Food Basics

US Baker's Guild Wins World Cup

PARIS -- The United States' bread-baking skills were crowned superior to those of France and the rest of the world the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, the World Cup of Baking, held in Paris, France.

The 2005 U.S. Bread Bakers Guild team was coached by Didier Rosada and included Jeffrey Yankellow, both of the San Francisco Baking Institute. They beat 11 other countries' teams to win the competition, the Bread Bakers Guild of America reported today.
more here

Backstory on the Food Guide Pyramid

From the Harvard School of Public Health comes the story on the politics and background of the food guide pyramid.

The New Food Pyramid

New trends in food and nutrition are always accompanied by plenty of commentary. Here's a selection of opinions from various professional associations on the gov's newest Food Guide Pyramid - that graphic you may see from time to time suggesting what you should eat for optimum health, according to the USDA. Also some other stuff I came across!

Basic info on the pyramid from the  Food and Nutrition Information Center at the UDSA

Revamped food pyramid addresses exercise, various nutrition needs - Knight Ridder

American Dietetic Association

Food Research and Action Center

Grocery Manufacturers of America

MyPyramid Tracker is an online dietary and physical activity assessment tool that provides information on your diet quality, physical activity status, related nutrition messages, and links to nutrient and physical activity information.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

National Restaurant Association

North American Millers' Association

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

EMERGING TOP FOOD TRENDS IN U.S. AND ABROAD

CHICAGO—Food trends once primed to focus on families are reshaping as Baby-boomers become empty-nesters, and health-related products are booming worldwide. This is according to this month’s issue of Food Technology magazine and its cover story, Top 10 Global Food Trends. Food Technology is published monthly by the scientific society Institute of Food Technologists.

Health became a key driver to the world’s food marketplace in 2004 and do-if-yourself doctoring is one of ten major trends shaping today’s consumer choices, according to the article. The Top 10 Food Trends are:

Quick Fix – Time to prepare food is still at a minimum, so a limited number of side dishes are prepared with entrees and ease of preparation is a major factor in eating at home.
Drive-and-Go – Takeout service at full service restaurants is growing, and the combination of stress with a sense of entitlement is leading consumers’ drive for more upscale foods.
Inherently Healthy – More people are eating more fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and yogurts.
Fancy – The premium foods market is projected to grow to nearly $100 billion before 2010. Wine and liqueurs are finding their way into crackers and drinks, and products for cocktails are hot.
Farm-Friendly – Foods deemed to be closer to the farm are capturing consumers’ dollars.
Layered Flavors – Layering flavors is sending sales of food such as cheeses, condiments and ethnic foods soaring. Exotic fruit flavors such as starfruit, dragonfruit and Kaffir lime continue to grow.
Grazing – Seven million vending machines are in the U.S. with 100 million daily customers and more healthy fare to choose from. The low-carb snack category is falling, but smaller portion sizes are gaining and gourmet snack selections are strong. Health-oriented fun kid snacks will be well received.
Low-, No- and Reduced – With low-carb interest waning, consumers are returning to watching their fat and calorie intake. Low-fat tops the many health claims consumers now seek out.
Do-It-Yourself Doctoring – Shoppers are trying to manage or treat conditions through diet. Whey peptides are playing a role in Europe in beverages formulated to reduce blood pressure. IFT’s new Functional Foods Expert Report details the promise bioactive components in new products can have on health. (See www.ift.org/ExpertReport.)
Global Gangbusters – Convenience and ready-meals are accelerating worldwide. Fresh, chilled, ready-to-eat products are emerging domestically and dominate the United Kingdom, commanding 25% of the food market, excluding beverages. More flexible packaging (e.g. pouches) is appearing. A majority of Southeast Asians eat take-out at least once a week, even more than Americans.

Food Technology provides news and analysis of the development, use, quality, safety, and regulation of food sources, products, and processes. It is accessible online at www.ift.org/foodtechnology 

Miracle Whip news

We have been busy, busy, busy, doing other things. I'd hoped to be able to introduce a new author here, my recently-relocated brother, Chef Paul, and that still may come to pass. In the meantime, here's something to mull over:

Miracle Whip has changed its formula. We'll be looking for replacements, as the new version is too light, and vinegary. The #1 ingredient on the label is now water, so if you've been thinking it's your tastebuds at fault, that's not the thing!

