April Fools with Food

April Fools is a fun and whimsical holiday that encourages you to pull pranks on your friends and family. As you hopefully learned in college, pranks should be funny, but shouldn't cross the line and become destructive. It's a delicate balance sometimes, but it should be clear what's a funny idea and what's criminal.

With that in mind, April Fools Day is this Friday, April 1st. Seriously! It is! Why won't anyone believe us?

In any case, this year we're pulling some culinary pranks with cool dishes that are sure to trick or startle our dinner guests. If we're cooking, why not have some fun with it? Some of these dishes trick the eye and some have fitting names, but all are tasty and fun for Fools everywhere.

To help you assemble the best recipes for April Fools Day, we fired up the FoodPair search engine and found a handful of hilarious recipes from across the Web.

Black and Orange Pasta
The best tasting freak-out we've found uses black pasta and orange peppers.
Ingredients: garlic, olive oil, thyme, red pepper flakes, butternut squash, spaghetti, Kalamata olive, orange bell pepper


Mock Caesar Salad
This crafty Caesar Salad has no oil and no anchovies. Really?
Ingredients: tomato, garlic, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, romaine lettuce, soy sauce, black pepper, Belgian endive

Shrimp Spring Rolls
These savory rolls look the same as the next recipe for dessert rolls!
Ingredients: shrimp, chicken, scallion, ginger, bell pepper, soy sauce, Napa cabbage, bean sprouts, vegetable oil, cornstarch, sweet chili sauce, shiitakes, rice wine vinegar, rice wrappers

Banana and Mango Spring Rolls
Drive 'em wild by pairing dessert rolls with the savory rolls above.
Ingredients: mango, egg, mint, banana, ginger, brown sugar, vegetable oil, chocolate, coconut milk, spring roll wrappers

Mango Blueberry "Fool"
Now you can serve a fool to all the people you fooled.
Ingredients in this recipe: mango, sugar, blueberry, heavy cream, lime juice, lime zest

Berry Mascarpone Fool
This one's straight-up delicious, so just say it's made with meat & bugs as you take a big bite!
Ingredients: mint, cream, lemon juice, sugar, blueberry, mascarpone, mixed berries


Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Cooking with Peanuts

Did you know that March is National Peanut Month? Neither did we, but we thought we'd seize the opportunity to present recipes featuring this versatile ingredient.

Growing up, we learned to love peanuts because they gave us creamy or crunchy peanut butter for our PB&J sandwiches (usually with the crusts cut off). Sometimes we'd have a handful of nuts as a snack. These days, peanuts are featured in Thai sauces and noodle dishes and they're still a welcome bar snack, especially when you get to crush the shell and toss it on the floor.

Peanuts are actually legumes, so they're closer relatives of beans than other nuts. And, if you're not allergic, they're very healthy because they're a great source of protein, niacin, the B-Vitamins and antioxidants. As you may have learned in history class, George Washington Carver came up with over 300 different uses for the peanut (even though he didn't create peanut butter- the Aztecs came up with it a long, long time ago). So, get creative with peanuts and have a blast!

To help you assemble recipes elevating the humble peanut, we fired up the FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.

Whole-Wheat Peanut Butter Waffles
Start the day off right with peanut waffles.
Ingredients: egg, sugar, peanut butter, baking powder, vegetable oil, milk, kosher salt, whole wheat flour, cooking spray


Boiled Peanuts
Peanuts are great for a healthy & delicious snack.
Ingredients: water, kosher salt, raw peanut, smoked paprika

Soba Noodle Salad
This Japanese salad is a great combo of sweet and tangy.
Ingredients: basil, garlic, jalapeno, lime, mango, mint, peanut, sugar, red bell pepper, soba noodles, salt, sesame oil, lime juice, rice vinegar, lime zest

Pad Thai
What's not to love about this delicious Thai classic?
Ingredients: cilantro, lime, shrimp, egg, scallion, shallot, peanut, sugar, bean sprouts, vegetable oil, oyster sauce, red chile pepper, fish sauce, rice noodles

Deluxe Peanut Butter Sandwiches
It's about time to elevate the classic PB&J.
Ingredients in this recipe: banana, peanut butter, orange marmalade, whole wheat bread

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Sundae
Peanuts add crunch and complexity to desserts.
Ingredients: chocolate, cream, peanut, peanut butter, light corn syrup, vanilla ice cream


Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Comfort Food Classics

As Winter becomes Spring we're excited for the great weather and longer days ahead. But, Spring often brings erratic weather- they'll surely be some cold & rainy days among the warm & sunny ones. When cold weather hits, we recommend firing up the stove and cooking some comforting dishes.

