I spend about thirty hours per week in my kitchen. I love trying out new recipes. I own an extensive cookbook collection and refer to it as often as possible. There is this looming problem I have with fried chicken, no matter what, I can't seem to get that crispy golden look. My breading always breaks off, and looks okay but not as appetizing as it should be. Can anybody help? Any suggestions would be highly appreciated. Thanks!

This is a delicious drink concoction I created with the input of a very good friend of mine. It's not overly sweet, and its perfect for the winter season. It tastes like sweet cream vanilla and resembles eggnog.

Milk & Honey

- 2.5 oz of vanilla infused vodka
- 2 oz of half and half
- 2 oz (add more for more sweetness) of warm maple syrup
- maraschino cherry (for garnish)
- cinnamon or powdered chocolate

Instructions

Fill a rocks glass to the rim with ice. Add vanilla vodka, warm maple syrup and half and half. Shake vigorously. (should be very frothy, like cappuccino) Garnish with a maraschino cherry and gently sprinkle cinnamon or powdered chocolate on top. Voila! Enjoy.
Perfect for the novice drinker.

My friend, Sophy, gave me this wonderful recipe for tea. It would be an ideal tea to sip around Valentine's Day, but the hopeless romantic in me believes that everyday should be like Valentine's Day. Its an all natural tea that warms the tummy and since it also contains an aphrodisiac quality, it brings you closer to your mate. Its like eating a plate of fresh oysters and a glass of champagne to wash it down with. :)

Love Tea

4 cups of purified water
1 tspn. of honey
1 tspn of cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon of freshly minced ginger
1 apple sliced, cored
1 lemon cut in wedges
1 teaspoon of lemon juice
2 teaspoons of brown sugar
hint of vanilla, like 1/2 teaspoon

Let the flavors marry together by simmering on low heat. This tea should have a spicy flavor. Add more ginger if you'd like an even more spicy, bold tea.

My holiday spirit is soaring and I can hardly wait to start celebrating. I want to plan a holiday brunch for some friends and family. I felt that it would be a unique twist to getting together, rather than the traditional dinner party. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what I should serve to give it more of a brunch "feel"? I already know that the menu will definitely include some Mimosa and Cappuccino :)

Green tea is considered to be one of the world's most powerful antioxidants. There are people I know whom swear by its potency, and drink it daily. Yet, the few times I've tried it, I felt sick to my stomach. I even threw up once within minutes of drinking the stuff. Now I just stick to raspberry zinger, or black tea. What the heck is it about green tea that causes this reaction? :- /

The other day I read about the existence of certain restaurants in NYC that blindfold you or have zero lighting so you can experience the sense of taste without any visual distraction. Is that a rumor? If you know of any that do exist, can you shed some light as to their location? I think it would be wonderful to try it. Thank you so much!

A close friend of mine has decided to take the plunge and become a meat eater after ten steady years of vegetarianism (is there such a word?). He believes that life is too short to deprive oneself. I agree with him completely, up to a certain extent, but also suggested that the transition should be gradual. But no, he's ready for a rare T- Bone right now! LOL! How would his body react to such a change? How could his stomach be able to handle all this meaty shock so suddenly?

Food has the most amazing ability to awaken my senses... touch, smell, sight, sound and most notably, the tastebuds.
I love the way butter melts when slathered on a warm baguette. The sound of chicken as it crackles in the deep fryer. Or a seared Salmon filet on a bed of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, topped with a generous helping goat cheese...... Ooh, I can go on forever. It gives life, and brings joy. Food can be compared to a sexy man or woman.... Don't you agree? It may sound crazy, but food is sexy.

I am in my late twenties and in good shape, but I have recently developed an allergy towards peanuts, and all types of nuts in general. The sad thing is that I love nuts and I can't understand why I am now allergic to them. My face and throat swells when I eat them, and I get this insane ear and throat itch that causes me to scratch my throat internally that creates that obnoxious sound. (you what it sounds like :))

The silly reality is that since I can no longer enjoy them,( unless I am willing to suffer the consequences) I have become more curious about their history. I want to know why they cause allergic reactions in some people but not in others?

What is the main component that causes the negative reaction in certain individuals like myself? Why am I more prone to it than the average person?

My holiday spirit is soaring and I can hardly wait to start celebrating. I want to plan a holiday brunch for some friends and family. I felt that it would be a unique twist to getting together, rather than the... More