FOOD HOLIDAY: Scottish Fare On January 25, Burns Night

[1] The classic Scottish dish haggis is made of sheep organ meats cooked in a sheep’s stomach. Here’s the recipe from 196 Flavors (photo © 196 Flavors). [2] Chefs can give haggis the gourmet treatment, as in this “gateau of haggis” with layers of cooked turnip. Here’s the recipe (photos #2 and #3 © The…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Count Plates, Not Calories

Restricting your food intake to meet those weight loss goals? Treat yourself to beautiful dishes, cups, and glasses. What you eat will look more exciting and taste that much better. Even a cup of plain yogurt looks tempting in a beautiful red bowl (don’t forget a sprig of dill). It’s how they make the most meager…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Banana Hot Chocolate

Warm, comforting, and another way to enjoy gourmet chocolate. What could be better? Photo by Elton Lin. Purée a ripe banana and add it to hot chocolate. One banana is enough for two eight-ounce cups (it stretches further if you want just a little banana flavor). Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and a grind of fresh…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Bad Wrap

January 20th is Cheese Lover’s Day, so be sure to give your favorites the respect they deserve. Fine cheese is a living food that breathes and ages. Most cheese should not be kept in plastic wrap, which essentially suffocates the cheese, allows moisture to condense on the inside of the wrap and hastens spoilage. Stores…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Kitchen Diary

Convert your old Filofax or Week-At-A-Glance to a kitchen diary. Keep a diary in your kitchen—or a document on your computer—of entertaining occasions and what you’ve served to which guests. It serves as a mind-jogger of what was popular, what dishes didn’t fly, who didn’t like fish, who has peanut allergies, et cetera. It also…
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