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/Tip of the Day - Peeling Gingerhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/tip-of-the-day-peeling-ginger/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/tip-of-the-day-peeling-ginger/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/11/02/tip-of-the-day-peeling-ginger/#commentsFiled under: ,

With its knobby texture, ginger root is easier to tackle with a spoon than a knife.

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]]>gingerginger rootGingerRoothow to peel gingerHowToPeelGingertip of the dayTipOfTheDaySarah LeTrent2009-11-02T09:00:00+00:00Halloween Treats - Witch Fingershttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-witch-fingers/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-witch-fingers/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/30/halloween-treats-witch-fingers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo: Monika Bartyzel.

Halloween is almost here. The costumes are coming together, the ghosts are swooping in, the kiddies are getting restless and there is simply no time to make fancy graveyard cupcakes or malted eyeballs. But Halloween-themed brownies and blondies are still a snap! When time is of the essence, witch fingers are a great treat to whip up, and they will certainly elicit kudos from the crowd.

These crunchy Halloween cookies have run their way back and forth across the Web, but we've come up with twists and style updates that are sure to please. Hit the jump and visit the gallery for inspiration.

Continue reading Halloween Treats - Witch Fingers

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]]>creepy cookieCreepyCookieHalloween cookiesHalloween recipesHalloween treatsHalloweenCookiesHalloweenRecipesHalloweenTreatsshortbreadwitch cookiesWitchCookiesWitchs fingersWitchsFingersMonika Bartyzel2009-10-30T16:00:00+00:00Seasonal Salads on the Grillhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/27/seasonal-salads-on-the-grill/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/27/seasonal-salads-on-the-grill/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/27/seasonal-salads-on-the-grill/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

grilled salads

Photo: Gena Knox.

There are very few nights when I sit down to a homecooked meal that does not include a salad that reflects the season. Even if I put little effort into the main dish, I always have fun creating new dressings and salad combinations. While there are hundreds of salad dressings on supermarket shelves, I encourage you to make your own. Not only are they better for you, homemade dressings are simple to prepare and have a delicious, clean flavor.

Fall is full of some of my favorite ingredients, and the colors and textures of all the seasonal fruits and vegetables create amazing salads. Grilling pears and apples adds a smoky flavor, and a good quality cheese and simple dressing brings the dish together. You can top salads with toasted nuts, pomegranate seeds or even pumpkin seeds. Grilled portobello mushrooms also lend a nice, earthy flavor during the cooler months.

Get creative with seasonal ingredients, buy local and use fall nights to create delicious grilled dinners for your family and friends.

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]]>autumnfire and flavorFireAndFlavorgena knoxGenaKnoxgrilled applesgrilled pearsgrilled saladsGrilledApplesGrilledPearsGrilledSaladsGena Knox2009-10-27T14:00:00+00:00Tip of the Day - Brining Basicshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/tip-of-the-day-brining-basics/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/tip-of-the-day-brining-basics/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/26/tip-of-the-day-brining-basics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Because poultry has to be cooked through, it has a tendency to dry out. Brining not only adds flavor, but also produces tender, juicy meat.

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]]>brinebrininghomemade brineHomemadeBrinepoultrytip of the dayTipOfTheDaySarah LeTrent2009-10-26T09:00:00+00:00Halloween Cupcake Ideas - Graveyard Cupcakeshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/23/halloween-treats-graveyard-cupcakes/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/23/halloween-treats-graveyard-cupcakes/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/23/halloween-treats-graveyard-cupcakes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

graveyard halloween cupcakes

Cupcake graveyard. Photo: Monika Bartyzel.

Looking for Halloween cupcake decorating ideas? One of the most versatile treats you can make for this holiday season is graveyard-themed -- cupcake or cake, the choice is yours!

The type of pastry you choose to make is secondary to what you put on top, and there's no end to the possibilities.

After the jump, find everything you need to make your own graveyard cupcake extravaganza.

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]]>cupcakesgraveyardgraveyard cupcakesGraveyardCupcakesHalloweenHalloween cupcakeshalloween cupcakes decorating ideasHalloween recipesHalloweenCupcakesHalloweenCupcakesDecoratingIdeasHalloweenRecipesMonika Bartyzel2009-10-23T16:00:00+00:00Wisconsin Apple Pie and Cheese Don't Always Go Togetherhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/19/wisconsin-apple-pie-and-cheese-dont-always-go-together/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/19/wisconsin-apple-pie-and-cheese-dont-always-go-together/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/19/wisconsin-apple-pie-and-cheese-dont-always-go-together/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

apple pie with cheese

Photo: longpig, Flickr.

Cheese with that pie? It might taste good, but it's definitely not required by law in the Dairy State.

