Posts for January 11th 2011

Books

Starbucks CEO Will Pen Coffee Business Memoir No. 2

There's never a dull moment at Starbucks.

OnwardThere's never a dull moment at Starbucks. Just ask CEO Howard Schultz, who's just revealed the name of his second business memoir. The book, which drops March 29, is titled Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul and is available for preorder on Amazon, where a mock-up of the cover shows Schultz has already incorporated the company's controversial new logo.

The book will cover Schultz's return to the Starbucks helm after an eight-year hiatus as CEO, and detail the company's struggles with its core brand identity as well as its recent successes. This one's going straight to my brand-new Kindle. Will you read it?

Source

How To

Simple Tip: Flour Fork When Pressing Cookies

Next time you whip together a batch of peanut butter, shortbread, or bacon cookies, consider using your fork to add some crisscross detail.

Flour Fork When Pressing CookiesNext time you whip together a batch of peanut butter, shortbread, or bacon cookies, consider using your fork to add some crisscross detail. In doing so, you not only add a decorative touch, but also ensure the cookies are flat, and therefore able to cook more evenly. When pressing cookies, be sure to dip the fork in a shallow pan of flour in between takes; this'll prevent your utensil from sticking to the dough.

Share any and all of your recently discovered baking tips below!

Breakfast

Avocado-Pear Smoothie

From Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes With the 38 Healthiest Ingredients by the Editors of Whole Living Magazine Avocado-Pear SmoothieIngredients1 ripe, firm Hass avocado 1/2 cup (about 4 ounces) drained silken tofu 1 cup unsweetened pear juice 2 tablespoons honey 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 cups ice cubes Directions Cut avocado in half lengthwise; remove pit, then score flesh into cubes.

From Power Foods: 150 Delicious Recipes With the 38 Healthiest Ingredients by the Editors of Whole Living Magazine

Avocado-Pear Smoothie

Fast, Healthy Avocado-Pear Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

1 ripe, firm Hass avocado
1/2 cup (about 4 ounces) drained silken tofu
1 cup unsweetened pear juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups ice cubes

Directions

  1. Cut avocado in half lengthwise; remove pit, then score flesh into cubes. With a large spoon, scrape flesh into a blender.
  2. Add tofu, pear juice, honey, and vanilla, and puree until smooth. Add ice; blend until smooth.
  3. Divide among four glasses, and serve.

Serves 4.

Nutritional information per serving: 164 calories, 1.1 g saturated fat; 5.8 g unsaturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 23.3 g carbohydrates; 2.3 g protein; 6.5 mg sodium; 3.8 g fiber.

celebrity chefs

Guess Who?

Can you name which celebrity chef hosted a benefit with America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker?
Can you name which celebrity chef hosted a benefit with America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker?

Guess Who 2011-01-11 12:50:22

recipes

Fast & Easy Dinner: Chicken Meatball Soup

If you are trying to keep warm this Winter and have already tried these 10 essential soups, don't fret, a chicken meatball and cheese tortellini soup will soothe your soul just the same.

Chicken Meatball SoupIf you are trying to keep warm this Winter and have already tried these 10 essential soups, don't fret, a chicken meatball and cheese tortellini soup will soothe your soul just the same. This is a great weeknight meal since it comes together relatively quickly and takes a minimum amount of effort.

On my first go around, I made the meatballs a little too large, so next time I'll aim for a more bite-sized meatball. Fans of simple chicken noodle soup will be blown away by these chicken meatballs combined with fresh cheese tortellini and delicious broth. This soup is wonderful the night it's cooked and, like many other comfort foods, even better the next day.

Ready for a new take on the classic? Get the recipe.

taste test

Taste Test: McDonald's Oatmeal

McDonald's has kicked off 2011 with a truly timely launch: the nationwide rollout of its Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, just in time to capitalize not only on

McDonald's OatmealMcDonald's has kicked off 2011 with a truly timely launch: the nationwide rollout of its Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, just in time to capitalize not only on New Year's resolutions but also a tidal wave of an oatmeal craze.

It was nearly a year ago when we first got wind that the world's largest fast-food chain was toying with oatmeal, testing it in select markets like Baltimore and Washington DC. Apparently, it was well-received, because last Monday the company began offering it countrywide, and oatmeal became the chain's first new permanent breakfast item in two years.

But how did it stack up to the likes of oats from Starbucks and Jamba Juice? To see whether we were bowled over, keep reading.

Wine

Yummy Links: From Shake Shack to Parchment Paper Foil

Source: Flickr User Simon Doggett

pasta

Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup

From Dinner at my Place by Tyler FlorenceChicken Meatball and Tortellini SoupIngredientsChicken Meatballs 4 links organic chicken-apple sausage or 1 lb ground chicken 1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, about 2 slices fresh white bread ground up 1/2 cup whole milk 1 egg 2 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper Soup Extra virgin olive oil 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed 4 thyme sprigs 2 large carrots, cut into circles 1 medium onion, diced 2 ribs celery, diced Kosher salt 2 quarts reduced-sodium chicken broth 4 black peppercorns 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley 1 bay leaf 1 pound fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini Fresh parsley sprigs, for garnish 1 crusty French baguette, to serve with the soup Directions Preheat oven to 375°F.

From Dinner at my Place by Tyler Florence

Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup

Chicken Meatball and Tortellini Soup

Ingredients

Chicken Meatballs
4 links organic chicken-apple sausage or 1 lb ground chicken
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs, about 2 slices fresh white bread ground up
1/2 cup whole milk
1 egg
2 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Soup
Extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
4 thyme sprigs
2 large carrots, cut into circles
1 medium onion, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
Kosher salt
2 quarts reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 black peppercorns
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
1 bay leaf
1 pound fresh refrigerated cheese tortellini
Fresh parsley sprigs, for garnish
1 crusty French baguette, to serve with the soup

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare meatballs by combining loose ground chicken meat, bread crumbs, milk, egg, parsley and the 1/4 cup parmigiano-reggiano in a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then mix until fully combined.
  2. Using a small ice cream scoop, make balls and set on a lipped cookie sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Roast in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown and caramelized.
  3. While meatballs are roasting, prepare the soup. Set a large stockpot over medium heat. Add a 2 count of olive oil (about 2 tablespoons), the garlic, and thyme. Gently saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add carrot, onion, and celery. Season with salt and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. Pour in chicken broth. Place the peppercorns and bay leaf in the cheesecloth or tea strainer and add to the stock pot. Add 2 tablespoons parsley. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes.
  5. Once meatballs are cooked, scrape them into a pot of chicken soup and add tortellini. Bring to a boil and cook for 4 to 5 minutes to allow the flavors to come together. Remove the peppercorns and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper and serve in shallow bowls. Sprinkle with parsley. Garnish each bowl with a parsley sprig and serve with some torn pieces of crusty bread.

Serves 4 to 6.