"foodday" news and stories

• Much like Oprah's favorite things, the FoodDay staff has made a list of the 100 foodie things they love.
• The list of cupboard favorites includes Maldon Sea Salt, the grated ginger in a jar from Trader Joe's and micro-canned albacore tuna.
• Need advice on what kitchen gadgets and utensils are worth the money? Check out this list, which includes If You Care baking cups, Staub roasting pans and simple glass spice jars.
• Need something to read, watch or click? How about King Corn, the Portland hamburger blog and the iconic Joy of Cooking?
• Favorites from local farmers include sweet red peppers from Gathering Together Farm, Freddy Guys Hazelnuts and Pink Pearl apples.
• When they're not cooking up a storm, the FoodDay folks enjoy getting out for the apple pancake at the Original Pancake House, chipped beef on toast at Industrial Cafe and Carmen's tortilla chips (made in Eugene, OR).
• They're raising their glasses to the recent proliferation of delicious roses, Campari with a little grapefruit juice and seltzer, Oregon pinot blanc and the Caldera IPA in a can.
  
• Included on the list of random favorites are berry picking (one of my favorites as well), rosemary focaccia and the annual Holy Trinity Greek festival.
  
• They like to visit the Food Works' Sauvie Island farm, the Bread & Ink Cafe and the Blackbird Wineshop.
  
• Resolve to be a better wine drinker in 2009.
  

• FoodDay editors collaborated to come up with their favorite recipes from throughout 2008. They divided them into four classes: The best new twists, lightning fast, fresh and vibrant and the hall of famer (Sharon's Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits).
  
• While it wasn't a favorite of the editors, Chicken Paprikash was the readers' favorite FoodDay recipe from the past year.
• How to make moist turkey burgers while still keeping them healthful and delicious.
• Transform a salad into a full meal with the addition of sauteed chanterelle mushrooms and poached eggs.
• More staff favorite recipes (Lima Beans with Bacon sounds like a winner to me!).
• Fair trade wines are beginning to show up on the market in larger numbers, much to the delight of consumers.
• If real champagne is beyond your budget this New Year, there's a huge field of more affordable bubblies to consider.
• Need a way to use up leftover ham from Christmas dinner? Here's a recipe for Ham Tetrazzini and it's far better than the stuff you remember from you school cafeteria.

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• Shake up your holiday breakfast routine with one of these Mexican-inspired egg dishes.
• Portland continues to be in the midst of a major winter storm and Leslie Cole thinks it's the perfect time to channel your inner pioneer by making butter.
• Brush up on your egg skills prior to Christmas morning, so that you'll be able to turn out breakfast like a champ.
• Bake up spiced quick breads in cans for a quirky and charming touch.
• Winemakers lend a hand to one another as well as to an assortment of charities.
• For the gluten-free folks, a party shouldn't mean a potential minefield of snacks. Bring your own to ensure snacking safety.
• Honeybells are a more elegant (and more expensive) variety of the mineola.
• "Fast" food that won't make you regret dinner an hour later.
• Use instant dried polenta in place of standard pizza dough for a chewy crust.
• Roasting beef or a turkey on Christmas? Here are roasting charts that will guide you through the process.

• While there are some vocal naysayers in the crowd, just about everyone out there enjoys a bite of chocolate now and then. Think about ending Christmas dinner with a chocolate dessert instead of the typical pies and tarts.
• Planning a slightly more modest holiday meal this year? You don't have to skimp on flavor when you're keeping the bottom line in mind.
  
• You can still serve beef on Christmas, just opt for the less expensive cuts and braise it into tender submission.
• Make a quick dinner with pan-seared sea scallops.
• Give the gift of a wine club membership that's a cut above the pack.
• The yellow sweet potato has more vitamins than winter squash and a brilliantly-hued interior.
• Give the gift of a cheese club membership and make Christmas (or Hanukkah) last all year round.
• Szechuan peppercorns add a citrusy hint along with their heat.
• Cincinnati chili breaks all the familiar chili rules and still manages to be tasty, popular stuff.

• The FoodDay tests a variety of cooking chocolates, to determine whether the high priced ones are really the best.
• Take acorn squash beyond the traditional roasted with butter and maple syrup treatment. Try this Acorn Squash, Sage and Portobello Mushroom Penne.
  
• A trip to Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Store in Milwaukie reveals far more than just grains. Try some of these whole grain recipes: Quinoa With Saffron, Spinach and Apples, Rosemary and Cheddar Multi-grain Crackers and Red Wine Braised Cranberry Beans With Smoked Pork.
  
• The holidays are a good time to hoist a pint. Check out this guide to seasonal brew fests.
• With lots of nutrients, it's time to give turnips a chance.
• An easy preparation for mussels lets their natural flavors shine.
• Tips for keeping your cookies in good shape for gifting and shipping.
• An assortment of tasty Trader Joe wines for under $10 a bottle (oh how I wish the Philadelphia liquor stores were allowed to sell beer and wine).
• Mexico meets Italy with this enchilada dish.