Comfort foods are filling, delicious and remind us of simpler times. They focus on basic flavors and themes, often with a cheesy or buttery component alongside something with a little crunch. Also, these dishes are easy to customize with different condiments or flavorings when you want to take something in a new direction. For instance, the Grilled Cheese below benefits from the addition of savory bacon and sweet pears. Meatloaf can absorb Asian flavors (try a Teriyaki Glaze with some Onions) or Creole seasonings with ease.

To help you assemble the best American comfort foods, we fired up the increasingly powerful FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.


Chicken Pot Pie
Pot Pie is delicious, comforting and super-trendy right now.
Ingredients: chicken, egg, butter, carrot, onion, parsley, peas, celery, thyme, salt, all-purpose flour, water, milk, sherry, vegetable shortening

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Bacon & Pear
This grown-up grilled cheese features bacon and pear.
Ingredients: bacon, butter, French bread, Bartlett pear, White Cheddar cheese

Home-style Meatloaf
This crowd-pleaser is simple to make and easily customized.
Ingredients: egg, carrot, brown sugar, salt, tomato sauce, ground beef, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, yellow onion, Dijon mustard, saltine crackers

Southern Fried Chicken
This classic is crispy, savory and a touch spicy.
Ingredients: egg, sugar, salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, milk, chicken thigh, dried thyme, Creole seasoning, chicken drumsticks

Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Don't forget to whip up the most comforting side dish for dinner.
Ingredients in this recipe: butter, cream, salt, black pepper, milk, Yukon Gold potatoes

Old-Fashioned Apple Pie
There's always room for dessert, especially pie a la mode!
Ingredients: almond, egg, apple, butter, cream, sugar, nutmeg, allspice, brown sugar, salt, all-purpose flour, water, vanilla extract, brandy, cinnamon


Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Five Great Dishes for Spring

To mark the beginning of Spring and the arrival of a crop of fresh vegetables, we're happy to present a handful of great dishes highlighting our favorite seasonal ingredients.

During the Spring, the weather gets better and better, the days get longer and nearly everything begins to bloom. While that's not always great for allergies, it's fantastic for people who like to eat and cook. We're looking forward to feasting on artichokes, asparagus, peas, radishes and mushrooms. Though it might seem difficult to handle some of these ingredients, it's not and we made sure to highlight recipes that are delicious and easy to prepare.

To assemble great dishes for Spring, we fired up the increasingly powerful FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.


Artichoke Salad
This light salad is the perfect platform for artichokes.
Ingredients in this recipe: arugula, lemon, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, artichoke, balsamic vinegar, black pepper

Sugar Snap Peas with Mint & Orange
Try this simple yet elegant side dish today.
Ingredients: mint, butter, water, snap peas, orange peel

Open Face Butter & Radish Sandwiches
This is a great recipe for dinner parties or snack time.
Ingredients: butter, radish, baguette, Maldon sea salt

Roasted Asparagus and Wild Mushrooms
Roasted asparagus is complemented by earthy mushrooms.
Ingredients: garlic, olive oil, asparagus, lemon juice, chanterelle mushrooms, morel mushrooms, black pepper, sea salt, cremini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, Italian parsley, oyster mushrooms

Fava Beans with Red Onion and Mint
Another simple & delicious side dish highlighting Spring.
Ingredients: olive oil, mint, red onion, fava beans, sea salt

Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

What's the deal with Angus Beef?

