Serious Eats
This Week's Tasty 10
According to our handy site-metering utility, the top 10 most delicious items across the Serious Eats family of sites this week were ...
1. Served: Why Tipping Makes Everyone Uncomfortable
"Why is tipping such a touchy subject? Last week I shared a story about asking a group who had left a measly tip if everything was OK. It was the first and only time I have approached diners about a tip during my two years waiting tables. They told me they had made a mistake and left more cash."
2. Banning Fast Food Near Schools? Your Take?
"So, as I was listening to the news this morning, they had a story about a NYC councilman who has proposed banning fast food near schools: story here Personally, I think it's crazy, but was interested in your take. Are you good with the idea of banning fast food near schools?" [from Talk]
3. Have Pizza-Making Questions?
"I figure heck, I'm no expert (and don't listen to anyone who says that they are..) but I've been doing it at home and in the restaurant long enough that I can probably answer most questions y'all might have. Feel free to fire away." [from Talk]
4. Domino's Launches Line of Bread Bowl Pastas
"Carbophobes, stop reading. After a few months of testing the markets in Southern California, Domino’s has just rolled out its Bread Bowl Pastas nationwide—'So good,' the tagline goes, 'you’ll devour the bowl.'"
5. Food Network's New Offerings
Just ahead of upfronts, the Food Network has sent around a press release touting its new offerings for prime time and daytime. Some are just subsequent seasons of already familiar shows (Next Iron Chef, Next Food Network Star), while others are brand new: Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin, Chefs vs. City, Worst Cooks in America among them.
6. What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
"I still remember the day I first discovered the harmonious union of Nutella and tortilla chips—a dorm room invention if ever there was one."
7. Grocery Ninja: Kumquats Are Grown-Up 'Mega Warheads'
"Remember Mega Warheads or Super Lemon—those insanely tart, hard candies that made your eyes squinch and your lips pucker and your head go, "Oh my! Oh my!" and then "Ahhh..." when the intense sour finally gave way to sugary-sweet insides? I remembered them this weekend, when the boyfriend brought home a box of kumquats—tiny, pixie citruses about the size of my thumb and cute as all get out."
8. Behind the Scenes Look at Smith and Wollensky's Prime Rib
"I prefer my beef extra rare so I was surprised when Chavez informed me that the more well-done end cuts are actually the most popular."
9. The Secret Ingredient: Preserved Lemons
"To me, preserved lemons are the premier secret ingredient in North African cuisine" [from Recipes]
10. What Do You Miss? (To: Expats and Others!)
"I'm an expat living in the U.S. While I enjoy the wide variety of food that I can get here, I definitely miss food that I grew up eating. So, I want to ask you guys: What food do you miss most that you can't get where you live now? For me, real sushi, fresh seafood and Japanese cakes." [from Talk]