It's Dungeness crab season right now in San Francisco, and I can't wait to take advantage of the extremely fresh catch. After seeing TeamSugar member lengel's recipe for tropical crab salad, I already know what I'll be making with my crabmeat. With ingredients such as mangoes, avocados, cilantro, and radicchio, the salad looks crunchy, sweet, savory, bright, and zesty all at the same time. To see the healthy recipe, read more
With Mardi Gras parades and festivals going on today across the country and a handful of restaurant weeks still going strong, this week's a great time to pay a visit to your favorite food events: If you live anywhere nearby, celebrate dungeness crab season in Northern California, as well as the beginning of Florida's strawberry season. And if you're attending the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, perhaps I'll see you there!
Got any fine food events that you see left off this list? If so, chime in below. Will you be going to any of this week's events?
To see the rest, read more
Jack in the Box really wants your support: The fast-food chain's latest campaign features its fictitious CEO "Jack Box" comatose after being struck by a bus. Last week, it asked fans to "show support for Jack" with a coupon for free curly fries. Now, it's asking diners to do the same with a coupon for two free tacos, good today only. To score two free tacos, simply bring in this coupon.
Possibly piggybacking on the success of Jack in the Box, sandwich chain Quizno's is also offering free fare with its Million Sub Giveaway. To land a free toasted sub, simply register on the company's website. I may very well be headed to Quizno's for lunch. What about you — will you hit up these offers?
WTF?! Paula's Pants Fall Off at SoBe Food & Wine Festival Can y'all please tell me what the freak celeb chef Paula Deen, Queen of Butter, is doing mooning people at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival? Cuz I am very, very confused.
Last month Tropicana debuted a clean new look to emphasize the all-natural, fresh squeezed juice. However, due to an overwhelming amount of customer outrage, the company is abandoning the changes and returning to the old packaging. Many loyal Tropicana fans were disgusted by the brand's redesigned logo — which features a glass of orange juice against a white backdrop, instead of the familiar orange with a straw poking out the side — calling it ugly, stupid, and generic-looking. According to Neil Campbell, the President of Tropicana North America, the company was unaware of its fiercely loyal consumers:
We underestimated the deep emotional bond [of the brand's original logo]. What we didn't get was the passion this very loyal small group of consumers have. That wasn't something that came out in the research. Those consumers are very important to us, so we responded.
The reaction will be quick: Tropicana plans to discontinue the redesigned packaging immediately and have the old image back on the carton by next month. The juice giant isn't the only brand to update its logo; Pepsi, Snapple, and Heinz have recently revamped their trademark images. Only time will tell if these companies fare better with consumer support than Tropicana did.
Did you notice the new Tropicana packaging? How do you feel about the controversy?
Cool Idea: Amana's Colorful Fridge Line Turns out that another well-known refrigerator company is offering a range of colorful refrigerators. Amana debuted 10 different concept refrigerator designs at the International Builders’ Show out in Vegas last month. The fridges were a collaboration between Amana brand ambassador Thom Filicia and the Amana design team.
Watching the radiant Slumdog Millionaire cast at the Oscars and the clips from the lush film made me hungry for Indian culture — and Indian food. I've decided to round up an intimate group and host an informal Indian dinner. My girlfriend Emily is bringing the wonderful soundtrack from the film and I'm in charge of the menu.
With fewer people traveling due to the economy, this is a great way to experience an exotic culture in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cooking a meal is more affordable than purchasing a plane ticket, so consider brightening up a Winter's evening with this lively get-together. Jump-start the party with Padma Lakshmi's crispy turkey rolls with mint and date dipping sauce; they should be ready and waiting for guests to arrive.
Shrimp tikka with mango chutney is fragrant, flavorful, sweet, and spicy. For the main course, serve chicken with a fresh, tangy cilantro sauce, white rice, and green lentils with lemon slices and popped mustard seeds. To entice your tastebuds with these dishes, read more