The Wisconsin State Journal debunked the myth that Wisconsin requires apple pie to be served with cheese at restaurants in the state. The paper asked Connie Von Der Heide at the Wisconsin State Law Library whether or not state law required cheese to accompany the pie after a reader inquired about it.

"It certainly sounds plausible since after all this is the Dairy State, but the answer is no," she said. "The 1935 Laws of Wis., ch. 106 came close; it required serving a small amount of cheese and butter with meals in restaurants (effective from June 1935 to March 1937)."

What crazy food laws have you heard of? Let us know in the comments below.

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]]>apple pieApplePiecheesecheese with pieCheeseWithPiewisconsinwisconsin lawWisconsinLawSara Bonisteel2009-10-19T16:00:00+00:00Healthier Ramen Noodleshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/16/healthier-ramen-noodles/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/16/healthier-ramen-noodles/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/16/healthier-ramen-noodles/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ramen noodles. Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.

Ramen noodles are the college student's best friend -- they're cheap, filling and taste great. But what happens when you graduate from college and want to start making smarter, and even better-tasting choices?

The old college girl in me just can't get over the crush I used to have on the 33-cents-a-pop ramen noodle package. (Beef was my favorite flavor.) So now that my budget has grown and my waistline has shrunk, I still like to make room for ramen noodles in my kitchen.

Get the recipe for healthier ramen after the jump.

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]]>JenniferIserlohramenramen recipeRamenNoodlesRamenRecipeSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-10-16T13:00:00+00:00Spicy Beans and Sun-Dried Tomatoeshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/12/spicy-beans-and-sun-dried-tomatoes/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/12/spicy-beans-and-sun-dried-tomatoes/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/12/spicy-beans-and-sun-dried-tomatoes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

spicy beans with sun-dried tomatoes
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh
Remember when sun-dried tomatoes were trendy in the 1980s? They were considered chic, foreign, even elegant. I remember one of my first experiences eating them in a Pittsburgh restaurant called Café Allegro.

I had a Gorgonzola-stuffed pear -- which I still think about to this day -- and creamy, luscious bow-tie pasta with plumped sun-dried tomatoes soaked in oil.

These tomatoes are so sweet and tangy. Why did they fall out of favor?

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]]>jennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohskinny chefSkinnyChefspicy bean recipeSpicyBeanRecipesun-dried tomatosun-dried tomatoesSun-driedTomatoSun-driedTomatoesthe skinny chefTheSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-10-12T13:00:00+00:00Dulce De Leche - An Easy Dessert Enhancerhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/09/dulce-de-leche-a-fast-dessert-made-special/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/09/dulce-de-leche-a-fast-dessert-made-special/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/09/dulce-de-leche-a-fast-dessert-made-special/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

dulce de leche by the skinny chef
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh
Dulce de Leche, a sweet found in Argentine, Uruguayan and Chilean cuisine, is prepared by cooking sweetened condensed milk to create a sumptuous sauce that tastes like melted milk caramels.

I will warn you -- it is dangerous. I could eat it out of the container with a spoon, but it can also be extremely versatile when used sparingly as a topping for healthier ingredients to make hundreds of fast desserts.

Continue reading Dulce De Leche - An Easy Dessert Enhancer

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]]>dulce de lecheDulceDeLechejennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohskinny chefSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-10-09T13:00:00+00:00Empanadas Make Leftovers Irresistiblehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/05/empanadas-make-leftovers-irresistible/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/05/empanadas-make-leftovers-irresistible/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/05/empanadas-make-leftovers-irresistible/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

empanadas
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
It was one of those things that my granny always insisted on: finding ways to use leftovers and never wasting food. Even though I've grown up eating leftovers, I've never liked eating a big plate of odds and ends, a spoonful here and bite there.

I wondered if that's why Americans waste about 27 percent of their available food. But what if you could turn those tidbits into something luscious? I guarantee that you won't be tempted to toss that handful of broccoli florets, those spoonfuls of blue cheese crumbles or your remaining half a jar of olives.

First I took a look in my freezer before proceeding on to my self-imposed "Top Chef" challenge. Frozen dough disks didn't look that interesting resting in my freezer door, until I remembered that they're Goya empanada wrappers that you can fill with just about anything. Bingo!

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]]>empanadasgoyahomemade empanadasHomemadeEmpanadasjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohleftoversthe skinny chefTheSkinnyChefusing up leftoversUsingUpLeftoversJennifer Iserloh2009-10-05T13:00:00+00:00Winter Squash on the Grillhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/winter-squash-on-the-grill/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/winter-squash-on-the-grill/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/winter-squash-on-the-grill/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

squash segments on a pan
Photo: Erica George Dines Photography.
This time of year, one of the most delicious seasonal foods to grill is winter squash. Butternut, acorn and sugar pumpkin all benefit from the smokiness and caramelized flavors that the grill imparts.