A friend used to make her own MW by adding about 1/3 cup of sugar to a cup of Kraft Mayonnaise (it won't work with Hellmans/Best Foods) and setting it in the fridge overnight. We'll be trying that soon!

Come and join the Family Picnic!

Come and join the Family Picnic!

While there are Carnivals galore, and other events designed to help people promote political, food, business and personal blogs, so far there’s not been one that collects blog entries relating to the wide variety of family issues.

So I thought I’d start one at my other blog, the DesertLight Journal.

When I was growing up, Sunday was always Family day, so that’s the day it’ll appear. It’ll work the same as the Carnivals – send a recent blog entry by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time Saturday to picnic-at-desertlightjournal-dot-com

Please submit in this format:
Title of your Blog:
URL of your Blog:
Title of your post:
URL linking to that post:
Trackback URL, if any:
Description of the post:

The entry should be about any issue that impacts the family. This can be anything such as: marriage, divorce, parenting, domestic violence, education, etc. Essays from a personal point of view on these topics are also welcome. Please keep in mind this is not a contest! It’s a way for bloggers to share their ideas with readers outside their usual readership.

I’ll start the first one, but I’ll be looking for hosts as well! You can volunteer to host at the same address.

Let’s shoot for next Sunday, January 9, and we’ll see how it flies!

Carnival of the Recipes #19

Hey, kids!

The Recipe Carnival has come to Yuma AZ!

Come take a look!

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Cheese Ball Recipe   
   
Here's my entry for the next COTR!

http://noteitposts.com/index.php?p=987

Thanks!

Dana
http://www.noteitposts.com
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Pumpkin Cookies   

http://freshasadaisy.us/index.php?p=210

If you have any questions, just shoot me an email.  Thanks.

Angela

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As with so many of the old fashioned recipes, the ingredients are few and easily what you have on hand.

Egg Custard Pie - from BeeBee

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My Mom requested these during her visit.  I know they are easy and anyone could figure out how to make them, but just in case, here you go!

Chicken Fingers

http://procheinamy.blog-city.com/read/969804.htm

Have a Merry Christmas!!!!

Thanks! Amy
http://procheinamy.blog-city.com
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Beef & Barley stew...
http://kinskouch.virtualsushi.us/archives/000638.html

Kin
http://kinskouch.virtualsushi.us/

Come take a seat on the Kouch

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Here is the recipe for Grandma's Apple Dumplin's
http://www.roadwarriorsurvival.com/archives/000637.php
With as crazy as everything is right now, I figured I better get it up there early or I'll miss the deadline all together!  ;-)

Tammi
http://roadwarriorsurvival.com
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A holiday drink
Out of sheer boredom around the house this morning, I came up with a tasty beverage:

Mountain Dew and Cranberry Juice.
http://gullyborg.typepad.com/weblog_archive/2004/12/a_holiday_drink.html

David V. Gulliver

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My recipe for the Carnival of the Recipes is up: Crab Appetizer.
http://www.findercreations.us/randomthoughts/archives/000600.html
Thanks,
Mary Beth

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Aunt Bill's Brown Candy   

Here's a link to my recipe for one of my family's holiday traditions:

http://gradualdazzle.blogspot.com/2004/12/aunt-bills-brown-candy.html
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This is an unusual drink that they make in Haiti: "Akasan"

http://gradualdazzle.blogspot.com/2004/12/akasan.html
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spicy chicken   
Howdy,

Couldn't remember if you are having a recipe carnival this week. Just in case, here is my recipe.... if not, please use it next week.

http://onehappydogspeaks.blogspot.com/2004/12/spicy-chicken.html

Thanks!
Val
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Pecan and Maple Sweet Potato Pie

http://hwisdom.blogspot.com/2004/12/all-brown-pies-are-not-same-how-to.html

If you use this, I would prefer that you use my nom de guerre, RalphieTB,
and keep me anonymous.

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Here you go!

Recipe - Hot Chocolate Coma
Blogger - El Capitan
Blog - Baboon Pirates
Blog URL - http://baboonpirates.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!  Have a wonderful Xmas!!
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A (Semi-)Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Dinner
http://booklore.blog-city.com/read/972443.htm
B. Durbin

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Carnival Entry From Laughing Wolf   
Hello!

