FOOD 101: Cooking History

Be grateful for your stove and microwave! Photo courtesy Sirgy.com.   Do you like sashimi and steak tartare? Man has been wandering Earth for some 200,000 years, but the general use of fire began only about 40,000 to 50,000 years ago. Until then, man ate his food raw.* Neanderthals discovered how to deliberately create fire.…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Veggie Skewers, Veggie Grilling Tips

We discovered these nifty grill combs from Fusion Brands at Sur La Table. What better way to get everyone to eat more veggies than to skewer and grill them? Americans are woefully behind when it comes to eating the recommended 3-5 servings of vegetables a day; and no, spaghetti sauce and ketchup don’t count. So…
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TIP OF THE DAY: 10 Spice Blends You Should Know, Part 1

Today we present spice blends you should know, even if you aren’t about to use them immediately. Seasonings are the easiest ways to add different flavors to foods. If you’re looking at dieting with a month of broiled chicken or fish, for example, each of these blends will make each plate taste different. While the…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Don’t Use Olive Oil When Grilling

When grilling, trade the olive oil for a high smoke point oil. Photo courtesy DeMedici.com.   Do you use olive oil when grilling? Perhaps you shouldn’t. Olive oil has a lower smoke point than other oils, so it will burn faster. Each fat (including butter, lard, oil and shortening) has a particular smoke point, which…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Healthier Grilling Options

Topped with garnishes, most people will enjoy a turkey or veggie burger as much as beef. Photo courtesy Cheesecake Factory.   At the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts in Chicago, creating “better for you” cuisine is a hot topic of discussion. Many culinary schools first train students in classic French technique. But today’s trend…
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