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Posts from the ‘Weekend links’ Category

Weekend links, November 19

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Eugene, Monday evening.

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted links! I’m sorry to have left you in the dark, sad and alone with nothing interesting to look at on the internet.

First, a few of my essays/articles have been posted in various places recently, and I’ve put up a new page to keep track of a good selection of them. See it here: Writings and Publications. There’s a permanent link to the page on the menu bar above. Also – if you know of other publications that might be interested in essays, articles, or original recipes, particularly those related to travel, let me know! I’d love to start working with some new publications while we’re traveling.

Hey look, Mark Bittman gets behind on his link postings, too. Lots of good ones in his most recent, here.

And about a month ago, he also redesigned the nutrition label. Make sure to also read the accompanying article.

Why eat some animals over others? I think about this a lot, actually.

A few months back, I was incredibly intrigued by this campus debate whether to slaughter and eat the college’s retired oxen (that sentence might sound strange, but read the article and it will make sense). It was an amazing and incredibly important discussion about sustainability education and sustainable food systems. Here’s an update from the New York Times on what happened.

Steaks are only 15% of the animal, so why do they comprise far more than 15% of our meat consumption? An important look at nose-to-tail eating. (Side note: when I was in grad school we bought buffalo from this family for special occasion dinners – it was delicious!)

I’ve been eating lots of oatmeal over the past few months, and my new favorite obsession is oat bran (like cream of wheat and oats had a delicious, oaty baby). What is oat bran, you say? And how’s that different from steel cut oats? What the heck are groats and are they as cute as baby goats? All you needed to know about oats, and more.

Apples, apples, everywhere! If you need to know what else to do with all your apples, here’s a handy flow chart that helps you match the apple type to the application.

I’ve been dreaming about this salted caramel ding dong cake for about two months now, and I really just need to make it and move on. Except that in less than one week I will be in South America and Asia for four months. WHOOPS. See you in April, cake.

I finally, finally got around to reading Tamar Adler’s incredible book, and immediately combed the internet for everything else I could find of hers to read. This piece in particular makes me consider getting a kitchen job when we settle again next fall.

My good friend Jessie recently started an excellent wholesale gluten-free bakery here in Eugene, and sells at a variety of grocery stores and coffee shops. She’s about to expand north to places between Eugene and Portland, and for everyone else it’s all available by mail order. Everything is super delicious, whether you can eat gluten or not!

Wal-Mart is now curating monthly mail-order gourmet food packages. (Um. I am … perplexed? Curious? Skeptical?)

Using algorithms to predict how much people will like recipes.

My travel site we’ve been using regularly recently wrote about 11 traditional breakfasts around the world. Can’t wait to see what kind of breakfasts we see over the next four months! (And I hope to god we get that one from Colombia while we’re there. That looks amazing.)

And on that note, we’re leaving one week from today for our fist four months abroad. This is: exciting, stressful, terrifying, liberating, etc. I’m not sure exactly what this space will look like from next Monday until we return in April, but stay tuned and we’ll all figure it out together!

Weekend (or Thursday) links, Oct. 4

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Artichokes, Marché Jean-Talon, Montreal. 

It’s getting a bit more difficult for me to keep up with blogs while we’re traveling, but here are some long-overdue links to keep your own reading lists full.

First, I’ve started contributing pieces to two of my favorite online publications: The Farmer General, and The Billfold. Woo hoo! You can find my first two Farmer General pieces here and here, and my first Billfold piece here. I’m excited for more to come (as soon as I can find time to write them … ).

As corn prices rise (and oh boy, do they ever, thanks to this massive drought most of the country is currently still experiencing), so do feed prices. But why don’t farmers just feed their animals old restaurant scraps and such?

I really missed not seeing this hilariously amazing part of the LA County Fair this year (though the MN State Fair still dominates, on all other scales).

The term “culinary soldiers” made me snort, more than a little, but it’s still interesting how chefs can play a role in American diplomacy.

