Bomb Foods

You might be familiar with 'Daily Candy' (http://www.dailycandy.com/chicago) - a free daily e-mail newsletter and website, is the insider’s guide to what’s hot, new, and undiscovered — from fashion and style to gadgets and travel. However you probably haven't heard of 'The Daily Bomb' - same concept as 'Daily Candy' but all about food. You will receive wacky articles on munchies food and bomb recipes just name a few of what to expect. Or you can go to their website (http://www.bombfood.com)and search by category: holiday, Asian, breakfast and so many more.

Enjoy!

Cultural Diversity Through Cooking

While doing an event where Art Smith (may know as Oprah's personal chef or executive chef at Chicago's Table Fifty-two) was the chef for the evening he mentioned an organization called Common Threads. This organization helps bridge cultural boundaries and strengthens our global family by teaching children about their similarities and differences in the warm comfort of the kitchen: Through the simple process of preparing and sharing a nutritious meal, children who participate in these programs learn to connect with their bodies, their neighbors, and their world in bite-sized lessons.

Students learn basic kitchen skills, cooking techniques, and the importance of fresh ingredients as they prepare healthy ethnic cuisine together. Chef Instructors incorporate nutrition tips and cultural information into lessons that teach our students how to connect with their bodies, their neighbors, and their world in a healthy way.

Throughout the year, volunteers help fulfill Common Threads' mission to educate children on the importance of nutrition and physical well-being and to foster an appreciation of cultural diversity through cooking. They accept volunteers 18 years and older of all races, abilities, and religions.

If you are interested in volunteering or participating in various events throughout the year go to http://www.commonthreads.org

CHICAGO The Musical

There’s never been a better time to experience CHICAGO, Broadway’s razzle-dazzle smash. This triumphant hit musical is the recipient of six Tony Awards®, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations. A sensational tale of sin, corruption and all that jazz. Starring John O'Hurley of "Seinfeld" and "Dancing With The Stars" as Billy Flynn!

Head to the Ford Center/Oriental Theatre to see CHICAGO before time runs out. The show only runs in Chicago from February 25, 2009 - March 08, 2009. The show has everything you could want: knockout dancing, an edge-of-your-seat story and one showstopper after another. If you loved the Academy Award®-winning film, nothing beats the live show, and if you are already intimately acquainted with the musical, experience that sizzle again. CHICAGO always delivers.

Can order tickets online at Ticketmaster.com or call Broadway in Chicago box office (312) 977-1710.

Looking for a pre-theatre restaurant for dinner try one of the following that are within walking distance...

1. Petterino's - 150 N. Dearborn St. 312-422-0150
2. Atwood Cafe - 1 W. Washington St. 312-368-1900
3. Trattoria No. 10 - 10 N. Dearborn St. 312-984-1718
4. Walnut Room (inside Macy's) - 111 N. State St., 7th Floor 312-781-3125

Mardi Gras 2009

Mardi Gras is music, parades, picnics, floats, excitement ... and one big holiday in New Orleans! Everyone is wearing purple, green, and gold; and adorned with long beads caught from the beautiful floats. They sit on the ground throwing balls, playing music, having a picnic, and watching the crowds walk by between parades.

Not all of us are able to make the trip to New Orleans but that doesn't mean we still can't celebrate! Here are some traditions for you to share with family and friends tomorrow...

1) The baking of a special cake in honor of the three kings called "A King's Cake." Inside every cake is a tiny baby (generally plastic now, but sometimes this baby might be made of porcelain or even gold). The tradition of having King Cake Parties has evolved through time, and the person who receives the slice of cake with the baby is asked to continue the festivities by hosting the next King Cake party. If you aren't a baker and would prefer to purchase A King Cake call upon Alliance Bakery & Cafe (773-278-0366, located in the Bucktown neighborhood http://www.alliance-bakery.com/)

2)Symbolism of Colors gave meaning to the colors: purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power. Head to any local party store to grab streamers, beaded necklaces, eye masks and whatever fun party favors to hand out to your guests. My favorite party store is Doolin's (1-800-350-4870, http://www.doolins.com)

3) The drink known to most tourists in New Orleans is the hurricane. During celebrations (and celebrations seem to be every night in the New Orleans French quarter), tourists carry their "to go" hurricane drinks with them. In New Orleans, you can carry your drink out of a bar and down the street, even into another bar. Hurricanes are also the cocktail of choice during Mardi Gras, when thousands come to see the parade and party. For a recipe to make a home click on the following link http://www.drinksmixer.com/cat/364

If you prefer someone else to do all the planning check out the following bars that are hosting their own Mardi Gras parties that you are invited too!

The Fifty/50 - 2047 W. Division St. - East Village / Ukrainian Village
February 24 : 7 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Specials include half-price appetizers, $6 Dragon Bleu martinis, $5 Dragon Bleu vodka cocktails, $4 ice luge shots and $4 Stella drafts.

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club - 3700 N. Halsted St. - Boystown
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.
A Fat Tuesday masquerade ball features half-price martinis, $5.50 Cruzan Rum cocktails, a New Orleans-style menu and performances by Kit Kat Diva Traci Ross.

