Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2009 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Hot Mexican Cocoa with Stone-Ground Chocolatehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/hot-mexican-cocoa-with-stone-ground-chocolate/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/hot-mexican-cocoa-with-stone-ground-chocolate/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/hot-mexican-cocoa-with-stone-ground-chocolate/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

mexican hot chocolate

Photo: Jennifer Iserloh

What makes chocolate so addictive?

Chocolate contains a variety of substances, which definitely have an effect on the mind or body chemistry. These include compounds like theobromine, the primary alkaloid in cocoa and chocolate also stimulates the heart and has many therapeutic uses.

People associate the "chocolate high" with the theobromine content, which oddly enough has a stronger biochemical effect for horses and is normally banned in horse racing since it's considered to give them a competitive edge.

Tryptophane, an essential amino acid and precursor to serotonin, that most people associate with turkey, can also be found in chocolate. Tryptophane can help to calm and relax the body, but I like chocolate simply for the fact that it's an easy way to spoil yourself! Get my recipe for Mexican hot chocolate after the jump.

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]]>hot chocolateHotChocolatejennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohmexican hot chocolateMexicanHotChocolateskinny chefSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-11-20T13:00:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Cranberry Relishhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-relish/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-relish/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/20/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-relish/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Crystallized ginger and mandarin orange spiffy up traditional cranberry relish.

Get this cranberry recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>cranberry relishthanksgiving foodthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-20T10:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Triple Chocolate Pecan Loaveshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-triple-chocolate-pecan-loaves/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-triple-chocolate-pecan-loaves/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-triple-chocolate-pecan-loaves/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Skip the pecan pie and take a chocoholic route this Thanksgiving with this velvety-glazed creation.

Get this pecan dessert recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>chocolate pecan cakepecan recipesthanksgiving foodthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-19T18:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Green Beans with Mozzarella and Minthttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-green-beans-with-mozzarella-and-mint/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-green-beans-with-mozzarella-and-mint/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-green-beans-with-mozzarella-and-mint/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mint and mozzarella dress up the often-casseroled green beans in a hurry.

Get this green bean recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>green bean casserolegreen bean recipesthanksgiving foodthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-19T17:45:00+00:00LeNell It All - Playboy Bourbon Coolerhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/lenell-it-all-playboy-bourbon-cooler/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/lenell-it-all-playboy-bourbon-cooler/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/lenell-it-all-playboy-bourbon-cooler/#commentsFiled under: , ,


playboy bourbon cooler

Photo: LeNell Smothers

Alabama-born LeNell Smothers defines herself first and foremost as a bartender, but she's been called many things -- most recently, the proprietress of LeNell's liquor store. She's owned her own whiskey label, called Red Hook Rye, and has been recognized by her home state as an honorary Colonel. Other interests include gin, sin and men.

My first truck load of household goods has arrived at Casa Cóctel, my new home in Baja, Mexico. As I am unpacking my vintage Playboy collection and eagerly awaiting the arrival of my bourbon collection, I am reminded of one of my favorite drinks of all time.

Several years ago for my birthday, Miss Flighty Alberta Straub combined both her jamaica and her famous "Spa Mix" with other delicious ingredients in what she calls her Playboy Bourbon Cooler.

When she first sent me the instructions to prepare this drink for my birthday party, I was so nervous about getting every detail perfect. I was a bit intimidated about finally meeting this famous bar personality who had made plans to come to my former shop LeNell's in Brooklyn to host not only my birthday, but the store's anniversary.

As we assembled all the ingredients in some of my beautiful antique punch bowls and got to know each other better, I realized there was no need for the fear of not getting it all "perfect." It's not always about having an exact recipe, but understanding flavor and pleasing guests. Important lesson, indeed.

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]]>Lenell It Alllenell smothersLenellItAllLenellSmothersplayboyplayboy bourbon coolerPlayboyBourbonCoolerLeNell Smothers2009-11-19T17:00:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Chestnut Stuffinghttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-chestnut-stuffing/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-chestnut-stuffing/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-chestnut-stuffing/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chestnuts add richness and a level of meatiness to the conventional Thanksgiving stuffing.

Get this stuffing recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>chestnut stuffingstuffing recipesthanksgiving foodthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-19T15:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Hot Turkey Sandwichhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-hot-turkey-sandwich/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-hot-turkey-sandwich/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/19/thanksgiving-recipes-hot-turkey-sandwich/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Need a way to spruce up those turkey leftovers? Top the traditional day-after open-faced turkey sandwich with a decadent mushroom and white wine gravy.

Get this turkey recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>thanksgiving menuthanksgiving recipesturkey recipesturkey sandwichSlashfood Editor2009-11-19T13:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnutshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-warm-green-bean-salad-with-toasted-walnut/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-warm-green-bean-salad-with-toasted-walnut/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-warm-green-bean-salad-with-toasted-walnut/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lose a starchy Thanksgiving side dish and replace it with a colorful, walnut-hinted green bean salad.

Get this green bean recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>green bean recipesthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-18T18:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Spanish Ham and Melon with Spiced Vinaigrettehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-spanish-ham-and-melon-with-spiced-vinaigr/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-spanish-ham-and-melon-with-spiced-vinaigr/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-spanish-ham-and-melon-with-spiced-vinaigr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The ham isn't always the centerpiece of a holiday meal. The classic Spanish ham-and-melon pairing is the perfect appetizer to entertain your guest's taste buds.

Get this ham recipe along with many others after the jump.