To-do list upon returning to real life, after this year: 1. Find a job as a tech company chef.

Ohhhhhh, climate change. You better watch yourself. Do not mess with me, and do not mess with my Oregon pinot.

Wild rice! I eat lots of this stuff (1, 2, etc.), and always (ALWAYS) from MN. (Also: Wild rice krispy bars. WILD RICE KRISPY BARS. Mind is blown.)

Photographs of literature’s famous meals.

Guess who’s definitely going to eat this stuff in a few months? Me, in Argentina!

We’ve been eating lots of fried eggs on this trip, and I can’t wait to try them with the addition of sizzling vinegar.

‘Tis apple cider season. Reduce, reduce, reduce! And then use in savory things.

Last, but definitely not least: looking for a new apple pie recipe? Maybe you should put some pork in it. (WHOA.)

Weekend(ish) links, Sept. 3

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Prize-winning bars and cookies at The Great Minnesota Get-Together. 

We’ve been happily (but very) busy in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Madison, and now that we’re back in the Twin Cities our schedule is packed with friends and family and birthday celebrations and planning our next travels. I swear there are new posts coming soon, but in the meantime here’s a build-up of links:

An A-to-Z list of famous writers’ favorite foods.

fantastic overview of meat cuts and what to do with them.

Let’s file this wall tap in the “future home kitchen features” folder.

Food waste is undoubtably a significant global problem, and here are a few really ingenious things people are doing about it. (And here’s the fascinating follow-up article about food auctions.)

Since I read this NPR article about the President’s new “homebrew” I’ve seen another dozen or so (that’s what happens when I run behind on links), but it’s a good place to start.

You schwenker, I schwenker, let’s all schwenker together! (But in all seriousness I really want to do this.)

Gilt Taste does it again and again: making homemade tomato paste (a “concentrated flavor bomb”) and super-easy homemade-cured gravlax.

Made these simple seared pork chops in Chicago last week and will be definitely be adding them to the “super fast dinner” repertoire.

Bourbon pie. Bourbon. Pie. Nothing else to say.

Weekend(ish) links, August 3

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First Seattle dinner at Delancey.

It’s been a while since I’ve done a links post. Sorry! While we’re travelling I’ll still try to do one once a month or so (and someday maybe I’ll make the title a little more appropriate), but for now you’ll just get an extra-big one every once in a while. Here you go!

A German community garden that’s placed on otherwise unused land and moves indoors every winter (let that last part set in for a second, then go see how they do it).

How to cook with what you have lying around – love this concept for a cooking class, and can’t wait to read her book (currently stashed under our trunk for reading later this trip).

What temp to use if the recipe doesn’t say? Well, it’s complicated, but this should help. (I pretty much always use 350 for baking, 425 for roasting, 300 for braising.)

A great overview of kitchen knives and how to use them.

And how sharp they really should be.

Photos of what you can buy in various countries on a per-day poverty line budget. (NPR article about the project here.)

A beautiful photo/video project engaging folks around the world with shared meals, the “universal language.”

NASA’s already figuring out how to feed astronauts (i.e. how to feed people good food that stays good in a spaceship for 3+ years) on a planned 2030s Mars mission.

Olympic diets, and how Olympians use food for better performance.

Bhutan goes organic, for happiness (I love Bhutan like crazy, by the way – any country that values happiness in their policy-making is valued highly by me).

Should your hot dogs be a little boring these days (whose aren’t, really), these ridiculous (but delicious-sounding) topping ideas should help.

Sweet pesto is a fascinating concept (just need to find an alternative to almonds, for me).

Another great Gilt Taste guide: making the best lemonade.

And last but not least, this really, really, really important thing about how to make Chick-Fil-A at home.

Weekend links, July 8

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I’ll be a little MIA for the next week or so (leaving tomorrow!), but to keep you busy in the meantime, here are some links from the past few weeks:

Crowd-sourced maps of public fruit – either in or hanging over public places (you know you can pick off a private tree from wherever it hangs over public spaces, i.e. sidewalks, right?) – including quite a few Los Angeles neighborhoods.

