Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Classic Artichokes à la Barigoule (French Braised Artichokes With White Wine)
Publix Hilariously and Stupidly Censors ‘Summa Cum Laude’ on Graduation Cake
With commencement season in full swing, graduates all across the country are earning well-deserved diplomas, and even more well-deserved cake. (I mean what’s the point of finishing school if we don’t get some dessert out of it?) But when honor student Jacob Koscinski received his cake at a graduation celebration, he was a bit more than surprised at its message.
According to a report in the Washington Post, Jacob’s mother, Cara Koscinski, ordered the cake from Publix’s online system and requested the icing read, “Congrats Jacob! Summa Cum Laude Class of 2018.”
But the supermarket chain was weary of one specific “c” letter word and flagged it in its system. In Latin, cum is the preposition “with,” as in summa cum laude, “with the highest distinction;” a common academic honor bestowed on top students. However, the algorithm flagged it, unable to detect the word’s meaning in that context, deeming it profane.
Cara had a feeling that might happen, but she had a back-up plan. In the “special instructions box” listed on the website, she explicitly stated the meaning of the phrase, including a link to the term’s history. She assumed all would go well. She assumed wrong.
In place of “cum,” three hyphens appeared on the cake, reading “Summa ––– Laude.”
Come the big day, Cara’s husband picked up the cake for the party and, wanting to trust in humanity’s basic reading comprehension skills, neither of them checked it before dessert time. Cue major familial embarrassment as the graduate was presented with censored supermarket sheet cake. As a result, grandma even learned a new vocab word.
You can read her entire Facebook post about the incident below:
While Publix did eventually refund the Koscinskis, the entire ordeal is humiliating and just flat out ridiculous. We’ve seen our fair share of cake fails over the years but this one, er, really takes the cake!
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A Comprehensive Guide to Barbecue Sauces Across the Country
Summer is right around the corner. Heck, depending on the day, it might already feel like summer near you. And you know what that means? It’s barbecue season! You ever think about the word “barbecue?” It’s a crazy word because it has so many applications. It refers to a cooking process, the implement used to cook, a meal, a gathering, and a condiment. Holy smokes! Maybe it would just be easier to talk about what barbecue isn’t! Anyway, I’m going to be narrowing down the subject of this piece to the condiment variation of barbecue—barbecue sauce.
You know that scene in “Wedding Crashers” where Jeremy (Vince Vaughn) talks about his love for maple syrup? When it comes to condiments, I feel about barbecue sauce the way Jeremy feels about syrup. You can pretty much put it on anything—sandwiches, salads, even pizza (hello, barbecue chicken pizza)!
There’s probably no better item to put barbecue sauce on than authentic, slow-cooked barbecue. That being said, grilled meat is a close second. As an aside, barbecued meat is not the same as grilled meat. Barbecued meat is cooked over indirect heat over the course of several hours. Grilled meat, on the other hand, is cooked over direct heat for a matter of minutes. Nevertheless, whether it’s the smoky flavor of the ‘cue or the flame-kissed flavor of the grilled variety, barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with both.
Like the method, and the varied meat types and preparations, the condiment has regional influence. That’s why some sauces are thick, whereas others are watery; why some sauce is red, while others are more yellow; or why some are sweet, and others are spicy. This is another reason why barbecue sauce is so wonderful—its diversity. With all due respect to Heinz and Hunt’s, ketchup is, well, ketchup. Not so with barbecue sauce! As a result, you can have a completely different gastronomic experience, sometimes within the same meal, simply by using a different regional sauce.
As we approach Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, and the opening of cook-out season, I’d suggest kicking your meal up a notch by including a few types of sauce for the enjoyment of your guests. And if you really want to impress, try making some at home. Here are several regionally inspired ideas:
When the average American who resides in a place outside of any of the regions specified by this article thinks of barbecue sauce, there’s a solid chance they’re thinking of the stuff made famous in Kansas City. It’s sweet, tomatoey, and fairly thick. Overall, it’s the stuff that put barbecue sauce on the map. Get the recipe.
Compared to the K.C. stuff, the St. Louis sauce is going to be a bit thinner. Still sweet and tomatoey, it’s going to have a little more tanginess. And compared to some of the other types of sauces on the list, it’s going to minimize smokiness. If you’re not a fan of how thick Kansas City sauce can be, St. Louis sauce isn’t a bad move. Get the recipe.
To say there’s one sauce typical of Texas is nuts. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that goes for the diversification of barbecue sauce as well. But, a few things that Texas sauces have in common are that they are on the spicier side, they’re on the smokier side, and they’re on the thinner (consistency) side (at least compared to K.C. sauce). There are some purists in Texas who don’t care to use sauce at all, but the reality is sauce is good, and Texans know it. Get the recipe.
