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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>Happy Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" alt="soda can" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/3536367876_ebcb3257bc.jpg" />
<p>Soda can. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahdchild/3536367876/" target="_blank">Ahd Child, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy National Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day! Another food holiday that's a mouthful, right up there with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/">National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day</a>. <br />
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But perhaps this one is more intrinsically tied into American culture. Chances are, if you're like most Americans, soda is already in your daily diet, so guzzling a can is hardly a celebratory act today. With more than 15 billion gallons of the less-than-nutritional drink sold annually in the U.S., statistically that works out to about one 12 oz. soda a day for every kid and adult in America.<br />
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A whopping statistic -- how does your soda intake compare?<br />
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<p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/#poll37157">View Poll</a></p><br />
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Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19243982/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/carbonated-beverage-with-caffeine-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Red Lentil Soup - Feast Your Eyes</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/red-lentil-soup-feast-your-eyes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/red-lentil-soup-feast-your-eyes/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/red-lentil-soup-feast-your-eyes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall-flavors/" rel="tag">Fall Flavors</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/comfort-food/" rel="tag">Comfort Food</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/soups-salads/" rel="tag">Soups/Salads</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/feast-your-eyes/" rel="tag">Feast Your Eyes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall/" rel="tag">Fall</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/winter/" rel="tag">Winter</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Red Lentil Soup" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/red-lentil.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitneyinchicago/4039807041/in/pool-slashfood">WhitneyinChicago, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Red-lentil soup inspired my love of the brothy dish, both for its natural flavor and for its unparalleled comforting qualities -- in fact, so much so that my house has become known among friends as the "Soup Kitchen," and friends will randomly text while in the neighborhood to ask what's cooking.<br />
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I discovered red-lentil soup rather late in life, during my college years, at <a href="http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/mediterranean/sultans-market-bucktown-wicker-park/143854/content" target="blank">Sultan's Market</a>, a small but fiercely beloved Mediterranean spot in Chicago's Wicker Park. Braving the bristly winter weather with a bowl of the soup to-go made my walk home doable, whatever obstacles the weather was throwing my way (and these usually included numbingly harsh winds). <br />
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And coming home to a spicy bowl of this stuff warmed was inevitably a body- and soul-warming experience. Although I'm fond of preserving the natural flavor of the red lentil by cooking it up in a soup with sparing ingredients (namely broth, garlic, onion and a touch of cumin), you can't go wrong with hardly any variety of the ultimate soothing concoction. Blogger Whitney in Chicago makes hers with red pepper flakes and chipotle, ups the heartiness factor with the addition of rice, and artfully tops it all off with slivered almond and zesty Feta. You should try her recipe -- I wholeheartedly back her in dubbing it a surefire "<a target="_blank" href="http://whitneyinchicago.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/redlentilsoup/">cure for darkness</a>." <br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em>
<p> </p>
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</div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/red-lentil-soup-feast-your-eyes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19242334/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/red-lentil-soup-feast-your-eyes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>chicago</category><category>red lentil soup</category><category>red lentils</category><category>sultans market</category><category>whitney in chicago</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Preserving Fresh Herbs - Tip of the Day</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/tip-of-the-day/" rel="tag">Tip of the Day</a></p>Do you buy fresh herbs to enhance your dishes but too often find them having gone bad in your refrigerator? Boost their shelf life with this preservation secret.<p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Preserving Fresh Herbs - Tip of the Day</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19241663/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/preserving-fresh-herbs-tip-of-the-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>herbs</category><category>Herbs in a bag</category><category>HerbsInABag</category><category>perserving</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Vichyssoise Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/recipes/" rel="tag">Recipes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/soups-salads/" rel="tag">Soups/Salads</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Chervil Vichyssoise" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/picture-1-1258525134.jpg" />
