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Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?

By Helayne · Comments (4)
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

As you know, I’m Mr. Food’s Senior Writer, which means, as part of the production team that brings you the Mr. Food segment every day, I work on planning our topics and writing the scripts that eventually make it on the air for you to enjoy. Now of course this is a group effort and there is no “I” in team…so I’d like some more feedback…not just from my co-workers, but from all of you! Yes you!!

Million Dollar Pound Cake 03 05 10 RE Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?

One of my favorite "empty nester" recipes for entertaining: Million Dollar Pound Cake!

I get so many differing opinions about what recipes everyone would like Mr. Food to share each day. And as you know, he’s got loads of recipes and ideas – you’ll see thousands of them right here on MrFood.com. Our Mr. Food Test Kitchen is constantly developing more of them… of course, with Mr. Food himself rolling up his sleeves to join them often; and yes even all of us here suggest some of our own family recipes for you to try.

And being an empty nester, just cooking for myself and my husband each day,  I’m really “in” to the recipes for two or recipes that freeze well in portions so I can cook once and have great meals waiting for me, especially if I’ve worked late on taping day.

Meanwhile…back to all of you. Some days I hear rumors that everyone wants healthy foods because they’re on diets or they are watching cholesterol or fiber or sugar… Then I find out…everyone wants rich-tasting desserts! Other days I hear it’s all about comfort foods…especially Amish recipes and it goes on and on… Of course one thing we all have in common has to be budget-friendly recipes…especially in today’s economy.

Oh boy…it’s not easy trying to please millions of taste buds…but try, we do…we really do. Our goal is to offer up a great variety of recipes so that one day the recipe might fit your needs and the next day it might please someone else. But what I’d really like is to get a great conversation going – on Mr. Food’s Facebook page. “Like” it if you haven’t already done so…and start letting us know loud and clear what you like to eat and hope to see us come up with. You won’t be talking to yourself, we will hear you and you will eventually find out that what you’re looking for might already be online or we will work on it and you’ll find it in one of our new cookbooks or on the air. So talk to me…and to thank you doing that, today I want to tell you about a couple of my favorite Mr. Food recipes.

For all you empty nesters like me, if you have a spouse who loves steak…you have to try our skillet Porterhouse for Two Steak! It’s awesome and so easy! Of course, I do cook and bake for my family and friends when they come for a visit…and for dessert – I can’t miss with our Million Dollar Pound Cake – it is the most fool-proof, easy, tip-the-scale-decadent pound cake ever. If you’re on a diet…forget it. If you’re not, you have to try it!

So now that I told you a little about what I like… please write back and share your comments…here on our blog pages and even better on Facebook, so we can get a dialogue going and find out more about all of you, to make our show and our web site even better for you! We really do appreciate everything all of you have to say and just like Mr. Food says, “Together we’ll share the “OOH IT’S SO GOOD!! ®““

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Tell Us: What Are Your Favorite Recipes?
Comments (4)
Categories : Behind the Scenes, Food
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Tasty July 4th Memories

By Helayne · Comments (1)
Friday, July 1st, 2011

My favorite childhood memories of July 4th are about roasting marshmallows on our grill while watching the fireworks dotting the starlit night sky in the distance. Lots of our neighbors would bring their lawn chairs out in front of the garden-style apartment homes that lined our street in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. The grilling wasn’t done out back where I lived….we had a big front porch…no roof over it…and my Dad had a small Japanese hibachi-style grill that he would barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs on. Nothing fancy…no big recipe required, and yes, we would say we were having a “barbecue” and we ate right out there, too!

My mom would make a homemade potato salad that always had hard-cooked eggs in it – just like Mr. Food’s version Homestyle Potato Salad RE Tasty July 4th Memoriesof Homestyle Potato Salad, and my grandmother was famous for her freshly grated homemade coleslaw…and yes, Mr. Food’s Country Coleslaw is a pretty close version to hers. Dad liked the crunchy really tart deli-style pickles you could get from a barrel in the supermarket, so we often had those on hand. Many of the kids on the block would play games in the street – yes, in those days, kids could play outside at night…and be safe. It’s almost a by-gone era…but it’s such a nice summer memory. We’d hold sparklers and twirl them in our hands…and then after eating, we’d toast those big puffy marshmallows over the hot coals on long wooden skewers. It’s amazing they didn’t burn up…but they didn’t!

