Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com Slashfood http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.slashfood.com/media/feedlogo.gif Slashfood http://www.slashfood.com en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/The Takedown Hits Austin During SXSW - Bacon Stylehttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-takedown-hits-austin-during-south-by-southwest-bacon-style/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-takedown-hits-austin-during-south-by-southwest-bacon-style/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-takedown-hits-austin-during-south-by-southwest-bacon-style/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Portal and Friends, Flickr

"My bacon is better than your bacon!" was the mantra heard repeatedly at the Bacon Takedown held on Sunday, March 14 at music venue Emo's in Austin, Texas.

The event, sponsored by Hormel and Le Creuset and organized by Matt Timms, saw 22 contestants go pork belly to pork belly for judges' prizes and/or people's choice awards, winning Le Creuset griddle pans and either a year's supply or six-months' supply of Hormel bacon. Some dishes were intensive, like Taco Town's award-winning crack bacon tacos (blueberry-maple glazed bacon wrapped with made-to-order bacon-fat, queso fresco and blueberry habanero salsa).

Of course, food competitions are nothing new and they're growing in popularity. In New York City, much of this is due to Timms, who for six years has held culinary contests in Brooklyn. Capitalizing on the Takedown series' popularity, Timms has taken it on the road. South by Southwest was the second stop (the first was in Boston with the Lamb Takedown).

Continue reading The Takedown Hits Austin During SXSW - Bacon Style

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]]>AustinBaconfeaturedsouth by southwestsouth by southwest baconsxswJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 18 Mar 2010 15:00:00 ESTThe Post-Holiday Hash of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-post-holiday-hash-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-post-holiday-hash-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/18/the-post-holiday-hash-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Muy Yum, Flickr

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

  • Has all the green food coloring numbed your mind enough to fail a St. Patrick's Day food and drink quiz?
  • These bags promise to prevent your favorite carb from turning into stone -- for up to two weeks.
  • Translate Irish into Italian with corned beef and cabbage pizza.
  • Or, have breakfast for dinner with this hash recipe.
  • Hard-boiled eggs are the new calendars.
  • Before the next holiday, brush up on your matzo knowledge.
  • What are you thoughts on whiskey the day after? We thought so.

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]]>breadleftoversmatzoSt. Patricks DaywhiskeyYumSugarJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 18 Mar 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Feast-Day Fare of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/11/the-feast-day-fare-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/11/the-feast-day-fare-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/11/the-feast-day-fare-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Courtesy of YumSugar

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>corned beefGuinnessKit Katlentlenten seasonseafoodSt. Patricks DayJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 11 Mar 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Celebrity Comida of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/the-celebrity-comida-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/the-celebrity-comida-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/03/04/the-celebrity-comida-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: James Jordan, Flickr

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:
  • Baked Alaska isn't as fancy-pants as it might seem, even though it's being served at the Governors Ball.
  • Marcela Valladolid, star of the Food Network's Mexican Made Easy, wants you to give chilaquiles a screen test.
  • Wolfgang, Alton and Lidia are tapped to host the culinary Oscars.
  • What is your headlining cooking oil?
  • Do you have a D-list herb?
  • The home-cooking big wigs at "America's Test Kitchen" get set to release a video-game adaptation.
  • The sidecar is a sparkling marquee cocktail.

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]]>baked alaskaBakedAlaskacooking oilFood NetworkherbsJames Beard Awardsmarcela valladolidMarcelaValladolidMexicanMadeEasyNintendo DSi XLOscars2010video gamesJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:00 ESTMarch Food Festivalshttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/26/march-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/26/march-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/26/march-food-festivals/#commentsFiled under:

A view from the 2009 Village Voice's Choice Eats tasting event. Photo: leesean, Flickr

You wouldn't know it thanks to Mother Nature's meteorologically unstable mood, but spring is, in fact, around the corner. As such, this month's food fetes look to the warmer weather and the promise of a new season.

Mid-Atlantic Barista Competition, March 5-7, Secaucus, N.J.: Wake up! The captains of coffee will take to the bar and compete for the best espresso, cappuccino and signature event. Entries will be evaluated on the merits of taste and tactile balance, contents and temperature. Get your jolt of joe as a judge or provide one by entering the contest.

