I keep forgettin’

December 28, 2022 by
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There's a 1980s song by Donald Fagan about him "forgetting" that he is no longer in a relationship with his ex. The lyrics of the chorus are "I keep forgettin' we're not in love anymore \ I keep forgettin' things will never be the same again." I am reminded of this song every time I visit certain food websites that… read more

Bestselling Canadian cookbook author Jean Paré dies at 95

December 27, 2022 by
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One of Canada's most prolific and beloved cookbook authors, Jean Paré, passed away in Edmonton, Alberta this week at the age of 95. Beginning in 1981 with the publication of 150 Delicious Squares (Company's Coming) through 2018, when she co-authored Instant One-Pot Cooking (New Original), Paré wrote 200 cookbooks. Paré ran the three-generation publishing business called Company's Coming. "My grandma… read more

Playing the leftover game

December 26, 2022 by
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What to do with the leftovers is the question of the day for everyone who has hosted a large gathering, so we are here with the compulsory answers to this perennial issue. We might have a few go-to favorites, but sometimes it's nice to venture outside of our comfort zone. That's what the experts at The Guardian offer with their… read more

Holiday memories, made new

December 25, 2022 by
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I looked back today at what I wrote during the holidays in December 2019, a few months before the world was turned upside down. The post, about favorite holiday food memories, was about the dish of nuts that my grandparents always put out during the Christmas season. That memory is more poignant today because not only were traditions put on… read more

Test your food knowledge with this BBC Christmas food quiz

December 22, 2022 by
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BBC Food created what it titled "The great big festive 2022 food quiz", which I felt sure I would do well taking. As it turns out, my confidence slightly exceeded my ability. My score on the main part of the quiz was respectable if not great, although I definitely need to work on my food-related music and movie trivia. Watching… read more

Baby it’s cold outside

December 21, 2022 by
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Tomorrow, the wind chill is forecast to dip below -30°F in my neck of the woods. When it gets this cold, the first thing I do is count my many blessings that include a warm house and a well-stocked pantry. The second thing I do is set out to prepare my favorite warming foods to help combat the frigid temperatures… read more

Pastry chefs wow with edible holiday decorations

December 20, 2022 by
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Gingerbread houses across the nation are suffering from a serious case of envy over the creations showcased in a recent Forbes article about amazing edible decorations from talented pastry chefs. While these displays are made from gingerbread, chocolate, and other foods, they are not meant to be eaten. Some of them take months to complete, only to be viewed for… read more

Food news antipasto

December 19, 2022 by
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This week we learned of the passing of Cara De Silva, an award-winning journalist and James Beard Award Nominee, who focused on a broad range of subjects that include food and food history. De Silva is the author of In Memory's Kitchen: A Legacy from the Women of Terezin, a compilation of remembered recipes written down by malnourished women in Terezin,… read more

Tied up in knots – the history of the pretzel

December 16, 2022 by
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Pretzels have always held a special place in my heart (and stomach), whether the thin, crunchy kind you buy in bags at the supermarket or the soft, chewy type you find at pubs, often accompanied by a gooey cheese sauce. Carbs and salt - what's not to love? I never much thought about the history of pretzels, although after reading… read more

Bittman interviews Claudia Roden

December 14, 2022 by
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It was a delight to stumble across a podcast featuring two of the most influential cookbook authors in the world talking about our favorite subject, which I found in Mark Bittman's interview with Claudia Roden, who sparked Western interest in Middle Eastern food. (Skip ahead to 3:00 to avoid advertisements). Bittman talks to Roden about Hanukkah traditions, the changing nature… read more

Food TV in 2022 – the good, the bad, and the ugly

December 13, 2022 by
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When the Food Network debuted in 1993, it quickly became a go-to for food loving people who flocked to their TV sets to see shows that celebrated their favorite pastimes of cooking and eating. The network (which owes a lot of debt to public television programming) then spurred other cable television channels to put forth their own shows. When streaming… read more

Food news antipasto

December 12, 2022 by
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As we enter peak holiday baking season, even people who don't bake a lot will be firing up their ovens to make the festive cookies, cakes, and pies of the season. This will involve copious amounts of butter, flour, eggs, and sugar. The last ingredient comes in many different forms, including granulated, powdered, various shades of brown, and even as… read more