Popping a hot melty marshmallow in my mouth, with a bit sticking to my lips was as it good as it gets. The excitement of the colorful fireworks and the sound of them blasting in the sky was our version of a really good time. No video games today can compare…I think most folks would agree that the simplicity of enjoying a family gathering to celebrate our nation’s independence beats any high-tech experience.

All these years later, as I spend time with the team here planning our show topics and consulting with Mr. Food and our Smore Brownies RE Tasty July 4th MemoriesTest Kitchen on the perfect July 4th recipes…we’ve sure shared a load of them, and you’ll find loads here on mrfood.com right now. Some of my favorites from years gone by would have to be the simple ones…like Fresh Lemonade and anything with seafood…and whether you make your own S’mores with toasted marshmallows, graham crackers and a candy bar, or take it one step further and bake up our decadent recipe for S’more Brownies, you can’t go wrong!

I have to admit though…no matter how delicious they are…I still miss those days when I could enjoy my parents and grandparents food on a warm summer night, when life was a whole lot less complicated and an entire summer of lazy days and nights lay ahead. Hope you get to spend this all-American holiday weekend with your family and friends enjoying some good food and fireworks, just like my husband and I plan to do. And as we celebrate the holiday, let’s remember and thank all of our troops worldwide and their families who are without them today…so that we can be safe here at home.

Wishing all of you no matter where you are or what you are doing… a very Happy July 4th !

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Categories : Family, July 4th, Parties
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Fun Food Holidays

By Helayne · Comments (1)
Monday, May 23rd, 2011

Some days when I read my e-mails at the office, I can’t believe some of the suggestions I get for show ideas from people all over the country! A few weeks ago, I was “informed” that May 23rd, 2011 is National Taffy Day. Pardon the pun, but as a holiday…this could be a “stretch of the imagination”…yet…why not have some fun with it. I guess someone decided that there would be an annual national celebration of this chewy, sweet candy confection that’s generally sold on boardwalk stands or little shops in seaside communities.

For me, growing up in Brooklyn and going to the beach in Coney Island, enjoying some Saltwater Taffy is definitely a smile-inducing childhood memory. Sticky hands, sticky teeth…melt-in-your mouth yummy. Lots of flavors…yes, I can see why someone would want to declare a day to celebrate this awesome old-fashioned treat!

51 Fun Food Holidays

As to how saltwater taffy got its name? One story is that back in the 19th century, an Atlantic City taffy stand was hit by a huge ocean wave, and its entire stock of taffy was drenched with saltwater. True or not…if you’re doing any traveling in coastal areas this summer, you might find some great saltwater taffy – but if you’re having a staycation? No worries! You can order the original Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy online so you can enjoy your own old-fashioned taffy at home. And to make things really feel like you’ve taken your taste buds to the beach, try our awesome recipe for Seasoned Steamers for your own clambake right in the kitchen. You can have a backyard beach party wherever you live – and make some tasty memories of your own!

And I’ll be sure to let you in on any more fun food holidays…’cause you never know what will show up in my email inbox! So stay tuned!

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Categories : Dessert, Food, Holidays, Kid-Friendly, Travel
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SOBE Thrillist’s BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie

By Helayne · Comments (6)
Tuesday, March 1st, 2011
 
 
 

TYLER FLORENCE SOBE 2011 SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie

What a treat it was to watch Tyler Florence do his thing at the SOBE Wine & Food Festival!

By Helayne Rosenblum, Mr. Food Senior Writer

Even though I’m a native New Yorker, and the Big Apple is a magical city, now that I’ve spent so much of my life in South Florida, I have to say that we have our very own magical places, and one certainly is the section of Miami known worldwide as South Beach (or “SOBE,” to those “in the know”), now a popular center of fashion, night-life, tourism, and great food. Every February, the Food Network sponsors it huge South Beach Wine & Food Festival here.

There are so many star-studded parties during the Festival and, each year, I’ve had a great time attending a few of them. (Although some parties are private, most are open to the public – so if you’re going to be in South Florida next February, you should buy your tickets for favorite food events early, ’cause they sell out fast!) 

This year, I got to mix and mingle with barbecue aficionados at the historic art deco Raleigh Hotel on world-famous Collins Avenue, where Food Network star Tyler Florence was the main draw, along with several other talented chefs, for the highly anticipated Thrillist’s BBQ & The Blues event. It was really exciting to watch Tyler Florence cooking right in front of us! You don’t get to do that often! So what was this evening like?