I am very intrigued by this “turn your grill into a brick pizza oven” business.  If only I still had a grill …

Let’s file this in my “one day/dream kitchen” file.

And this.

How American booze expenditures have changed over the past decades.

A photography project documenting the “official” sandwiches of all 50 states. (p.s. I cannot WAIT to eat some walleye this summer.)

I’m not the hugest fan of the particular combination of ingredients in this summer drink generator, but I do love the concept …

Piloncillo is a pretty fantastic addition to coffee, and Rancho Gordo is making it even easier to find and use.

One time my Gram came to visit and was shocked (SHOCKED) that she couldn’t find a Nut Goodie anywhere in Southern California. Looks like she’s not the only one with a preference for a hometown sweet.

Once I have a home again, I could use one of these as a housewarming gift. Does that give you enough advance warning?

I think I have some Grover Cleveland-type preferences. (Also – this is a fascinating timeline of how the American culinary world has developed over the last 200+ years and is worth at least a skimming.)

On a completely different note, here’s how I’ve been distracting myself for the past three weeks or so – doing this whenever possible, and talking about this with whoever will listen. I have a feeling these may not appeal to everyone, but it’s your loss.

Weekend links, June 18

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Best garage sale idea ever. EVER. Especially when you’re trying to sell all of your furniture. We are brilliant, I say, even upon realizing we now don’t have anywhere to sit or eat or work or do pretty much anything …

A really good tip for what to do when you reach the sticky ends of a jar of honey.

No ice cream maker at home? If you’ve got a food processor, you can still make tasty frozen treats! Here’s how.

big ol’ list of bar items you can make at home, including awesome things like coconut rum, tonic water, and Pimm’s.

On the heels of the “Big Gulp Debate” in NYC, an NPR interview about the psychology of serving size.

What Americans spend on groceries, and how those numbers have changed.

This quick little animation about Michael Pollans’ Food Rules is pretty fantastic.

Limeade with vanilla and toasted coconut … how could that not be fantastic? Perhaps for my little Palm Springs ladies’ weekend coming up soon?

Yep, I think I’d like this kitchen, please.

A list of real-life dinner party menus. Super helpful resource, and reminds me I need to start being much better about tracking the meals I make.

I LOVE TRIFLES! People should make them more often.

And in the category of things I love: Yes! Wine spritzers! I agree!

Weekend links, June 4 (err, June 5)

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The unveiling.

Weekend Links, a day late. I’m in Oregon, and spent the weekend a little preoccupied with watching my sister-in-law become a doctor (way to go, Liesl!). I was also a little preoccupied with carving and eating above pig. Be glad I spared you the action shots.

Here are some really beautiful cakes that put all of mine (and probably all of yours) to shame.

Please tell me you’ve had an It’s It, if you’ve spent any time in the Bay Area. If you have, you’ll know why this is exciting. If you haven’t, it’s your chance to get one, wherever you are.

Why are humans crazy for crispiness? (It has to do with eating insects, but you can ignore that part if you want.)

1. Ben and Jerry’s has a flavor graveyard. 2. Ben and Jerry’s provides an outlet for requesting a flavor resurrection. 3. One Sweet Whirled was the best Ben and Jerry’s flavor ever created (see very old press release). 4. I cannot do this on my own, dear community of supporters and friends. 5. What? No. I was not obsessed with Dave Matthews Band for most of my teenage years, and do not somewhat irrationally still think he is one of the most attractive musicians on the planet, no no no.

If Obama wanted to drink some of his home brew with me, I would not say no. (More info about how Obama is a crazy beer hippie here.)

Speaking of beer, this list is timely! (Seeing as I will be in San Francisco at the end of this week, and that drinking beer outside is one of my most favorite activities in the world.)

Ohhhhh, I am a sucker for things shaped like places I love. I would like a Minnesota cast iron skillet and an Oregon cutting board, just FYI.