<p>Chervil vichyssoise. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23804856@N04/3636567410/" target="_blank">Gato-Azul, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy National Vichyssoise Day!<br />
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We'll take cue from a master, and agree with Julia Child that the traditional leek-and-potato vichyssoise "is the mother of the family in all her simplicity." The vegetables combine to a delicate smooth soup, and, wrote Child, "a bit of cream at the end is a nourishing touch, but by no means necessary." But dear Julia, since when were you one to go easy on the fat? <br />
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Created by the chef of New York's Ritz, Louis Diat, the soup made an appearance shortly after the restaurant opened in December 1910. Debatably a Franco-American hybrid, the soup was inspired by the cooking of Diat's mother: "One of my earliest food memories is of my mother's good leek and potato soup," he wrote. Although similar French potage recipes predate the chilled Vichyssoise as we know it, the temperature is what differentiates the refreshing dish.<br />
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<em>And what better way to celebrate National Vichyssoise Day than with Louis Diat's original recipe from 1941's "Cooking a la Ritz"? Check it out, after the jump.</em><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Happy National Vichyssoise Day!</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19243979/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>louis diat</category><category>LouisDiat</category><category>national vichyssoise day</category><category>NationalVichyssoiseDay</category><category>vichyssoise</category><category>vichyssoise recipe</category><category>VichyssoiseRecipe</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy Homemade Bread Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-homemade-bread-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-homemade-bread-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-homemade-bread-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/bread/" rel="tag">Bread</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" alt="Homebaked Challah Bread" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/bread.jpg" />
<p>Challah bread. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nandita2483/3779434644/" target="_blank">Alejandra of Always Order Dessert, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy Homemade Bread Day! <br />
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It's amazing what a base of flour and water is capable of. Though breads often take a back seat, as accompaniments to main courses, cheeses or more, today we celebrate bread worthy of standing on its own, the ultimate mobile comfort food -- not to over-toot the French, but gloriously buttery croissants and crunchy, subtly salty baguettes spring to mind.<br />
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So get baking! For holiday inspiration, with the addition of pumpkin and spices, bread becomes the complex <a target="_blank" href="http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/black-cat-pumpkin-spice-bread/76610">Pumpkin Spice Bread</a> or a moist <a target="_blank" href="http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/pumpkin-cheese-bread/79181">Pumpkin Cheese Bread</a> with cream cheese, or can even serve as a worthy Thanksgiving side dish, in our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/01/table-for-one-savory-bread-pudding/">Savory Bread Pudding</a> recipe.<br />
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What are your most cherished baked breads? Share your favorites in the comments!<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-homemade-bread-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19242341/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-homemade-bread-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>bread</category><category>homemade bread</category><category>homemade bread day</category><category>pumpkin bread</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Baklava Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-national-baklava-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-national-baklava-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-national-baklava-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/nuts-seeds/" rel="tag">Nuts/seeds</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="baklava" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/baklava.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/harryharris/368435296/" target="_blank">Harry Harris, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Ah, baklava -- the unctuous dessert enveloping honey and nuts in buttery layers of phyllo dough. Happy National Baklava Day!<br />
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The European-Middle Eastern delicacy actually has quite an impressive history. Dating back to the 8th Century B.C., the Assyrians used to pile nuts into thin layers of dough and top the whole thing with honey before baking it. The treat was considered a luxury, enjoyed predominantly on special occasions, and affordable only to the wealthy.<br />