Over the past couple years, Angus Beef has been popping up in menus and grocery stores everywhere. Where did it come from? Based on the marketing, it sounds like Angus equals better beef. But, is that true, is Angus better than the rest?

Angus Beef is usually sold by name, giving it an air of exclusivity, but Black Angus is actually the most popular breed of cattle in the United States with over 300,000 registered animals. Angus Cattle (called Aberdeen Angus in the rest of the world) is a breed of cattle native to Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland. They can be either red or black, but black have become the preferred color. Angus Cattle are also hornless, which gives them a look distinct from other cows.

1. Why are we hearing so much about Angus?

One of the reasons Angus is so popular is because over the past decade it became a favorite of the fast food industry. And, in case you hadn't noticed, the fast food industry does a lot of marketing! McDonald's, Burger King and Hardee's all offer Angus burgers as premium options on their menus. But, it's important to remember that Angus describes the type of cattle, not the quality of the meat.

2. Is Angus worth it?

Basically, Angus is only better if it has a high USDA rating, just like other kinds of beef. In order of quality from highest to lowest, beef can be Prime, Choice, Select, Commercial, Utility or Cutter. So, even if you see "Angus" on the label, you should still check the quality designation.

Where it gets confusing is when you encounter the label "Certified Angus Beef" which is actually a brand started in 1978 by the American Angus Association. Certified Angus Beef must be in the top two-thirds of quality (so Prime or Choice) and have modest marbling. The branding and quality specs for Certified Angus Beef is done by the American Angus Association, so it's not a government designation checked by public inspectors.

The reason Angus has become so popular is because the cattle naturally have more meat than other breeds and have well-distributed marbling of fat in the meat. Besides Angus, it's worth knowing about Wagyu Beef (also called Kobe Beef when it's from Japan). Kobe/Wagyu Beef often has 20-30% marbling in the ribeye cut, whereas USDA Prime meat usually has 6-8% marbling. As a result, Kobe is usually more tender and tasty than regular beef. In Japan, Kobe cattle are things of legend because they're sometimes given beer in their feed (to increase appetite during the summer) and massaged to promote relaxation. American Wagyu cattle aren't usually given those spa treatments, but the extra marbling is there and worth a try.

Well, that's the dish on Angus Beef, so the next time you order an Angus Burger or buy Angus Beef at the market you know what you'll be getting.

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Your St. Paddy's Day Primer

We'll be celebrating St. Patrick's Day on March 17th and thought today was a great day to share our St. Paddy's Day Primer.

At first, all we knew about St. Paddy's Day was that it's a good idea to wear green (dust off that green blazer hiding in the back of the closet!) and that it's a good day to celebrate with Irish Whiskey (like Bushmills and Jameson) and Irish Beer (like Guinness, Murphy's and Smithwick's). We also remember the vibrant image above of the Chicago River dyed green for the Windy City's epic St. Paddy's Day parade.

Originally a Catholic holiday for Saint Patrick, the most popular patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick's Day has become a wildly popular international celebration of Irish culture. So, get ready to wear some shamrocks and anything green you've got!

At FoodPair, we'll be waiting until the work day ends to start sipping on this Irish Coffee, but we couldn't wait that long to present you with a St. Paddy's Day menu fit for a king. Get things started with a seriously green & delicious Green Pea Soup, followed by an Aged Cheddar & Guinness Fondue or Irish Lamb Stew with Soda Bread for sopping up all the broth.

To help you assemble the ideal Irish menu for St. Paddy's Day, we fired up the increasingly powerful FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.


Green Pea Soup with Tarragon & Pea Sprouts
You'll love the vibrant flavors & colors of this springtime soup.
Ingredients in this recipe: olive oil, shallot, yogurt, sprouts, tarragon, vegetable broth, frozen peas

Aged Cheddar and Guinness Fondue
Try this fondue with anything from bread to cocktail franks.
Ingredients: garlic, olive oil, apple, cauliflower, ham, Cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, powdered mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Guinness, baguette, baby carrot, frozen apple juice concentrate

