"menus" news and stories

No matter how far I dive into the foodie world, I have one stead-fast rule: You don't mess with Thanksgiving.

Now I don't mean to suggest that you can't do a little experimenting and change up the flavors here and there. It's a waste to not adapt your classic Thanksgiving recipes -- the whole process of cooking is learning the basics and then adapting them to suit your own taste-buds. But we're talking about a classic meal here -- one that is meant to not only evoke stuffed groans of pleasure, but also tap into your memories of the past -- the heaping piles of meat, the creamy mashed potatoes, and the family gathered around the table. Rather than ditching the classics for a whole new approach, perfect the traditional recipes at your disposal.

What follows are recipes for a classic Thanksgiving dinner -- taking the dearly loved basics of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and cranberry sauce, and making them pop without removing the beloved tastes and experiences. This Traditional with a Twist meal includes recipes for brining and giving the bird a good under-the-skin rub, a sausage stuffing, roasting, homemade cranberry sauce amped up with some port, and finally, mashed potatoes flavored with some caramelized shallots.

Bon Appetit!

A few years ago, I had a fleeting desire to create a menu typo business. Living near Chinatown, I was always spotting some sort of bad signage or typo-ridden menu. But since these bringers of the typo were also the same places that were struggling to be successful, I knew there was no money in it and just hoped that the places would make it as is.

Besides, how could we get gems like "Crap Meat with Fish Maw Soup" that popped up over at Serious Eats if someone became the restaurant grammar and spelling police?

And the little flub to the right is far from the only oops moment out there. Just Google "menu typos." But for me, the biggest foodie signage flub was seeing a Ruby Tuesday "Curbside Pick Up" sign DIRECTLY underneath a One Way sign pointing in the other direction.

What's your favorite flub or typo?

Ever wish you could take home more than a doggy-bag from your favorite restaurant? Ask for a menu, and turn it into art.

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 11th and whether your mother is a meat-eater or a vegetarian, a fantastic home cook or an expert in the art of ordering out, we're here to help. We'll be featuring an assortment of Mother's Day gift guides this week, along with ideas for brunches, picnics and dinners that will make your mothers, grandmothers and any other maternal types in your life feel special and celebrated. Check back often so that you don't miss any of our useful advice.

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Chili is a Super Bowl staple.

Not only does chili have a high taste return on the fairly low preparation investment, especially if you prepare the day before in a slow cooker, but chili is something that can be perfectly adjusted to your and your guests' particular tastes. I like offering two kinds of chili to accommodate both carnivorous guests (though there always seems to be an argument about whether beef chili should be made with ground beef or steak) as well as vegetarians. Chili can be served as a dish by itself, or as an accompaniment to hot dogs, hamburgers, on French fries, or nachos.