14-DAY FOOD ARCHIVE

Section: Food

The Times Picayune

14-DAY FOOD ARCHIVE
Thursday, March 29, 2007
• Crustacean nation
I was on patrol last week, checking out the wasteland that is my yard after the harsh winter months. But I did notice harbingers announcing that spring is indeed upon us.

• Caramelized pecans spice up spinach and blue cheese salad
Spinach and blue cheese salad with sliced apples and spiced caramelized pecans

• Why we love food
In the interest of clearing up a lot of confusion, I suggest a new literary law for would-be cookbook authors and television celebrities from out of town who want to talk about or write about New Orleans food.

• Catch of the day: baked tilapia wrapped in strips of prosciutto
Whitefish is such an underappreciated ingredient.

• FOOD BRIEFS
WHOLE FOODS FIRE DEPARTMENT EVENT: On Wednesday, 5 percent of net sales at Whole Foods Market Arabella Station, 5600 Magazine St., will go to the New Orleans Fire Department to replace protective facial and body gear lost to Hurricane Katrina. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. that day, fire engines will be on display periodically and department representatives will be available to answer questions and show their appreciation. At noon, Chef Captain Michael Gowland will give a cooking demonstration.

• Rehashed bangers and mash a mealtime smash
Here's a lesson: Not all comfort food is happy when made healthy. But it doesn't always seem to mind picking up the pace.

• Seder shortcuts
How do you prepare a beautiful, bountiful flourless meal for 24 people on a Monday night after a full day of work? For modern Jewish multi-tasking women, preparing Passover Seder on April 2 this year is our ultimate challenge.

Thursday, March 22, 2007
• Sweet, indeed
The latest twists in the local sweet-tooth saga are both nationally inspired and intimately local.

• Kicked-up crackers add flavor to any gathering
Who knew that tricked-out saltines could be so addictive? Hattiesburg, Miss., resident Howard Myrick prefers Nabisco brand saltine crackers for this recipe, which is easily halved and stores well for several days.

• A lost recipe: Does this one take the cake?
J.K., who lives in Venetian Isles, sent in a recipe for J.C., who was seeking the white chocolate cake recipe from We Take the Cake Bakery.

• Meals for monks
Kim Bergeron, director of the city of Slidell's Department of Cultural & Public Affairs, is used to doing a lot for the cultural arts. But she recently had one of her most challenging tasks ever, coordinating meals for a group of Buddhist monks who visited Slidell.

• FOOD BRIEFS
LINK AND COCHON GET BEARD NOMINATIONS: Cochon, the Tchoupitoulas Street homage to the Cajun boucherie by chef/owners Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, has been nominated as best new restaurant in the 2007 James Beard Foundation Awards. Link, also the chef/owner of Herbsaint, is one of five nominees for Best Chef in the South. The premiere honors for food and beverage professionals in America will be awarded May 6 and 7 in New York City.