Thank you for hosting this week!  My entry can be found at http://laughingwolf.net/archives/001755.html and is below as well.  Take care, and Merry Christmas!

LW

Carnival Of The Recipes:  Oatmeal

Most Americans have never had real oatmeal.  If all you have ever had were the instant or five-minute kind, then you have never had real oatmeal (same holds true for grits).
The real stuff is flavorful, has some texture, and is very good for you.  It is also easy to fix, and can even cook as you sleep.

First off, find some good non-instant oatmeal.  My personal preference is for Scott Porridge Oats or Mornflake, which can be found in shops around the country.  Second,sit back and relax.  Cooking good oatmeal is like penetrating enemy airspace:  take it low and slow.

I follow the directions on the package in terms of quantities, but cook it as low and as long as circumstances allow.  Alton Brown of Good Eats suggests using a
crockpot and doing it overnight, which if you are cooking for more than one is not a bad idea.  The longer it cooks, the better it will taste and the more of the fiber gets into play – or so they say.  I can and will vouch for the former part.

My other suggestions are:  1.  Don’t add salt until almost ready to serve;  2.  For
richness, put in a small amount of real butter;  3.  For really rich taste, use milk as part of the liquid;  4.  For really true richness, put cream on top as you serve; and,  5.  Add some good cinnamon to it right before serving.

To be honest, I usually just eat it out of the pan with cinnamon and a small pinch of kosher salt.  It is quite tasty, hot, and filling.  Not a bad way to start a cold winter’s day.

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My submission to Carnival of the Recipes is
"Recipes past, present, and to come"

http://www.theglitteringeye.com/archives/000569.html

I've included Mrs. Beeton's Christmas Pudding recipe, a Christmas Eve tradition of our own, and a link with some notions of what the future has to hold.

Please do not have a Merry Christmas.  The original meaning of "merry" is active.  Instead have a restful, blessed Christmas.

To you and yours.

Dave Schuler
The Glittering Eye
http://www.theglitteringeye.com
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Beth Donovan
Here is my recipe for the week - Grandmother's Rock Cookies
http://www.thedonovan.com/beth/archives/cat_recipe_carnival.html#003319

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My recipe for this week (Armenian Bulgur Pilaf) can be found at:
http://caltechgirlsworld.blogspot.com/2004/12/recipe-of-week.html

Thanks,
Caltechgirl
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If you are looking for a quick last minute dish to serve with those
gingerbread pancakes on Christmas Day here is an easy one.

http://www.blogoram.com/000963.php#000963

punctilious
blogoram.com

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Jicama Pickles   
Or maybe Picama Jickles

http://triticale.mu.nu/archives/060702.php

Triticale

... and that's it! I'll submit my modernized plum pudding recipe next week after we've tried it out, if it's as good as we hope!

T.W.Schuett

Have a Happy HoHo!!!

Today is Plum Pudding Day!

I'm going to modernize a recipe for the old favorite, just in time to let it sit and mingle in the fridge for a while before the Big Day.

Will let you all know how it comes out!

The Carnival of the Recipes is Coming!

I'm hosting the Carnival here this week.  Please send your recipes to

recipe-dot-carnival-at-gmail.com  by 11:59 PM Pacific Time Thursday

Remember this is Food Basics, so don't think your recipe needs to be complex, or haute cuisine. If you like it, chances are somebody else will too!

Are you prepared for your leftovers?

One thing that pretty much always goes along with a big holiday meal is leftovers. It's a good idea to plan what you're going to do with them before you have them. This way you can avoid the overload of eating the same thing for too many days in a row.

You can take several items from the leftovers and make your own frozen dinners, for example, or make a casserole and freeze it right away for later use. A lot of people look forward to the turkey sandwiches the day after Christmas, but what about saving some turkey for New Year's Eve hors doevres?

The trick is in having the extra ingredients you might need to complete your leftover recipes. If you've planned for the leftovers, and included the extra noodles, or whatever you might need in your shopping for the holiday meal, it's a lot easier to put these things together and have them tucked away, out of sight, well before anyone is sick of thinking about leftovers!