This sauce is going to be more “typical” than “atypical,” which is to say it’s going to have some sweetness, and it’s going to feature tomato. On average, it’s going to be a bit thicker and sweeter than the Texas sauce, and a bit spicier and thinner than the Kansas City sauce. If you like St. Louis sauce, but could go for a little more kick, Memphis sauce is your best best. Get the recipe.
Unless you’re from one of these regions, the next three sauces are not likely to come to mind when you conjure up barbecue sauce. More’s the pity! North Carolinians favor a thin, vinegar-based sauce with a little kick. As a result, it’s going to register high on the tangy scale. Get the recipe.
What can I say? The Carolinas just do barbecue sauce differently. Where the North Carolinians favor a watery, vinegary sauce, the South Carolinians prefer a yellow sauce that features mustard. That’s right, I said mustard. If you haven’t tried it, you need to. The mustard and sweet flavors mix exceptionally well to create a tangy treat for your barbecued meat. Someone really should use that as a slogan. Get the recipe.
Take everything you thought you knew about barbecue sauce and throw it out the window. This is the stuff of legend, concocted by barbecue pioneer, Big Bob Gibson. If you’re in the mood for a white mayo-based sauce, this is the one for you. Get the recipe.
Tip: If you are looking to serve sauce, your best bet may actually be to leave it on the side. If you want to apply your sauce to the meat, you likely want to do so in the last few minutes of preparation. Personally, I like to slow-cook the meat, then brush with sauce, and finish on the grill or in the broiler for about 10 minutes.
As you start planning your summer gatherings, whether you call them barbecues or cookouts, make sure you have an ample supply of barbecue sauce. To impress your guests, make a homemade batch yourself. To really blow them away, make an assorted variety. They’ll thank you and probably ask for your recipes!
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What Is the Difference Between Being a Vegan and a Vegetarian?
Vegans and vegetarians both take a lot of heat from carnivores for not eating meat, but despite equal levels of derision they may experience, there are some crucial difference between the two groups.
In terms of dietary restrictions, neither group eats meat, poultry, or fish. However, vegans take things a step further than vegetarians and exclude all products derived from animals from their diet. This includes all dairy products, eggs, and honey.
If you’re concerned about protein intakes on vegan and vegetarian diets, rest-assured that proteins from plant-based products are just as abundant and effective as their meat-based counterparts. Chia seeds, quinoa, lentils, and leafy greens are all amazing sources of the nutrient (and they come without risk of clogged arteries). As long as nutritional requirements are met, both vegan and vegetarian diets offer an array of health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease.
In terms of meat replacements, there’s a vast spectrum of options that are a far cry from tofu (Not that there’s anything wrong with tofu!). Seitan, a wheat gluten-based food, is an amazing substitute, as is tempeh, a fermented soy-based food that’s less processed than tofu. Or you can splurge for a new high-tech Beyond Burger for a “fake meat that bleeds” option, which is perfect for a junk food-obsessed veg-head.
If you’re looking to make the plunge to a meatless lifestyle, be it vegetarian or vegan, the following recipes could be of delicious use along the way.
Teriyaki Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry
This stir-fry is hearty, healthy, and filling. It’s a quick and easy no-brainer loaded with lots of veggies. Get our Teriyaki Tofu and Veggie Stir-Fry recipe.
Pad Thai
No matter what your diet entails, this classic Thai dish is perfect. It’s also incredibly adaptable; sub tofu for meat or eggs and you have a winner. Get our Pad Thai recipe.
Seitan Piccata
Let garlic, onions and lemon enhance the taste of seitan with this veg-friendly take on a classic piccata sauce. Get our recipe for Seitan Piccata.
Cajun-Spiced Tempeh Po’ Boys
A classic New Orleans sandwich made with a vegan twist. What’s not to love? Get our recipe for Cajun-Spiced Tempeh Po’ Boys.
Red Bell Peppers Stuffed with Seitan, Roasted Tomatoes, and Rice
With this recipe, you can fit an entire meal into a pepper. The sweetness of the bell pepper also complements the savory, cumin spice blend quite nicely. Get our recipe for Red Bell Peppers Stuffed with Seitan, Roasted Tomatoes, and Rice.
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9 Crowd-Pleasing Desserts for Your Memorial Day Party
When it comes to warm weather desserts, there are a few very key considerations:
1. You don’t want something that’s going to get gooey or wilt in some way—it can be surprisingly warm on Memorial Day weekend!
2. You want something that’s easily portable, so fancy things that are perishable, delicate or have elaborate toppings are probably out of the question, too.
3. All that, and it’s got to be delicious and eye-catching, too — right?!
Continue reading "9 Crowd-Pleasing Desserts for Your Memorial Day Party" »
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