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It has since come a long way, traveling to the Near East, Turkey and Armenia over time, then finally to Greece with the rise of the Grecian empire -- and the rich, buttery cinnamon-walnut treat has today made it over to the Food Network, with a fabulous classic <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/baklava-recipe/index.html">recipe </a>by Alton Brown. If you're feeling adventurous, try a shot at more Americanized versions of the versatile international dessert with <a href="http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/pear-baklava/93493" target="_blank">Pear Baklava</a> or even <a href="http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/chocolate-baklava/82229" target="_blank">Chocolate Baklava</a>.<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-national-baklava-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19242338/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/happy-national-baklava-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>baklava</category><category>baklava recipe</category><category>national baklava day</category><category>phyllo</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Pomegranate Ice Kreme - Feast Your Eyes</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/pomegranate-ice-kreme-feast-your-eyes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/pomegranate-ice-kreme-feast-your-eyes/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/pomegranate-ice-kreme-feast-your-eyes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fruit/" rel="tag">Fruit</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/trends/" rel="tag">Trends</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall-flavors/" rel="tag">Fall Flavors</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/thanksgiving/" rel="tag">Thanksgiving</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/vegetarian-vegan/" rel="tag">Vegetarian/Vegan</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/feast-your-eyes/" rel="tag">Feast Your Eyes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall/" rel="tag">Fall</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Pomegranate Ice Cream" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/4071618511_b4a5083e45.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganfeast/4071618511/in/pool-slashfood">norwichnuts, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Although cranberries usually reign supreme around Thanksgiving, the ruby <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/09/pomegranate-pulled-pork-feast-your-eyes/" target="_blank">pomegranate</a> seems to be stealing some of the classic berry's thunder this season -- and understandably so, with its unique tart, fruity edge.<br />
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Flickr user Norwichnuts created this vegan <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/veganfeast/4070526433/" target="_blank">Pomegranate Ice Kreme</a> by simply combining two juiced pomegranates, two cups creamer, one cup powdered sugar and an added layer of pomegranate jelly and freezing it in an ice-cream maker. The "kreme" appears remarkably luscious and creamy, despite its vegan preparation. Topping the simple dessert with glazed pecans adds a salty complexity, as well as interesting texture and crunch. <br />
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Do you enjoy pomegranate? Have you been integrating it into your holiday cooking? Divulge how you've been using the fruit this season in the comments.<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/" target="_blank">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/pomegranate-ice-kreme-feast-your-eyes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19221105/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/pomegranate-ice-kreme-feast-your-eyes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>pomegranate</category><category>pomegranate ice kreme</category><category>Thanksgiving</category><category>vegan pomegranate ice cream</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Cleaning the Pesky Roasting Pan Residue - Tip of the Day</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/baking/" rel="tag">Baking</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/broiling/" rel="tag">Broiling</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/roasting/" rel="tag">Roasting</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/tip-of-the-day/" rel="tag">Tip of the Day</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall/" rel="tag">Fall</a></p>Removing sticky residue from your roasting pans is a cinch with this housekeeping secret.<p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Cleaning the Pesky Roasting Pan Residue - Tip of the Day</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19241682/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/cleaning-the-roasting-pan-tip-of-the-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>cleaning roasting pans</category><category>removing residue</category><category>roasting pan</category><category>roasting pan residue</category><category>thanksgiving</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'The Little Saigon Cookbook' - Cookbook Spotlight</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/poultry/" rel="tag">Poultry</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/far-east/" rel="tag">Asia</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/recipes/" rel="tag">Recipes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/north-america/" rel="tag">North America</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/cookbook-of-the-day/" rel="tag">Cookbook Spotlight</a></p><br />
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<div class="photocaption"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="The Little Saigon Cookbook book cover" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/saigon.jpg" />
<p>Photo: littlesaigoncookbook.com.</p>
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<strong>"The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California's Little Saigon"</strong><br />
