There are all sorts of things out there to keep your drinks cold that go well beyond simple cubes of ice. Over the years, we've seen naughty ice trays, slick water-free globes, and even, believe it or not, rocks. But what about the clear chill of ice bullets?
UberReview has shared a new way to make ice -- the AK Ice Tray, which molds water into AK-47 ice ammo. It's not a new way to slay your opponents, but it would make a mixed drink look pretty sleek. Just imagine -- a ring of bullets with some tasty liquor poured over it, a bucket full of bullets for a gangster shindig, or the perfect gift for a gun toter. Not bad for under $15.
We might knock 'em, but there's a reason that infomercials have stuck around, whether they're trying to sop up big spills, give us perfect-looking skin, or help us cook. Some of it might look terrible, but some of it looks downright irresistible, making many consumers fall for the snappy catchphrases hook, line, and sinker.
I remember sitting at my grandparents house in the '80s, watching a commercial for Mr. Mixer, the immersion blender with changeable blades that could whip mayo just as easy as peanut butter, ice, and everything else. Our eyes glazed over in awe, and soon there was a order for two placed to the infomercial gods -- and I got the first kitchen tool I could call my very own.
These days, the blade of choice seems to be the Magic Bullet, which Diablo Cody just raved about over on her blog. But I want to know your infomercial weaknesses, Slashfoodies! Do you own a Foreman Grill? Do you have an old-school Mr. Mixer? The Magic Bullet? Share below!
Sure, your neighborhood wine shop and its personal service are fab when you're trying to track down an esoteric wine or find some high-quality bargains, but when you don't have time for another stop there's always the grocery store. Not all states allow grocery stores to sell wine, but if yours does, it's a quick grab if you choose wisely. Here are a few of my favorite grocery stores that go beyond Yellow Tail and Inglenook with their wine selection.
1. Fresh Market offers 10 percent case discounts and a changing Best Buy wine, with good value selections from around the world.
2. Fresh & Easy specializes in imported and domestic food-friendly wines like--gasp--Champagne under $30 and their own version of Two Buck Chuck, called The Big Kahuna. I love the Les Deux Rhones Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
3. World Market. OK, it's not exactly a grocery store, but World Market does specialize in value wines from around the world, and they sell awesome tableware, too. I like to pick up the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc there because it's usually several dollars cheaper than at the wine store.
4. Trader Joe's is famous for its Two Buck Chuck, but seriously, go beyond the Charles Shaw because there's better quality there for a few more bucks, like the Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon for $6.
Already today, we've talked about politics and bacon and doughnuts. How about an item of clothing that rolls all of those into one? May I present to you this fabulous tee-shirt, designed to mimic the look of Barack Obama's campaign poster, with a doughnut and bacon strips in place of the rising sun and patriotic strips. The slogan has been swapped out for a very similar "Taste we can believe in." What better way to pair politics with a tasty snack!
I love it when I find kitchen stuff that I would actually buy. I tend to be pretty picky and frugal, but every once in a while I come across something that speaks to me and invites me to spend my hard-earned money on it.
This pair of beautiful double-walled, hand-blown glass cruets made in the Czech Republic would look absolutely perfect on my kitchen counter. They're available from the MoMA store, and are really quite reasonable at $52 for the pair. Maybe for my next splurge!
Are you interested in great, artisan foodstuffs, the kind of food that is made lovingly in the traditional ways by small farmers and producers? Look no further that Regional Best, a new e-commerce site that gathers all kinds of products under one virtual roof for your convenience.
I must admit that when I first read the name of the website, I thought that it would be designed as a way to easily find local producers in your area. Though that function is semi-available, Regional Best is really designed as a way to bring attention to great, artisanally-crafted goods and producers. You can look for goods by region (south, southwest, west, midwest, mid-atlantic, New England), or yon can search for products by category (cheese, meats, coffee/tea, condiments, gifts, desserts, oils, etc).
I took plenty of time checking this out recently, and there's not much that I wouldn't order. I especially liked the selection of meats and condiments. Sadly, there wasn't as much on offer as far as desserts as I'd like to see, but it's still a new site and I'm sure they'll be adding new products as they find them. I think that Regional Best would be especially useful at Christmas for that foodie in your life.
I attribute my fascination with the French city Biarritz and the Basque region to an incredible food shop called Maison Arostéguy. Although I have not yet visited the store, there's no doubt in my mind that it's truly a treasure chest of delectables.
