Best Kale Chips.......Ever!!

Crunchy and delicious

I have proclaimed the virtues of kale chips in the best, but it is time to get people producing these morsels of joy. Whatever you do, please do not pay $8.99 for a tiny container of disgusting packaged kale chips that have been smothered in ‘vegan cheese’, whatever that might be. You can buy a basket full of kale for less than that, and don’t even get me started on ‘vegan cheese’, which is an oxymoron that only someone with a marketing degree and too much time on their hands could ever come up with. Unfortunately we live in a silly world where people (especially silly vegans, who are characterized by their propensity for processed garbage that falls under the all-mighty vegan label) fall for this type of stuff. I digress.

Paula Deen And The Epidemic Of Obesity

Every voice in the world of food has seen fit to add their two cents to the drama surrounding Paula Deen's decision to first hide her diabetes diagnosis, then capitalize on it, all the while pushing food that can directly lead to the diagnosis in the first place. So, being the opinionated person that I am, I decided to loft my pennies into the wishing well too.

The population of the United States is currently eating themselves to an early grave. This is the undeniable truth of what is happening in our country, and people seem to want to avoid the subject. Suddenly Paula Deen makes millions off of endorsing a medication to help people 'live with' diabetes, and the world comes down on her from the perch of their high horse. There are several things that are going on here, and I believe that all of them deserve attention. First off, if someone offered me millions to endorse a product, I would have a tough time turning that down. Barring some extreme examples, I wouldn't even think about it, the only response would be "where do I sign?" The difference between myself and many other people is that I have the capacity to be honest with you, and with myself. Paula Deen has diabetes, and someone offered her and her sons generational money to be celebrity spokespeople. She took it, essentially because she isn't an idiot. After all, money talks in a big way.

2011 Food, Music, Film, Comedy, etc. Part 2

The Year Of The Rabbit

What were the exciting things in food that happened during the last revolution of our planet around the sun? What were the things that I could have done without? There are so many candidates for exploration that I am almost at a loss for where to begin. Always remember that my perspective is decidedly shaped by the fact that I live in New York City, and therefore have access to things that many people simply don’t. With that said, I think most ideas are universal, and simply take longer to filter out to other regions.

The economy continues to struggle, and with this simple fact, the food world continues to be shaped in many ways. From my standpoint, the greatest benefit and also the most negative consequence comes with people cooking at home more regularly. Being a home cook who is constantly extolling the virtues of this basic activity, I am thrilled that people are eating out less. Many people would be stunned to discover that they can cook food that is not only healthier, but far more delicious as well. In my experience, these benefits also come with the undeniable reality that it is far cheaper to produce things in the home. Simple meals constructed with basic ingredients can be incredibly satisfying, both in taste, and in the sense of accomplishment. There is a certain sense of spiritual connectedness that comes with the exercise of a well put together meal. These things are all wonderful, and if we are finally returning to our kitchens, I couldn’t be happier. The negative side of all this is that many people are resorting to processed food as an integral part of cooking at home.

2011 Food, Music, Film, Comedy, etc. Part 1

2011 was a great year, like any other that we are still alive to experience. There will always be amazing things that sprout out of a particular calendar cycle, just like there will be things to leave behind. What mattered to me? I'm about to tell you.....

Andrew Carmellini is the coolest celebrity chef, who somehow isn't a celebrity, and therefore the Food Man Of The Year! Outside of New York City it is a safe bet that people don't know about him, or his incredible range, but he had a huge 2011. He is a chef's chef, having made his name at Lespinasse, the helm of Cafe Boulud and A Voce, then finding his stride as chef-owner of both Locanda Verde and The Dutch, which was named 2011 Best New Restaurant by former New York Times restaurant critic Sam Sifton.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/dining/sam-siftons-top-10-new-restaurants-of-2011.html