Food, Fun … And A Little Spice
There is no more-ritualized meal in Jewish tradition than the Passover Seder, the sumptuous meal commemorating the exodus from Egypt. In fact, Seder means “order.”
Bringing a contemporary palate to a 5,000-year-old celebration, however, calls for some adjustment.
W ith St. Patrick’s Day around the corner, Irish cheeses have been popping up in gourmet food shops. At first glance, this might seem like an unfortunate gimmick, to be avoided along with green beer. After all, Ireland does not have an illustrious history of cheesemaking. There are no ancient regional varieties to match France’s Reblochon or Italy’s Gorgonzola, and no daily habit of eating cheese with bread, such as led to the tasty, practical cheeses of England. What traditions there were disappeared with the centralization of the dairy industry during World War II, leading to the domination of bland, machine-made Cheddars.
But in recent years, farmhouse cheeses have returned to the Emerald Isle. A number of dedicated natives, along with some European expats, are experimenting with the country’s legendarily rich cream (from animals fed on the country’s wonderfully green grass), combining spectacular local ingredients with a spirit of open-minded creativity, and producing excellent results.
Incredible Irish Cheeses for St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day at Epicurious.com.
Making some chocolate for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day?
Tempering melted chocolate ensures that it will set up firmly with a glossy sheen. Any leftover chocolate can be tempered again later.
For those suffering from post-holiday blues, the Chinese New Year — or the Year of the Ox — is fast approaching on Jan. 26.
For many, that means it’s time to start pulling out all sorts of Chinese traditions.
Set your New Year’s Day table with a few foods connected with riches and prosperity.
Eat well and prosper in the new year | Seattle Times Newspaper.
bonappetit.com Recipe of the Day