By Ann Lee<br />
Photography by Julie Fay<br />
<em>Insiders' Guide -- 2006</em><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0762738316?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=a0382e-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0762738316" target="_blank">Buy it on Amazon</a><br />
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Though exotic cuisines may be daunting endeavors for many cooks due to foreign and sometimes costly ingredients, "The Little Saigon Cookbook" is a clear, straightforward cookbook that sheds light on the culture while making its cuisine approachable and delectable.<br />
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Interspersed with interesting stories about Vietnamese culture and traditions, the book is a well-thought out tribute to Vietnamese foodways -- with delicious recipes to boot, ranging from the obvious dishes to lesser-known exciting ones like the Shaking Beef Salad with Watercress and Tomatoes or Pork Braised in Caramel Sauce. <br />
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<em>See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.</em><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'The Little Saigon Cookbook' - Cookbook Spotlight</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19240348/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>chicken salad</category><category>ChickenSalad</category><category>cookbook</category><category>cookbook spotlight</category><category>CookbookSpotlight</category><category>recipe</category><category>the little saigon cookbook</category><category>TheLittleSaigonCookbook</category><category>vietnam</category><category>vietnamese chicken salad</category><category>vietnamese cooking</category><category>vietnamese food</category><category>VietnameseChickenSalad</category><category>VietnameseCooking</category><category>VietnameseFood</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Fast Food Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/comfort-food/" rel="tag">Comfort Food</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fast-food/" rel="tag">Fast Food</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-politics/" rel="tag">Food Politics</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/fast-food.jpg" alt="In 'N' Out burgers and shakes" />
<p>In-N-Out burgers and shakes. Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/appetiteforchina/3211844539/">AppetiteforChina, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Admittedly, we have mixed feelings on celebrating National Fast Food Day. But despite the merited fast-food backlash, there's something to be said for throwing caution and health to the curb and indulging in a fatty fast-food burger and fries once in awhile.<br />
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It's a sad state of eating affairs that today, 19 percent of American meals are consumed in the car, and fast food has become not simply a convenience or indulgence but the norm. That being said, fast food isn't all bad -- in a continuing trend, some chains are starting to take a markedly different route in fast yet conscientious cuisine, in the vein of Chipotle's "<a href="http://www.chipotle.com/#/flash/fwi_story" target="_blank">Food with Integrity</a>" motto or <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/" target="_blank">Zankou Chicken</a>'s aim for freshly prepared fresh food. <br />
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Are you a discerning fast-food eater? Take our poll to reveal your fast-food eating habits, then spill your thoughts on fast food eating in the comments.<br />
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<p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/#poll36995">View Poll</a></p><br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19239913/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/happy-fast-food-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>chipotle</category><category>fast food</category><category>fast food backlash</category><category>fast food day</category><category>FastFood</category><category>FastFoodBacklash</category><category>FastFoodDay</category><category>national fast food day</category><category>NationalFastFoodDay</category><category>zankou chicken</category><category>ZankouChicken</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Raisin Bran Cereal Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/15/happy-national-raisin-bran-cereal-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/15/happy-national-raisin-bran-cereal-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/15/happy-national-raisin-bran-cereal-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Raisin Bran Muffin" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/2041209592_10bfb2f147.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/proofofthepudding/2041209592/" target="_blank">ProofofthePudding, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy Raisin Bran Day! Most commonly recognized in the dominant <a target="_blank" href="http://www.crunchtown.com/#/home">Kellogg's Raisin Bran Crunch</a> these days, the raisin-bran combination has actually been around since 1926, when it started as Skinner's Raisin Bran. The "raisin bran" moniker was once trademarked, but usage limitations fell by the wayside as the term became widespread. <br />
