Blog – Page 122 – Food Drink Magazine

Restaurants That Invented Your Favorite Dishes: Part 1

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October 20, 2019

Restaurants That Invented Your Favorite Dishes: Part 1

Food history is fascinating for me, and not just because of the recipes it offers up, either. It’s a good look at how our culture evolved. When you look at a culture’s gastronomic history, restaurants regularly get their mentions. It makes sense. Food trends usually start in restaurants and upscale dining groups.

Sometimes, it’s due to a scandal that happened in a restaurant setting. Other times, it’s due to a business model that made restaurants better than ever. The most intriguing stories that restaurants hold are the stories behind dishes now known around the world.

You might be shocked to find out the stories behind some of your favorite foods to order, and where they originated from. The fascinating stories in this series will make you rethink what you know about food, and how much restaurants contributed to history’s flavors.

Crunchy Tacos – Taco Bell

It’s hard to imagine a world where tacos always come in a soft tortilla, but that world wasn’t too long ago. It actually existed up until an entrepreneur by the name of Glen Bell decided to invent a unique way of serving up tacos for his new restaurant, Taco Bell.

Rumor has it that Bell wanted to create a faster, easier way to make tacos. So, he made the shell hard in order to avoid food spilling out from the sides as it was prepared. The preformed taco shells were an instant hit with locals and launched Taco Bell’s rise as a major fast food chain.

During the first years of Taco Bell’s existence, people had a different name for our favorite crunchy treat. They called it the “anglo taco,” but that moniker quickly faded away as popularity spread throughout the country.

Hamburgers – Louis’ Lunch

You might assume that hamburgers were invented in Germany due to their name, but you’d be wrong. The first real hamburger was made in New Haven, Connecticut at a small lunch wagon called Louis’ Lunch.

Louis Lassen got the idea from a hamburger-like sandwich sailors in Germany ate featuring beef, cheese, egg, lettuce, and onion. He just removed the egg portion of it, and sold it as a portable, filling meal. The rest was history, or so they say.

Unlike other dishes on this list, this food invention has been claimed by multiple other restaurants and people. The fact is that no one knows which restaurant did it first, but for the most part, people still credit Lassen with the iconic sandwiches’ invention.

Slushies – Dairy Queen

Not all restaurants seek out to create something grand. The invention of slushies was a total accident. According to historians, a Dairy Queen franchise owner was having a hard time with his soda machine and decided to stick his soda in the freezer to keep them cold.

When he went to serve the sodas, they were partially frozen and had a slushy consistency. To the owner’s surprise, they were a hit with the locals. He went on to make slushies as a business that still runs today.

Caesar Salads – Hotel Caesar’s

Surprise! Caesar salads aren’t named after the famous Roman emperor, nor are they even European in origin. It’s actually a dish that originated in Tijuana, Mexico and it’s named after the creator.

The salad was made be a chef named Caesar Cardini, who left Italy to work at the Mexican hotel at the time. The salad became so popular, the hotel changed its name to Hotel Caesar’s and continues to celebrate its contribution to culinary history today.

Cheesesteaks – Pat’s King of Steaks

We all know that the cheesesteak was made in Philly, but not many people know what restaurant is credited with it nor do they know how it came about. The folks at Pat’s originally were hot dog stand owners.

They decided to mix things up by creating sandwiches with steak strips, cheese, and onions. It only took a couple of hours before they realized they had a winning recipe. The hot dog stand got replaced with a full service restaurant which is now a major food tourism hotspot.

“Ding Dong” it’s dinnertime!

Bailey Woodean

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October 20, 2019

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Ordering out has become more popular than ever before with the explosion of food delivery systems. Gone are the days of even picking up the phone to call in an order for food to be delivered. There are tons of these delivery companies now and each one has their own app and benefits. But, which one is the best? I did a little digging and even tested out a few to find out.

