Posts for January 20th 2011

Fast and Easy Dinner Jan 20, 2011

Wintry Spinach Salad Is Satisfying Lunch

When it's cold out, I crave hot soups, but sometimes, a crunchy salad with a warm component can be just as gratifying.

by Katie Sweeney

When it's cold out, I crave hot soups, but sometimes, a crunchy salad with a warm component can be just as gratifying. Take this easy lunch salad for example. It's got piles of healthy spinach, salty almonds, and roasted pears. Instead of tossing in croutons and blue cheese, this delicious combination is served alongside the salad in fresh-from-the-oven toasts. I had planned on using dried cranberries for a pop of color but didn't have any in the pantry — feel free to add them in! If you dislike blue cheese, use goat cheese instead. Get the easy recipe.

salads Jan 20, 2011

Winter Spinach Salad

Inspired by Stonewall Kitchen Winter CelebrationsWinter Spinach SaladIngredients1 ripe, but firm pear, peeled, cored, and sliced into wedges Olive oil, for drizzling Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 slices sourdough bread 1/4 cup blue cheese 2 cups fresh spinach 1 small handful almonds Dijon Vinaigrette Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

by Katie Sweeney

Inspired by Stonewall Kitchen Winter Celebrations

Winter Spinach Salad

Ingredients

1 ripe, but firm pear, peeled, cored, and sliced into wedges
Olive oil, for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 slices sourdough bread
1/4 cup blue cheese
2 cups fresh spinach
1 small handful almonds
Dijon Vinaigrette

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. In a small bowl toss the pears with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast until pears are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
Meanwhile, spread the blue cheese evenly on the bread. Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted about 8 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss the spinach with the cooled pears, almonds, and vinaigrette. Serve the salad immediately along side the blue cheese toasts.

Serves 1.

Ryan Scott's Recap of Top Chef All-Stars Restaurant Wars

community Jan 20, 2011

Ryan Scott on Top Chef All-Stars Episode 7

Ryan Scott is back!

by Guest Writer

Ryan Scott is back! Here, you can find out what he thought of last night's restaurant wars on Top Chef All-Stars.

Restaurant wars huh . . . this episode is most likely going to rock the excitement boat.

Richard Blais's banana and Nutella snack at the house looks like one of the most appetizing pairings on the show so far. If only he smeared it on a rice cake and topped it with Lay's potato chips.

Wow! A competition at Le Bernardin presents quite the challenge. I had an opportunity to stage there and let me tell you, that kitchen is no joke. The wall in the corner of Le Bernardin became my best friend I was so nervous just being in the presence of that kitchen staff. Watching Gusto rapidly separate the fish is a work of art. He's a total rock star and I want him in my kitchen. Well wishful thinking at the least.

advertisement Jan 20, 2011

How Can I Get My Mother-in-Law to Butt Out Without Starting a Fight?

Mother-in-laws are notorious for being difficult to get along with — we know how moms are protective of their little boys! But you have to wonder if the moms of our men get a bad rap because of the few especially controlling ones out there.

by Sponsor

Mother-in-laws are notorious for being difficult to get along with — we know how moms are protective of their little boys! But you have to wonder if the moms of our men get a bad rap because of the few especially controlling ones out there. It's hard to tell your mother-in-law to stay out of your business without starting a fight. So how exactly do you approach the situation?

Good Morning America has narrowed down its search, from over 15,000 applications to the final four "Dear GMA" Advice Gurus, and now they need you to pick your favorite advice giver! The best part? The final four GMA Gurus are advising you on how to handle some of the toughest situations out there!

On the docket today: How can you get your mother-in-law to butt out without starting a fight?

Pick your favorite advice below, then leave us a comment and tell GMA what question you'd like the Gurus to tackle for you!

