considered the definitive cookbook for more than the last half-century, and is credited with helping to demystify cooking for home chefs.

First published in 1931, the Joy of Cooking has been considered the definitive cookbook for more than the last half-century, and is credited with helping to demystify cooking for home chefs. But the culinary classic is now poising itself to become the star of another market: the frozen-food segment.

Bellisio Foods, the company behind Michelina's meals, is testing a Joy of Cooking line in 3,500 grocery stores in 23 markets, including Boston, Louisville, Orlando, and Rochester.

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Perhaps the Joy of Cooking has, ahem, oversimplified itself. Should it change its name to the "Joy of Reheating"?

Source

restaurants

Let's Dish: What Are Your Restaurant Pet Peeves?

A couple of week's ago I was at one of San Francisco's most well-regarded and popular restaurants.

A couple of week's ago I was at one of San Francisco's most well-regarded and popular restaurants. While I enjoyed the overall experience — the food was divine, the waitstaff friendly, the location hip — I couldn't get over one thing. As illustrated by the picture above, the food arrived at our table before the drinks! This is one of my restaurant pet peeves: I can't stand it when food comes before drinks. You order the drinks before the food, so it's not logical for the food to appear first.

Now that I've confessed mine, I want to hear about your restaurant pet peeves. Whether it's an overbearing waiter or uncleared plates, do tell: what drives you absolutely nuts when dining out?

definition

Definition: Piccalilli

Piccalilli A pickle relish popular in England, India, and certain regions of America that is composed of chopped vegetables and spices.

Piccalilli
A pickle relish popular in England, India, and certain regions of America that is composed of chopped vegetables and spices. British versions contain cauliflower, squash, turmeric, and mustard, and often accompany cold meats. American versions, with chopped gherkins, onions, and other vegetables, tend to be sweeter, and may be used in rémoulades or to top hot dogs.

Source

celebrity chefs

Debuting Today: Bobby Flay Radio

Celebrity chefdom sure is far-reaching.

Celebrity chefdom sure is far-reaching. Rachael Ray does daytime TV, Paula Deen dips candles, and now Bobby Flay is hosting a radio show.

Bobby Flay Radio debuts today on Sirius Satellite Radio. On the talk show, the chef will offer advice to men on dating and dressing, talk sports, and discuss current affairs. Oh, and talk about food. Explained the show's host:

Food transcends so much now. It's become so much part of lifestyle. How you eat, plate it, how you dress, and how you live all have a lot to do with one another.

Flay's wife, actress Stephanie March, will also make occasional cameos on the show.

Are you looking forward to another extension of Bobby Flay's brand, or do you think the chef, restaurateur, TV host, and food personality has a little too much on his plate?

Source

TV

Top Chef Quiz: Time to Get Creative

If you watched last night's episode of Top Chef, you know that the chefs were given the chance to get inventive in the kitchen.

If you watched last night's episode of Top Chef, you know that the chefs were given the chance to get inventive in the kitchen. Tom asked the contestants to make a dish that represented their personalities. But do you remember which chefs were wearing sunglasses on their heads while they critiqued their peers? Or what kind of dress Padma was wearing at judge's table?

Take my quiz now and find out how well you were paying attention to Top Chef.

Photo courtesy of Source

Take the Quiz
Diet

Homemade Smoothies Are Healthy, Easy, and Delicious

Since my brother moved to Los Angeles four years ago, he's picked up many stereotypical LA attributes.

Since my brother moved to Los Angeles four years ago, he's picked up many stereotypical LA attributes. He thinks driving below 80 MPH is slow, is permanently tan, and starts every morning with a smoothie.

He used to frequent Jamba Juice, but realized a homemade variation was more healthy and cost effective. When he was home for the holidays, he taught me how to make the perfect smoothie.

The first step to making a scrumptious smoothie is to be creative. Start with your favorite frozen fruit and go from there. Although many people put ice in a smoothie, my bro avoids it.

Frozen fruit works fine at keeping the smoothie cold; it ensures a thick, creamy, not watered-down texture. He buys frozen fruit in bulk from Costco and keeps his fridge stocked with a variety of juices like acai berry, pineapple, apple, and mango. Other occasional mix-ins are soy milk, acai berry smoothie packs, protein powder, or flax. To check out two of his ultimate smoothie recipes, read more

News

Brittany Murphy Starring in Ramen Film

One week from this Saturday, I'm going to cancel any plans and clear my schedule.

One week from this Saturday, I'm going to cancel any plans and clear my schedule. Why, you might ask? Because that's the release date of The Ramen Girl, a new movie starring Brittany Murphy.

The independent movie, produced by media8, follows a young American woman (Murphy) who moves to Tokyo for her boyfriend. Upon getting dumped, she decides her life's calling is to make noodles, and seeks the guidance of a stern but wise master ramen chef. To see the trailer, read more

recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Veggie Burgers With Mint-Yogurt Sauce

Over the holidays my girlfriend Elizabeth, who lives in Spain, came to visit me in San Francisco.

Over the holidays my girlfriend Elizabeth, who lives in Spain, came to visit me in San Francisco. While she was here, all she wanted to eat were veggie burgers — a dish that is sadly missing from Spanish cuisine. "You know," I said, "you could always make them!"

Although she's not the most advanced home cook, this recipe is simple, quick, and healthy. The patties are a mixture of ground lentils, mint, and scallions. A tangy yogurt sauce and carrot salad on the side give this meal a Mediterranean feel that's sure to please Elizabeth's meat-loving Spanish boyfriend.

To make this hearty burger tonight, read more

News

CelebStyle Giveaway: Win the Jennifer Meyer Necklaces Jennifer Aniston Wore in Marley and Me!

There's a lot to love about Marley & Me, but when Jennifer Aniston was on-screen we couldn't take our eyes off her gorgeous necklace.

There's a lot to love about Marley & Me, but when Jennifer Aniston was on-screen we couldn't take our eyes off her gorgeous necklace. Designed by Aniston's great real-life friend, the Jennifer Meyer jewelry worked perfectly with her cute and casual wardrobe. Meyer's designs would be an amazing addition to any outfit, which is why we're giving two away! In the movie, Jennifer combined the diamond-studded heart and key number pendants on one chain and one lucky reader will win that same combination. All you have to do to enter is head over to CelebStyle and create your own look for any of the posts on the site!

From now until Sunday, Jan. 18, you can enter to win a set of Jennifer Meyer necklaces as seen in the film. One lucky winner will receive the 18k Diamond Heart Necklace and the 18k Diamond Lucky Key Necklace valued at $2,025. To enter, all you have to do is log into TeamSugar (if you're not a member, register now) and add a look of your own to any post on CelebStyle (see how after the jump). You'll be entered for every look you create so there are plenty of chances to win! Be creative and check out the official rules here.

To learn how to add a look, read more

Breakfast

Do You Like Runny Eggs?

On New Year's Day, out at brunch, I ordered poached eggs — extra runny.

On New Year's Day, out at brunch, I ordered poached eggs — extra runny. My friend asked for fried eggs, over hard. They messed up our orders: I got the hard eggs and he got the runny eggs. We were both incredibly disappointed, but when he saw the egg ooze golden yolk all over his plate, he totally gagged! He finds runny eggs disgusting, but I happen to love them. Where do you stand?