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Statistics say that the average raisin-bran box of cereal houses 1,000 raisins -- but we think the cereal is best put to use adding extra texture and flavor in creative baking, like this <a target="_blank" href="http://proofofthepudding.wordpress.com/2007/11/17/training-with-muffins/">Apple Raisin Bran Muffin</a> by Proof is in the Pudding. <br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/" target="_blank">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/15/happy-national-raisin-bran-cereal-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19239564/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/15/happy-national-raisin-bran-cereal-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>cereal</category><category>food holiday</category><category>FoodHoliday</category><category>national raisin bran cereal day</category><category>NationalRaisinBranCerealDay</category><category>raisin bran cereal</category><category>RaisinBranCereal</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Guacamole Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-guacamole-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-guacamole-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-guacamole-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fruit/" rel="tag">Fruit</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/america/" rel="tag">America</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="chipotle guacamole" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/guac.jpg" />
<p>Chipotle guacamole. Photo:<a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/progoddess/2881238611/"> rachel is coconut&amp;lime, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy National Guacamole Day! The culinary cosmos of guacamole and pickles may infrequently overlap, but at least today's national food holidays both celebrate zesty green condiments. <br />
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Though the lusciously creamy avocado mash is most often associated with summertime BBQs and beer, there's no reason you shouldn't be eager to make use of your mortars and pestles year-round. Check out our <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/05/05/guacamole-primer-for-cinco-de-mayo/">guacamole primer</a> on Slashfood, or venture to AOL food for Rosa Mexicano's classic <a target="_blank" href="http://recipe.aol.com/recipe/guacamole-en-molcajete/81291">Guacamole en Molcajete</a> recipe -- their trick is mashing the onion, jalapeno and cilantro into a paste for evenly distributed flavor -- though some consumers prefer their avocados hefty, and take pleasure in the zesty chunks of jalapeno, tomato, poblano peppers, green onion, etc. <br />
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What are your favorite guacamole additions? Share your secret ingredients after the jump.<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/" target="_blank">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em>
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</div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-guacamole-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19239558/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-guacamole-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>guacamole</category><category>guacamole dip</category><category>guacamole en molcajete</category><category>GuacamoleDip</category><category>GuacamoleEnMolcajete</category><category>mortar and pestle</category><category>MortarAndPestle</category><category>national guacamole day</category><category>NationalGuacamoleDay</category><category>rosa mexicano</category><category>RosaMexicano</category><category>secret guacamole ingredients</category><category>SecretGuacamoleIngredients</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Pickle Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/vegetables/" rel="tag">Vegetables</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/condiments/" rel="tag">Condiments</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" alt="assorted pickled vegetables" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/pickle.jpg" />
<p>Assorted pickled vegetables. Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_what_geeks_eat/2837483727/">vbalchen, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2007/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/">National Pickle Day</a>! Though most commonly perceived and popularized as a brined cucumber, the "Food Lover's Companion" defines the pickle as any "food that has been preserved in a seasoned brine or vinegar mixture." According to the guide, the most popular pickling subjects beyond the cucumber typically include pearl onions, cauliflower, watermelon rind, baby corn, herring and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2006/11/13/pickled-pigs-feet/">pig's feet</a> -- though most any vegetable can be pickled, it need only be firm enough to not dissolve in brine.<br />
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Brines range from sweet (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/07/02/flashback-to-the-seventies-bread-and-butter-pickles/">Bread-and-Butter Pickles</a>), to sour or hot (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/29/spicy-dill-pickles-feast-your-eyes/">Spicy Dill Pickles</a>), or may take on the flavor of whatever additives, from herbs to spices (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.slashfood.com/2008/07/31/feast-your-eyes-rosemary-garlic-pickles/">Rosemary-Garlic Pickles</a>). And the brine itself holds a range of uses too: soup stock, drink base, even hangover remedy! In one of the more surprising uses, a shot of pickle juice follows a shot of Jameson in the "<a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2008/11/liquor_and_pickle_juice.html" target="_blank">pickle back</a>" drink. <br />
