Food for Thought: 10 New Uses for Vodka

Make yourself a cocktail and read more about how vodka can be used for everything from treating poision ivy to making your hair shine.

The Daily Green's Vodka Uses

I know what you are thinking - really? Vodka? Yep.

As The Daily Green points out, "it is widely available, effective and less toxic than many of the chemical alternatives you might use for these tasks."

I'm sold!

Food for Thought: Designer Ice

Designer Ice. That is right kids. Don't laugh. Okay…well I kind of did. But before you choke on a cube, read the following article in Macleans.

A good mixologist will win you over on the argument of how pertinent a good ice cube is, as a chef will place value on his or her ingredients. Apparently everything from their esthetics to how they cool down a drink and effect the taste.
We have put emphasis on so many details in our foodie culture, and what was once laughed and scoffed as it de rigueur today.

One Vancouver bar manager made it a prerequisite that he have a Kold-Draft ice cube machine installed. Apparently this is like the Ferrari of icemakers and creates perfect ice morsels that enhance your cocktail like no other. If you don't want to order the machine, Iceculture, an Ontario company makes ice "balls" using a "100 percent pure water with a reverse-osmosis filtration system and ultraviolet light to kill any bacteria".
Serious stuff.
They cost $1.15 each and are approximately the size of a billiard ball.
Don't want to pay the hefty price tag in our current economic climate? You can spend a day creating your own by twice boiling some distilled water which apparently removes gaseous bubbles (not good bubbles). This is what the bar manager at Lumiere and DB Bistro Moderne does for special occasions.

Maybe one day we will all demand designer ice.
Think it that is hilariously preposterous? Remember there was a time when bottled water was thought to be a ridiculous fad that would never catch on.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/04/30/%e2%80%98the-best-thing-you-never-taste%e2%80%99/#more-3097

Food for Thought: Artisan

Artisan granola, artisan crackers, artisan chocolate and now artisan LETTUCE???? Really????

There is a new fascination with the word "artisan" but a very unclear definition. To some it implies quality while others argue its smaller portions at a higher cost.

The word itself is not product regulated but should it be?

This article from USA today gives us the lowdown on this growing trend and whether it should be an item on your grocery list.

http://www.usaweekend.com/06_issues/060326/060326artisan_food.html