Beyond Menu

This app is one of the more popular, according to google ratings. It has been downloaded more than a million times, has 69,000 reviews on Google and Google rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Beyond menu hosts restaurants from more than 18 cities in the United States including; Baltimore, Miami, Phoenix, and Las Vegas.

I tried Beyond Menu’s app when I was in search of Chinese food delivered for dinner. I love Chinese and honestly could eat it every day, unfortunately, the calories and cost would add up and take me down. Anyways, I chose to search the Chinese food options offered through this app and found my favorite local Chinese restaurant, Hong Kong Kitchen.

Of course, I chose this restaurant and had a customarily good meal as we always do from this restaurant. I must say that I was also very pleased with the app. It was easy to use, a relatively low delivery fee and a reasonable minimum purchase cost.

However, the minimum purchase cost and delivery fee may vary from restaurant to restaurant. Some restaurants offer coupons or “first-order” deals with a promo code. The type of available restaurants to order from these apps will depend on your location.

DoorDash

Doordash is a widely known delivery app name. They are rather popular having been downloaded more than 10 million times, have 510,000 reviews on Google and Google rating of 4.5 out of 5. Doordash can be used in more than 600 cities in the United States and Canada. In fact, they deliver for over 30 restaurants country-wide.

I tried this app over the summer. My husband and I were excited to try a new pizza place in town, Broadway Pizza. The pizza had a great flavor and the slices were New York style. We thought it was great except for the cost. We ordered a regular large cheese pie which had 8 slices. The cost? $24.73!

We have a “regular” pizza place that we order from in town and when we do, we get a party tray size of cheese pizza (which has 30 slices) for $20. This, of course, is not Doordash’s fault. In fact, Doordash is great in that they offer delivery from fast food restaurants, pizza joints, and much more! They also offer a “no minimum” purchase cost. Delivery charges vary by restaurant.

Grubhub

Grubhub also has 10 million downloads, but they have a Google rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars and 250 Google reviews. Grubhub can deliver 12+ types of cuisine to over 23 restaurants in more than 30 cities around the country. Grubhub offers delivery to a nice variety of places including my personal favorite, Hong Kong Kitchen! As you can guess, that is where I chose to order from to test this delivery service. The service was fast and polite. I actually ended up using this service twice!

UberEats

UberEats is by far the most popular choice in food delivery service. Their app has been downloaded 50 million times, they have 1 million reviews on Google but, they only have a 4.2 out of 5-star rating on Google. UberEats is unique in that their app can be downloaded and used internationally! That’s right! They serve more than 20 countries worldwide! I have not personally ordered with the UberEats app. However, I think it’s safe to say that 50 million people have downloaded and used the app for a good reason.

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How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Drinks

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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October 19, 2019

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How To Critique Restaurant Service Like A Professional: The Drinks

The bar area is the lifeblood of many restaurants, and rightfully so. It’s one of the most profitable parts of the restaurant industry and can make or break your experience there. Bars also act as a good gauge of the restaurant’s care of clients.

Part of being a food critic is knowing what to watch out for when you hit the bar. Did you ever wonder what makes the difference between a good and great bar, or what makes a restaurant a total no-go? In this arc, I’ll reveal what a restaurant’s bar says about them.

restaurant bar — Photo by **Marcus Herzberg** from **Pexels**

The Bar Menu

A bar’s menu can speak volumes about the restaurant you’re at. Drinks set the tone for the night, and to a point, reflect the bar’s unique brand. That’s why I’m leery of bars that only serve beer, wine, classic drinks, and shots on tap. It’s a sign that they lack effort, and that they don’t want to stand out in a crowd.

A green light from me is seeing a bar menu that includes unique cocktails involving rare ingredients. Its proof that the restaurant is willing to go the extra mile to set themselves apart, and that they have a certain level of dedication to their craft.

bottles — Photo by **Expect Best** from **Pexels**

Cleanliness

For the life of me, I can’t name how many bars I’ve visited that had water stains (or other stains) on their glasses. This is not acceptable. If a bar can’t even get their glasses clean, how can you trust that the rest of the venue is clean?