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For an unexpected range of recipes, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://ilovepickles.org/recipes">ilovepickles.org</a> and get creative!<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/" target="_blank">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19239421/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/14/happy-national-pickle-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>bread-and-butter pickles</category><category>Bread-and-butterPickles</category><category>ilovepickles.org</category><category>national pickle day</category><category>NationalPickleDay</category><category>pickle</category><category>pickle back</category><category>PickleBack</category><category>pickling</category><category>rosemary-garlic pickles</category><category>Rosemary-garlicPickles</category><category>spicy dill pickles</category><category>SpicyDillPickles</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Meet the World's Water Sommelier</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/water/" rel="tag">Water</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/trends/" rel="tag">Trends</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-politics/" rel="tag">Food Politics</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/watermascha.jpg" alt="Dr. Mascha at the Cook. Drink. Eat. Live. event" />
<p>Mascha shares his water know-how at the "Cook. Eat. Drink. Live." event. Photo: Alexa Weibel.</p>
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In the competitive, volatile market of food trends, one consumable blankets the majority of Earth yet is massively overlooked by epicureans: water. Commonly considered flavorless -- most would scoff to hear there are some 3,000 varieties of bottled water worldwide -- the commodity is getting reexamined as health issues abound and alcohol consumption is <a target="_blank" href="http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/08/06/americans-drinking-less-alcohol.html">on the wane</a>. <br />
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At the forefront of the water movement is water sommelier <a href="http://www.finewaters.com/" target="_blank">Michael Mascha</a>, who is working to "educate people about premium bottled water" in hopes of "taking bottled water to the next level and making it a luxury item" -- a lofty goal, considering the liquid is most often regarded strictly as a commodity. However, after a private water tasting at New York City's <a target="_blank" href="http://247365nyc.com/">Cook. Eat. Drink. Live.</a> convention last weekend with Mascha -- a retired food anthropology professor at USC and self-proclaimed "authority on the art of water tasting" -- there may be more to water than meets the eye.<br />
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<em>More on the art of water tasting and 'fine water etiquette' after the jump.</em><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Meet the World's Water Sommelier</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19230999/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/water-sommelier-michael-mascha/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>dr. mascha</category><category>Dr.Mascha</category><category>michael mascha</category><category>MichaelMascha</category><category>water</category><category>water as wine</category><category>WaterAsWine</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Indian Pudding Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/happy-national-indian-pudding-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/happy-national-indian-pudding-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/happy-national-indian-pudding-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/rice/" rel="tag">Rice</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/indian.jpg" alt="Indian Pudding" />
<p>Indian pudding. Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/68188294@N00/182771042/" target="_blank">SeriouslyGood1, Flickr</a>.</p>
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As Thanksgiving approaches and we're reminded of the initial feast with the Pilgrims and the Indians, one likely dish of the meal has long been overlooked: the traditional Indian pudding. And though the Native American Indian dessert didn't quite stick as a holiday staple, it gets honored today with National Indian Pudding Day.<br />
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American Indian puddings are a baked custard, made from cornmeal and eggs, sweetened with molasses and flavored by spices. They also often include local, readily available fruit, like apples. The name is derived from "Indian" for its use of cornmeal, once called "Indian meal." Although the dish may not appear the most refined, it's comfort food at its best -- try it yourself, with this <a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/indian_pudding/" target="_blank">recipe</a> adapted from "An Olde Conchord Christmas."<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/happy-national-indian-pudding-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19236642/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/happy-national-indian-pudding-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>indian pudding</category><category>indian rice pudding</category><category>IndianPudding</category><category>IndianRicePudding</category><category>national food holidays</category><category>national indian pudding day</category><category>NationalFoodHolidays</category><category>NationalIndianPuddingDay</category><category>pudding</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Zankou Chicken - Feast Your Eyes</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/poultry/" rel="tag">Poultry</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/trends/" rel="tag">Trends</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fast-food/" rel="tag">Fast Food</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/feast-your-eyes/" rel="tag">Feast Your Eyes</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Zankou Chicken" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/zankou.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/moviesofmyself/4055266353/" target="_blank">sevensworlds16, Flickr</a>.</p>