And there are so many ingredients that complement winter squash -- from sage and thyme to sweeter flavors like orange, maple and bourbon. Even sausage and bacon are perfect matches for this fall favorite.

Grilled winter squash make a nice addition to everything from risotto to salads and can be a great side to serve with roasted meats or as a main vegetarian dish. Some of my favorite cheeses -- like goat, blue cheese and feta -- round out the smoky sweetness for melt-in-your-mouth flavor.

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]]>acorn squashAcornSquashbutternut squashButternutSquashfire and flavorFireAndFlavorgena knoxGenaKnoxgrilling tipsgrilling vegetablesGrillingTipsGrillingVegetablessquashwinter squashWinterSquashGena Knox2009-10-02T16:00:00+00:00Homemade Tamari Almondshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/homemade-tamari-almonds/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/homemade-tamari-almonds/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/10/02/homemade-tamari-almonds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

tamari almonds
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
Tamari almonds make their way into my banana-nut breakfast smoothie as they add a hint of saltiness against the sweetness of really ripe bananas. But as unexpectedly good as they may taste, I was in for another shocker: As I recently reviewed my grocery bill, I realized that those tamari almonds were almost $2 a bag!

Since I had a bottle of low-sodium tamari taking up space in the cupboard, I shopped for the plain, raw almonds with the skins on and tried my hand at homemade tamari almonds.

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]]>almondsjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohskinny chefSkinnyCheftamari almondsTamariAlmondsJennifer Iserloh2009-10-02T13:00:00+00:00LeNell It All - Little Bit of Countryhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/lenell-it-all-little-bit-of-country/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/lenell-it-all-little-bit-of-country/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/lenell-it-all-little-bit-of-country/#commentsFiled under: , ,


lenell smothers
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.

The moving truck rolls into Brooklyn this week. The big international move to Mexico has been brutal to organize, but -- lucky me! -- I had the very cool cats called Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC) host a splendid Hasta Luego shindig in my honor.

One of the members, Elayne Duke, served up an original creation she called "Little Bit of Country," that's perfect for the chill coming in the air these days. Her cocktail pretty much sums me up: kick of bourbon, little sweetness, nice tartness, touch of spiciness and just enough bitter to balance it all out. My Granny sent me a fabulous leopard-print dress to wear that just had to have a pink feather boa for the party ... and I sported my cowboy boots for a "little bit of country."

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]]>bourbonjalapenoslenell it alllenell smothersLenellItAllLenellSmothersmaple syrupMapleSyrupmexicoLeNell Smothers2009-09-30T17:00:00+00:00Tip of the Day - Cucumber Juice Cocktailshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/tip-of-the-day-cucumber-juice-cocktails/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/tip-of-the-day-cucumber-juice-cocktails/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/30/tip-of-the-day-cucumber-juice-cocktails/#commentsFiled under: ,

Have a few summer cucumbers lingering in the fridge? Put them to good use by juicing them for refreshing cocktails or family-friendly mocktails.

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]]>cucumbercucumber cocktailscucumber cocktialscucumber juiceCucumberCocktailsCucumberCocktialsCucumberJuicemixologytip of the dayTipOfTheDaySarah LeTrent2009-09-30T09:00:00+00:00Pierogies the Easy Wayhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/28/pierogies-the-easy-way/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/28/pierogies-the-easy-way/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/28/pierogies-the-easy-way/#commentsFiled under: , ,

pierogies
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
During grad school, when I wasn't busy studying or working my part-time job, I was all about entertaining. My favorite co-host was my cousin Frank, and he always had great ideas, including shortcuts to making complicated recipes without losing a lot of the taste or texture.

I'm sure that the experts from the famous Pierogie Plus, a 10-minute drive from my family's house, would swat me for not making the dough myself. But when I crave my favorite treat, I use wonton wrappers to make them, an idea my clever cousin Frank came up with.

Continue reading Pierogies the Easy Way

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]]>dumplingjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohpierogiespierogies plusPierogiesPluspittsburghskinny chefSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-09-28T13:00:00+00:00Ropa Vieja for Cool Autumn Nightshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/25/ropa-vieja-for-cool-autumn-nights/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/25/ropa-vieja-for-cool-autumn-nights/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/25/ropa-vieja-for-cool-autumn-nights/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ropa vieja
Ropa vieja. Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
This week, we've had our first cool night on the East Coast, which got me craving something warmer for dinner. Savory beef with a soupy tomato sauce is my favorite Cuban country dish (with the exception of black beans and rice, of course!).

I've always wondered about the name, but realized the shredded beef does indeed resemble a twisted old dress shirt. There are several stories as to how the dish was named, but my favorite is about a very poor man who didn't have money to buy food for his family. He took some "ropa vieja" -- old clothing -- from the closet and cooked it in a pot with a lot of love. Miraculously, it turned into a rich and hearty beef stew.