This is one of the reasons I order beer at every venue I’m critiquing. Beer, when poured through a clean tap, will have suds that cling to the glass. No suds, or low suds, means that you are likely drinking booze from a tap that hasn’t been cleaned in ages.

Skill

Mixing a good drink is a skill that comes with time, and a good restaurant critic knows this. Most critics I’ve met have a go-to drink they order as a way to ensure the restaurant hires good staff. That being said, a highly unusual cocktail that has a great presentation can be proof enough of a bartender’s level of skill.

My personal go-to is a classic Manhattan. If it goes down smooth, has a minimal burn, and tastes refreshing, the bartender knows what he’s doing. If I’m not feeling a Manhattan, I’ll order a house drink to see what they can do.

Pairings

Part of understanding the art of drink is knowing which drinks match well with food. I generally ask about wine pairings with my meal to see how well people understand wines. If a bartender or waiter just shrugs their shoulders or offers a random red or white wine without talking about flavor, chances are they really don’t know (or care to know) about pairings.

Bad Drink Practices

When I’m working, I make a point to watch the bar like a hawk. Bad bars and restaurants often use sketchy tactics to make their ends meet. Things like using cheap liquors instead of top shelf are a bad sign, as is the practice of mixing old bottles of wine with new ones as a way to save money.

Some of these practices, including wine mixing (or “marrying drinks”) are actually illegal. So, if you see this happen, it’s probably a sign you should bail from the restaurant.

My Bottom Line

The way a restaurant treats its bar will tell you volumes about how good (and safe) their food will be. Should you notice a lack of effort at the bar, it’s often best to just skip the food altogether.

Hunger fighting charities to give back

Articles

Bailey Woodean

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October 19, 2019

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While restaurants and pubs are frequently visited as a celebratory outing, date night or even business meetings, it is important to remember that for some, eating a meal is the real celebration. This is where food banks and other non-profit organizations come in to play. I, for one, would like to take a moment and celebrate these organizations for all that they do.

National Organizations fighting hunger

No Kid Hungry is a charity specifically geared towards ending child hunger in America’s schools. In the United States alone, 1 in 7 children go without a proper meal on a daily basis. Many of these children come from families that “make too much” money to receive government SNAP assistance, yet too little to make ends meet. In these situations, children do not consume adequate portions or quality foods that they should. No Kid Hungry , therefore, provides healthy school breakfasts, summer meals, and after school meals across the country.

Feeding America is another charity looking to combat the hunger crisis in this country. This organization works with food banks and other organizations to not only feed the hungry but to actually address the cause of the hunger itself. They look at what they call “food rescue” which
addresses the wastefulness of people with food. This, of course, adds to the hunger problem in the country. The list of countrywide charities that serve the hungry includes:

Home base charities fighting hunger

I would also like to shine a light on my local charities and the work they do here in Western New York.

One charity, the Food Bank of Western New York does more than simply accept donations and provide for the hungry. They have also rallied the help of local restaurants to put together a charity event for the public. For a price of $85 per person, guests can enjoy an open bar and indulge in dishes made by local restaurants. These restaurants include:

Another nonprofit organization worth mentioning is Meals on Wheels for Western New York . This charity is focused on delivering healthy meals to senior citizens that (for one reason or another) are unable to leave their homes and shop for themselves. The meals are healthy and ready to eat which makes things easier for those unable to cook for themselves, as well.

Finally, The Ronald McDonald House charity is special in that the meals they provide are to families with sick children and temporarily reside in one of the Ronald McDonald Houses. The children are in need of treatments by medical professionals in the area and their families need to be with their children. So, the Ronald McDonald House organization created several homes in the area that are set up to temporarily house these families. In addition to meals, the charity provides private bedrooms, playrooms for the children, and peace of mind to the parents. Here, the families can focus on their child’s health rather than cooking or cleaning.