Continue reading March Food Festivals

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]]>annual ball park beer festivalfestivalsmid-atlantic barista competitionnew orleans roadfood festivalVillage VoiceJose Ralat MaldonadoFri, 26 Feb 2010 11:00:00 ESTThe Diverse Digestibles of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/25/the-diverse-digestibles-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/25/the-diverse-digestibles-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/25/the-diverse-digestibles-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: thebittenworld.com, Flickr


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

  • If you can't satisfy the craving for Girl Scout cookies, try your hand at Samoa Tartlets.
  • Don't be afraid to show off your pot rack, spice rack or canned-food cave.
  • Batali brings Eataly, a Turin-based Italian food bazaar, to New York -- brewpub included!
  • Don't scribble grocery items as they come to mind -- there's a better way.
  • Never mind debating white or red wine -- the most important question is: crunchy or creamy peanut butter?
  • Get your oopa on with a Greek drink menu.
  • Bag some baby bok choy before winter's end.

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]]>baby bok choyeatalygreek drinkskitchensMario Batalipeanut butterSamoasJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 25 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Sporty Sustenance of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/18/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Bondidwhat, Flickr


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>CanadaGoldschlägerNanaimo BarOlympicsyumsugarJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 18 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Alluring Appetizers of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/the-alluring-appetizers-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/the-alluring-appetizers-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/11/the-alluring-appetizers-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Smaku, Flickr


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>Chinese New Yeartop chef masterstwilightvalentines dayyumsugarJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 11 Feb 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Sporty Sustenance of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/02/04/the-sporty-sustenance-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

hot saucePhoto: aturkus, Flickr


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

  • Hot sauce is as Super Bowl as a platter of wings.
  • Coach Brown's Buffalo wings are hotter than the big game's commercials.
  • Coca-Cola is going for the gold in Olympic carbon neutrality.
  • Cellaring wine and beer is common, but do you cellar salt?
  • Save some of the nacho cheese and beer for this game-day dish.
  • Can affordable Stonemill Kitchens spreads and dips score a touchdown?
  • We recommend playing mini-football with your saved corks.

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]]>buffalo wingscoca-colahot saucesuper bowlsuper bowl partyyumsugarJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 04 Feb 2010 12:00:00 ESTFebruary Food Festivalshttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/29/february-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/29/february-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/29/february-food-festivals/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Zeetz Jones, flickr


February has an abundance of wine-this and wine-that festivals. As we look toward spring and summer, we also look forward to fruit and vegetable fairs. Cin cin, wine enthusiasts.

Portland Seafood and Wine Festival, Feb. 5-6, Portland, Ore.: Splitting open Dungeness crabs while quaffing wine isn't a combination that comes to mind. But that won't stop us! The first 500 daily attendants will receive a commemorative wine glass. Check out the crab cracking or the oyster schucking and swallowing competitions. A percentage of the ticket price will be donated to the Oregon Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Kingdom of Navarra Gastronomic Week, Feb. 6-14, New York and Washington, DC: Spain is a land of cutting-edge chefs. Spain's Navarra province, the Kingdom of Flavors, will occupy two culinary capitals this month, armed with its pork cheeks, rosado wine and myriad treasured comidas.

Continue reading February Food Festivals

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]]>coffeefeaturedfestivalsfood networkFoodNetworkteawineJose Ralat MaldonadoFri, 29 Jan 2010 16:00:00 ESTThe Far-Flung Fare of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/the-far-flung-fare-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/the-far-flung-fare-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/28/the-far-flung-fare-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: avlxyz, Flickr.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>bobby flaybocuse dorel bulliruth reichlsushiJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 28 Jan 2010 12:00:00 ESTBreakfast Tacos - Required Eating in Austinhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/26/breakfast-tacos-are-required-eating-in-austin/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/26/breakfast-tacos-are-required-eating-in-austin/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/26/breakfast-tacos-are-required-eating-in-austin/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: poopoorama, Flickr.