My old clothes recipe, after the jump.

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]]>beefjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohreciperopa viejaRopaViejaskinny chefSkinnyChefJennifer Iserloh2009-09-25T13:00:00+00:0011 Secret Fast-Food Menu Itemshttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/23/11-secret-fast-food-menu-items/#commentsFiled under: , ,

animal style burger at in-n-out
The In-N-Out Animal Style. Photo: kaba, Flickr.
It is the stuff of fast-food chain legend: a secret menu known only to those insiders brave enough to order outside the listed menu. Tales of "animal-style fries" and Starbucks' secret "short" size abound, but which of these are real and which will merely earn you a quizzical stare from the cashier?

Ditch the risk of disappointment and become a fast-food insider with Slashfood's list of some top-secret menu items at well-known restaurants near you.

Continue reading 11 Secret Fast-Food Menu Items

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]]>animal styleAnimalStyleburger kingBurgerKingchipotledairy queenDairyQueenfat burgerFatBurgerin-n-outin-n-out burgerIn-n-outBurgerjamba juiceJambaJuicepopeyespopeyes chickenPopeyesChickensecret menusecret menu itemsSecretMenuSecretMenuItemsstarbuckssubwaytaco bellTacoBellwendysMike Pomranz2009-09-23T15:00:00+00:00Skinny Chef Myth-Busting: Schnitzel Isn't Sausagehttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/skinny-chef-myth-busting-schnitzel-isnt-sausage/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/skinny-chef-myth-busting-schnitzel-isnt-sausage/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/skinny-chef-myth-busting-schnitzel-isnt-sausage/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

chicken schnitzel
Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
I'm not sure how this myth got started -- I used to believe it too, before I met my husband, who grew up in Germany. Every time I tell someone I'm making schnitzel for dinner, they talk about hot dog buns and sauerkraut. Then they try to convince me that I really meant sausage and they will go as far as to ambush random passersby to help corroborate their story.

In truth, the word schnitzel comes from the German term "schneiden" which means to cut, so schnitzel means cutlet. Thus, Wiener Schnitzel is not a cut-up hot dog, but rather a "cutlet from Vienna or Wien." See how I make it after the jump.

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]]>austriachickenchicken schnitzelChickenSchnitzelgermanyjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohsausageschnitzelthe skinny chefTheSkinnyChefwiener schnitzelWienerSchnitzelJennifer Iserloh2009-09-21T13:00:00+00:00Quick and Simple Asian-Style Supperhttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/quick-and-simple-asian-style-supper/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/quick-and-simple-asian-style-supper/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/21/quick-and-simple-asian-style-supper/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

summer rolls
Photo: ''Gourmet Made Simple.''
In the South, we usually have to take a short break from grilling outdoors come August due to the heat. As soon as slightly cooler temperatures and football season set in, we move back outdoors to the grill.

Thankfully that time is here. Living in a college town -- Athens, Ga. -- it seems we start doing even more entertaining. Sometimes I use this time to experiment with new recipes, but if time does not allow, I have some favorite recipes that are quick but well-liked.

Most people love an Asian-inspired menu and it's certainly more innovative than traditional burgers and hot dogs on game weekends. Shrimp and Mango Summer Rolls are a divine starter and can easily be made vegetarian. My Pineapple and Red Pepper Pork Kebabs are easy enough to make even for a weeknight meal or ahead of time tp be taken them to a tailgate. Get these fall grill recipes after the jump.

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]]>asian slawAsianSlawfire and flavorFireAndFlavorgena knoxGenaKnoxgrillinggrilling tipsGrillingTipspork skewersPorkSkewersshrimp and mango summer rollsShrimpAndMangoSummerRollsGena Knox2009-09-21T11:00:00+00:00Toaster-Oven Tomato Confithttp://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/18/toaster-oven-tomato-confit/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/18/toaster-oven-tomato-confit/http://www.slashfood.com/2009/09/18/toaster-oven-tomato-confit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

tomato confit
Tomato confit. Photo: Jennifer Iserloh.
Here's a little restaurant technique to make the rich, sweet, tangy, roasted tomatoes that many restaurants use to add a flavor and dimension to various dishes.

I like them best with pasta and although they do take time to cook, they are well worth the wait.

Making tomato confit isn't hard but it can heat up the house and seem wasteful to run the oven for hours -- so why not use an energy-saving toaster oven?

Continue reading Toaster-Oven Tomato Confit

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]]>homemade tomato confitHomemadeTomatoConfitjennifer iserlohJenniferIserlohroasted tomatoesRoastedTomatoesskinny chefSkinnyCheftoaster ovenToasterOventomato confitTomatoConfitJennifer Iserloh2009-09-18T13:00:00+00:00