ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Feb 2, 2012, 2:36 pm
A hearty winter soup. Substitute regular kale if you can't find black. Mediterranean Fish Chowder With Potatoes and Black Kale — Recipes for Health - NYTimes.com "There is no reason to spend lots of money on expensive fish when you’re making a soup like this. ...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 28, 2012, 5:02 pm
A while back, a friend in San Francisco sent a nice little booklet to me, titled "First - You Make a Roux". Dated 1954, 50 pages long, illustrated and containing some familiar and not too familiar fare. Anyone interested  in seeing other recipes? &...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 21, 2012, 10:12 am
"Increasingly, those of us who shop the big-box retailers including Costco, Target and Walmart are finding a blue label on seafood packages. The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label signifies that the seafood comes from a fishery that's met a rigorous set of standards aimed at promoting resp...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 17, 2012, 6:16 am
Great news! "“There is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe — from the majority of consumers, farmers and politicians,” said Stefan Marcinowski, a board member with responsibilities for plant biotechnology. “Therefore, it ...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 13, 2012, 2:24 pm
Got a little bit of time on your hands this weekend? Feeling adventurous in the kitchen? Here's a mouth-watering dish, Korean bo ssam, to keep you busy, and in anticipation of the final outcome: "The dish is known in Korea as bo ssam— pork wrapped like a package...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 12, 2012, 1:58 pm
From the BBC Food Blog: "As with bread baking, we've found out a little more about the science that creates the 'jellied set' and keeps the peel tender rather than tough. This means that making marmalade well at home is much less problematic than it used to be. So...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Dec 27, 2011, 8:57 am
Simple, healthy, filling: "I love the fact that beans, lentils and greens symbolize prosperity in the New Year in places as disparate as the American South and the South of France. I wonder if it’s really because lentils and beans are round like coins and swell ...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Dec 7, 2011, 2:34 pm
An entertaining and informative article from NPR Radio: "The mission of America's Test Kitchen is simple: to make "recipes that work." The syndicated PBS cooking show, hosted by Christopher Kimball, simplifies recipes in ways that home chefs can easily replicate w...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Dec 7, 2011, 10:51 am
More and more recently, walnuts and the benefits attributed to this tree nut have been in the news: "Researchers are convinced - more than ever before - about the nutritional benefits of walnuts when consumed in whole form, including the s...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 27, 2011, 3:37 pm
Do you like squid, aka, calamari, to some? "Cornell University researchers completed a study last month, commissioned by Saunderstown-based Commercial Fisheries.They concluded that more pounds of squid are brought to shore in Rhode Island than any other seafood. And Rhode Island accounts for 54 perc...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 25, 2011, 5:11 pm
From pretzels to squid, there's a recipe here for everyone and every occasion: What's hot: 139 of the latest recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen - latimes.com 
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 25, 2011, 10:01 am
Another study reinforcing the dangers of BPA, this time in canned products. "The new study, which was published Tuesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association, is the first to measure the amounts that are ingested when people eat food that comes directly out of a can, in this case...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 20, 2011, 9:55 am
Here's a variety of shopping and recipe apps for your phone or computer. Some paid, some free. Explore in the article below: For the Thanksgiving Cook, a Recipe Manager to Celebrate - App Smart - NYTimes.com
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 2, 2011, 11:16 pm
A "quickie" recipe blog: Click on link for all the details: Simple Provençal Winter Squash Gratin — Recipes for Health - NYTimes.com
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Oct 23, 2011, 6:28 pm
Well, the government seems about to offer another worthless plan to those who need nutritional information the most. "Label Plan Offered to Rate Food Nutrition" is the newest attempt to by The Institute of Medicine's to make food labeling clear and easy to read for the vast majority of consumers. "...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Sep 1, 2011, 1:09 pm
Image: iStockphoto.com Mark Bittman Explains 'How To Cook Everything' : NPR If you have a minimum of cookbooks in your pantry, Bittman's How to Cook Everything should be one of them. Besides the varied and mostly healthful recipes, they can be read for pure entertainment. "Aside from preheating pa...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Aug 27, 2011, 12:31 pm
Quick and Easy Cooking With Grains - NYTimes.com Image: Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times Grains are a powerhouse of nutrition: vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. There are never-ending recipes for preparation. Here is an article from The New York Times, Quick and Easy Cooking With Grains,...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Aug 5, 2011, 11:02 am
7 Foods That Keep Us Fat | Care2 Healthy Living By Sara Novak, Planet GreenA study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the quality of the foods that you eat has more to do with weight than the quantity of food. I’ve pulled together a list of foods that keep us fat compiled...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Aug 4, 2011, 12:05 pm
A Chef Finds Healing in Food, by Jeff Gordiner Image: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times Many people are aware foods play a critical role beyond simple nutrition in the body. And many know, the less processed, and more natural and organic a nutrient is, the better it is nutritionally for you. All the...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jul 30, 2011, 1:38 pm
This article genre, "New York at First Bite: Oh, the Places You’ll Go", by Sam Sifton, for neophyte NYC visitors is always an enjoyable exploration of new, different and/or unknown restaurants. My favorite (for decades, now) is the Oyster Bar, in Grand Central Terminal. And yours? Image: Marilynn ...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jul 19, 2011, 5:53 pm
Image: Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times Summer. Heat. Chilled soups. Everyone knows of gazpacho (I think). But what about 'Chilled Pea, Lettuce and Herb Soup' in this artiicle from The New York Times. "...some of these blended soups were elegant enough to serve not only as me...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jun 14, 2011, 12:21 pm
