Food news antipasto

You may have seen TikTok videos about the ‘fridge-scaping’ trend, where people decant everything they buy at the grocery store and put it into clear containers that so that all of your produce, cheese, and other items are on display and tidily organized in matching jars. Whether you believe that this is gorgeous and amazing or shake your head at the wasted time, food safety experts would like to remind you of the dangers that may be lurking in this seemingly innocuous trend. The main takeaways involve the risks involved for storing food submerged in water or tightly sealed containers.

Domestic doyenne Ina Garten just released her memoir Be Ready When the Luck Happens (A Memoir). NPR’s Tonya Mosely interviewed Garten just prior to the book’s launch, where the bestselling author and television personality discussed everything from her unhappy childhood to how she went from writing policy for the White House to owning a food store in the Hamptons, to her ideal dinner party situation (six people, a round table).

For many Americans, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich – often shortened to PB&J – was a staple meal of their childhood. It is such an iconic item that it’s one of the few sandwiches you can purchase ready-made in the freezer section of the supermarket. Although we take it for granted now, the PB&J has a rich and interesting history, says Sarah Lohman, writing for Epicurious. She explains how peanuts traveled from Brazil to West Africa to North America, were eventually transformed into peanut butter, and eventually became one of the foods most synonymous with U.S. culture.

I’m a little late to this party, but the viral Dubai chocolate bar has been trending for months on TikTok and Instagram. The bar, containing a filling of kataifi, pistachio paste and tahini enrobed in milk chocolate, has spawned numerous counterfeits trying to pass themselves off as the real thing. People are being scammed as they try to grab one of the exclusive bars, paying big bucks for cheap knockoffs. Even people in Dubai have been duped, so buyer beware if you see any bars described as “authentic.”

If you are a chocoholic and believe that as an aficionado you couldn’t possibly be scammed (or if you just like taking food quizzes), head over to BBC Food. They have a tricky chocolate quiz that asks questions ranging from the Latin name for cacao beans to how many chocolate bars the average UK resident eats in a lifetime. I did okay, but did not ace the test.

Visit any big box store and you will be reminded that the holidays are just around the corner as the Halloween section is quickly being overtaken by tinsel, twinkling lights, and inflatable Santas. That means it’s time to buy your favorite food-themed Advent calendars. Eater’s Amy McCarthy has the scoop on eight such calendars that are worth the investment, ranging from tea to cocktails to chocolate.

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8 Comments

  • Indio32  on  October 14, 2024

    After reading Alice Waters biography and being HUGLEY disappointed I think I’ll wait for the reviews before getting Ina’s!
    I think the fridge-scaping craze is in reaction to the horrible amount of packaging you get from supermarkets these days.

  • riley  on  October 15, 2024

    I have now found a $325 Advent Calendar I want. Bad news.

  • averythingcooks  on  October 15, 2024

    I just ordered my 1st ever advent calendar from Williams Sonoma Canada…maybe a new holiday tradition ?!?

  • tmjellicoe  on  October 15, 2024

    I ordered a spice calendar from Silk Road Spice company in Calgary (it’s the first one they’ve ever done). Super excited to start it.

  • averythingcooks  on  October 16, 2024

    I can NOT believe I missed that Silk Road had (because now completely sold out online) a spice calender! Even here in my small rural town in central Ontario there is a group of us that order from them regularly…I love Silk Road!

  • tmjellicoe  on  October 16, 2024

    @averythingcooks, that’s so sad. I ordered it within the hour of receiving their newsletter in my in-box. Another good spice company out of Calgary is The Spice Merchant. He has some items different from Silk Road. I’m very partial to his Peruvian spice mix and tends to have Iranian and Afghanistan saffron which I prefer.

  • averythingcooks  on  October 17, 2024

    tmjellicoe: I received the newsletter email and got distracted by the autumn spice blends presented and started clicking around….never actually scanned down far enough in the email OR the actual site to see the advent calendar…arrgh. They are promising to do it again next year though!

    I am currently checking out the Spice Merchant (thanks for recommendation) …so many amzazing choices!

    Another Alberta favourite of mine is the Umami Shop (Lethbridge) for condiments, oils, vinegars etc.

  • annmartina  on  October 20, 2024

    Even worse is the trend of people using their fridge drawers as serving containers. Filling a drawer with pudding or tiramisu. Ewww.

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