The World Food Program

This is a nonprofit organization that serves communities on a global scale. They send food and aid to those affected by natural disasters, displaced women and children, and other families in need, in more than 80 countries in the world. They accept money and food donations as well as volunteers. These donations could end up at any one of the 80 countries they serve in the world, but there are several countries that seem to be in need of a little more than others. These countries include:

Yemen
The Democratic Republic of Congo
South Sudan
Syria

Charity work is so important and impacts so many in need. If you can donate money, time, or non-perishable foods to any of the programs listed (or any that I may have missed) then please do so. Give yourself some good karma by giving back!

The Food Truck Craze

Bailey Woodean

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October 18, 2019

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Food trucks have seemingly taken over the way we eat out, here in the states. However, the actual concept of “food trucks” has been known for more than a century. Today, the trucks offer fusion dishes and are likely broadcasted on one or more social media sites.

Food trucks became a more appealing and more affordable option to those dreaming of their own restaurant. Owning and running a restaurant is difficult, keeping it successful is hovering on impossible. This is largely due to the uprise of corporate franchises and restaurant chains that pop up everywhere. Food trucks remain one of the most unique and modern types of restaurants. Of course, with this fad exploding across the country, who knows how much longer they will hold their uniqueness.

Is the food truck craze countrywide?

It certainly seems that way! In 2014, a study was done to find out which city in the United States had the most food trucks. At that time, Los Angeles, California led the pack with 269 food trucks. Food trucks have erupted in popularity over the last decade and today, they can be seen at nearly every outdoor gathering, event, or venues such as parks, ball games, or even college campuses. Some cities host food truck extravaganzas which involves a single location, large enough for at least 20 or more food trucks to park and serve their customers.

Food Truck Tuesdays in Buffalo, NY

Larkin Square in Buffalo, NY is the location of one of the most outstanding festivals in Western New York. Food Truck Tuesdays! This event is seasonal, typically running from April to October. While this is a free event, you may need to pay $5 in the “preferred parking” and of course any food or drinks will need to be bought, as well. It is wise to bring cash just in case a particular food truck doesn’t accept credit card payments (although most of them do these days).

There are usually 30 or more food trucks parked at Larkin Square. They begin serving their customers around 5 pm. And typically close down around 8 pm. A live band plays for the majority of the event time. If you’re ever in Buffalo, NY during the spring and summer months then Food Truck Tuesdays are a must-try!

The Great Food Truck Race

The Great Food Truck Race is a reality show of exactly what it sounds like. Hosted by Tyler Florence, this is a show broadcasted through the Food Network, showing several food truck teams driving from state to state serving the locals. The objective is to be the most successful food truck in each state. The winning food truck team drives off with a $50,000 prize (sometimes $100,000), the food truck they competed with (in some seasons) and bragging rights! As of now, there have been 10 seasons of The Great Food Truck Race and they don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!

Food truck craze in Toyland!

Food trucks have become so popular that they are even creeping into the toy aisle. Several toy-making companies have joined in on the fad craze with both toy-sized and “pretend play” sized food trucks for kids.
One of the food truck toys is made by Jada. They call it the Food Truck White Just Trucks Series Diecast Model . This is a relatively small food truck toy for either boys or girls to play with. This toy truck is sold for approximately $34.99.

Another food truck toy is a “pretend play” sized truck made by Fisher-Price. This popular toy brand is commonly known by parents for their bright colors and informative, multi-level products. This is the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Servin’ Up Fun Food Truck . This food truck toy comes with more than 20 accessories including plastic pizza slices, bacon avocado burger, and much more! My son was given this particular food truck toy (pictured below) as a gift for his second birthday and he absolutely loves it! He loves pretending to drive the truck, cook a meal, and serve it to his father and me. This truck is typically sold for $60.

