FOOD HISTORY: The History Of Toasting To Your Health

  Do you toast to the New Year? If you’ve wondered how the practice originated: It began in pre-history and evolved over the millennia. And for many centuries, a piece of toast was floated in the punch bowl. The scoop:     AN ANCIENT PRACTICE The practice of toasting to someone’s health goes back to…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Bloody Mary Garnishes

[1] Surf & Turf Bloody Mary with bacon and shrimp from The Wayfarer in New York City. They call it “Fully Loaded,” with a celery stalk and a cocktail pick with cheese, olive and cocktail onion (photo © The Wayfarer). [2] The Hanako San Bloody Mary features an octopus tentacle and a skewer of raw…
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RECIPE: Bacon Lollipops For National Bacon Day

[1] Bacon lollipops, a yummy cocktail nibble (photos #1 and #2 © Wright Brand). [2] The bacon lollipops are made with applewood smoked bacon. [3] The recipe calls for clover honey, but you can use whatever you have (photo © Bee Harmony).   December 30th is National Bacon Day. These lollipops from Wright Brand Bacon…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Biscuits Roses de Reims, Cookies For Champagne

Is there a cookie to serve with Champagne? Absolutely: Biscuits Roses de Reims (i.e., pink cookies from Rheims) were made to dip in a glass of Champagne (although you can nibble them without dipping, and can serve with any other sparkling wine). You can buy them online at Amazon and Walmart. Note that there are…
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TOP PICK OF THE WEEK: Sekt, Sparkling German Wine

Whenever the topic of Champagne comes up, for special occasions, gifting or fizzy cocktails, we like to remind everyone that there are delicious—and less costly—alternatives to Champagne. Consider these more affordable bubblies at half the price or less: Asti Spumante, Moscato d’Asti‡, and Prosecco from Italy. Cava from Spain. Crémant from France. Espumante from Portugal.…
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