Ashland Creates Health and Wellness Unit

Ashland is taking aim at the fast-growing global nutraceuticals market by combining its nutrition business with the ingredients processing expertise of recently acquired Pharmachem. The combined unit, which will be called Health and Wellness, will continue to report up through Ashland’s Specialty Ingredients segment.

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Cricket Bread Is the Latest Reason You Should Be Eating Insects

Eviva Collagen Elixir

Eviva brings nourishing collagen – known for its positive contributions to supporting healthy skin, hair, joints and bones – to consumers in a single-serve ready-to-drink refreshing beverage for optimal convenience and portability, all under a clean non-GMO and gluten-free label.

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The 7 Best Food Scenes in Classic Holiday Movies with Recipes to Match

You simply can’t do the holidays without a few favorite holiday films and you definitely can’t do holidays without mountains of food. Naturally the two intersect, often in hilarious, heartfelt, and cringeworthy on-screen moments. The best holiday movies capture the drama of it all; be it familial skirmishes that erupt when stuck around the table with our nearest, but not necessarily dearest of kin and unlimited booze. On the flip side, food can be THE thing that brings it all back together: A shared experience or gaffe that breaks the tension and unearths the spirit of the day.

No matter what, these funny/sad/crazy/warm moments around the holiday table resonate for one simple reason. We’ve all SOOO been there, you guys! We dusted off our Blockbuster cards to compile the quintessential food moments from holiday films throughout the years. What’s more, we paired them with perfect recipes, so you can create your own happy or horrifying holiday food memories this year.

Check out our favorites below and tell us yours in the comments!

“The Family Stone”: Strata Spill

No holiday movie captures the searing tension of bringing a new love interest home for Christmas quite like the 2005 dramedy, “The Family Stone”. In it, Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Meredith, foibles her way through meeting, and subsequently insulting, every member of the Stones (her boyfriend’s family). In her defense, they’re not the most affable group (looking at you Rachel McAdams and your drag queen levels of shade), and pearl-clasping tension quickly ensues.

We watch, horrified and through fingers, as Meredith caps a run of epic blunders by dumping two trays of uncooked strata on herself and the kitchen floor. Diane Keaton (Meredith’s boyfriend’s mother) and McAdams (his sister) come tumbling in with mouths agape. Having nothing left to lose, she takes the opening to air her grievances with the family (loudly) as they all slide across the floor through the gloppy mixture of beaten eggs and cream. Bad as it seems, Meredith and the Stones finally come to an understanding and the conflicts begin to resolve. Communication, people!

Strata is the perfect “wow em’” breakfast for a big group. Use some leftover ham for this holiday version, but for the love of god, handle with care!

Chowhound

Get our Ham, Cheese, and Mushrom Strata recipe.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”: Aunt Katherine’s Dry Turkey (Jerky)

Who can forget world champion knucklehead, Clark Griswold, after screwing up every single other thing, cutting into the turkey, prepared by Uncle Eddie’s wife Katherine, and watching the air simultaneously poof out of it (and the room). “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” goes down as one of the all-time greats, but as the disgruntled group gnaws on that audibly dry turkey meat, we remind ourselves of the importance of a good brine and meticulous attention to time/weight when cooking those big birds.

Chowhound

Get our Easy Brined Turkey with Creamed Gravy recipe.

Chowhound

If it’s really dry turkey you’re after, do it right like with our Spicy Turkey Jerky recipe.

“Home Alone/Home Alone 2”: Cheese Pizza

Let’s face facts. Kevin Arnold is kind of a jerk. Sure he’s a child being stalked by two adult criminals but seems to have more sophisticated methods of inflicting pain and torture than the KGB. Perhaps he learned all this from Buzz, who tortures Kevin at any given moment; like in the opening scene of the first movie. All Kevin wants is a slice of classic cheese pizza but that godawful Buzz, played by perennial 90’s bully Devin Ratray, taunts the younger, smaller Kevin with the very last bites, even offering to “barf” some back up for Kevin. Really, Buzz?

Kevin does eventually get his cheese pizza and no time more lavishly than in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York”, where it’s served, as any pizza should, in a stretch limo with white glove service, washed down with soda, cold and bubbling, en champagne flute.

Kevin would surely approve of this four-cheese pizza:

I Am a Food Blog

Get the recipe.

“Elf”: All Maple Syrup Everything!

Buddy does a lot of strange things over the course of the 2003 instant Christmas classic, “Elf”. His North Pole upbringing makes for some questionable practices but none more so than an insistence on putting maple syrup on, well, everything.