Well, talk about magic! Right under the stars, in the sand, with live blues music playing, the aromas of beef on the grill were everywhere as folks lined up for a taste of a variety of styles of barbecue dishes that were awesome.

The brisket literally melted in our mouths. It was so tender, no knives were needed. The flavors ranged from Texas-style, Creole, and Asian to down-home southern. Tyler served a tri-tip steak with buttermilk toast and butter pickles along with black-eyed peas and chickweed! Really novel. There was even a Banana Dream Pudding shot. I couldn’t believe I dropped my first one in the sand, as I tried balancing 3 dishes on one plate. (I don’t recommend that!) Yes, I got another one, because I was determined not to miss out on that!

After eating my way through that entire barbecue smorgasbord, I did have another late-night party to attend with more amazing food…and I’ll tell you about that one next! Meanwhile, if you ever have a chance to head to the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, do it, because it really is an experience you won’t forget! I know I won’t.

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px SOBE Thrillists BBQ & The Blues, Hosted by Tyler Florence & John DeLucie
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Categories : Behind the Scenes
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Would You Like Mayonnaise with Those Fries?

By Helayne · Comments (10)
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

SoBe Winning Fries 05 14 09 RE Would You Like Mayonnaise with Those Fries?

You're gonna be hooked once you try these Winning Fries!

By Helayne Rosenblum, Mr. Food Senior Writer

I’m picky about French fries. They’ve got to be really crispy, not soggy. I prefer thick-cut fries and, even though I know it’s not good to overdo it, I like ’em salty.

Okay, I’m particular. Growing up in New York City, I had to take a city bus to school, and that’s how I found the perfect fries. The afternoon bus stop was in front of a restaurant that sold my “dream fries” in a paper container from a take-out window! My girlfriends and I usually splurged at least once a week and shared an afternoon snack of fries with lots of ketchup. I can almost taste them now!

Years later, while in Amsterdam, Holland, I was in heaven when I got a taste of their version of fries, known as frites. They sell them all over in little French fry specialty shacks, in the city and in small villages outside the city where windmills are still in use. It’s a magical memory for me.

The thing that intrigued me about the Dutch fries is that these hot-and- crispy-on-the-outside, perfect-on-the-inside fries are served with a generous dollop of a special, unbelievably creamy mayo that has a slightly different flavor than anything we can buy in a jar here in the U.S. It’s a homemade taste. At first I was skeptical about having fries with mayo but, once I tried them, I was eating frites every chance I got…stopping at little shops up and down the Damrak and in Central Station…everywhere we went. It’s a good thing we didn’t spend more than a few days in Amsterdam before heading to some other equally food-tempting cities. If I kept up my fries-frenzy, I would have had to buy bigger clothes to get home!

Here at home, it’s not the same to have fries with store-bought mayonnaise, so I’m going to savor that tasty memory and try to get back to Amsterdam again, as it’s truly one of my favorite European cities. Luckily, I’ve learned some great tricks to making awesome American-style fries with fun toppings, thanks to recipes our Mr. Food Test Kitchen has come up with, like our Cheesy Burger Fries, and these Winning Fries that were shared with us not long ago. Plus, on a recent Mr. Food show, we shared a twist on fries that are perfect for casual entertaining. Lighter than traditional wings, our Buffalo Potato Wedges are a nice option.  And if that’s not enough for all you potato lovers, check out this site for lots of super potato recipe ideas: http://www.idahopotato.com.

As for the mayonnaise issue, I don’t think I could duplicate that Dutch mayo…I’d rather go back to Holland and enjoy it there.

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Categories : Snacks
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Madagascar, Vanilla…and my Dog!

By Helayne · Comments (5)
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

coton de tulear Madagascar, Vanilla...and my Dog!

From Helayne Rosenblum, Mr. Food Senior Writer

When I was a teenager, I saved my babysitting money and bought a Bichon puppy from a breeder. Unfortunately, my mom was allergic to her, so we had to give her to a family friend. I was heartbroken at the time, and my mom always said to me, “When you get married, you’ll get a dog.”