When the shop first opened in 1875, it specialized in high-end commodities from the colonies that were trendy during that era. For five generations, the same family has managed the shop and preserved its dedication to fine foods from around the world. The store also highlights many delicacies from the Basque region including piment d'Espelette, black cherry jam, sheep's milk cheeses, and a savory mixture of spices and fleur de sel.
Currently, I am addicted to their purée of piment d'Espelette. Piment d'Espelette is a deep red pepper that's cultivated in Espelette, a charming Basque village. The pepper is said to have become a culinary icon in the region. And, in June 2000, it became an AOC product. I use the purée with grilled and roasted meats. Suggestions on where to purchase products from Maison Arostéguy can be found after the jump.
According to Best Syndication News, dog owners are becoming increasingly health conscious when it comes to the diet of their pets. Not only are people shopping at high-end dog shops, be they're even using natural healthy ingredients to bake fresh homemade dog biscuits and cookies for their dogs. Many dog owners are concerned about preservatives and additives that are found in commercial dog treats at the supermarket.
The good news is that there appears to be a growing number of alternatives when it comes to purchasing dog food. You can head to a natural pet health food store or a locally owned pet supply store. Dogs can be allergic to grains too. Purchase gourmet grain free doggie treats that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You can even find vegetarian dog snacks that are made with whole fruits and vegetables.
Online, you can purchase all natural pet foods from Only Natural Pet Store or Thrive Foods. Why shouldn't pet owners be concerned with their pets' diet? To me, the trend towards natural pet food makes sense. What do you think?
There's something iconic and appealing about the shape of a soft serve ice cream cone. I spent last weekend in Chestertown, MD and after a fun dinner out with friends, we gravitated towards the local Rita's. I ordered a small vanilla custard cone and when it was handed to me, I stopped for a moment to gaze upon it and admire the curves of the custard and the familiarity of the cone. Then I dug in, as it was starting to melt.
If you too appreciate the classic look of an ice cream cone, you can now bring that style into your house year round. Fred Flare is selling an Ice Cream Lamp that captures the image of a cone without all the drippy mess. Best of all, it will light up the room with a soft white glow. It would be perfect for a kid's room or a themed den.
One of the things I enjoy most about New England is visiting the many different shops that sell homemade ice cream. Usually, I judge ice cream according to its creaminess, sweetness, and flavor. But, last week, I tasted ice cream from Island Cow Ice Cream Co., in Stonington, Maine, that defied previous ways of perceiving the frozen milky delectable. The ice cream was amazingly milky. Understanding the milk used to make this ice cream seemed key to knowing what made it stand apart from previous ice creams I've tried.
When comparing ice cream from different shops, I never thought about the quality of the milk determining the end-result. Island Cow Ice Cream Co. has a small sign by their stand stating that they use milk from cows that are not injected with any steroids or hormones. Apparently, the 32 cows all have names and fall asleep to the music of Bach. After having worked in the cheese business for two years, I'm used to asking questions about the quality of the cows' diet and their milk. However, this is a new way of looking at ice cream.
If you're traveling to Maine, I highly recommend Island Cow Ice Cream Co. What are some fascinating ice cream shops you've been to this summer?
Years ago, I discovered this little pocket of cheap foodie Toronto awesomeness -- Kensington Market. Mixed in with irresistible spice and veggie stores, and the rather sketchy uncovered beans that sometimes meet the dirty feet of pigeons, lies Cheese Magic.
Run by an army of cute slacker dudes of seemingly unending supply, Cheese Magic is one of those places that makes you want to buy more and more cheese. No one barks at you for your order, and within a few glassed cases and an overflowing-with-cheese counter, there's almost anything you could possibly want. And if you're not sure -- just ask for a taste, or two, or three. They're happy to help; they're generous with their samples; and the cheese has always been insanely tasty.
I remember going early one weekday morning to acquire a selection of edibles for a wine and cheese party I was throwing that night. I told the woman behind the counter that I was throwing a cheese-themed party, and for the next half hour, she introduced me to a myriad of options, giving me a taste of each. I learned the eye-rolling wonder of Smoked Applewood Cheddar. I picked up some chaumes, havarti, brie -- while trying to refrain from picking up one of everything, being in debt for forever, and growing bigger than an expanding Violet Beauregarde.
As of now, it's Pomegranate located in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. The 20,000 square feet of shopping space includes aisles full kosher gourmet foods. An article from New York magazine calls Pomegranate a "kosher gourmet megastore." The supermarket seems to be a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.