Irish Soda Bread
Soda Bread is an Irish staple that uses baking soda instead of yeast. It's great for dipping into Fondues and Stews!
Ingredients: butter, buttermilk, salt, baking soda, bread flour, cream of tartar

Irish Lamb Stew with a Twist
This stew is enhanced by first browning the meat and then adding everyone's favorite, bacon!
Ingredients: bacon, potato, carrot, onion, turnip, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, lamb shoulder, pearl barley, lamb stock

Pistachio & White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pistachios are naturally green and add nuttiness.
Ingredients: egg, butter, sugar, oats, pistachio, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, baking soda, baking powder, milk, kosher salt, white chocolate chips, dark brown sugar

Chocolate Meringue and Mint Chip Ice Cream Cake
This cake is green, delicious and easy to make!
Ingredients in this recipe: egg, mint chip ice cream, sugar, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, whipping cream, sprinkles

Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Feeling Saucy?

This week we're feeling downright saucy! So, to put that attitude to good use we decided to serve up a post on our favorite sauces.

Often overlooked, sauces are an important part of every meal and can really spice things up. Instead of worrying about making elaborate dinners and desserts, keep things simple with grilled chicken or fish plus a side of veggies and then dress it to the nines with a great sauce.

Sauces come in handy for every course. Start things off with salad dressings and dips for veggies. Follow that up with entree sauces like Bearnaise, Hollandaise, Chimichurri or BBQ. Then, finish it all off with dessert sauces like Caramel, Chocolate or both!

To help you assemble an array of versatile sauces for any occasion, we fired up the increasingly powerful FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.


Blackened Jalapeño and Avocado Dipping Sauce
Punch up veggies, chips or meats with this smooth and spicy sauce.
Ingredients in this recipe: avocado, garlic, jalapeño pepper, salt, lime juice

Orange Beurre Blanc
This French sauce is an inspired and elegant option for seafood
Ingredients in this recipe: shallot, butter, orange, salt, white wine, white pepper

Root Beer Barbecue Sauce
Barbecue sauce is great for brushing on meat and keeps for 2 weeks.
Ingredients: lemon juice, ginger, ketchup, lemon peel, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, orange juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dark brown sugar, liquid smoke, root beer

Remoulade
Popular in Louisiana, remoulade is amazing with seafood, especially crab cakes.
Ingredients: garlic, scallion, capers, parsley, chive, salt, mayonnaise, white pepper, dried tarragon

Chimichurri Sauce
This South American sauce is great as a marinate or topping for meat.
Ingredients in this recipe: garlic, olive oil, parsley, salt, black pepper, white wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, oregano

Caramel
No day is complete without dessert and no dessert is complete without caramel!
Ingredients in this recipe: butter, sugar, whipping cream

Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Happy Mardi Gras from FoodPair! Though it's too late to catch a flight down to The Big Easy to celebrate with the insane crowds, there are plenty of fun & easy things you can whip up in the comfort of your own home to celebrate the best of Fat Tuesday and New Orleans.

Mardi Gras, translated as Fat Tuesday, is a giant party held the last day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. For those observing Lent, Mardi Gras is the last day to eat rich foods for a long time, so major feasting is in order! As they say in New Orleans, Laissez les bons temps rouler, let the good times roll on Mardi Gras.

It's a great time to make one of our favorite dishes: Jambalaya. Not only is it fun to say (Jambalaya!), it's a delicious rice stew with chicken and sausage. Many Cajun and Creole dishes start with the "holy trinity" of chopped onions, bell peppers and celery, which are staples of cooking across Louisiana.

To help you assemble a parade of Mardi Gras dishes, we fired up the increasingly powerful FoodPair search engine and found a handful of great recipes from across the Web.