Finally, Little Tikes makes a “pretend play” sized food truck for kids, as well. This food truck toy is called Little Tikes 2 in 1 Food Truck with 40+ piece accessory set. This truck is very similar to the Fisher-Price model but this one sells for $99.99 on average.

With a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, let’s dive in: Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant

Bailey Woodean

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October 18, 2019

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With a fork in one hand and a pen in the other, let’s dive in: Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant

Jasmine’s is a Thai restaurant located in a strip mall setting in Tonawanda, NY. This restaurant offers substantial portions of their dishes. Their menu items are perfectly made from scratch. They often contain curry, vegetables, and various meats.

Niagara Falls Boulevard

1330 Niagara Falls Blvd Tonawanda, NY 14051 (716) 838-3011

The Atmosphere at Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant

This restaurant has a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere. As soon as you walk in the door, you see a large dining room full of happy patrons gathered around any one of the many tables they offer. The wait staff are properly dressed and cheerful. They seem to take great care of their enterprise as each surface is clean and comfortable. This is a restaurant that customers should never leave due to a cleanliness or service problem.

Photo by Lovefood Art from Pexels — Photo by **Lovefood Art** from **Pexels**

The Food at Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant

The food at Jasmine’s is fresh, tasty, and completely made from scratch (or at least seems to be). I had never tried Thai food before and it was simply wonderful! Each dish ordered by either my family or myself was freshly made and beautifully presented. The ingredients were clearly not leftovers or reheated in any way. High quality and fresh! The prices are a little on the high side compared to the other Asian take out cuisine.

The egg rolls I ordered were flavorful and crispy. My husband ordered the spring rolls which came in a delicate outer wrap. It was so thin and crisp that we could clearly see the assorted vegetables and spices inside.

I also ordered the Pho. I had heard so many good things about this dish from other restaurants. So, I was excited to see it on the menu. Pho is a beef noodle soup full of beef chunks, noodles, spices, herbs, and so many other ingredients. I received a portion of this soup that could be compared to a small vat. I could taste the quality of the ingredients that were used and it pains me to say that I simply didn’t like it. This had absolutely nothing to do with the restaurant or the food itself and everything to do with my preference.

There are so many other dishes that you can order from Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant. Their appetizers include fried calamari. They came hot and crispy, exactly what you want from this dish! They also offer fried or steamed pork dumplings which have an immense POW of flavor from the perfectly seasoned pork.

They have a diversity of soups including the basics of wonton and vegetables. They also have a chicken in cream of coconut and Tom Yum which is a hot and sour soup! The menu at Jasmine’s also includes salads, such as their Jasmine Salad.

Entrees at Jasmine’s vary in flavor, type, and heat! Some of the dishes will include curry so if you’re not a big fan of this pungent spice be sure to avoid those dishes or ask to reduce it. You may also find dishes with nuts such as the Cashew nut meal which come as chicken, beef, or pork with seafood. You may also order fish dishes, sides, specials, rice and noodle dishes, and even vegetarian options!

Finally, you can’t have dinner without dessert! Their desserts are just as fresh and diverse as the rest of their menu. You can choose from any one of the following:

Banana coins
Jasmine’s custard
Jasmine’s banana
Jasmine’s Lychee
Homemade coconut ice cream

Final Recommendation for Jasmine’s Thai Restaurant

I definitely would recommend Jasmine’s Thai restaurant in Tonawanda, NY for anyone interested in this type of cuisine. Their attention to detail, quality, quantity, taste, and presentation are well worth the price you’re going to pay!

www.jasthai.com

Chardonnay, from a grape on the vine to being a great wine!

Beverage

Bailey Woodean

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October 17, 2019

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Chardonnay, from a grape on the vine to being a great wine!

Chardonnay is a type of grape that was originally grown in a small town in France. The name, Chardonnay, actually means “thistle covered place”. Today, the Chardonnay grape is the most planted grape in the world!

