
What would the food industry be without reality TV food competitions? 2008 was filled with interesting characters, odd-ball personalities, and plenty of heat in the kitchen. We covered the three main shows:
Top Chef,
Next Food Network Star, and
Hell's Kitchen.

For a low-budget weeknight meal, opt for
leftover pork shoulder, an inexpensive and forgiving cut of meat.
Pork shoulder, while very recession-friendly, typically cooks for hours, but this recipe for tender, marbleized Mexican-style carnitas can be made within an hour and a half.
Find out how when you .

You're practically set with your menu for tomorrow. Vegetables chopped? Check.

Last February, everyone was shocked to find out that
Robert Irvine, the star of the
Food Network show
Dinner: Impossible, lied on his résumé. Although most of you said
the incident didn't change your feelings about him, Irvine still got the boot from the Food Network and was subsequently replaced by Iron Chef
Michael Symon.
Today I'm excited to have heard news of what I thought to be near-impossible:
Irvine will be returning to host the show again.
Kelsey Nixon, the perky blonde contestant on the fourth season of the
Next Food Network Star, is getting her own show. In the November issue of
Utah Valley magazine, she
discusses her new role at
Food Network: I've been approached by so many production companies, but I think Food Network is the route I should go. I'm working on a project with them right now — a web show about teaching cooking basics.

I mentioned last week that I've noticed
casseroles making a comeback. What better time to bring them back than during the
holidays? If you've got a lot to plan this
Thanksgiving, stick with a no-muss, no-fuss recipe that'll be ready in around half an hour.
Dunkin' Donuts has
Rachael Ray,
T.G.I. Fridays has
Guy Fieri, and
Applebee's has
Tyler Florence, so it's only natural for
Welch's to want their very own Food Network spokesperson. They've
found the perfect match in food scientist Alton Brown.

Last month,
we reviewed the "test" edition of
Food Network's eponymous magazine, and we didn't think it broke new ground. But apparently its publisher does:
Hearst Corporation has decided to give the magazine the
official go-ahead. Said Hearst VP Alec Casey:
We have had a great initial response to the first test issue, and feel confident that this magazine will resonate with consumers.

In this filling dinner salad, not only do the chicken and
leftover chickpeas pack a double dose of protein, but the feta and chopped dill pickles add a much-needed flavor kick.
If you're vegetarian, simply exclude the chicken for an equally delicious meal. To make this salad for dinner, .

Not only are they appropriate for
Fall, but caramel
apples make the perfect
Halloween treat. Add a festive touch by rolling them in
nuts or black and orange sprinkles.
Since we should all enjoy this tasty treat, I've found two recipes for you to choose from.