Lockdown bakers get creative

July 8, 2020 by
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Whether it's a seasoned baker making an impressive tart or a newbie tipping his toes into the bread-baking waters, the pandemic has spawned an obsession with baking. Part of it has to do with the 'comfort-food' factor, while shortages and disrupted shopping schedules also play roles. As an avid baker who has long attempted (mostly unsuccessfully) to drag my friends… read more

Celebrate World Chocolate Day

July 7, 2020 by
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Today is World Chocolate Day, fêted on 7 July because that is ostensibly the date that chocolate was introduced to Europe in 1550. We will help you celebrate by listing several revered chocolate recipes from the EYB Library. But first, let’s learn some interesting facts about this delicious subject. Express (UK) lists ten things you probably never knew about chocolate, while… read more

When in doubt, throw it out

July 7, 2020 by
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One of the most memorable people I ever met was my friend's elderly grandmother. At age 98 she traveled to Hawaii for the first time. At 99, she worked a garden larger than any I have ever tended, filled with corn, beans, and her favorite vegetable, sweet potatoes. She canned many of the vegetables and fruits she grew in her… read more

Food news antipasto

July 5, 2020 by
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Earlier this week we learned some news from one of our favorite cookbook authors, the talented Nik Sharma. Nik informed us that he will be contributing a regular food science column to Serious Eats. In the tweet, he also shared that Daniela Galarza will be leaving Serious Eats and moving to The Washington Post. Congrats to Nik and Daniela -… read more

The interesting history of the Popsicle

July 4, 2020 by
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As we celebrate Independence Day in the US, the temperature in much of the country is sizzling hot. When the weather gets hot, people turn to the freezer for refreshment, and one frozen treat is perfect to beat the heat: Popsicles. The brightly-colored, fruit-flavored frozen concoctions are a natural foil to a sticky summer afternoon. Popsicles are adored by children… read more

Fear of an empty pantry

July 3, 2020 by
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Two days ago I did something I haven't done in four years: I plugged in the chest freezer in the basement. I inherited this freezer from the previous home's owner, and to say that it is an eyesore is an understatement. The handle is broken, rust spots speckle the exterior, and duct tape covers a crack in the plastic underside… read more

Peter Meehan out at LA Times

July 3, 2020 by
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It wasn't that long ago that the Los Angeles Times announced that Peter Meehan would head its revamped and expanded food section. Just a little more than one year since he assumed his duties, Meehan has resigned his post as editor after claims that he created a toxic work environment. The departure comes after freelance writer Tammie Teclemariam alleged that… read more

Lost in translation

July 1, 2020 by
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How many cookbooks do you have that are written in another language? How many others that began life in another language but were translated to English? If you have a large enough cookbook collection, you might have a handful of books that aren't in your native tongue, but most of us only have cookbooks in one language, and for most… read more

Padma Lakshmi’s new television program

June 30, 2020 by
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Former model and Top Chef co-host Padma Lakshmi is no stranger to the camera, but on her new Hulu show Taste the Nation, she is front and center in a different way. We first learned about the show last year, and recently Soleil Ho and Justin Phillips interviewed Lakshmi about the the program (subscription required to read the article), which… read more

Food news antipasto

June 28, 2020 by
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If you loved Monica, Ross, Rachel, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe, then I have good news for you: an official 'Friends' cookbook is coming out this fall. There will be over 70 recipes inspired by the popular show featuring everything from appetizers to desserts. Some of the recipes include ones from specific episodes, such as Ross's gravy-soaked "Moist Maker" sandwich and… read more

Keeping your cool in a hot kitchen

June 27, 2020 by
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It's 11:00 p.m. and I am standing in my kitchen, putting dough into my enameled cast iron pot for a loaf of no-knead bread. I promised my friends I would go on a bicycle ride with them at 6:30 a.m. tomorrow, so why I am I staying up so late baking bread? Because even though the sun has been down… read more

Look outside the newsstand for the best food writing

June 26, 2020 by
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For decades, if you wanted to read well written pieces about food, you purchased a magazine or a book. The invention of the internet changed the paradigm, and suddenly the world was awash in food blogs, some better than others. It is difficult monetizing a blog, however, and as the space becomes ever more crowded, it can be all but… read more