In defense of recipes

December 10, 2022 by
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There's been a proliferation in recent years of a different type of cookbook, one that deemphasizes recipes in favor of a more relaxed style of cooking. It it isn't exactly a recent trend - Pam Anderson wrote How to Cook Without a Book in 2000 and there are even older books in a similar vein - but it has gained… read more

You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs

December 8, 2022 by
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carton of eggs
In cooking or baking, sometimes the smallest action provides the biggest challenge. As I discovered when watching my husband make an omelet, one of these actions is cracking an egg. His approach is to crack the egg on the sharp edge of the mixing bowl, and his method almost always results in small shards of eggshell that he has to… read more

Top food trends of 2022

December 7, 2022 by
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As we approach the end of the year, it's time to reflect on all that has happened in 2022. Jenny keeps us up to date on all of the cookbook happenings, so I am looking more broadly at food trends. Food and Wine recently reminisced on the top TikTok trends for the year. We reported on a couple of these… read more

Matt Lucas is leaving the GBBO

December 6, 2022 by
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Next year's Great British Bake Off is going to look a little different, as one of the show's co-hosts, Matt Lucas, announced that he would not be returning to the program in 2023. In an Instagram post, he said that hosting has “been a delicious experience and I can’t imagine a more fun way of spending my summers. But it’s… read more

Food news antipasto

December 4, 2022 by
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Food is a significant contributor to cultural heritage, and UNESCO recognizes exceptional food items by adding them to its Cultural Heritage List. The latest food to officially become part of the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" is the French baguette. President Emmanuel Macron described the baguette as "250 grams of magic and perfection in our daily lives.” Dan Leader's 4-hour… read more

Can The Great American Baking Show match the GBBO?

December 3, 2022 by
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The Roku Channel just launched the first episode in its new series The Great American Baking Show. It is a celebrity-baker, holiday-themed program so we don't yet get to meet the bakers who will be competing in the 'real' program, but it does give us a flavor of what to expect. I watched this first episode and so far I… read more

What not to give for the holidays

December 2, 2022 by
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I'm sure most of you have been seeing lots of advertisements and posts about gift ideas, and if your browsing habits influence the algorithm like mine do, most of what you see is food or cooking related. My biggest problem is that plenty of what I see in those articles appeals to me as a gift recipient, not necessarily as… read more

Is mise en place really necessary?

November 30, 2022 by
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Read the foreward to any cookbook and the author will probably mention mise en place. It is touted as the key to making sure your food will turn out well, and there are definitely benefits to the practice. But, as Mark Bittman points out in a recent episode of his podcast focused on the new edition of How to Cook… read more

Cookie baking tips just in the nick of time

November 29, 2022 by
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If you are an avid baker you probably have a list of all of the cookies and treats you will be making for the holidays. Even people who rarely bake will whip out a batch of decorated sugar cookies or family favorites this time of year. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, good baking advice is always handy… read more

Food news antipasto

November 28, 2022 by
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The Gourmand Cookbook Awards winners were recently announced, with a whopping 45-page listing by country. Each category in the awards contains multiple winners, considered the “Best in the World” for their respective topics or regions. The list is sprawling and contains worldwide submissions for various cities, countries, and subjects. While you may not recognize all of the authors or titles,… read more

The luxury of leftovers

November 25, 2022 by
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Many moons ago, I regarded most leftovers with annoyance. Since I liked cooking so much I did not enjoy revisiting the food from the previous day, preferring to having something completely new for each meal. As I got older I realized the error of my ways, learning that leftovers were a delicious timesaver as well as a sign that I… read more

Words of advice on Thanksgiving Eve

November 23, 2022 by
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My social media feeds are full of photos of gorgeous pies and beautiful roasted turkeys. This is the first year in over a dozen that I haven't made a huge meal (I even cooked a whole feast for just two of us during Covid lockdowns), instead I'm taking it easy, going to a friend's place, and only make a couple… read more

What’s the best time for the holiday meal?

November 22, 2022 by
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You've set your Thanksgiving (or other holiday) menu, gathered the ingredients, cleaned the china and linens, and are all set to start your feast. Now the question remains: what time should you serve the meal? The Washington Post's Becky Krystal recently explored this question, and found the time periods that met with the most approval. Accidental turkey from Food Network… read more
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