While we admit that the sweet stuff is the best part of many things, like pancakes and Vermont, pouring it directly over spaghetti is perhaps a bridge too far. We thought this pumpkin maple gnocchi with brown butter and sage would be a better choice for the serious home chef. Cinnamon and nutmeg provide a surprising warmth and depth to the hearty fall dish.

Spry Living

Get the recipe.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”: Holiday Roast Beast

The Grinch surely needs no introduction. A bad dude, dreamt up by the iconic child author, Dr. Seuss, who schemes to ruin Christmas for the innocent people of Whoville. He and a highly coerced dog steal everything from the adorable townsfolk, right down to the last can of Who Hash and the Roast Beast! A true monster.

The good people of Whoville troll him hard, though, by living their best life, despite his nefarious acts, and eventually he comes to his senses. Upon returning all the loot, a newly woke Grinch even volunteers to carve the roast beast, as tiny Cindy Lou Who watches in delight!

Scientopia

Chowhound

Get our Slow-Roasted Prime Rib au Jus recipe.

“A Christmas Story”: Chinese Turkey (a.k.a Duck)

There are moments throughout the course of the beloved “A Christmas Story” where we truly wonder if the Parkers will pull it together. The father paints a portrait of 1950s military-style parenting, while the rest of the family tiptoes about in an effort to avoid his wrath. Cut to Christmas morning when things seem like they can’t get worse, neighborhood dogs burst through the kitchen doors and devour the glorious turkey that old man Parker has been fawning over. With no stores open, a true doomsday scenario unfolds.

Their turkey loss quickly becomes our LOL gain, as the Parkers pile into an otherwise empty Chinese restaurant. Waiters dutifully (and terribly) sing Christmas carols to the chuckling family. A whole roasted duck appears (or “Chinese Turkey” as Ralphie refers to it) but the head staring up at them is cause for concern. With one ferocious clever hack, the head is gone and all erupt into a mix of horror and laughter.

See clip below or catch the movie in full on TBS all damn Christmas day long!!

Chowhound

Get our Marmalade-Glazed Roast Duck recipe.

And finally…

“The Polar Express”: Hot Chocolate Song

“Here we’ve only got one rule. Never ever let it cool!” Just try to watch this toe-tapping scene from 2004’s magical “The Polar Express” without smiling. In this clip, an animated Tom Hanks leads a troupe of high-kicking waiters as they deliver song, dance, and steaming cups of hot chocolate to a train car of bafflingly unamused children.

Chowhound

Don’t skimp on the hot stuff this holiday; get our Real Deal Hot Chocolate recipe.

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Premium Brands Acquires Buddy's Kitchen, Raybern Foods

The total purchase price for the combined transactions is, subject to customary closing adjustments, $156.5 million (approximately CDN$200 million), consisting of $153.0 million in cash and $3.5 million in Premium Brands common shares.

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Evolving Consumer Consumption Patterns

The key shifts are how consumers shop, define convenience, use restaurants and foodservice outlets, and personalize health and wellness, according to NPD’s recently released Eating Patterns in America report.

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Pressure Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

You guys, I get so much joy out of converting slow cooker recipes into brand spanking new versions for the electric pressure cooker.

There are so many advantages to doing this! Everything cooks much faster, so there’s no need to plan ahead—yet you can also leave the food on the “Keep Warm” setting if you don’t get to it right away. Total flexibility.

Continue reading "Pressure Cooker Guinness Beef Stew" »

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Eating Your Christmas Tree: How to Cook with Pine Needles

The spirit of the Christmas holiday season can be reflected in the life of the Christmas tree; anticipation slowly builds searching for the tree with just the right shape and amount of lush, the season culminates for a singular moment where the tree is lit up and gifts are passed between loved ones, and it ends outright with the once auspicious tree in the gutter and a trip to the mall for returns. But what if we could savor the season just a little longer and give the Christmas tree one last purpose?

The pine needles from coniferous trees (i.e. the assortment of trees that make up the traditional Christmas tree—spruce, pine or fir) can be used for cooking to brighten up a meal, impart a piney, citrusy taste, and give off an earthy, woody aroma.

The easiest and most traditional way to use pine needles is to make pine needle tea. Simply take a handful of young pine needles (you can identify them by their bright color and slightly softer, more tender feel), rinse them in warm water, cut them into small pieces—chopping off any brown ends, as needed—and place them in a cup before pouring boiling hot water over it. Allow time to steep before drinking. Get the full recipe below, but just make sure your tree doesn’t have any pesticides or herbicides before using the needles.

Gaia Health Blog

Another popular way to use needles is by making an oil or spice mix to incorporate into your cooking. The former can be coated on top of a grilled fish and the latter can be sprinkled into rice as you cook it, or rubbed into any meats that you’re roasting. The two will make for a nice green aromatic and flavor. Check out how to make pine needle oil and seasoning, here and here, respectively.

The piney smell from the Christmas tree can continue well after the holidays if you decide to go the smoking route. The next time you plan to barbeque chicken, heat up the gas grill to medium-high, spread the coals out and add pine boughs. If the pine boughs catch fire, cover the grill and let the flames die out before adding the chicken. Once the chicken is placed, turn, baste, and marinade it until brown and crisp, which should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Next, place the chicken on a platter and garnish with pine boughs. The full pine-smoked chicken recipe is linked here.

The Splendid Table

Using your surroundings and immediate outdoors for cooking will have you following in the footsteps of Chef Damon Baehrel, a renowned, farmer, forager, chef, restaurateur, cheesemaker, and gardener, just to name a few. Chef Damon Baehrel sources his ingredients for his restaurant, self-titled Damon Baehrel, from his 12 acres of land in Coxsackie, NY. And among his many specialties, are his pine needle cured meats.

The Christmas and the holiday season are way too fleeting, so why not make the most of it. The Christmas tree, after all, took years to grow and traveled to far away to only hold center stage for a month or so before hitting the curb. The least we can do is give it one last hurrah.

For more recipes using pine needles, check out the below this Fine Feller Cocktail Recipe and this recipe for White Pine and Rosemary Ice Cream.

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Ropa Vieja

Ropa vieja, a dish famous in Cuba and popular throughout the Latin Caribbean, features thin strands of shredded beef in a rich and flavorful sauce of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and spices. This recipe updates the classic technique for improved efficiency and flavor. Get Recipe!

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Mariner Organic Saltine Crackers

Venus recently received authority from the Non-GMO Project to display its seal of approval on retail packages.

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Flow Alkaline Spring Water

Flow's intends for its offerings to innovate in the market by merging the increasing popularity of alkaline water and flavors into a unique beverage package.

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Cold Weather Ice Cream Sandwiches to Warm You Up

It’s a given that the colder weather of winter calls for warming food and drinks, but who says ice cream has to be off the menu? It’s far too delicious to shun until summer, and it can be imbued with wonderful seasonal flavors from frosty peppermint to spicy ginger. Plus, it’s a perfect partner to holiday cakes and pies, not to mention the endless tins of cookies being baked in December.

Ice cream sandwiches are an especially fantastic way to combine complementary winter flavors—and are basically two desserts in one, which is always nice. They have that all-important holiday benefit of being make-ahead; assemble and stash in the freezer, and simply take them out to come to room temperature before you serve (unless you can’t bear to sacrifice slightly gooey, warm cookies, in which case they’re a little more work last-minute). Either way, kids and adults alike will be delighted. Here are some pointers for making them from scratch:

The Ice Cream

Whether you buy it from the store or make your own, there’s a world of inventive ice cream (and gelato, and sorbet, and frozen yogurt) flavors out there, and if you do make your own, there are multiple techniques to work with.

Machine Method

An ice cream maker can seem like an equally worthwhile and dangerous investment. If you have one, crafting your own frozen goodies is easy, at least once you master making custard. The most important part of that process is tempering your egg-sugar mixture with the hot cream so the eggs don’t curdle, because while bacon ice cream may be a thing, scrambled egg ice cream…not so much. You can also find recipes for custard-free ice cream using a machine, like this one, but generally, custard-based concoctions are richer, if that’s what you’re after. If not, experiment with other ice cream bases, like ricotta cheese (which makes a fabulous cannoli-inspired ice cream with dark chocolate, pistachios, and candied orange peel, for instance). And if you’re dairy-free, check out these recipes for starters. In any case, your ice cream will basically take care of itself once it’s in a machine.

No-Churn Versions

If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still create your own frosty desserts, in one of several ways:

1. If you’re looking to get a little workout while you make your ice cream (and willing to make a bit of a mess), you can follow the bag method, where you put the ice cream base in a small, well-sealed Ziploc bag, put that inside of a larger Ziploc bag filled with rock or kosher salt and ice, then shake or squeeze vigorously for 5 to 10 minutes. Obviously, this makes a fairly small amount of ice cream, but that might be just what you need! And if you need it immediately, you can eat it straight from the bag. Sad, or brilliant?

