Here's what's cooking around town today...
Well that's one way to get people to stop eating French fries - put drugs in them. You know how studies have been indicating that French fries and potato chips contain a POSSIBLY harmful chemical called acrylamide? And that we're being told to avoid, or at least eat less, fried foods? How would you feel if Health Canada approved the addition of a cancer-fighting drug to these same food products to offset the POTENTIAL risks? Because if it causes cancer in rats then certainly it would be wise to protect humans from it, no? Because the risks from unnecessary drugs can't possibly outweight the risks of a few potatoes. Can it? W. T. F????? [National Post]
Toronto-based Sienna Foods is recalling some brands of salami over potential listeria contamination. [Globe and Mail]
More studies, more cancer - and a really sound reason why herbal supplements and Chinese herbs need to be tested before being used by the public. [National Post]
The trend for office Christmas parties this year is to ship the staff off to work in a soup kitchen... you know, to "give back". And while we obviously have no objection to people helping out their communities through local charities, what it means for business owners is a cheap out on both the regular year-end party and the "team-building exercises" (shoot me now!) that normally cost big bucks, instead of an actual party to reward employees for their hard work. [Globe and Mail]
Okay, this one I can't be cynical about... individuals have been posting to Craigslist, offering free Christmas dinner fixin's to families in need. Awesome. [Globe and Mail]
I'm not a fan of traditional cheesecake, but this savoury version looks pretty cool. [Homemakers.com: Dana McCauley's food blog]
Forget cookbooks and aprons, the best gift for a true food-lover would be a unique tasting menu experience. [Recipes For Trouble]
Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor... a mainstream publication going against the status quo and pointing out that milk really isn't an ideal food? Hallelujah! [Globe and Mail]
Yup, it's true... hot food trend for 2010... macarons. [Jennifer's Blog]
A lot of people gripe about the re-sellers at farmers' markets (people who sell imported stuff and let it pass for local), but if you're looking to buy stuff cheap, hitting St. Lawrence at the end of the day on Saturday is an easy way to buy produce on a budget because it will all be marked down. [Well Preserved]
And in Food For Thought - when booze is cheaper than water, how Farmville distorts life on a farm and when fast food inspires self-loathing. [Save Your Fork]
I realized at my brother's place in Ottawa last weekend that the macarons trend had hit critical mass when I sampled some beautiful, delicate and delicious ones from...wait for it...Costco. Frozen and defrosted and imported from France.