I thought I only watched Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals for a good laugh, but she proved me wrong. Ray was doing a quickie meal of American favorites, including sloppy joes and macaroni and cheese, but with a twist: making them healthier and adding “adult flavors” to appeal to children. The twist was not quite a 360 degree turn; it was closer to zero.

I first came across a dusty bottle of Chambourg when helping my grandparents clean out their house this summer. It sat on the hutch in the living room, in the shadows behind my grandfather’s extensive collection of carved ducks. The curious spherical bottle, filled with purple wine-colored liquid and embellished with tacky gold letters, caught my eye. I was puzzled–not once on the bottle does it tell you the ingredients, the alcohol content or what it should taste like.

An enlightening article, including original photos.

Unfortunately I could never truly appreciate Korean culture due to my severe allergy to sesame, Koreans’ most used ingredient in all of their dishes. Whenever I am at a Korean restaurant the servers and chefs become confused and embarrassed because I cannot indulge in any of their signature dishes. Most of the time authentic restaurants take offense to my allergy (what person who’s allergic to sesame would try to order Korean food?) and, disbelievingly, bring out dishes marinated in sesame oil and covered in sesame seeds.

When the heat takes over, most people don’t think of drowning themselves in food, but rather cold beer and mixed drinks. This summer, through sweat and an unstuffed wallet, I discovered the best of the best of food and drinks.
Mac ‘n Cheese:
My mother’s mac ‘n cheese, which I nicknamed “birthday pasta” over a decade ago, will always be superior to all others, but E.A.T. Café’s (1064 Madison Avenue) is easily one of my next favorites. Despite the price tag of an outstanding sixteen dollars, the dish is worthwhile. The macaroni …

I never realized that New York City was home to a Koreatown. Though it might be a block long, it left me more satisfied than the entire length of Canal Street. While I was strolling down West 32nd St, the center of Koreatown, I skipped in and out of a Korean market, and peered into all of the noodle and Korean barbecue shops. Thankfully, I found a small “hole-in-the-wall” shop that makes beautiful, delicious, large, and cheap kimbab.

There is one type of cuisine that New Jersey, along with the rest of the Northeat, lacks and that is barbeque. One cannot drive too far down the street without spotting a diner, an Italian bistro, or a bar with superior finger food. However, when barbeque can be found in Jersey one must question how authentic and fresh it is. For me, the most crucial factor is how much love has gone into it. I recently moved back to South Jersey where BBQ is pretty sparse but not impossible to …

Polpettes, or meatballs, are one of the easiest dishes to make, enjoy and modify. You can put just about anything, and I do mean everything, into them. Turkey & Sausage Meatballs with carrots or Baked Pierogi Meatball Bruschetta are two of Sayani’s creations that are will make your mouth water just reading along with the simple directions and heavenly photographs.

As a “carbaholic” and one who loves Morningstar Farms, minus the products with sesame oil, I find that making a quick sandwich stuffed with protein, veggies, and sauce is a tasty way to reenergize myself. Though, I must admit, that most vegetarian and vegan products that are “mock-meat” are loaded with salt. Consuming one or two servings set me back to nearly 50% of my daily value of sodium. Unfortunately, one of many reasons for so much salt is because that is what Americans love in their food.
Recently, I have …

For an easy, healthy, and hearty dish follow Stacey as she creates a beautiful medley of vegetables. This recipe is great to play around with and can be eaten numerous ways: as a chili, a dip, a burrito, or anything else you desire!