It’s really kind of hard to see what’s going on in these pictures, but the idea – a backsplash that opens to reveal shelving – is pretty brilliant.

Speaking of wealth – when I’m rich and want to “camp” accordingly, here is what I will do. (I cannot lie; this looks amazing and I want to do it really badly.)

Weekend links, May 29

Thai sparkling water, Erin’s bridal shower.

Busy week, even busier weekend (including hosting and catering a bridal shower for my dear friend and ex-college roommate). A short list for a short week!

Food Republic rates the best airlines for drinking. (Not that we’ll be able to afford flying on any of these, but …)

A super-fascinating look inside the Playboy Mansion kitchen.

Making bad booze better – the title here is a little misleading (doesn’t really make the booze better …), but it’s a good list of infusion ideas.

Alton Brown’s grilling tips – heard this interview on the radio and agree with all of these tips! (Just wish he would stop doing all those silly reality shows …)

On a completely unrelated note, this is very good advice about giving people compliments.

Weekend links, May 21

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Parking lot shrine, found after Sunday dinner. 

Lots to share this week, but first: I have some super exciting Very Big News to share with you later this week, so make sure to check back in in a few days! (Let’s file that one in “shamelessly vague teaser.”)

New questions and answers posted on the Ask Bowen Appétit page!

Last week was famous writers and their favorite cocktails; this week is their favorite snacks to eat while working. (Honestly can’t remember if I posted about this when it first came out last summer, but saw it again today and wanted to make sure to share.)

When I was vegan (many years back), I experimented semi-successfully with vegan baking substitutions. Wish I had just had this guide.

Back when I had that big Indian dinner party a few months back, I swore I was going to make Indian food at home more often. Didn’t happen, but this list of Indian recipes to make at home has me inspired once again.

Look, more people who like to cook like me!

Speaking of people who think like me – a new book by a New York magazine food writer who lost 40 pounds by maximizing flavor per calorie.  Not exactly my philosophy, but I do try to concentrate on eating the best, most satisfying food possible and in the most pleasurable circumstances. Why waste calories eating food that isn’t as good as it can be?

And here’s a fascinating excerpt from that book, all about the power of tartness and how it creates a flavor explosion (and thus more pleasure per calorie, theoretically).

Ever have leftover tidbits of cheese you’re not sure how to use? (Okay, that’s kind of a ridiculous concept, but stay with me …) Make savory cheese “cookies”!

A new book about how Clarence Birdseye (yes, of the freezer aisle) forever changed how we eat at home.

You should know by now how much I love to cook with lard, but I’m not sure I need an entire cookbook about it. (Or maybe I do …)

How to make a whole fish – one of my favorite things to do in the summertime! (And I love that parchment serving idea.)

I do love that in Southern California we can get local strawberries year-round (technically they’re only out of season for like 1-2 weeks each year), but I’ve definitely been in denial about what it takes for that to happen.

On a completely unrelated but very important note that comes from a part of me that I cannot subdue, college football is only three months away. Love me, love my football obsession.

And to close out this week’s installment of Bowen’s Activity on the Internet, here’s a link (from NPR, believe it or not) that you probably don’t actually want to read. A history of human fingers found in fast food.

Weekend links, May 14

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Almost summer!

LA chefs talk about their worst kitchen injuries. (Don’t pretend you don’t want to read this.)

A dessert with scotch. Why I didn’t think about this sooner is beyond me.

The favorite cocktails of great American writers.

CSAs 2.0: Food hubs?

I would like this kitchen now, please.

Sending your friends a round of drinks … from the comfort of your couch.

I apparently need to start paying more attention to the dessert section of Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.

Life is going to be a little complicated around here this summer, so I’m looking to this list of simple, classic summer cocktails. (Make sure to read Mark Bittman’s NYTimes article that accompanies.)

If anyone would like to buy me an early birthday present, I would like to officially put this workshop at the top of my list.

Have a great week, everyone!