Posts from the ‘Weekend links’ Category

Weekend links, July 8

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

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.

A 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)

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

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.