Two interesting pieces came on my radar this weekend. I’m not about to give up meat entirely, but it has become less and less of my diet of late, and after my birthday early next month, I’m probably going to end up cutting it out almost entirely for a couple of months while I work [...]

I make a damn fine pie, but my crusts have always been a bit shit. Now I’ve got a new recipe in the wings, courtesy of Cooks Illustrated, which while untested seems brilliantly obvious: add some booze.
The trick to this pie crust is the inclusion of vodka. Eighty-proof vodka, which is 60 percent water and [...]

I like what Serious Eats‘ Ed Levine has to say about losing weight this year. Rigorous, boring systems never work; changing the way you appreciate food certainly does. Most of what he outlines are the very same things that helped me lose and keep off 45 pounds last year. (And will hopefully help me shed [...]

Seriously, Wasabi Peas have to be the worst “snack food” ever made. I had heard of them before, hell I even had one or two a few years back, but the after reading Big Daddy Drew’s Thursday Afternoon NFL Dick Joke Jamboroo last week, I was inspired to try these as a legitimate snack food. [...]

There is never too much bacon in the world. I’m just surprised a man actually prefers to be referred to as Mr. Baconpants. That could be taken so many different ways.
Many of his bacon items he discusses has been mentioned here before, but there is no harm in a refresher.
Bacon Lovers Gift Guide [Mr. BaconPants]

I have a confession: “fancy” restaurants scare the shit out of me. I never feel like I fit in, I’m terrified I’ll order something stupid, and I’m cheap. One place at a time I’m getting over it—it’s a shame to live in such a great food town and not go out more—but I doubt I’ll [...]

I appreciate the verve and passion with which this Texan informs the Jimmy Dean sausage company about his feelings about their new smaller, 12-ounce packages. I also like that in Texas, Jimmy Dean sausage goes great with a T-bone steak.

From David Lebovitz:
3. Use shallots. Lots and lots of shallots.
In France, almost everyone uses shallots. But in America, you have to kneel down under the shelves at the produce aisle and fish out those little bags covered with red plastic netting to grab one.
Oh, the humiliation!
I never understood the sheer brilliance of shallots until now. [...]

A new species of wild pig previously unknown to science has been discovered in the Brazilian jungle.
The large creature grows to a length of more than four feet and is almost twice as heavy as its nearest relative. … Named the ‘giant peccary’, the creature was unknown until the skins and bones of animals killed [...]

Kettle Foods, the people who make Kettle Chips, has a limited-edition five pack of chips available for order as part of their “People’s Choice IV: Fire and Spice” campaign. Order the chips for $15, sample each, then cast your vote for your favorite on their site. Presumably they’ll mass produce the top-rated chip.
• Wicked Hot [...]

I’m sure the quality is nothing to write home about, but this 41-piece kitchen set is only $20 and has everything you need to kick-start your kitchen. The only thing it doesn’t include, tellingly, is a knife sharpener.
Catalog Page [Boscovs.com via Dealnews]