2. Speaking of brilliant, food scientist Harold McGee has an alternative bag method that’s less physically demanding but requires more advance planning, outlined here (bonus: the recipe includes instructions for making a flawless and worry-free custard if you have a sous vide setup, or are interested in trying a DIY version).

3. Another easy method that requires a little babysitting but no special equipment or forethought has you freeze the ice cream in a shallow baking dish, stirring it every 30 minutes for 3 to 4 hours until it reaches the right consistency.

4. You can opt for a frozen treat that’s similar to ice cream but made from whipped cream and condensed milk, which you can freeze without having to stir at all (after the initial mixing). This method is also readily adapted to vegan ingredients. The texture is a little lighter and fluffier, more airy frozen mousse than traditional ice cream, but it’s definitely worth a try.

5. And for something a bit more middle ground, you can lighten up store-bought ice cream with whipped cream (and booze, if you like), as in these particularly festive gingerbread men eggnog ice cream sandwiches:

Soften ’em Up

No matter how you make it (or buy it), you’ll want to let your ice cream or other frozen substance soften a little before putting it in the sandwiches—and again before serving them if you’re not assembling them right before eating, because they should be easy to bite through, not make you feel like the star in The Nutcracker Suite. Conversely, if the ice cream gets too runny and melty before you’re done assembling all the sandwiches, pop everything back in the freezer for a few minutes. Better to wait a bit than have all your ice cream ooze out on the first chomp. And instead of trying to smush down a big scoop of ice cream that would be perfect in a sundae, it may be easier to use a smaller kitchen spoon to carve out flatter pieces that will sit better between two flat-bottomed cookies.

The Cookies

The cookie part of the ice cream sandwich equation is a bit more obvious, and you no doubt have your favorite recipes close at hand, but here are some general tips to optimize your experience:

• Use a melon baller or cookie scoop if you desire perfectly portioned and perfectly round cookies, which are useful for making evenly sized sandwiches. If you want ’em as large and jolly as Santa himself, use your ice cream scoop to measure out the dough. (Or, for slice and bake cookies, roll the dough log shorter and fatter for bigger end results.)
• Chill your dough before baking so your cookies don’t spread out too much. It’s worth the wait.
• If you’ll be pre-assembling your ice cream sandwiches, you can err on the side of underbaking your cookies so they retain a little more goo and chew even once they exit the freezer. However, don’t shy away from intentionally crispy cookies if that’s what you like; they work just as well.
• Any cookie mix-ins (chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts) will get harder in the freezer, so if you’re assembling your sandwiches ahead of time, you might want to grate or extra-finely chop these ingredients before adding them to your cookie dough; any ice cream mix-ins should generally be similarly sized, because nobody wants dental work for Christmas.

Sweet Alternatives

You also don’t have to limit yourself to cookies! Thick slices of sweet bread or pound cake, babka, even mini pancakes, can all make great ice cream sandwich bookends. Rice Krispie Treats, waffles, stroopwafels, donuts, French toast…truly, if you can dream it, you can do it, at least when it comes to dessert.

Assembly

If you’re not assembling your sandwiches ahead of time, you can use the cookies for cradling your softened ice cream either at room temperature or gently warmed, though obviously not so hot they’ll completely melt the filling before you can finish them. If you pre-assemble your ice cream sandwiches, be sure to take them out of the freezer between 10 and 20 minutes before you’re ready to eat them so they’re not rock-hard. The flavors will be better after a little warming up too.

With those basics in mind, think about your favorite winter flavors and let your imagination run wild. Or check out these specific recipe pairings to inspire your own holiday-appropriate combinations that’ll make you feel all aglow.

Sugar Cookies + No-Churn Cranberry Ice Cream

Chowhound

The View From Great Island

Because sugar cookies are so neutral, they’re perfect for sandwiching all sorts of ice cream flavors, from caramel, cardamom, and brown butter pecan, to Mexican chocolate, spiced orange, and cinnamon, just to name a few. You could go with decorated sugar cookies for extra festiveness, but these crackly-soft rounds are perhaps better suited to sandwiches, and this vibrant no-churn cranberry ice cream would add lovely visual and flavor contrast to the simple, sweet cookies. Get our Crackly Sugar Cookies recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Chocolate Chip Cookies + Chestnut Ice Cream

