"emeril" news and stories

'Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast'
Recipes by Emeril Lagasse
Photography by Steven Freeman
Harper-Collins Publishers -- 2009
Buy it on Amazon

Emeril Lagasse needs no introduction. The Bam! man is arguably one of the first chefs ushered into celebrity stardom as a successful restaurateur and a long tenure on the Food Network.

This time, the world-famous chef brings his fun and approachable cooking to the family on the go.

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

Emeril Lagasse is expanding his culinary empire this month with his first hamburger joint.

Burgers and More by Emeril will bring the world-famous chef's signature flair to the basic burger. It's slated to open Nov. 22 at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, Pa.

"I really want to be the real thing," Emeril told Slashfood at the restaurant's unveiling at New York City's famed Carnegie Deli. "This is not going to be the dollar menu here."

To much of the country, charismatic Food Network star and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse has become, well, just another household name. But in Bethlehem, Pa., tucked in the foothills of the state's Pocono Mountains, Emeril has become a culinary heartthrob whose embrace has sent the locals into a frenzy.

For the residents of this overhauled steel town already gaga over the coming of its first casino, the addition of Emeril's Chophouse side-by-side with the slots is a coup. After all, the Yankee (he hails from Fall River, Mass.) bypassed New York City (where he has a second home) and Boston (an hour from his birthplace) for "Christmas City" to house his first northeast eatery.

The Bam! man was on hand Tuesday for a media luncheon, and is currently in Bethlehem overseeing a test run of his 230-seat restaurant for its sold-out Friday opening. Located inside an old steel mill building, the restaurant is fittingly outfitted with cast-iron steel flourishes and a menu combining Emeril's bayou style with the no nonsense meat and potato sensibilities of the region: "We are very sensitive to the market no matter where we are," he told us.

Emily Farris is author of 'Casserole Crazy: Hot Stuff for Your Oven'

Last week on "Good Morning America," Emeril Lagasse accused show host Charlie Gibson (who was not present at the time) of stealing one of his recipes. This might not have been a big deal if the dish -- a chicken enchilada casserole -- had not become the most popular recipe on GMA's Web site. Today Gibson struck back in the blogosphere, defending his culinary prowess and questioning why the renowned Emeril would want to take credit for a recipe based on canned chili, canned tomato sauce and canned enchilada sauce topped with Doritos.

Leaving aside the well-known fact that Doritos are delicious -- especially the Cool Ranch variety, but let's not get distracted here -- as a casserole cookbook author, I'm inclined to take Gibson's side on this one.

Gibson claims he got the recipe from a friend before he ever knew Emeril. And I believe him. I grew up thinking my mom's green-bean casserole was hers. It was creamy on the inside, crunchy on the outside and all-round delicious. Of course my mother had created it! Except she hadn't. When I began to make it myself, I learned it was the Durkee onion can recipe.

Earlier today, Joanne gave you the results of the Food Network Awards, and now chef/writer/adventurer Anthony Bourdain gives his opinion of the ceremony.

Bourdain hasn't been shy in giving his opinion on what he thinks has become of the Food Network (too much focus on "star" chefs, bad food being cooked, an emphasis on too many things that have nothing to do with cooking, etc), and he has some choice words for the awards show: