mizchef

Archive for the ‘Special events’ Category

Fluffernutter

Friday, October 8, is National Fluffernutter Day. Yep, that fluffy marshmallow and peanut butter sandwich you remember from childhood. Marshmallow Fluff was actually invented in 1917 by Archibald Query in his basement; by 1930, it had become a household product. In 1930, New Englanders could tune into a weekly radio program called “Flufferettes,” which featured comedy skits, music, and dramas (click on the link to hear the theme song). Today, it continues to be a supermarket staple and is often used in the American snack favorite Marshmallow Fluff Treats, otherwise known as Rice Crispy Treats.

Reviews

I got a really nice review over at Savvy Vegetarian. Even though she calls me Rinaldi at one point, the reviewer seemed to really have paid attention to the recipes and what I was trying to put out there. So, a big “thank you” to Savvy Vegetarian.

Bake Sales

The place where I work has a bunch of bake sales going on to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), and I going to be put to work making pasta salad for my department’s bake sale. My brain is already at work trying to figure out how I want to approach this.

While we’re on the subject of breast cancer, please help underprivileged women get free breast cancer screenings by clicking the button at the Breast Cancer Site. It’s EASY and FREE, and will take literally 2 seconds.

So, that’s it for this week. Have a great week, and have yourself a nice fluffernutter sandwich.

Peace.

Hi, all. If you’ve joined me here before, you know that I consider it my duty as a foodie and a food writer to experience local cuisine whenever I go anywhere. You know, when in Rome…

This time, I was visiting friends in Alabama, and here’s my foodie report.

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Hi, all. Well, this past Saturday was my cooking demo for Van Duzer Days on Staten Island. First, I want to thank my hosts, the ladies of Bent Pages bookstores, Robin and Katie. They were great and very supportive throughout the afternoon. And they were kind enough to provide me with a hibachi for the occasion.

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Hi, all. This week’s blog is going to be a quickie. It’s Friday night and I suddenly realized, “Oh, I have to blog!” But I can’t expound on the joys of cooking this week.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is my cooking demo on Van Duzer St. on Staten Island for the month-long street fair called Van Duzer Days. I’m going to be whipping up a couple of dishes from my cookbook and serving up samples.

And why does this affect what I’m doing on Friday night? Because when one does a cooking demo (or any kind of cooking anywhere outside of one’s home), there is a lot of preparation to be done. I have to get everything I need ready for tomorrow: Knives, cutting board, apron and towels, utensils, bowls, paper towels, bags, hand sanitizer, etc. And because it’s also a book signing: Books, bookmarks, postcards, etc. And because it’s going to be 1,000 degrees: Chapstick, sunblock, water, etc. Then, tomorrow I have to get all my ingredients together.

People, this is what being a personal chef is all about—bringing everything in creation that you need to cook multiple meals for multiple people. And this is nothing. I’m only cooking two (very simple) dishes on a hibachi. This doesn’t include all the pots, pans, cleaning products, labeling products, and other things that you’ll need during a cooking session. It ain’t easy. It’s a tough business to be in, no matter how much you love to cook.

Anyway, thanks for checking in. Wish me luck and I’ll see you next week. Stay cool—preferrably in a pool or at the beach!

Hi, folks. At long last, my cookbook, What, No Meat? Traditional Italian Cooking the Vegetarian Way, has been published!!  Well, technically, it was already published, but the new edition by Bedazzled Ink is out.

It was a lot of work but it’s finally done. Now comes the task of marketing. It’s not a task I’m fond of, but it’s a necessary evil.

Anyway, if you’re interested in a copy, it’s available from the publisher HERE or at any online (and possibly a few brick-and-mortar) booksellers. Of those, I personally recommend Barnes & Noble, not Amazon (they’re the evil empire).  BUT, if you order from Bedazzled’s bookstore, Book Peddler, you can get 5% off the order. Just put the code NOMEAT in the Redemption Code box at checkout. E-books are 10% off.

Okay, off to celebrate. Have a wonderful week!

Hi, gang. I hear sales of big-screen TVs have gone up recently. Why? Because it’s SUPERBOWL TIME! This Sunday, February 7 is Superbowl Sunday and people all over the country are gearing up with new sets, stocking up their refrigerators and coolers with beer, and planning their munchies spread.

This year, it’s the Indianapolis Colts vs. the New Orleans Saints. And since this is the first time in the team’s history that the Saints are going to the Superbowl, I’m sure many New Orleanians and Louisianans are going to party hardy this weekend.

Now, I won’t claim to know much about football, but if you’re having a Superbowl or tailgate party, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s see what’s on the menu…

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