Tacos are as synonymous with Austin, Texas, as the South by Southwest Festival. The breakfast taco, the energizing early rising big brother, is to Austin what the bagel is to New York. A breakfast taco is required eating in Austin, available at regional fast-food chains and mom-and-pop shops to mini-empires and trailers. They are Austinites' go-to, on-the-fly morning meal.

Just don't confuse them with breakfast burritos, those bursting-at-the-seams paramours of Californians. They might have similar components, but breakfast burritos are all-in-one leviathans of a tortilla envelope found only in a few Austin restaurants. They are clearly in the minority.

A breakfast taco can include bacon, egg, cheese, potato, refried beans, chorizo, barbacoa and migas, all hugged by a flour tortilla. Of the myriad amalgams, bacon, egg and cheese as well as chorizo and egg are big crowd-pleasers. Migas tacos, fried corn tortilla strips with eggs, chiles, tomatoes and cheese, are also much adored. But eggs aren't sacrosanct. "Our biggest breakfast seller, the Otto, doesn't have eggs in it," says Roberto Espinosa, owner of Tacodeli. It's made with refried black beans, bacon, avocado and Monterey Jack.

Continue reading Breakfast Tacos - Required Eating in Austin

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]]>austinbreakfast tacosburritotacosJose Ralat MaldonadoTue, 26 Jan 2010 11:00:00 ESTThe Comforting Cuisine of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/the-comforting-cuisine-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/the-comforting-cuisine-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/21/the-comforting-cuisine-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Apple crisp, winter comfort food. Photo: bookgrl, Flickr.

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>chile peppersdishwashergameJamie OlivertacosJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe Many Morsels of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/the-many-morsels-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/the-many-morsels-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/14/the-many-morsels-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

Photo: Flowery *L*u*z*a*'s, flickr


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

  • Yes, you can! -- ditch the supermarket and make these 10 food items, that is.
  • In these lean times try easy on the pocketbook and easily jazzed up red beans and rice.
  • This plastic will fit nicely next to your ATM card.
  • Say hello to the banana's big brother.
  • With only two pans and some cans of soup, you too can make a panini.
  • Do you know what this squashing machine is?
  • Chili purists, turn away -- delicious meatless chili in a slow cooker.

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]]>chilikitchen gadgetsmeatloafpaniniplantainsJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 ESTThe New Year Noshes of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/07/the-new-year-noshes-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/07/the-new-year-noshes-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/07/the-new-year-noshes-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under:

mexican feastPhoto: YumSugar

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:
  • If you still haven't recovered from the New Year's Eve hangover, try one of these salves.
  • Kick off your post-holiday recovery with a winter salad.
  • Do you dare cook plantains at home?
  • A Mexican Christmas dinner is indeed traditional American.
  • Start 2010 on the right foot with this mysterious piece of culinary tech.
  • Will ramen finally graduate college, or will pho give it a failing grade?
  • If you made a go-vegan resolution, why not munch on vanilla pound cake?

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]]>phoplantainspound cakeramenwinter saladJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 07 Jan 2010 13:00:00 ESTJanuary Food Festivalshttp://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/04/january-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/04/january-food-festivals/http://www.slashfood.com/2010/01/04/january-food-festivals/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo: Allerina & Glen MacLarty, Flickr.


Happy New Year! Buon Natale! Feliz Año Nuevo! A new year means more reasons to party with food, and the weather beckons us to nurture our winter waistline. If you're looking for a reason to party with food, drop in and munch at one of the following.

North Illinois Farm Show, Dekalb, Ill., Jan. 6-7: In its 28th year, this convention highlights Illinois farmers at a time when Big Ag and sustainable farming issues are taking a prominent place in the mainstream. Seminars held will discuss the USDA Farm Bill, drainage systems and pesticide licenses -- yes, pesticides. Not your typical food festival -- actually, it's not one -- but a food event more cogent than ever.

Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywine Festival, Vail, Colo., Jan. 7-9: Eschew the slopes, or if you must be a ski bunny, reward yourself with a visit to one of the taps at this 10th annual affair, featuring area brewmasters Peter Bouckaert of New Belgium Brewing Co., and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing Co. If you have the hops for it, enter the homebrew competition.