Continue reading Thanksgiving Recipes - Spanish Ham and Melon with Spiced Vinaigrette

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]]>Slashfood Editor2009-11-18T17:45:00+00:00Martha Stewart and Meredith Vieira in Apple Pie Bake-offhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/martha-stewart-and-meredith-vieira-in-apple-pie-bake-off/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/martha-stewart-and-meredith-vieira-in-apple-pie-bake-off/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/martha-stewart-and-meredith-vieira-in-apple-pie-bake-off/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Talk about a Thanksgiving throwdown.

While there was no Bobby Flay, the NBC's Meredith Vieira challenged celebrity domestic goddess Martha Stewart and her "Mile High Apple Pie" to an apple pie bake-off Wednesday morning on "The Today Show."

There were the obvious differences: Martha Stewart made her own pie crust while Meredith opted for a Flako pre-made version. Martha included lemon in her mile-high pie while Meredith did not. Meredith uses apple pie spice, Martha utilizes cinnamon.

One thing is similarly evident though between the rolling of the eyes and playful taunts, these two ladies were in it to win it.

Find out who won the Martha vs. Meredith apple pie bake-off and get the recipes after the jump.

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]]>apple pieapple pie recipesmartha stewartmeredith vieirameredith vieira and martha stewarttoday showSarah LeTrent2009-11-18T17:30:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Turkey & Stuffing for Twohttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-turkey-and-stuffing-for-two/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-turkey-and-stuffing-for-two/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-turkey-and-stuffing-for-two/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thanksgiving dinner can be festive even if there are only two of you. Plus, it's a great way to avoid the inevitable and often-dreaded leftovers.

Get this turkey and stuffing recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>stuffing recipesthanksgiving for twothanksgiving recipesturkey recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-18T16:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Layered Pumpkin Cheesecakehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-layered-pumpkin-cheesecake/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-layered-pumpkin-cheesecake/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/thanksgiving-recipes-layered-pumpkin-cheesecake/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This cheesecake with its ginger-lemon cookie crust celebrates one of fall's most delicious flavors: pumpkin.

Get this pumpkin cheesecake recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>thanksgiving recipesThanksgivingRecipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-18T14:45:00+00:00Happy National Vichyssoise Day!http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/18/national-vichyssoise-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chervil Vichyssoise

Chervil vichyssoise. Photo: Gato-Azul, Flickr.

Happy National Vichyssoise Day!

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?

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.

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.

Continue reading Happy National Vichyssoise Day!

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]]>louis diatLouisDiatnational vichyssoise dayNationalVichyssoiseDayvichyssoisevichyssoise recipeVichyssoiseRecipeAlexa Weibel2009-11-18T13:15:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Cranberry Saucehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-sauce/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-sauce/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-cranberry-sauce/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cranberry sauce is the yin to the Thanksgiving turkey's yang with its perfect flavor balance of sweet and tart.

Get this cranberry sauce recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>cranberriescranberry saucecurtis stonethanksgiving menuthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-17T17:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Pecan Tartletshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pecan-tartlets/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pecan-tartlets/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pecan-tartlets/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Honey, I shrunk the pecan pie! These bite-sized pecan tartlets satisfy any sweet tooth -- no silverware required.

Get this pecan pie recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>Slashfood Editor2009-11-17T15:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Pear, Prosciutto & Hazelnut Stuffinghttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pear-prosciutto-and-hazelnut-stuffing/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pear-prosciutto-and-hazelnut-stuffing/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-pear-prosciutto-and-hazelnut-stuffing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The stuffing on your holiday table is endlessly adaptable -- as seen in this hearty, bold-flavored version.

Get this stuffing recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>dressingdressing recipesstuffingstuffing recipesthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-17T13:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Marbled Pumpkin Cheesecakehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-marbled-pumpkin-cheesecake/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pumpkin puree marbled into a spectacular autumn-spiced cheesecake is a storybook ending to the ultimate Thanksgiving feast.

Get this pumpkin cheesecake recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>pumpkin cheesecakepumpkin cheesecake recipespumpkin recipesthanksgiving menuthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-17T11:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Deluxe Pecan Piehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-deluxe-pecan-pie/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-deluxe-pecan-pie/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/17/thanksgiving-recipes-deluxe-pecan-pie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pecan pie is, well, easy as pie to make with the help of six ingredients and an hour in the oven.

Get this pecan pie recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>pecan piethanksgiving foodthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-17T08:45:00+00:00Thanksgiving Recipes - Sweet Potato Not Piehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/thanksgiving-recipes-sweet-potato-not-pie/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/thanksgiving-recipes-sweet-potato-not-pie/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/thanksgiving-recipes-sweet-potato-not-pie/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sweet potatoes aren't just for pie. Here, the popular fall vegetable is layered with onions, jalapeños and goat cheese for a dish sure to spice up the regular Thanksgiving spread.

Get this sweet potato recipe along with many others after the jump.

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]]>sweet potato not piesweet potato recipesthanksgiving recipesSlashfood Editor2009-11-16T14:45:00+00:00'The Little Saigon Cookbook' - Cookbook Spotlighthttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/16/the-little-saigon-cookbook-cookbook-spotlight/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The Little Saigon Cookbook book cover

Photo: littlesaigoncookbook.com.

"The Little Saigon Cookbook: Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture in Southern California's Little Saigon"
By Ann Lee
Photography by Julie Fay
Insiders' Guide -- 2006
Buy it on Amazon

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.

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.

See what we tested and find out whether the book's worth buying after the jump.

Continue reading 'The Little Saigon Cookbook' - Cookbook Spotlight

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]]>chicken saladChickenSaladcookbookcookbook spotlightCookbookSpotlightrecipethe little saigon cookbookTheLittleSaigonCookbookvietnamvietnamese chicken saladvietnamese cookingvietnamese foodVietnameseChickenSaladVietnameseCookingVietnameseFoodAlexa Weibel2009-11-16T14:00:00+00:00