Well this is just peachy. If you’re an artisan ice cream maker using fresh ingredients like – oh the horrors! – fresh strawberries in Illinois, you’re going to get slapped with a cease and desist order by the health department. But if you’re willing to use irradiated strawberries (tasteless) or processed strawberry syrup, go right [...]

Tags: dairy license, health department, health food, ice cream, local, Nice Cream, regulations
Filed under: food, idiocy

Yes, I know, again with the time lapse between updates, but I’ve got a good one to start off June. It’s cookies! Everyone loves cookies, right? I’ve been playing with lavender for the past month or so, which is one of those perfect springtime flavors. Yes, lavender is most likely to evoke memories of Grandma’s [...]

Tags: baking, chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, cooking, dairy-free, lavender, non-dairy, pastries
Filed under: chocolate, cooking, food, food porn, recipes, snacks

I went on something of a cooking bender this weekend, which might have something to do with the fact that spring is in the air and the Farmer’s Markets are starting to reappear in the city. My produce share from Edible Alchemy this week was overflowing with delicious goodies and since I’ve got a busy [...]

Tags: experiments, fresh produce, hazelnuts, nutella, quiche
Filed under: chocolate, cooking, food, hobbies, recipes

Come Saturday afternoon, some 2000+ Chicago bacon enthusiasts (including yours truly) will descend upon the University of Illinois-Chicago Pavillion to spend three hours wandering a smokey, salty, porktastic wonderland, featuring bacon-themed dishes by 50 of Chicago’s best restaurants, a bacon booze bar and exhibition hall of purveyors of all things bacon. I’m beyond excited (and [...]

Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food, food porn, hobbies, press, restaurant

Check it out – I was interviewed by the Bacon Du Jour blog about my entry for the Chicago Baconfest cook-off. Thanks, Bacon Du Jour! The blog is running interviews of all six contestants, so it’s definitely been interesting getting a peek into the minds of my competitors. I’d be lying if I said I [...]

Tags: bacon chocolate, blog, Chicago Baconfest, cook-off, interview
Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food

Just in case you haven’t been paying attention, I kind of have a thing for bacon. I also love cooking. So naturally, I threw my hat into the ring for this year’s Baconfest Chicago’s Amateur Cooking Contest (sponsored by Nueske’s Bacon). On the line: 2 free tickets and the chance to compete for bragging rights [...]

Tags: bacon, Baconfest Chicago 2011, cake, chili pepper, chocolate, contest, dessert, flourless, recipe, spice, torte
Filed under: bacon, Chicago, chocolate, cooking, festivals, food, food porn, recipes, teaching

Look at this! Prix Fixe, the new Lincoln Sq. restaurant that I wrote about a few weeks back, has included a link to my review on their PRESS page. I’m listed along with reviews from Time Out, NBC5 Chicago Food Blog, and the Trib food blog! To the good folks at Prix Fixe, thank you! [...]

Tags: blog, chicago review, Lincoln Sqaure, press, Prix Fixe, restaurant review
Filed under: cafe, Chicago, food, local spot, press, restaurant

If it’s not apparent by now, I’m obsessed with cooking. It’s not for nothing that negotiations often take place over food because few things generate a sense of contentment and congeniality more than a good meal. I love how the preparation and enjoyment of food brings people together and creates connections where previously there may [...]

Tags: ancho, candy, Chicago, chili, chipotle, chocolate, dessert, Edible Alchemy, education, ganache, handmade, learning, local food, non-dairy, non-soy, nuts, seminar, series, spicy, teaching, treats, truffle rolling, truffles, workshop
Filed under: Chicago, chocolate, cooking, food, hobbies, local spot, recipes, snacks, teaching

My red-headed partner-in-crime, Tippy, joined me for dinner at this hidden gem, but if our meal was anything to judge by, Prix Fixe is not going to stay hidden for long. It was only the restaurant’s third night of service, but you wouldn’t know it from the stellar quality of service and the delectable offerings that arrived at our table.

Tags: dietary needs, fine dining, local food, local spot, Prix Fixe
Filed under: cafe, Chicago, cooking, food, local spot, restaurant

Ok, so there were slight problems with packages leaking bacon fat and ruining toasters, but if you ask me, I think they gave up too easily. The last time they tried this, it was 1964. Now it’s 2010 – we can make this bacon crispier, tastier, and less likely to set your kitchen appliances on [...]

Tags: bacon, instant food, snack, toaster
Filed under: bacon, food, food porn