Sugar Spun Run

Playing with Flour

Chocolate chip cookies are a holiday classic and year-round favorite, not to mention a quintessential ice cream sandwich choice. Why not pair them with a more unexpected flavor that’s not only delicious but has a cheeky Christmas carol association? If you actually want to roast your own chestnuts, try this ice cream (no open fire required), but the recipe featured simply calls for a can of sweetened vanilla chestnut cream, or crème de marrons. You could also fold some diced roasted chestnuts into the ice cream as it begins to freeze for extra dimension. Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies + Cookie Butter Ice Cream

Sally’s Baking Addiction

Brown Eyed Baker

Whether you like to leave the raisins out of your oatmeal cookies or not, their chewy texture and buttery brown sugar sweetness with a hint of cinnamon would pair exceptionally well with the rich sugary spice of cookie butter transformed into a smooth ice cream. Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Fruitcake Cookies + Eggnog Ice Cream

Living Sweet Moments

Wanderlust Kitchen

Two holiday classics combined! If you’re frightened of fruitcake, consider using orange-cranberry shortbread instead, but these cookies are much lighter than the much-maligned loaf. It’s up to you whether or not to use bourbon, rum, or brandy in the eggnog ice cream, but don’t add more than a splash or it won’t freeze properly. If that’s not enough of a nip, you could always soak the dried fruit in the cookies in booze too (but give it time to drain and dry before mixing it into the dough). Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Chocolate Sablés + Peppermint Ice Cream

Pretty Simple Sweet

The Little Epicurean

If you’re a fan of the tingly tango of mint and chocolate, this is a perfect pairing. The intense chocolate cookies are more tender and crumbly than chewy, and the peppermint ice cream is a pale, pretty pink from the crushed candy canes. If you really like to be walloped with mint flavor, you could always add a little peppermint extract as well. Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Chewy Chocolate Ginger Molasses Cookies + Maple Bourbon Ice Cream with Roasted Pears

Half Baked Harvest

Grandbaby Cakes

If gingerbread men are a bit too pedestrian, try these spicy, chewy, chocolate-studded cookies with deep molasses notes. They’d be fantastic sandwiching salted caramel ice cream, or you could double down and do a dark chocolate gingerbread ice cream filling, but a slightly more unusual choice would be maple-bourbon. The recipe instructions have you serve the maple-bourbon ice cream with roasted pears and a gingersnap crumble, but why not chop up the roasted fruit and fold it into the ice cream itself, then stick it between gingery cookies instead of using them as a garnish? Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Hot Chocolate Cookies + Marshmallow Ice Cream

Kirbie Cravings

Julie Blanner

‘Tis the season for decadent mugs of hot chocolate, so why not get your fix in cookie form too? These contain a little bit of straight-up cocoa mix for authentic flavor, but you can find other recipes that eschew it if you prefer. Either way, it’s only natural to broil a marshmallow on top, and to sandwich a couple together with rich, creamy marshmallow ice cream that happens to be as white and fluffy as snow. Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Coconut Macaroons + Spice Roasted Pineapple Ice Cream

Once Upon a Chef

Delicious Everyday

Christmas coconut cakes are perennially popular, and chewy coconut macaroons often show up on cookie swap plates. Try sandwiching two together with a spiced pineapple ice cream (which has a hint of tequila too) for a tropical flavor that also features familiar winter hints of cinnamon and cloves.  Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies + Rich Chocolate Ice Cream

anniesnomblog on Genius Kitchen

Chowhound

Soft, homey snickerdoodles’ cinnamon and sugar flavors are a great match with another classic: rich chocolate ice cream. Pure comfort, and simply scrumptious. Get the cookie recipe. Get our Rich Chocolate Ice Cream recipe.

Nutella-Stuffed Chocolate Cookies + Roasted Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream with Bourbon and Chocolate

Sweetest Menu

The Bojon Gourmet

You know those boxes of cherry cordials people gift around the holidays? This pairing evokes those fruit-filled chocolates, but is far more appealing (no judgment if you actually like those things, of course). The chocolate cookies are chewy with a lush, creamy center, and the ice cream contains gorgeous roasted cherries steeped in bourbon, plus more dark chocolate bits that melt in your mouth. You could also try swapping out the bourbon for Amaretto. Get the cookie recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Red Velvet Crackle Cookies + Lemon Curd Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Chowhound

Biscuits & Booze

Red velvet cake is a festively colored favorite that’s just as good in cookie form. Pairing it with a sweet yet puckery lemon curd and goat cheese ice cream echoes the classic tangy cream cheese frosting, but in a nicely unexpected way. And if you’re still missing summer, this one might take you back there for a moment. Get our Red Velvet Crackle Cookies recipe. Get the ice cream recipe.

Header image courtesy of A Beautiful Plate.

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