Unlike other specialty markets, Pomegranate caters to the thousands of Orthodox Jewish families living in New York City. The store has three kitchens: dairy, meat, and parve (fish, vegetables, fruit and grains). Each has its own on-duty full-time rabbi. Customers can choose from a rich selection of freshly baked challah and homemade cheeses to aged prime beef-rib steaks to an olive bar and sushi bar. The gourmet food market is an obvious business trend. Is the kosher version of Whole Foods the new trend?
I live in Brooklyn, not far from Pomegranate, and I see several smaller gourmet kosher markets on Kings Highway. The prices are not cheap. So, I do not think that Pomegranate will have a hard time competing with existing stores. You can now visit the supermarket that's located on Coney Island Avenue at the corner of Avenue L.
Remember that YouTube clip of the upcoming Iron Chef America game for the Wii that Shayna shared back in March? Well, now we've got more solid details about what faces have made it from the transition between show and game, courtesy of Eater.
Mario Batali and Masaharu Morimoto are definitely in. (Check out their Mii versions through the Eater link.) Batali says: "I'm delighted to be involved with Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine. My video game counterpart is as passionate and competitive in the virtual Kitchen Stadium as I am in real life, and I think the participation of Chef Morimoto and I adds a great level of authenticity to the game."
But what about the other guys? Alton Brown, Cat Cora, Bobby Flay, and new Iron Chef Michael Symon? They are curiosly missing from the press release, but if you check out that cover to the right, it certainly looks like at least Cora and Brown are involved. Since Flay ISN'T on the cover, I assume that means he's not a part of this.
We'll know for sure soon enough -- the game hits shelves this fall.
Several weeks ago, I wrote about the many ways to savor sherry wine vinegar. Banyuls vinegar is like sherry wine vinegar's more refined and delicate French cousin. Like Port and sherry wine, Banyuls is a fortified wine which means that alcohol is added to it. Banyuls vinegar develops a walnut flavor, taste of gingerbread and vanilla, and aroma of fresh plums after being aged in wooden barrels for five years. It comes from the Pyrenees, close to Spain. Like sherry wine vinegar, it makes a great vinaigrette. Where can you find this vinegar? You can purchase the vinegar online from French Food Exports, Honest Foods, and Gourmet Food Store. A while ago, I bought my favorite bottle of this stuff from Formaggio Essex in NY.
Here in Philadelphia, we don't have to stray far from Center City in order to get a hit of Amish country. There are number of Pennsylvania Dutch vendors at Reading Terminal Market who sell jams, jellies, local honeys, fresh produce, meats, cheeses and some of the most amazing baked goods. However, normally the PA Dutch merchants don't call much attention to themselves and stay tucked back in one corner of the Market.
However, this weekend, the PA Dutch merchants take over the whole Market for the 19th Annual Pennsylvania Dutch Festival. The fest was canceled last summer, due to some unrest at the Market, so it's doubly exciting to see it return this year. Starting today, they'll set up the festival in Center Court and it will feature handmade crafts including quilts, woodcrafts, paintings, hand-braided rugs, wooden toys, and cedar chests. Available foods will including chicken pot-pie, donuts, ice cream, pies and canned fruits and vegetables. On Saturday, they'll have a mock barn raising on Arch Street, building a garden shed on the city street as well as a country auction.
If you're in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, I highly recommend coming into Philly to check out the festival. Be prepared for crowds and come with an empty stomach!
There are all sorts of things out there to keep your drinks cold that go well beyond simple cubes of ice. Over the years, we've seen naughty ice trays, slick water-free globes, and even, believe it or not, rocks. But what about the clear chill of ice bullets?
We might knock 'em, but there's a reason that infomercials have stuck around, whether they're trying to sop up big spills, give us perfect-looking skin, or help us cook. Some of it might look terrible, but some of it looks downright irresistible, making many consumers fall for the snappy catchphrases hook, line, and sinker.
I love it when I find kitchen stuff that I would actually buy. I tend to be pretty picky and frugal, but every once in a while I come across something that speaks to me and invites me to spend my hard-earned money on it. 
Years ago, I discovered this little pocket of cheap foodie Toronto awesomeness -- Kensington Market. Mixed in with irresistible spice and veggie stores, and the rather sketchy uncovered beans that sometimes meet the dirty feet of pigeons, lies 
Remember that YouTube clip of the upcoming Iron Chef America game for the Wii that Shayna shared back 
New York Times Magazine's food issue
Chicken McNuggets frolic at New York City pet store
Eat your broccoli orbs! 
