TIP OF THE DAY #2: Message Bread

People get the government they deserve, said Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821), a French count, lawyer, diplomat, writer and philosopher. (The quote is often misattributed to better-known commentators such as Abraham Lincoln and Alexis de Tocqueville.) De Maistre’s actual statement was “Toute nation a le gouvernement qu’elle mérite”—every nation gets [has] the government it deserves.” It…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Serrated Peeler

Every kitchen has a standard vegetable peeler to slice the skin from carrots, cucumbers, potatoes and other veggies. But there’s also a serrated peeler, which works better on softer produce like mangoes, nectarines, peaches, plums and that toughest of peeling challenges, tomatoes. Most home cooks who have both use the word “love,” as in, “I…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Pudding Toppers, Pudding Party

Butterscotch pudding with brittle. Photo © Hannah Kaminsky | Bittersweet Blog.   Here’s a fun dessert idea, whether for a weekday family dinner or a pudding bar at your next party. You can make pudding or buy it. Making it is better and lots more fun. We’ve been spending more and more time with Puddin’:…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Pairing Breads & Spreads

Make crunchy, Mexican-style snacks with baby bell peppers (© photo courtesy The Laughing Cow.)   The Laughing Cow makes eight flavors of spreadable cheese, and sent us suggestions for pairing the different spreads with complementary breads and crackers. These fun snacks can be served as hors d’oeuvre with beer, cocktails or wine; as a casual…
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TIP OF THE DAY: Choucroute Garnie

Now that there’s as chill in the air, the people of Alsace have been cooking up their famous recipe, Choucroute Garnie—pronounced shoo-CROOT gar-NEE and translating to dressed sauerkraut. The “dressing” consists of sausages and other salted meats and, typically, potatoes. It’s stick-to-your-ribs goodness on a chilly day. You know it’s autumn when the dish appears…
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