What you need to know about Chardonnay grapes

There are oaked Chardonnays and unoaked Chardonnays. If you desire the full-bodied richness of oak flavored Chardonnay then you are shopping for an oaked Chardonnay. This type will have hints of tropical fruit flavors, citrus, or even green apple flavors depending on the climate temperature. The unoaked Chardonnay will more closely resemble the flavors in Pinot Grigio or even a Sauvignon Blanc.

The flavor also depends on the ripeness of the grape itself. For example, a “less ripe” Chardonnay grape will imitate a citrusy flavor whereas the “more ripe” Chardonnay grapes will boast more tropical fruit flavors. The Chardonnay grape is actually the main grape found in sparkling wines including Champagne, Cremant, and Trento.

How Chardonnay goes from grape to great! Chardonnay grapes are easily influenced by other flavors due to its neutrality. Therefore, during the production of Chardonnay wine, the flavors of oak or terroir are often added one way or another. Below is the conventional Chardonnay making process, but the process may change vineyard to vineyard.

The first step is to harvest the grapes from the vines. This is often done in the evenings while the air is cool and crisp. The grapes are then inspected by hand and put into the crusher where the stems and skins are removed. The juice from the grapes will then go into a barrel or tank where the fermentation process begins. Chardonnay with a crisp and fresh taste was likely fermented in a stainless steel tank. In comparison, Chardonnay that has a buttery, creamy, taste is likely fermented in a barrel. This Chardonnay may also undergo a secondary fermentation process known as Malolactic Fermentation.

The final steps include removing the wine from the tank or barrel and bottling it. The bottles are corked and stored for aging before being released to sell. The aging process of Chardonnay is typically a few years.

Food pairings to bring your Chardonnay to a whole new level!

Chardonnay is a very neutral grape and can be a very adaptable wine. There are sweeter Chardonnays and dryer Chardonnays. While preference is important, the flavor of the Chardonnay will affect the pairings, as well. Chardonnay can be easily conquered by intense flavors in some foods. Therefore, it is important to pair this wine with mild-flavored foods such as lobster or seafood, poultry, pork, pasta, and risotto. Spicy dishes and funky cheeses should not be paired with Chardonnay as they will almost certainly diminish the levels of flavor in the wine.

Dishes to pair with Chardonnay

● Southern Shrimp and Grits

● Lobster Macaroni and cheese

● Chicken Kiev

● Salmon and rice

Chardonnay is also a great wine to use when recipes call for an unspecified white wine during the cooking process.
Chardonnay brands to try that won’t break the bank There are endless winemakers and vineyards in the world that create their very own Chardonnay. They may vary in taste to some degree but their prices will almost certainly differ. Price can depend on location, quality, aging process, and other factors. However, there are some brands that I have personally tried and would highly recommend to anyone on a budget that doesn’t want to skimp on quality.

The 2015 Robert Mandavi Chardonnay was made in Napa Valley. The grape was oaked giving it the full-bodied rich flavors of pineapple, pear, vanilla and oak. This is a delicious, lush Chardonnay that costs an average of $24 per bottle. However, he does offer a cheaper Chardonnay under the Woodbridge brand.

The Kendall Jackson Chardonnay also boasts tropical fruit flavors, such as mango, pineapple, and oak similar to the Robert Mandavi. However, there are also hints of honey and citrus. This is considered a sweeter Chardonnay at an affordable price of $10.99 per bottle, on average.

Almaden Chardonnay tends to lean towards the apple and pear flavors, with hints of butter. This is known as a semi-dry Chardonnay and one of my personal favorites. The Almaden vineyard has been one of the leading winemakers in the country and is located in California. I can personally attest to the old-world flavor that is totally worth every cent! My husband and I buy this brand religiously and always have it “in stock” in our fridge. The bottle can be bought for around $10 whereas the box (which we buy) is closer to $20.