The Winter Wine Festival, New Castle, NH., Jan. 15-Feb. 27: The idea of more than a month of toasting tippling is a fantastic way of coping with the New England winter. Local hotshot chefs, like Gregg Sessler, executive chef/owner of Cava Tapas Restaurant, and national winemakers, like Ted Seghesio, will be given the spotlight.

Continue reading January Food Festivals

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]]>BeerFarmingfood festivalsFoodFestivalsMustardOystersWineJose Ralat MaldonadoMon, 04 Jan 2010 11:00:00 ESTThe Year-End Yumminess of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/31/the-year-end-yumminess-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/31/the-year-end-yumminess-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/31/the-year-end-yumminess-of-yumsugar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo: YumSugar.


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

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]]>BaconEndivehoppin johnnew yearsRick BaylessWilliams-SonomaJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 31 Dec 2009 13:00:00 ESTThe Christmas Comestibles of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/24/the-christmas-comestibles-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/24/the-christmas-comestibles-of-yumsugar/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/24/the-christmas-comestibles-of-yumsugar/#comments

Photo: YumSugar.


Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

  • It's Christmas Eve -- if you haven't bought a present for your gourmand better half; well, we're here to save you with these last-minute ideas.
  • Risking one's life by consuming food from dubiously hygienic vehicles was the big food deal of 2009.
  • If you're too tuckered out to make a grilled cheese after the gift-buying crunch --and who isn't? -- cook up this oven-made version.
  • A Christmas Dining Miracle -- brunch on a Friday!
  • When holiday candies depart from traditional flavor and hue, do you skip the seasonal aisle?
  • We won't tell if you cheat on your (gingerbread) man with gingersnap palmiers this Christmas.
  • Chef Aarón Sanchez is developing a taco town.

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]]>aaron sanchezAaronSanchezchristmas treeChristmasTreestreet foodStreetFoodJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 24 Dec 2009 13:00:00 ESTFoods of Nochebuenahttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/21/foods-of-nochebuena/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/21/foods-of-nochebuena/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/21/foods-of-nochebuena/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Photo: Jose Kevo, Flickr

No one wakes up early on Christmas Day in Puerto Rico. It might have something to do with the hangover and lingering food coma from Nochebuena, the Christmas Eve celebration more important than Christmas Day. Who wants socks and underwear when you can have pork?

Pork, that most Puerto Rican of meats, is paramount to Nochebuena. The most ideal cut -- a roasted pork shoulder or pernil -- is traditionally cooked on a spit over charcoal in the backyard. At least one family member gets up around 4 a.m. to prepare the charcoal and sit while turning the spit so the pork cooks evenly. It's critical to taste as you go, especially when some parts of the pig cook faster than others.

"You have to check the doneness of the pork by pulling off the ears and tail. It's some of the best meat," explained this blogger's father -- and native Puerto Rican -- Jose Ralat Torres. As an alternative to this all-day process, he noted, "Now, some bakeries will roast the pork for you and it would only take half the time. It almost tastes the same" -- but loses the endearing tradition.

Continue reading Foods of Nochebuena

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]]>arroz con gandulesNochebuenapernilporkPuerto RicoJose Ralat MaldonadoMon, 21 Dec 2009 15:00:00 ESTThe Tasty Tidbits of YumSugarhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/17/yumsugar-roundup/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/17/yumsugar-roundup/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/12/17/yumsugar-roundup/#commentsFiled under: ,

duck a l'orangeDuck l'Orange. Photo: Bob Usher, Flickr

Each Thursday, we round up a selection of scrumptious links from our friends over at YumSugar. Here's what they've got cooking this week:

YumSugar's must-see holiday TV.

Give the foodie in your life the gift that keeps on giving -- Lederhosen and Dirndl mugs.

Has the economy led you to believe edible gifts are the way to go?

Dear Michael Symon, you risk beating a dead horse with this easy latke recipe.

There is no need to quake at duck l'orange.

A Denver restaurant goes weeding.

Are you skipping eggnog this Christmas?

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]]>duck lorangeeggnogMichael Symonnovelty giftsyumsugarJose Ralat MaldonadoThu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST