"SecondHelpingOfSlashfood" news and stories

The Westport Flea Market's Burgermobile. Photo: Emily Farris

Before we all pile into the Burgermobile and head into the weekend, let's ketchup on the events of the past week.

The College of William & Mary spearheaded an effort to approve an asparagus stalk as their school mascot, while our beer blogger set out in search of the Great Lost Bear.

Our Coffee Meister got fresh about frozen beans, some nice Southern brothers threw down with an Iron Chef who'd just been grilled by the President and a pastry paragon fell short in his efforts to entice the wee folks with tofu pizza.

The Hungry Bride contemplated the morning after, our sommelier-in-training got a chilly response to the notion of iced wine, an Arkansas pea champ came out of her shell and we washed it all down with a Grasshopper and a pint of oyster ice cream.

Catch you at the Fancy Food Show!

Father's Day Burger Cupcakes. Photo: bakerella/flickr

Oh what a week! Strawberries are back in season (bring on the shortcake!), carrots are 25 percent healthier and Ubuntu's sommelier admits he eats meat.

Wylie Dufresne got salty this week on "Top Chef Masters," and we're not talking fun with NaCl. Tom Colicchio proved himself to be a fan of campy gothic vampire TV. And we digested all that yummy Big Apple barbecue. The Tweets from Aspen had us drooling so we thought up our favorite "pop-tails," and pondered our favorite foods and when, if ever, it's OK for a waitress to rest her dogs at your table.

Skinny Chef built a better grilled cheese, the Hungry Bride talked down-home wedding foods, the CoffeeMeister cupped and Bonnaroo fans made culinary do. And we reviewed "Craig Claiborne's Southern Cooking" and "The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen."

Here's to a Father's Day that's filled with good eats!

We've had a herring good time this week here at Slashfood, what with the "Top Chef Masters" debut and the lovely chat with its host, Kelly Choi.

While Melissa Gilbert spent the week dishing on her "Little House on the Prairie" not-so-good-girl past, we were eating a lovely "Little Bloom on the Prairie " cheese. Summer is here so it's also time for dilled pea salad, smoked lemonade and Slashfood sorbet. Fancy!

We reviewed: "The Soul of a New Cuisine," "Burger Bar" and "Vegetables Every Day." The Hungry Bride talked cocktails, the CoffeeMeister got all arty and Skinny Chef talked turmeric.

Iron City Beer is heading to Rolling Rock's ancestral home and In-N-Out Burger topped Zagat's second Fast Food Survey.

Finally, Slashfood is suffering from a case of Gordon Ramsay fatigue. We'll take off our meat dress, snap a greasy bean and go.

My oh my, what a strange food week it has been. A judge actually had to rule on whether Cap'N Crunch's Crunch Berries are fruit. Turns out, they're not ... just in case you were confused.

Wylie Dufresne fiddled with a microwave, Anthony Bourdain outlined his dining-out bucket list and a Top 10 list to top all Top 10 lists was unveiled. Did you hear that a portion of the South is now dining out with the Lord?

Slashfood discovered the how, the why and the wonderful taste of oysters, supped on morels and washed them down with affordable rosés. We reviewed: "Rustic Fruit Desserts," "Martha Stewart's Cupcakes," "Jam It, Pickle It, Cure It" and "Pure Simple Cooking."

The CoffeeMeister talked Chemex, Skinny Chef got salty. We asked you where America's best beer bar is located and what the Hungry Bride should serve the small vegan contingent attending her wedding. Oh, and Elvis got his own cheese straw.

Jackalopes and humans wanted their free doughnuts while others delighted in the return of the Vanilla Bean Coolatta. And the Obamas, they had a date in New York.

Gotta get some Hot Chicken! And we're not talking Yo La Tengo, folks.

Yes, it's that time again when Slashfood reflects upon a delicious week of food news. And what a week it was! Aunt Evie and her Pickled Beet Dip faced off against Aunt Renie's Red Onion Cucumber Salad in a double dose of Flashback to the Seventies while LeNell shared her Rock Candy and Rye Whiskey recipe.

But we were still hungry. So Slashfood snacked on spinach salad, weeds and bamboo pickles; pondered Gummi bear surgery, "Japanese" iced coffee and the shape of cheese to come. (Speaking of cheese, it was back on the tongue Thursday and Friday for Shavuot).

After reviewing "Carmine's Family-Style Cookbook" and "Simply Mexican," Slashfood and the Hungry Bride got giddy over your registry advice and washed the week down with Kir Royale and some River Horse Brewing Double Wit. Drink up!