Pumpkin Pure and Mushrooms Recipe – Easy and Delicious

Recipes

Maja Bilbilovska

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October 17, 2019

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Pumpkin Pure and Mushrooms Recipe – Easy and Delicious

Creamy puree made form pumpkin served with mushroom is the best main dish when you don’t want to cook and eat meat. I have those days when I don’t like to eat meat and then I always think of a recipe that will satisfy my hunger but also my taste buds. In fall I love pumpkin, baked, soups, and puree, so I decided to share the best way to make a pumpkin puree that will surprise how delicious it can be. I serve this puree with mushrooms as a meat substitute. If you are vegetarian this dish is perfect for you too.

Prep: 10min Cook: 15min Total Time: 25min Servings:

Ingredients:

1 medium Pumpkin
Black pepper
Salt
4 tbsp. Olive oil
4 tbsp. Pumpkin seeds
1 Garlic cloves
6 Parsley sprigs
½ lb. Mushrooms
1 Onion, small
½ cup of Crème Fraiche
1 rosemary sprig
½ cup of Milk
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg

Directions:

1. Preheat oven 350F. Cut the pumpkin in half. Remove the seeds and place them on a baking tray or dish. Drizzle with oil and season with black pepper and salt. Bake 30 minutes.

2. In the meantime toast the seeds in a pan for 3 minutes. Chop the garlic and parsley. In a bowl combine 2 tbsp. oil, pumpkin seeds, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.

3. Slice the onion and mushrooms. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and grease with olive oil. Cook the onions and mushrooms for 4 minutes. Add the crème Fraiche and rosemary, mix. Cook 3 minutes more.

4. Boil the milk with nutmeg, black pepper, and salt.

5. Scrape the pumpkin flesh. Combine the milk with the pumpkin and mix well.

6. Arrange the puree with the mushrooms and pour the pumpkin seeds mixture.

7. Serve and enjoy!

Simple right? Well, it is, and you will still get a delicious meal. You can also use this recipe as a side dish for pork, chicken, and beef. Also, it can be served with fish. Now you learned a recipe that can be of help in many dishes. Surprise everyone with your new recipe. Serve for a friend that follows a vegetarian diet or as a side dish on a special dinner night.

10 Food Superstitions You Never Heard About

Articles

Ossiana Tepfenhart

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October 16, 2019

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10 Food Superstitions You Never Heard About

Our world is filled with superstitions, lore, and rumors about everything from clothing to pets. Food occasionally comes up in superstitions from time to time, with the most commonly recited beliefs involving garlic and salt to ward off vampires and danger. Ho-hum, right?

There are more culinary superstitions than just those two mainstream beliefs.These more unusual superstitions still have fans and followers. Whether or not you choose to believe them is up to you.

Breaking an egg to find two yolks is a happy omen. According to the old wives’ tales, this suggests that someone you know will get married or have twins.

2.Long noodles, long life. In China, being served long noodles is a sign that you’ll live to an old age. Cutting your noodles, on the other hand, suggests that your life will be cut short.

3.Find out if someone is crushing on you with tea. Love sweet tea? Want to know if someone is infatuated with you? Make sure that you look at the bottom of the cup to find out. If you have unmelted sugar at the bottom of the cup, you have someone that likes you.

4.Learn who’s visiting. Superstition claim that dropping a fork indicates a woman will visit. Dropping a knife means a man will drop by. A spoon, on the other hand, means child visitors. If you drop the whole drawer, it probably means you are clumsy.

5.Don’t gift parsley. Parsley might be good for your body, but it is allegedly terrible for luck. Gifting parsley invites bad luck into your friend’s home.

6.Careful with your chopsticks! In both China and Japan, sticking your chopsticks straight down into a bowl of rice is both bad manners and an omen of death. To prevent death in your family, rest your chopsticks on the edge of the bowl or on a rest.

7.Never toast with water. According to German superstition, the worst thing you can toast with is pure water. Whoever holds a watery toast glass will end up suffering serious bad luck.