Buttermilk Beignets
Start your day off in style with Beignets and Chicory Coffee.
Ingredients in this recipe: sugar, buttermilk, salt, powdered sugar, baking soda, milk, peanut oil, active dry yeast, bread flour

Pralines
Great for snacking and gifting, Pralines are candied pecans.
Ingredients in this recipe: cream, pecan, sugar

Muffuletta Sandwich
This New Orleans classic is a massive sandwich with a tasty olive salad.
Ingredients: garlic, olive oil, capers, parsley, celery, red bell pepper, bread, olives, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, provolone cheese, salami

Chicken Gumbo
This Cajun gumbo is hearty, spicy & delicious!
Ingredients: garlic, oregano, green bell pepper, okra, onion, celery, salt, cumin powder, chicken stock, black pepper, all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, canned tomato, chicken, Andouille sausage, paprika

Cajun Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Another Cajun classic, Jambalaya is an all-in-one rice & meat stew.
Ingredients in this recipe: basil, garlic, onion, parsley, rice, sausage, thyme, chicken stock, black pepper, white pepper, chicken thigh, red pepper flakes, tasso

Sauteed Bananas with Cardamom-Praline Sauce
Make this amazing dessert a part of your sweet repertoire.
Ingredients in this recipe: banana, butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, lime juice, vanilla ice cream, ground cardamom


Let's get cooking!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook to get helpful updates in your news feed.

Key Facts about Caffeine.

We just discovered that March is National Caffeine Awareness Month. We're currently celebrating (as we do every morning) with an extra cup of coffee!

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, ranking just behind Water and Tea in global consumption. On average, a cup of Joe has 90-150 milligrams of caffeine, nearly double the amount in a cup of tea and three times the amount in a can of soda. Contrary to popular belief, dark roast coffee has less caffeine than lighter roasts. When classified as a drug because of its effects on the brain & body, caffeine is the most popular drug in the world. 90% of Americans consume caffeine every day, mainly in the form of 450 million cups of coffee. Wow!

On the plus side, caffeine wakes up the brain and makes you more alert. It also raises your dopamine levels, which put you into a better mood, and increases your metabolism. On the negative side, caffeine can have some serious side effects, especially when consumed in massive doses. It increases your heart and breathing rates, the amount of acid in your stomach, fatty acids in the bloodstream and can cause dehydration. Larger doses and cause the jitters, headaches and abnormally rapid heartbeat.

1. Where is Caffeine Hidden?

Whether you're just curious or looking to cut back, there are some surprising sources of caffeine out there. And, since the FDA doesn't require companies to list the amount in their products, it's hard find.

The most interesting is Decaf Coffee. While an average cup of Leaded Coffee has around 100 milligrams, Unleaded/Decaf can have over 20 milligrams, so watch out for it close to bedtime. Also, Non-Cola Sodas like Orange and Root Beer can have around 20 milligrams of caffeine per can. Next among the things you know and love is chocolate, and the better the quality, the more caffeine it typically contains.

Don't forget about ice cream- while chocolate ice cream doesn't have much, coffee ice cream packs quite the punch. No wonder it's so good!

In the man-made creations category, there's plenty of caffeine in Energy Water, Alcoholic Energy Drinks, Weight-Loss Pills, some Pain Relievers and even Breath Fresheners. We've also seen random products infused with caffeine, including Sunflower Seeds, Oatmeal and Beef Jerky. Basically, anything labeled "energy" could have caffeine in it, so check those ingredients carefully!

2. How Can You Cut Back?

As with most things, the easiest way to cut back is gradually. Try going from 3 cups to 2.5 and then to 2. This will prevent the side effects of caffeine withdrawal including headaches and irritability. Next, make sure to hydrate with plenty of water- it's free and helps you stay hydrated & healthy.

If you're using caffeine for an energy boost, swap it out for a small, healthy snack. A little yogurt, handful of nuts or raisins or a piece of fruit always hits the spot! For liquid alternatives, check out tea and herbal tea. It has a ton of flavor and a lot less caffeine than coffee. Also, try some of those newfangled sodas and juices that go long on vitamins and short on caffeine. Finally, if you have the time, take a power nap or do a little stretching in the middle of the day. It'll help you recover energy without the caffeine crutch.

If knowledge is power, you're now one of the most powerful players in our Caffeine Kingdom. Use it wisely!

Any other favorite ingredients or dishes you'd like us to highlight? Post them in the comments section or on our Facebook page! And while you're at it, "Like" us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to get helpful updates in your news feed.