Cocktails Jan 20, 2011

5 Things You Don't Know About Bartending

Last night, Susannah and I rolled up our sleeves and kicked off our heels to guest-bartend at San Francisco's Jardiniere restaurant.

by Katie Sweeney

Last night, Susannah and I rolled up our sleeves and kicked off our heels to guest-bartend at San Francisco's Jardiniere restaurant. While we were only mixing one drink, the YumSugar Special (a riff on the classic Whiskey Sour — recipe to come!), I learned a lot from the experience. It's not easy being behind a bar with thirsty customers waiting for a drink, and after doing it, I have a newfound respect for the precise, fast, and friendly bartenders in my life. To see what the world looks like from the inside of a bar, keep reading.

US Restaurants Could Benefit From Rising Grocery Prices

Trends Jan 20, 2011

As Groceries Get Steep, Eateries Hope to Get Their Groove Back

Could cooking at home be costing you?

by Susannah Chen

Could cooking at home be costing you? According to market research firm NPD Group, grocery aisle price hikes are predicted to surpass restaurant menu price increases for all of 2011. Although supermarket food prices dropped in 2009, they ended up in 2010 and are currently rising faster than restaurant costs — a factor that's driving more Americans out of the kitchen and back into dining establishments. Why the sudden price jump? Fierce supermarket competition during the economic recession kept grocery prices prohibitively low — but meanwhile, costs for commodities like sugar, corn, and pork continued to build. As a result, many analysts expect a grocery bill bubble to burst and food inflation rates to reach notable highs.That's some scary news for the American pocketbook. Have you noticed a jump in grocery costs — and is it driving you to eat out more?

Cristeta Comerford Jan 20, 2011

Quintessential American Food? Surf and Turf, Apple Pie

Last night the Obamas hosted their first state dinner of 2011.

by Katie Sweeney

Last night the Obamas hosted their first state dinner of 2011. Yesterday, the menu was described as being "quintessentially American," but no specifics were released. While we tried to guess what would be served, in the end White House chefs Cristeta Comerford and Bill Yosses went with a surf and turf menu.

The first course was a pear, fennel, walnut, and goat cheese salad. The second plating consisted of poached Maine lobster served with glazed carrots and mushrooms. After a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet, the president, Chinese delegation, and their guests enjoyed rib eye with crisp onions, double stuffed potatoes, and creamed spinach. For dessert? Good old-fashioned apple pie and vanilla ice cream. The meal sounds perfect to me: it's luxurious, but classic. What do you think of the menu?

News Jan 20, 2011

Are You Still Watching Food Network?

Interesting news: at the same time America experiences an inpouring of celebrity chef influence, Food Network ended the year with a drop in ratings.

by Susannah Chen

Interesting news: at the same time America experiences an inpouring of celebrity chef influence, Food Network ended the year with a drop in ratings. According to the New York Post, the cable network posted a 10.3 percent drop among viewers age 25 to 54 and "isn't keeping pace with hot competitors' shows like Bravo's Top Chef." Primetime ratings are especially down among women, which makes me wonder if all of you are watching Bravo or PBS instead. Are you still tuning in?

Sugar Shout Out: Onscreen Buddies Who Went From Platonic to Romantic

Sugar Shout Out Jan 20, 2011

Sugar Shout Out: Onscreen Pals That Went From Platonic to Romantic

Big screen best friends who turned into more Cute alert: baby ocelots debut at the Berlin Zoo So you got your first ereader, now let's assemble a starter kit Spring's hottest color and how to wear it What you don't know about bartending These beauty trends are man-repellent Reasons to consider having a Winter wedding 15 ways TV shows bared or covered pregnant bellies Video: how to update monochromatic outfits for Spring!

by POPSUGAR Celebrity

10 Amazing Cheeses From the 2011 Fancy Foods Show

cheese Jan 20, 2011

Calling All Cheese Lovers!

While we enjoyed many exciting bites and spotted plenty of trends at the Fancy Foods Show, there was one food item we could not get enough of: cheese!

by POPSUGAR Food

While we enjoyed many exciting bites and spotted plenty of trends at the Fancy Foods Show, there was one food item we could not get enough of: cheese! The amazing array of cheese at the show is phenomenal, and although we tasted countless kinds, there are 10 special cheeses that stood out above the rest. If you come across any of them at your local market, we highly recommend you give them a try.

View 10 Photos