Midtown Kitchen + Bar - 203 N. LaSalle St. - Chicago
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
A Fat Tuesday benefit for homeless women features appetizers, wine, hurricane cocktails, soda and DJ sets. Raffle prizes and silent auction items include two round-trip airline tickets, spa services, wine tastings and more.

Blue Bayou - 3734 N. Southport Ave. - Lakeview
February 26 : 10 p.m.
Red Hot Annie hosts a Mardi Gras party featuring sexy dance performances atop the bar, plus Cajun food and drink specials.

Timothy O'Toole's - 622 N. Fairbanks Ct. - Gold Coast
February 24 : 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Get beads and other giveaways while grazing on a complimentary Mardi Gras buffet of gumbo, etouffee, po' boy sandwiches, cornbread, fried okra and hush puppies.

Harry Caray's Tavern Wrigleyville - 3551 N. Sheffield Ave. - Wrigleyville
February 24 : 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
A special package includes hurricanes and domestic drafts and a Cajun buffet of dishes such as blackened chicken jambalaya, gumbo and cornmeal-crusted catfish.

Wine Trend - Break the Rules

How often have you heard the food and wine pairing rule “red wine with steak and white wine with fish”? And how often have you struggled in the local wine gallery trying to figure out which wine would go best with your evening’s meal? Well, labor no more. Food and wine pairing rules are meant to be broken.

The true foodies and wine geeks know that there is no longer any reason to remain bound by the archaic food and wine pairing rules.With all of the international influence and flavors that we see on any restaurant menu, all of those rules go out the door.

Instead of choosing wines based solely on color, look for balance.Any well-balanced dish will sing with a well-balanced wine. If you are dining out, take advantage of your restaurant’s sommelier for the best wine suggestions for your meal. Likewise, if you are dining in, get suggestions for your meal from your local wine expert. You can also visit WineAnswers.com for delectable food and wine pairings.

Here is the only rule that applies: Drink what you like! Wine and food are meant to be enjoyed together.

Oscar Food and Wine Pairings

This year we're assuming that everyone is looking for an excuse to make a fun night out of staying home – so PICK your choice for the BEST PICTURE and review our suggestions for food and wine on how to create an experience that will make watching fun.

And if you're getting together with a group and want to be really ambitious, try having a potluck with each of the pairings and vote on which you think are the BEST!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Getting older (or younger as the case may be) isn't a bad thing when you a contemplating an aged Bordeaux to go with your burger and fries. Wines of Bordeaux are some of our favorites for this pairing. Consider these vintages that are actually better buys right now 2001, 2003, 1999. If you're impatient, like Benjamin, try one from St. Emilion for a best price bet. And while the 2005s are still a little young for my palate, there's a lot to choose from in every price range. Menu suggestion: Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Frost Nixon
Around the time of this interview Richard Sanford was hard at work in the Santa Ynez Valley – more specifically the now famous 'Sideways Trail' – with his Sanford Winery and put this area on the map. Richard has moved on from that operation and many new wanna be's are trying to make their mark in this area but his new Alma Rosa Winery has been winning accolades - try the Chardonnay at $18 or one of the fab Pinot Noirs. And if you want to feel like David Frost, drink some Veuve Clicquot or other 'retro' champagne or whip up a 70s cocktail like a Mai Tai.
Menu suggestion: Start with Smoked Salmon on Toast and Serve with Derby Cobb Salad

Slumdog Millionaire
We all think this is the shoe-in for Best Picture and is of our absolute favorites of the season. Whether we'll rely on our favorite Indian for take-out – or attempt to make some at home – remains to be seen. And while the Indian wine industry is really starting to gain momentum, I don't think that most of us will find any selections in our local store so we're going with some Indian beers or some of the fabulous new 2007 Sauvignon Blanc selections to "cool the heat".
Menu Suggestions: Tandoori Chicken

Milk
MSNBC predicted that this film had a 1% chance of winning so don't rule it out as the big surprise of the night. Set in the early 70's in San Francisco, this was the time of the birth of the California Food and Wine Movement with folks like Jeremy Tower and Alice Waters emerging on the scene. Our lives wouldn't be the same without them – much the same as the gay movement really wouldn't have come into it's own without Harvey Milk. And while I was still drinking things like Franz Weber May Wine and Mateus in that era, let us not forget that the infamous Judgment of Paris (where CA wines beat out French ones) was taking place putting CA wine officially on the map. Brands like Freemark Abby, Heitz, Chateau Montelena, Chapellet, Silver Oak, Caymus and Beaulieu come to mind as the perfect way to "go back" to those times.

Tasting at Que Syrah on Southort Ave.

Looking for something to do this Friday (February 13th)? RSVP to Que Syrah's upcoming wine and chocolate tasting.A few spots remain for this Friday's Chocolate and Wine tasting! The fun starts at 8 pm and the cost is $20 per person. Don't miss your chance to taste the exquisite chocolate covered coconut brownies, the German and Raspberry truffle cupcakes, the famous Turtle Tort all provided by the fabulous folks over at Sensational Bites and paired up with a host of great wines from around the world! Call to RSVP (773-871-8888).

Que Syrah Fine Wines
3726 N Southport
Chicago, Illinois