When I did get married, my husband loved cats and so did our daughter so, for many years, instead of a dog, we had a beautiful orange tabby cat. Finally, four years ago, I decided to treat myself to a puppy for my birthday! While searching online for another Bichon, I found a rare breed of dog that I had to have. I love novelty, and he fit the bill! I had him flown in from across the country. He’s a Coton de Tulear, which means that anyone who asks me what he is responds with, “Huh?”

I discovered that Cotons are the Royal Dog of Madagascar. While I was reading about Cotons, I also did some reading about Madagascar and realized that much of the world’s vanilla comes from there and other islands in the Indian Ocean. It figures that even my dog would have a connection to food, because somehow lots of my life experiences wind up becoming part of the Mr. Food shows I write. So, in honor of my dog who has his roots in Madagascar, I want to share a few Mr. Food recipes that have vanilla in them.

My all-time favorite is none other than a scrumptious but simple Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Love it! Another one I think you’ll like is rich and creamy homemade Vanilla Custard.

And don’t miss our Vanilla Nut Butter. I recently shared great entertaining tips for breakfast and brunch, and this one fits perfectly over pancakes or waffles…give it a try!

I give all these vanilla recipes a thumbs up, and my dog raises his paw for them, too! You know, I bet a lot of you have given your pets sweet names like “Cookie” or “Candy,” so maybe you have some recipes that remind you of your little four-legged friend? If you do, why don’t you visit us on Facebook (Mr_Food) and post a photo and tell us your story! Just like Mr. Food shares his recipes with all of you, our whole team loves your feedback, so please share with us! Meanwhile, every time I add a bit of vanilla to a recipe, I smile because someone really cute is right nearby wagging his tail and making me happy I made him a part of our family!

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Categories : Dessert
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Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips

By Helayne · Comments (5)
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
 
 
 

Spinach Quiche 04 04 03 RE 1 Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips

Mr. Food's homemade quiche is a perfect make-ahead Christmas breakfast recipe!

 

From Helayne Rosenblum, Mr. Food Senior Writer
 
Our family and friends celebrate all the December holidays, including a few extras like birthdays and anniversaries that arrive at this time of year, too. This year, we’ve been invited to our friends’ home for Christmas morning and they’ve asked everyone to bring something along for the breakfast buffet.  

We’re going to have to leave home really early to drive there on Christmas morning, so I need a make-ahead breakfast recipe. I refuse to give in and buy store-bought for Christmas breakfast, so I’ve decided to make one of my favorite bed and breakfast-inspired quiches. I’ve been to quite a few really beautiful B & B’s, many of them along the California coast where, years ago, an innkeeper told me her secret to a custard-like quiche was to always use heavy cream. Let me tell you, her advice was spot on. It never mattered what other ingredients have gone into it…the eggs, the veggies, the ham or bacon…it was that cream that made the difference, plus no low-fat anything. Forget it — not the cheese, nada.  

I’m going to  bake off my “Helayne version” of Quiche Lorraine the day before Christmas. I’ll do the usual “wrap it tightly and store in the fridge routine” and, on Christmas morning, I’ll keep it in an insulated bag for the car ride to our friends’ house. I already checked with them about needing 15 minutes of their oven time to simply reheat the quiche, and they said that would be fine.  

Mr. Food has a bunch of super quiche recipes you can put to good use at this time of year, whether you’re entertaining on Christmas morning or you need a good bring-along. Two of my all-time favorites are his Spinach Quiche and Tomato Basil Quiche.   

Besides the quiche, another easy idea that I like to do at my place whenever I’m making a breakfast for company is to have sliced bananas, strawberries and blueberries on hand – along with confectioners’ sugar. It’s like my garnishing arsenal. All you do is sprinkle them over store-bought or homemade pancakes, French toast or waffles…and people go crazy over them. It makes your breakfast dishes look like something you’d get at a restaurant…and all it is is pieces of colorful fresh fruit and some sugar.  

The most important thing now is not to knock yourself out in the kitchen. Take shortcuts where possible, and always check our Mr. Food recipe search box first. It’s a treasure chest of great-tasting, easy recipes! Enjoy your time with those you love – in the end, that’s all that really matters. I want to wish all of you a happy holiday season, and I look forward to sharing lots more with you in 2011…so stay tuned!

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  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
  • wp socializer sprite mask 16px Christmas Breakfast Recipes and Tips
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Categories : Christmas
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