Bourdain Day remembrances

June 25, 2020 by
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Today would be Anthony Bourdain's 64th birthday, and the culinary world still mourns his loss. His friends Eric Ripert and José Andrés started #BourdainDay in 2018 as a day to honor the chef, author, and television star. Today remembrances have been streaming through social media. Ripert tweeted "Celebrating My Dear Friend Anthony Bourdain. THX for your unconditional Friendship & loyalty,… read more

Flouting conventional fungi wisdom

June 24, 2020 by
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Just when you think you can't be surprised by a new cooking technique, someone comes along to shake things up. The debate about whether to wash mushrooms before cooking has raged for decades, but how you should cook them was never in doubt - you saute them with butter or oil, right? Maybe not: according to Jim Fuller, co-founder of… read more

Spice support: shiso

June 22, 2020 by
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Shiso, also called perilla or Korean perilla (Perilla frutescens var. crispa), is a member of the mint family, and is a popular herb in Japanese, Korean, and southeast Asian cuisines. Its appeal extends well beyond this, however, and the leafy herb can be found adding its unique flavor to everything from rice to pesto to sorbet to cocktails. Like mint,… read more

Food news antipasto

June 21, 2020 by
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This week we learned some sad news from Andy Ricker. Most of his Pok Pok locations are closing due to issues arising from the pandemic. Ricker said that Pok Pok NW, Whiskey Soda Lounge, and both locations of Pok Pok Wing would all be shuttered. He said he did this so that he could focus on potentially reopening the original… read more

London chefs weigh in on their favorite cookbooks

June 20, 2020 by
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It's always fascinating to read about which cookbooks have inspired top chefs - if the book is good enough for someone who has made a career out of cooking, I will always investigate it for my own bookshelves. Whenever we find an article where chefs discuss their favorite books, we share it with our members. One slipped under our radar… read more

Sharing restaurant memories

June 19, 2020 by
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It's been over three months since I dined in a restaurant, and it will likely be several more before I feel comfortable doing so again. More than not having to cook, I miss being able to converse with friends and celebrate milestones with family. Restaurants are places where memories are made: birthday parties, first dates (bad or good), and other… read more

Recipes: scripture or template?

June 18, 2020 by
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Underneath almost any post I see on social media that has a photo of some tasty food, you can inevitably find a request for the recipe. Facing cooking fatigue, people want to find new things to make for their families, and what better way than discovering a dish already tested by someone close to you? How we treat the recipes… read more

Guild of Food Writers announces 2020 winners

June 17, 2020 by
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Last month we reported on the finalists for the 2020 UK Guild of Food Writers Awards. Today the Guild has announced the winners in the various categories. Highlighted winners are listed below, and you can visit our 2020 Guild of Food Writers awards page to see the complete list. The big winner for 2020 is The Vinegar Cupboard by Angela Clutton,… read more

Spice Support: suya (yaji)

June 16, 2020 by
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Today's installment of Spice Support features a blend of spices that is perfect for grilling season. Called yaji or suya spice, the blend contains a fiery, umami-packed assemblage of ground dried chiles, ginger, peanuts, and more, guaranteed to perk up everything from meats to vegetables. You'll commonly see it used on grilled, skewered beef, but the spicy blend is equally… read more

Cooking Light subscriptions return

June 15, 2020 by
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We were saddened to report in 2018 that Cooking Light magazine was ceasing subscription publication. Some of its content went to EatingWell Magazine and the website remained, but print issues were available at newsstands only. We recently learned some good news: Meredith Corp, Cooking Light's parent, has just announced that the magazine will resume subscription service beginning in winter 2020.… read more

Food news antipasto

June 14, 2020 by
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This week was filled to the brim with news about the food and publishing industries. We'll start with the news of Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport resigning after a photo of him in brownface surfaced, and amidst allegations of discriminatory treatment of BA staff. The undated photo shows Rapoport wearing what appears to be a racist costume to a party.… read more

Don’t overlook the back of the box

June 13, 2020 by
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Despite the fact that most people look for recipes online these days, food manufacturers still provide those recipes on containers of everything from oatmeal to chocolate chips to sweetened condensed milk and beyond. With hundreds of cookbooks at my disposal, I rarely look at the recipes posted on packages of the products I purchase. However, Hannah Selinger at Eater makes… read more

How seasonal differences can affect your baking

June 12, 2020 by
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My kitchen has a large window with a southern exposure. During the winter months, I enjoy the sunlight that floods the space with light, but in July...not so much. The kitchen becomes stifling hot and humid to boot. Over the years I've discovered that with the transition from one season to the next, changes in temperature and humidity can result… read more
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