Fava beans of any sort are sometimes hard to find; especially organic. If you do come across some, do try the recipe in the article below. "Not everyone is enthusiastic about them. They require double peeling, a job you might find tedious. But it goes more quickly than you’d think, especiall...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jun 2, 2011, 12:35 pm
It's official: The plate has replaced the pyramid. "The Department of Agriculture unveiled its new icon, MyPlate, on Thursday to help guide Americans toward eating balanced meals. The dinner plate is divided into four sections for fruits, vegetables, protein and grains, with a dairy cup beside it."...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jun 2, 2011, 8:34 am
As a prelude to the new food "pyramid" that is to make an appearance, now a "pie", a look at the old in an exhibition, “What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam?”, at the National Archives: Long before the makers of fatty crackers tried to sell Americans on their nutritional value, the government was pushin...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - May 10, 2011, 2:27 pm
The 2011 James Beard Foundation Awards Winners were announced on May 9th. The highlights in the top categories are: Outstanding Chef: Jose Andres (minibar, Washington, D.C.) Outstanding Restaurant: Eleven Madison Park (NYC, Owner: Danny Meyer) Rising Star Chef: Gabriel Rucker (Le Pigeon,...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Mar 25, 2011, 1:58 pm
Ah, the ultimate, of the moment, gastronomic publication: "Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking", by Nathan Myhrvold, Chris Young, Maxime Bilet. At $625 (Retail) for six volumes, and 40 pounds, that works out to about $104.16/lb. But you can find it discounted at major bookseller...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Mar 21, 2011, 10:42 pm
An item of interest for food historians, "From Zero to 55,000: How NYU Amassed the Largest Collection of Food Books in America": "Tucked away on the third floor of Bobst lies what many would consider a hidden gem: the Fales Library, the primary repository of rare books and special collecti...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Mar 20, 2011, 3:05 pm
Quinoa, which I have highlighted in several blogs over the years, is catching on in the food world; good and bad, but read the article: "Now demand for quinoa (pronounced KEE-no-ah) is soaring in rich countries, as American and European consumers discover the “lost crop” of the Incas. The...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Mar 1, 2011, 11:19 pm
I am ambivalent about all the health claims for coconut oil: lowered cholesterol, weight loss, et. al. -- no, I don't trust the claims, mostly from manufacturers. But I'll let you read the article and decide for yourself, and give your opinion! I do believe that if you are at risk of high cholestero...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Feb 11, 2011, 5:30 pm
Having grown up in Rhode Island, I can not resist posting this link to an article in The Providence Journal about some peculiar local food favorites in that state. Some of my local hometown recipes, vary however.  Photo credit: Providence Journal photo "Day staffers Rick Koster and Katie Warc...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 29, 2011, 2:37 pm
A recent article in The Huffington Post about farming and nutrition is well worth reading: "About 98% of the food grown in America comes from factory farming. Only 0.5% of the US farmland is certified organic. When I say factory farming, I mean that most food has significant amounts of synth...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 29, 2011, 10:15 am
One of my favorite food columns may be gone, but Bittman will still haunt us by other means: "TODAY marks the exit of The Minimalist from the pages of the Dining section, as a weekly column at least. There may be return appearances, but the unbroken string of more than 13 years and nearly 70...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Jan 9, 2011, 1:34 pm
Recently featured again in an article in The New York Times, The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, this publication deserves the attention of more readers. From The New York Times: "Six years ago a ...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Dec 8, 2010, 6:45 am
 This is one of my favorite lists that appears every year. Which books have I missed  which should I get... Image:Tony Cenicola/The New York Times "THIS year’s best cookbooks did not explore the twisted minds of culinary geniuses, reveal obscure hill towns of Tuscany or take us back in t...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Dec 1, 2010, 5:59 pm
A wonderful slide-show via Forbes.com. How many have you dined at? (Five, for me.) In Pictures: America's Great Historic Restaurants - America's Great Historic Restaurants - Forbes.com
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 24, 2010, 10:32 am
"Multiple studies have pointed to key differences in the health risk associated with high intake of red meats like beef versus high intake of white meats like turkey. In the case of red meats, high intake has been associated with increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of type 2 diabetes...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 21, 2010, 2:21 pm
Photo:  Lis Parsons "We have cookbooks that take on whole lives at one go — the memoirs of one food columnist, the life stories of a veteran cook and religious culture taken root in France; 70 years of one publication, 150 of anothe...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 18, 2010, 10:21 am
"We were surprised at how thoroughly heat obliterated the flavors in cooking oil until they all tasted more or less the same. Even prize-winning, and costly, extra-virgin olive oils lost much of what makes them special, though they retain their apparently healthful pungency. To get food with the...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Nov 1, 2010, 9:42 am
"What's important is to eat fewer calories so that the body is in negative energy balance. How you calculate it doesn't matter.” Gaynor Bussell, British Dietetic Association Read more at: BBC News - Has the calorie had its day?
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Oct 27, 2010, 6:41 am
 "...Verjuice can enhance the flavor of any kind of soup or stew, particularly those using rich red meats. If you’re a fan of combining fruit and meat, which I definitely am, verjuice is particularly apt. In a stew of lamb combined with mint and peaches, for example, verjuice brings up the aromat...
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ROGER B. posted an article on Gourmet & Ethnic Foods, Recipes, Cookbooks, Trivia - Oct 25, 2010, 6:49 am
Here's a variation on hash, using salmon instead of corned beef, via the Los Angeles Times.  Image: Anne Cusack/Los Angeles Times Smoked salmon hash Total time: 50 minutes Servings: 6 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes 1 red onion, mince...
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