Eat This Word: Absinthe

absinthe

 

WHAT? Louche libation. A distilled, mildly anise-flavored spirit infused with herbs, absinthe was mythologized by countless late 19th- and early 20th-century writers and artists—Degas, Van Gogh, Wilde, and Hemingway among them. Often called "the green fairy," absinthe came to be considered as dangerous as it was popular and was banned in the United States and several European countries by 1915.

 

Described at the time by a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture as "one of the worst enemies of man," the seriously strong spirit, which is made with wormwood, a plant with purported hallucinogenic properties, was blamed for several high-profile cases of violence (including Van Gogh's ear-cutting incident).

 

These days absinthe's mind-altering effects have been widely disproven. In 2004 the U.S. ban was lifted, and absinthe moved off the black market and onto the shelves. The liquor, which has an alcohol content of up to 75%, is traditionally served in a glass topped... Read more >

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Valentine's Day Recipe: Chocolate Budino with Candied Hazelnuts and Grapefruit

Recipe for Chocolate Budino with Candied Hazelnuts and Grapefruit, adpated by the James Beard Foundation

 

Not a fan of cramped tables and half-baked prix fixe menus on Valentine's Day? We don't blame you, especially if you're game to make this elegant Italian pudding from Bob Truitt, who oversees the dessert program at Marea and other restaurants in Michael White's Altamarea Group. The budino alone is wonderful, but accessorizing it with the Campari-scented grapefruit peel and toasted, sugar-slicked hazelnuts makes it worthy of a white tablecloth.

 

Get the recipe here.

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On the Menu: Week of February 10

wine glasses at the James Beard House

 

Here's what's coming up at the James Beard House:

 

Sunday, February 10, 4:00

Valentine's Tea

Here at the Beard Foundation, we have a number of annual traditions. One of the most beloved is our Valentine’s Day tea, for which we enlist a group of all-star chefs and pastry chefs to prepare a harmonious selection of sweets and savories.

 

Tuesday, February 12, 6:30 P.M.

Mardi Gras Decadence

We’ve rounded up a team of New York chefs to bring you an indulgent taste of Mardi Gras. Join us for this spirited walk-around party featuring delicious bites and festive cocktails.

 

Thursday, February 14, 7:00

Valent... Read more >

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Beard to Table: James Peterson's Meat Loaf

James Peterson's recipe for meat loaf

 

In this new series, we'll be taking a closer look at some of our favorite recipes from JBF Award winners as well as from Beard himself. To start, we turned to a beloved cold-weather staple: meat loaf.

 

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A well-made meat loaf is a dinnertime workhorse. It's comforting, it's savory, it can be dipped in ketchup: what's not to love? But if you haven't yet seen the meat loaf light (perhaps the memories of the too-dry, or too-moist, or too-chunky ones of your childhood still linger), get ready to be convinced. James Peterson's bar-setting recipe for the classic dish, from his JBF Award–winning cookbook Meat: A Kitchen Education, is the one that's going to make you a believer.

 

Peterson's meat loaf recipe distinguishes itself in a few key ways:

 

1) It's intensely flavor... Read more >

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Awards Watch: Emeril Lagasse to Receive 2013 Humanitarian of the Year Award

The James Beard Foundation has named Emeril Lagasse as the recipient of its 2013 Humanitarian of the Year Award

 

The James Beard Foundation has named Emeril Lagasse as the recipient of its 2013 Humanitarian of the Year Award. In 2002 Lagasse founded the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations and educational initiatives that create new opportunities for children, especially for those from disadvantaged circumstances. His charity work is focused within the communities where his restaurants operate, tailoring its efforts to each location. The Foundation's accomplishments range from the creation of fresh foods cafeterias to establishing culinary learning centers.

 

Lagasse will accept the award at the James Beard Awards ceremony on Monday, May 6.

 ... Read more >

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