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Yummy Links: From Recipes Gone Wrong to Pucco Cupcakes

partysugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:45:32 -0700

What to do when a recipe goes wrong. - The Kitchn
Quickly catch up on Slow Food Nation. - Chow
Meet the biggest Chinese restaurant in the world. - Serious Eats
The latest news of the food crisis: the number of food scientists is on the decline. - Slashfood
How to travel on a doddering dollar. - The Epi-Log
A crazy coincidence: Smitten Kitchen makes Yum's key lime meltaways on the exact same day. - Smitten Kitchen
Does your grocery list say something about your personality? - SavvySugar
Looking for a decadent dessert? How about raspberry chocolate bundt cake? - Baking Bites
How cute are these Pucco cupcakes?! - Hostess With the Mostess

Is China's Oreo Really an Oreo?

YumSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:45:06 -0700

If you're ever in China and have a strange craving for an Oreo cookie, you're going to be out of luck. According to the Wall Street Journal, back in 2005 Kraft Foods revamped its iconic cookie there, replacing it with four thin crispy wafers, a layer of vanilla cream, thin layers of chocolate cream, and a coating of chocolate. The Chinese weren't keen on eating the traditional biscuit-style cookies, so Kraft - after testing 20 prototypes on consumers - changed the cookie to appeal to the masses.

Before the cookie transformation, Kraft Foods tried to reach out to consumers by creating a brand ambassador program that equipped university students with free Oreos and bicycles clad in wheel covers that looked like Oreos. However these marketing schemes didn't work, and the change became necessary. Now, with the new wafer version, China's Oreo sales have doubled in the last two years.

All of this is totally fascinating to me. It's interesting to see what brands have to do in order to appeal to foreign consumers. I understand adding new flavors and names. But does changing the product completely actually count? Isn't it, at that point, a completely new product? What do you think? Is it still an Oreo even if it doesn't look like a real one?

Source

Would You Drink Yak Butter Tea?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:30:57 -0700

When I was in Tibet last year, one of the things we tried was yak butter tea. Popular in Tibet and southwestern China, this drink is made from tea, yak butter, and salt. It's very warming, and according to tradition, your cup (or bowl) is constantly refilled and never empty.

Unfortunately, I found it to be quite strong and incredibly salty, with barely any hint of tea. I was trying to figure out how not to get more added to my glass. It was more like salty butter soup, and I - the girl who can eat just about anything - had to force myself to drink it. I should mention that my guidebook actually said it was one of the most revolting things they'd ever had.

I could see where it might be amazingly tasty if you were in a cold wind on a Himalayan mountain top because the fat coating would be quite soothing. However, at a regular cafe, it wasn't quite so nice.

So tell me, would you try yak butter tea, or would you steer away?

Would You Eat This Animal Part?

YumSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:43:33 -0700

There are loads of gimmicky restaurants out there, and the one that's getting all the attention right now is the penis restaurant in China. That's right, quit your giggling, I did indeed say penis. According to the folks at the Times - who tried several different kinds - it was actually pretty tasty. In fact, they describe the bull's privates as "sweet and crispy, with a deep taste of soy and honey."

Why would anyone eat penis? Aside from the surprisingly pleasant taste, the more than 30 types of animal-penis dishes - that's yak shown above - are said to strengthen a man's sexual ability.

So tell me, would you ever eat penis?

Source

Would You Eat a Scorpion?

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:57:18 -0800

I recently went to China, and while in Beijing I stopped at the infamous street food market. I wasn't sure what to snack on, but since I'll try anything once, and had a slight obsession with Survivorman, I eventually settled for a deep fried scorpion. It was warm and crunchy, with a little tender meaty morsel in the center. And, most surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. In fact, I'd eat it again. How about you, would you ever eat a scorpion?

Who Needs a Terracotta Army When There's a "Pannacotta" One?

YumSugar — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:01:33 -0700

Twenty of China's famous Terracotta soldiers are currently on display at the British Museum in London. The exhibit, which runs until April 6, 2008, is the largest of its kind outside of China.

So what do terracotta soldiers have to do with food? The folks at The Pastry Case bakery have created their own army. Dubbed "The Pannacotta Army" - although no pannacotta is actually involved - the army consists of over 200 miniature gingerbread warriors, each in their own battle garb.

According to a press release, Kelly Burgess of Roberts Bakery/The Pastry Case said:

"We have been amazed at the interest shown in the Terracotta army and wanted to treat Cheshire visitors to a private viewing, so we came up with our own idea of the Pannacotta Army."

The army will be on display at the Nantwich Food and Drink Festival in Cheshire County, UK.

I'd love to see the terracotta soldiers, but think a gingerbread army is fantastic too. What do you think?

Source

Yummy Link: Hot Coke With Ginger

YumSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:31:41 -0700

If you're feeling a little under the weather, try Hot Coke with Ginger. I know I plan on it. - Time's The China Blog via The Knowledge for Thirst

Yummy Link: Cardboard Food Was a Hoax

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:41:01 -0700

I'm sure you must have seen the story about Chinese steamed buns made with cardboard. If not, don't worry about it, turns out it was completely made up. I guess some journalists will do anything for a story... - Yahoo News

Yummy Links: From Homemade Ice Cream to Cardboard Food

YumSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:01:38 -0700

Everyone wants to know, how do you make ice cream without an ice cream maker? - Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen
Snapple's been hit with a class-action lawsuit. Apparently it's not made from "the best stuff on earth." - Chow
What's going on with all of the food allergies? - Serious Eats
Are smoothies health food or junk food? - Culinate

If you haven't noticed, your Coke can is sporting a much cleaner and simpler design. - Will Work For Food
If you'd like to prevent cakes from sticking, but are baffled by parchment slings, try creating a foil sling instead. - Baking Bites
I know I've had food that tastes like cardboard, but I'm not sure I've ever actually had food made from cardboard. - Slashfood

Yummy Links: From Hot Dogs to Mama Chefs

YumSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:01:38 -0700

World famous competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi has developed jaw arthritis, but he still wants to participate in next week's big hot dog eating event. - Serious Eats
The FDA is concerned about the safety of Chinese seafood imports, about 21 percent of all seafood imports. - Slashfood
You may have heard of farm-fresh to your door CSA (community supported agriculture), but have you heard that it's not just for veggies anymore? You can now have farm-fresh meat delivered right to you door. - Chow
Wish lettuce would last longer in your fridge? Check out this simple lettuce storage tip. - FitSugar
If you love strawberries, you're going to love this roundup of strange strawberry recipes - Apartment Therapy Kitchen
Restaurants come and go and eventually turn into new restaurants, but what about a restaurant that changes 4 times a year on purpose? - Will Work For Food
Cakes just look prettier on cake stands. If you don't have one, then you can make your own cake stand. - Baking Bites
Get a step by step guide for prepping artichokes. - Culinate
Looks like Madonna's father, Tony Ciccone is starting a winery business. Naturally it's called Madonna Wine. - Cheap Fun Wines
Here's an interesting thought: Do women chefs make more memorable food than men or is that just a sexist opinion? - SF Chronicle and Salon