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These vibrant trays from Zankou Chicken has Beck singing their praises and the Los Angeles Times contending that there's "no better chicken anywhere."<br />
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As the fast food industry continues to expand, catering to more health-conscious foodies, Southern California chain<a target="_blank" href="http://www.zankouchicken.com/"> Zankou Chicken</a> is redefining the concept with its fresh Mediterranean cuisine. Renowned for its roasted chicken and pita bread baked on the premises, the chain also offers hummus, shawerma, falafel and a variety of kebabs, using 100 percent fresh products -- no cans, freezers, microwaves or preservatives -- and only the "finest ingredients." <br />
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But it's the <a href="http://www.recipezaar.com/Zankou-Chickens-Lebanese-Garlic-Sauce-Copycat-199352" target="_blank">secret Lebanese garlic sauce</a> that's got Southern Californians hooked, a zesty combination of garlic, olive oil, lemon and potato, for texture, that has customers dipping in just about any item on the menu -- and proving that fast food may rise above the typical greasy-spoon burger joints of the past.<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/" target="_blank">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19232104/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/zankou-chicken-feast-your-eyes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>chicken</category><category>fast food</category><category>fast food chicken</category><category>FastFood</category><category>FastFoodChicken</category><category>roasted chicken</category><category>RoastedChicken</category><category>zankou chicken</category><category>ZankouChicken</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Perfectly Poached Eggs - Tip of the Day</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/recipes/" rel="tag">Recipes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/how-to/" rel="tag">How To</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/eggs/" rel="tag">Eggs</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/tip-of-the-day/" rel="tag">Tip of the Day</a></p>Say goodbye to overcooked yolks or disintegrating egg whites -- perfectly poached eggs are easy with these useful tips.<p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Perfectly Poached Eggs - Tip of the Day</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19233591/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/13/perfectly-poached-eggs-tip-of-the-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>brunch</category><category>egg</category><category>eggs</category><category>perfectly poached egg</category><category>perfectly poached eggs</category><category>PerfectlyPoachedEgg</category><category>PerfectlyPoachedEggs</category><category>poached egg recipe</category><category>poached eggs</category><category>PoachedEggRecipe</category><category>PoachedEggs</category><category>poaching eggs</category><category>PoachingEggs</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Happy National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day!</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-oddities/" rel="tag">Food Oddities</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/did-you-know/" rel="tag">Did you know?</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/celebrations/" rel="tag">Celebrations</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/holidays/" rel="tag">Holidays</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/food-news/" rel="tag">Food News</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/pizza.jpg" alt="Pizza" />
<p>Photo: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/3852468100/">Akuban, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Happy National Pizza With Everything (Except Anchovies) Day! Anchovy lovers may be tiffed, but they can celebrate their topping the other 364 days of the year. <br />
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Whether you enjoy your pizza artisanal (thin-crusted, with scarce but quality ingredients, typically served in trendy restaurants) or classic (pepperoni, loaded with cheese, delivered by teenage pizza boys), today is the day to savor a slice.<br />
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Do you prefer pizzas with low-quantity, high-quality ingredients, or fully loaded ones, with toppings overpowering the crust? What are your favorite pizza-topping combinations? Spill your delectable slice secrets in the comments!<br />
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<em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19232101/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/12/happy-national-pizza-with-everything-except-anchovies-day/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>national pizza day</category><category>NationalPizzaDay</category><category>pizza</category><category>pizza toppings</category><category>PizzaToppings</category><category>seasonal pizzas</category><category>SeasonalPizzas</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>'The Thanksgiving Table' - Cookbook Spotlight</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/recipes/" rel="tag">Recipes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/comfort-food/" rel="tag">Comfort Food</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/cookbook-of-the-day/" rel="tag">Cookbook Spotlight</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/thanksgiving/" rel="tag">Thanksgiving</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall/" rel="tag">Fall</a></p><br />
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<div class="photocaption"><img hspace="4" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/thanksgiving_table_new_cover-1257919253.jpg" alt="The Thanksgiving Table cookbook cover" />