8.Upside-down bread is a terrible omen. In France and Italy, finding a loaf of bread upside-down or placing it upside-down on a plate is a bad omen. The belief stems from the practice of handing prisoners an upside-down loaf of bread before they would be executed.

9.Don’t borrow milk after dark. If you’re in India, you might notice that borrowing or buying milk tends to be a rare practice after the sun sets. This is because taking milk after dark is a quick way to invite sorrow into your home.

10.Have a lucky menu! Chinese superstition involves a full menu of items that allegedly bring good luck. If you need a little boost, eat rice, oysters, pineapples, egg rolls, or abalone meat. All of these foods are said to attract good luck and protect the diner from harm.

Food Network Favorites

Bailey Woodean

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October 16, 2019

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The Food Network is a television channel which broadcasts a variety of cooking shows and competitions. There is also a Food Network app which is a great way to stream your favorite cooking shows on the go! Watching other people cook on television has evolved into a part of our normal everyday society which was far from the case a decade or two ago. With this evolution of entertainment, I decided to see if my personal favorites were as popular with the general population.

Diners Drive-ins and Dives

Hosted by none other than Guy Fieri, Triple D (as it is lovingly referred), is a show on the Food Network which follows Guy all around North America. He visits various establishments where he tastes some of the most unique, old school, and simply “off the chain” dishes as Guy would say. This is one of my personal favorite choices on the Food Network, and the feeling is shared with the majority of voters at Ranker.com who voted Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives as the number one show on this network.

Guy Fieri has actually filmed a few times in the Buffalo, New York area. One location is the Lake Effect Diner. This is a 50’s themed diner in the city of Buffalo. They squeeze fresh orange juice every day and have amazing milkshakes! I visited the Lake Effect Diner years ago, but Tina Fey dined there this summer!

The Blackthorn Restaurant and pub was featured on Triple D, as well. My husband and I tried this Irish Pub a few months back. We had to sit in the bar area and order from a very limited menu. The food was decent overall but the occasion was ruined for us as we were encircled by loud bar crawlers. If we decide to give Blackthorn another chance then we will surely try the Triple D platter made up of mini beef on weck sandwiches, mini crab cakes, and an order of tater tots with Irish beer soup. These menu items were tried and approved by Guy, himself.

Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives also filmed an episode at Sophia’s (an American Greek restaurant in Buffalo, NY) and Pizza Junction in North Tonawanda, NY (which has since closed its doors).

Chopped

Hosted by Ted Allen, Chopped is a cooking competition show on the Food Network. This competition is between four chefs who are put to the test with 3 courses made from secret basket ingredients. The ingredients can consist of just about anything from avocados to cow tongues. I am very fond of Chopped and I often watch it while I am cooking for my family. I find inspiration in the chefs’ abilities to make something incredible from seemingly mismatched ingredients. The voters on Ranker.com agree with me as they have rated Chopped as the second best (only beat by Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives) show on the Food Network.

Restaurant Impossible

Hosted by British Chef Robert Irvine, this Food Network favorite of mine explores restaurants around the United States that have taken a turn for the worse. Robert Irvine then creates a plan to reinvent the establishment and the owners with $10,000 and a stellar team of designers and carpenters. In most cases, Robert is able to turn their luck around and bring business back to the restaurant. However, there are some cases of restaurants still going under even after he works his magic. I find this show very inspiring and compelling, unfortunately the voters on Ranker.com slightly disagree and place Restaurant Impossible in the 24th bracket. Although they ranked more than 100 Food Network shows so, I suppose in the grand scheme of things the show fared okay.

Television and the way we absorb today’s entertainment has drastically changed over the last decade. 10 or 20 years ago, watching other people cook was less of a form of entertainment and more of a way to expand our cooking abilities. The Food Network, however, is a societal blessing to many of us and it seems to be here to stay!