Posts for March 16th 2009

recipes

Just Beet It With Salad

A salad of roasted beets with crumbly goat cheese and a delicious vinaigrette is a pretty common dish on menus these days.

A salad of roasted beets with crumbly goat cheese and a delicious vinaigrette is a pretty common dish on menus these days. While I've had my fair share of this scrumptious salad, when browsing Dinner at my Place, I was intrigued by Tyler Florence's variation because he uses raw beets.

In their raw state, beets are difficult to peel; even on a mandoline, they were a little cumbersome to thinly slice, but the rest of salad is simple and worth the effort. The earthy crunchy beets, creamy tangy goat cheese, crisp bitter greens, toasted walnuts and blood orange vinaigrette combine to create a delightfully complex dish that is perfect in terms of flavor and texture. To get started on this surprising, Spring salad read more

German

German Food Company Honors Obama, Offends World

Click to ReadGerman Food Company Honors Obama, Offends World To pay homage to America and its new president, a German purveyor of frozen-food delicacies launched a new product — Obama Fingers.
Click to Read

German Food Company Honors Obama, Offends World To pay homage to America and its new president, a German purveyor of frozen-food delicacies launched a new product — Obama Fingers. "Tender, juicy pieces of chicken breast, coated and fried" It's like chicken. Like fried chicken.

baking

Simple Tip: Transfer Dough With a Rolling Pin

While baking a tart this weekend, I found myself needing to transfer some extremely pliable, rolled-out dough from a floured workstation to a baking sheet.

While baking a tart this weekend, I found myself needing to transfer some extremely pliable, rolled-out dough from a floured workstation to a baking sheet. Since I didn't want the dough, which had been trimmed into a neat rectangle, to lose its shape, I rolled it loosely back onto my rolling pin, deftly transferred the rolling pin onto a baking sheet standing by, then slowly unrolled it back to its flat shape to bake. Voila! The dough maintained its neat shape without getting disfigured or sticking to any surfaces.

Do you do something similar when you roll dough at home? If you have another tip for working with dough, please share it below.

arugula

Definition: Arugula

Arugula A bitter, peppery, and aromatic salad green.

Arugula
A bitter, peppery, and aromatic salad green. It has a mustardy flavor and resembles radish leaves. Arugula is sold in bunches and should be kept refrigerated in a plastic bag. Also called rucola, rocket, and rugula, this green is delicious in salads or pasta.

Source

News

Obama: "We Are Strengthening Our Food Safety System"

Since taking office, President Obama has wasted no time addressing the food safety concerns that have been on the minds of many American consumers.

Since taking office, President Obama has wasted no time addressing the food safety concerns that have been on the minds of many American consumers. Not only does the long-awaited COOL food labeling law finally take effect today, but over the weekend the president vowed to improve public health under his administration. In addition to introducing two new FDA commissioners, he also announced a plan of action to drastically improve food safety in America.

First, the president, who called the current state of government inspections "unacceptable" and "a hazard to public health," formed a new Food Safety Working Group. The special FDA task force will focus on reviewing, updating, and enforcing food safety laws, which he declared "have not been updated since they were written in the time of Teddy Roosevelt."

The FDA improvements will entail more cash — one billion dollars, to be specific. Obama described the FDA as "underfunded and understaffed" and said the government will increase the number of food inspectors and modernize food safety labs. Additionally, the US Agriculture Department will be taking further action to prevent diseased cows from entering the food supply: "Downer cattle" — those that cannot walk — will be banned from slaughter. The president closed by saying:

"Food safety is something I take seriously, not just as your President, but as a parent. Protecting the safety of our food and drugs is one of the most fundamental responsibilities government has, and, with the outstanding team I am announcing today, it is a responsibility that I intend to uphold in the months and years to come."

Given the issues with contamination in spinach, jalapeños, milk, and peanut butter in the past year, I think Obama made a smart decision to address food safety concerns so early in his administration. Do you think these measures will be enough to keep consumers safe?

Source

Shopstyle

Win a Fab Chloe Bag and Sunnies From ShopStyle and Net-a-Porter!

Click to ReadWin a Fab Chloe Bag and Sunnies From ShopStyle and Net-a-Porter!
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Win a Fab Chloe Bag and Sunnies From ShopStyle and Net-a-Porter! Guess what? ShopStyle and Net-a-Porter are teaming up to give away free designer handbags and accessories. That means you have four chances to win a decadent, delicious bag. The two are offering up this amazing Chloe Kathleen Shoulder Bag ($1,695). Anyone who signs up to receive Net-a-Porter email updates will also be entered to win a fabulous pair of Chloe Myrtle Sunglasses ($290).

Come Party With Me

Come Party With Me: Bedazzle Bonanza — Invite

Some people may think a bad economy is not a very good time to host a party; however, FabSugar and I disagree.

Some people may think a bad economy is not a very good time to host a party; however, FabSugar and I disagree. Now, more than ever, is the perfect time to gather up a group of friends and host an affordable get-together. That's why were throwing a Bedazzling bonanza. We'll supply the sparkling snacks and rhinestones, and everyone invited will bring an item (t-shirt, canvas tote, belt, headband) to Bedazzle. A Sunday afternoon is ideal for this sort of crafty party because it's after lunch, so only small nibbles are necessary, and on a work night — meaning no one will have a desire to drink heavily. All week, I'll be sharing the details of our party with you. Use them to throw your own fabulously creative event.

If you don't have a Bedazzler, consider a painting party, a knitting soirée, or cooking class. Save money and time by sending the invites through email, Facebook, or evite. To learn how I made the invite seen here, read more

Poll

How Do You Prefer Your Chicken Wings?

How Do You Prefer Your Chicken Wings?