<p>Photo: Amazon.com.</p>
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<strong>'The Thanksgiving Table: Recipes and Ideas to Create Your Own Holiday Tradition'</strong><br />
By Diane Morgan<br />
Photography by John A. Rizzo<br />
<em>Chronicle Books -- 2001</em><br />
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0811855422?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=a0382e-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0811855422">Buy it on Amazon</a><br />
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Though Thanksgiving may be conceptually about unity and giving thanks, the feast is often anything but -- be it from menus predominantly meat-centric or overwhelmingly vegetarian that rely upon traditional recipes or adventurous ones, to lively affairs or smaller, more austere gatherings prone to the usual family quibbles.<br />
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But with the help of this book and guide, the meal itself is at least guaranteed to go smoothly, with preparation and decoration ideas as well as recipes to suit eaters and appetites of all kinds. Catering to the variety of the holiday's staples -- the smells, the anticipation, the flavor, the feel -- this book is virtually all you need to host the most perfect, memorable Thanksgiving.<br />
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<em>See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.</em><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>'The Thanksgiving Table' - Cookbook Spotlight</em></a></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19231047/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/the-thanksgiving-table-cookbook-spotlight/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>cookbook</category><category>holiday cooking</category><category>HolidayCooking</category><category>thanksgiving</category><category>thanksgiving cooking</category><category>thanksgiving decorating</category><category>ThanksgivingCooking</category><category>ThanksgivingDecorating</category><category>thanksiving decorations</category><category>ThanksivingDecorations</category><category>the thanksgiving table</category><category>TheThanksgivingTable</category><category>turkey</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title>Creamy Baked Eggs with Tarragon - Feast Your Eyes</title><link>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/creamy-baked-eggs-with-tarragon-feast-your-eyes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/creamy-baked-eggs-with-tarragon-feast-your-eyes/</guid><comments>http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/creamy-baked-eggs-with-tarragon-feast-your-eyes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/recipes/" rel="tag">Recipes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/eggs/" rel="tag">Eggs</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/feast-your-eyes/" rel="tag">Feast Your Eyes</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/fall/" rel="tag">Fall</a>, <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/category/winter/" rel="tag">Winter</a></p><div class="classy">
<div class="captioncenter"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" alt="Baked Eggs with Cream and Tarragon" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.slashfood.com/media/2009/11/eggs.jpg" />
<p>Photo: <a href="http://thegoudalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/stuck-on-tangent.html" target="_blank">Domesticated Beast, Flickr</a>.</p>
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Though most of us enjoy refined, flavorful brunches, many of us aren't willing to commit more effort into the morning endeavor beyond pouring milk into a bowl of cereal or toasting and buttering some bread. <br /> <br /> Thanks to blogger the Gouda Life, we're inspired by this oh-so-simple recipe for <a href="http://thegoudalife.blogspot.com/2009/11/stuck-on-tangent.html" target="_blank">Baked Eggs with Butter, Cream and Tarragon</a>. Its raw version pictured tells it all: You have but to pour enough cream into a ramekin until the bottom is covered, add one tablespoon butter, one tablespoon tarragon (you may chop it if you care to take the time), two carefully cracked eggs, and salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked through and are no longer runny -- aside from the yolk. You'll happily savor this comforting morning pick-me-up. Topping this easy dish with some grated cheese might elevate it even closer to perfection.<br /> <br /> <em>Become a member of the </em><em><a target="_blank" href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/slashfood/pool/">Slashfood Flickr pool</a> to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.</em></div><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"> </p><p><a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/creamy-baked-eggs-with-tarragon-feast-your-eyes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/forward/19232019/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a> | <a href="http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/11/creamy-baked-eggs-with-tarragon-feast-your-eyes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>baked eggs</category><category>baked eggs with cream and tarragon</category><category>BakedEggs</category><category>BakedEggsWithCreamAndTarragon</category><category>domesticated beast</category><category>DomesticatedBeast</category><category>eggs</category><category>feast your eyes</category><category>FeastYourEyes</category><category>gouda life</category><category>GoudaLife</category><category>tarragon</category><category>tarragon baked eggs</category><category>TarragonBakedEggs</category><category>the gouda life</category><category>TheGoudaLife</category><dc:creator>Alexa Weibel</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>