A few weeks ago I asked you where you stood on salad bars. Although they're somewhat controversial, I have to admit that I frequent them. I like to mix up the variety, but there are certain standbys that I always get: pepperoncinis, hearts of palm, feta cheese, tuna salad. Salad bar lovers: what fixings do you always get on your salad?
Food festival season appears to be in full swing! The weekend's chock full of fancy food productions, from Scottsdale to Pebble Beach to Blue Ridge food and wine festivals. A number of your favorite celebrity chefs, like Top Chef's Fabio and Carla, Paula Deen, and Thomas Keller, will be making appearances across the nation. And what Southerner could miss out on crawfish and grits? If you think of anything we've left off, please feel free to add in below. What events will you be hitting up?
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In his blog on the New York Times, food journalist Mark Bittman makes the claim that food television — particularly cooking shows that teach a viewer how to make something — are too unrealistic. Unlike the real world, the chefs never make mistakes and each dish always comes out perfectly. He says:
When you watch most celebrity chefs go to work on TV it is a) baffling and intimidating, and b) a charade. Baffling and intimidating because nearly every ingredient is usually prepared in advance, and what isn’t is selected so that the chef can show off his (almost never “her”) knife skills, which are bound to intimidate nearly all of us who can never aspire (and why would we, really?) to chopping an onion with our eyes closed.
While I understand how the lack of miscalculation may isolate a viewer, I disagree with Bittman. I enjoy the Barefoot Contessa because her world is an escape from my reality: In her sunny Hampton house the food is consistently delicious. Rather than feel intimidated, I feel inspired! What's your take on Bittman's perspective?
There are only five more days to win your Spring wardrobe essentials with the help of the Old Navy SuperModelquins! Send us your favorite SuperModelquin-worthy Spring looks via your ShopStyle StyleBook. You’ll not only feel oh-so fabulous sharing your chic sensibilities with us, but you may just end up looking fabulous-ever-after!
Last night on the final season of The Hills, Heidi returns from her hiatus in Colorado, only to find Spencer has a wandering eye for Stacie, the bartender he met last week. Meanwhile, Stephanie tries to land a job at People's Revolution with the help of Lauren. Did you pay attention to all the savory sights? Find out when you take this quiz.
To get all the fashion from last night's episode, check out CelebStyle!
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If you've got a wedding in the works, you've probably begun looking into a crucial element of the event — the registry. This retail service will help you determine what cookware, dinnerware, servingware, drinkware, tools, and appliances will be stocked in your kitchen. But with dozens of retail outlets, where should you sign up? Get tips for selecting the right registry for your kitchen when you read more
Two weeks ago, I was starting to panic. Wedding season was nearly upon us and I had no bride and groom. Luckily I got a call from one of my oldest friends announcing her engagement! Giddy and excited, Ronda agreed to be my featured bride. Never one to procrastinate, Ronda and her fiance, James, are ready to celebrate with an informal engagement party. They're enthusiastic dancers, so the party will revolve around a salsa dance class. Everyone will be invited to join; after the class we'll toast the couple and enjoy a buffet of spicy Latin food. The menu will be a mix of homemade and store-bought items.
Bowls of purchased guacamole and a variety of salsas are perfect for dipping when paired with crunchy tortilla chips. Beef empanadas are filling and can be mass produced in advance. Plantain chips with chicken and mojito mango salsa are festive and delicious. A Mexican seafood cocktail packed with crab and shrimp finishes up the menu. For these recipes, read more
