"Gourmet" news and stories

When Gourmet shut down abruptly last fall, everyone knew editor-in-chief Ruth Reichl would land on her feet -- somewhere. The only question was where. The answer, revealed this morning, turns out to be the book publisher Random House, where she'll focus (of course) on food.

Reichl has had a relationship with Random House for years -- her memoirs Comfort Me with Apples and Tender at the Bone are both popular Random House titles. Her new role with the publisher will require her to wear two hats as both writer and editor at large -- she'll write new books as well as acquire and edit others.

The first projects she'll be working on will be her own: a cookbook entitled The Tao of Ruth as well as her first novel, Delicious! In an official statement, Reichl said, "I'm especially excited to have the opportunity to participate in the future of food writing as both an author and a book editor. At Random House I'll have the opportunity to connect to food lovers in print, and to participate in the ever-expanding digital world." Hopefully this means her Twitter followers can expect to keep up with her poetic bon mots, even as her schedule heats up.

The Daytime Emmy Award nominees were announced yesterday, with four shows in the "Outstanding Culinary Programming" category: America's Test Kitchen and Gourmet's Adventures with Ruth, both PBS series, followed by two Food Network mainstays: Giada De Laurentiis's Giada at Home and Tyler Florence's Tyler's Ultimate.

In 2009, Giada at Home won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Lifestyle/Culinary Program.

Of the programs nominated, Gourmet's Adventures of Ruth is the new kid on the block, debuting in October 2009. It's also a coup for Gourmet magazine, as the show is one of the last extensions of the brand. The show follows Ruth Reichl's culinary exploits around the world, exploring traditional cuisine with famous actors. Not a bad way to make a living. Besides being Gourmet's former Editor-in-Chief, Reichl has also worked recently as a producer on Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie.

In the "Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host" category, the usual suspects are up for Emmy's: Bobby Flay for Grill It! With Bobby Flay, Ina Garten from Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, Paula Deen for Paula's Best Dishes, Giada De Laurentiis for Giada at Home and Martha Stewart for The Martha Stewart Show.

The Daytime Emmy Awards are scheduled to broadcast live on June 27 via CBS.

Nothing on this plate is intensely complicated to make, yet everything has wonderfully layered and nuanced flavors. Soy-maple glaze gives a salty-sweet boost to mild tilapia, and a side of udon noodles keep the Asian riff going, especially when tossed with a spicy yuzu dressing. (Yuzu is a tangy, aromatic Japanese citrus fruit; you don't often see it fresh here in the U.S., but you can buy the bottled juice in Asian markets and some health food stores.)

The author used a recipe from Gourmet as his creative springboard but didn't worry about following the instructions to the letter. We encourage you to follow his lead whenever you encounter an interesting recipe: Play with flavor combinations, swap out ingredients, change the cooking method, experiment and explore. Make it your own.

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot of having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.

Visions of sugar plums may be prancing around heads this time of year, but in the midst of a million social gatherings and holiday events, your stomach may very well need a rest from the season's gluttony.

Enter Gourmet magazine's Endive and Escarole Salad with Mustard-Orange Vinaigrette. Blogger Maggie, from Gourmet, Unbound, tackled the recipe, praising the "delicious salad of bitter greens and bright citrus." A classic, rich red-wine vinegar, olive oil and mustard vinaigrette dressing tops tangy grapefruit and pomelo on a base of bitter endives and escarole. This simple combination makes this recipe a refreshingly zesty, light but satisfying salad. The colorful dish would serve as a restorative, light lunch following a holiday feast or pairs well with richer main for a balanced dinner.

Become a member of the Slashfood Flickr pool to get a shot at having your photos featured in Feast Your Eyes.

• In a city where it seems most everyone drives everywhere, two sisters lead a taste tour, on foot.
• But a trip on the light rail can be just as delicious.
• Now that Gourmet is gone -- and with it, Ruth Reichl -- Bon Appétit editor-in-chief Barbara Fairchild steps into the spotlight at Condé Nast.
• A round-up of gravy and stuffing recipes from the Los Angeles Times' test kitchen.
• Drinking juice at breakfast? You might as well be chugging soda.
• Raising your child on a vegetarian diet? If so, meat may become the forbidden fruit.
• Even though the picks may not be perfect, it's lime season in California.
• Dining guide "EAT: Los Angeles 2010" hits bookstore shelves Dec. 1.