Food

Fro-yo Or Fro-no?

Alexander McCall — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:52:14 +0000

Frozen yogurt has transformed our dessert – and not just into a gloopy, topping-covered, sugary mess.

A Google search for frozen yogurt, also commonly referred to as “fro-yo”, reveals more than a dozen shops in the Charlotte area.

The business model of frozen yogurt evolved over the last two decades and shifted the market of frozen desserts. In the 90s, TCBY dominated the market, and ordering frozen yogurt was a lot like getting a scoop of ice cream. Will that be in a cone or a bowl?

But then the economy tanked.

Awaken To Bacon

Tamra Wilson — Thu, 30 May 2013 17:50:42 +0000

History tells us Bacon's Rebellion was an armed revolt in 1676. A rash of Indian attacks and other issues motivated an uprising led by Nathaniel Bacon against Gov. Berkeley, Lord Proprietor of the Carolinas. Seems the governor had misjudged the wrath of the settlers.

For some time now, another bacon rebellion has been under way: bacon fans vs. healthy eaters. If pop culture is any judge, the rebels may be gaining the upper hand.

Breaking Up – With Your Grocery Store – Is Hard To Do

Amy Rogers — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:29:18 +0000

Some relationships just aren’t meant to last. When you have misunderstandings, get bored, or just don’t feel appreciated, it’s time to move on.

So when the Harris Teeter grocery store in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood closed for remodeling almost a year ago, I decided to make a clean break.

Into The Home Of... Mexico

Keia Mastrianni — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:28:31 +0000

A twenty minute drive south brought me to the home of Raul Alatorre and his wife, Alicia, a newly transplanted couple of Mexican origin. The Alatorre’s moved eighteen months ago from Albuquerque, New Mexico to their suburban home in Ballantyne. Raul’s job of 22 years brought the couple here. He works for Mission Foods, the largest tortilla manufacturer in the United States.

Eat Your Yard - A Magical Idea

Tamra Wilson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:32:16 +0000

I bumped in to Nan Chase at the Blue Ridge Book Festival last May. The Asheville author was discussing her book, Eat Your Yard.

Riding the crest of the Eat Local movement, she has produced an attractive, helpful book to help backyard farmers. But instead of ripping out the sod to grow squash and beans, Nan takes an aesthetic approach—mix food-producing plants into the landscape.

Michael Graves, F.O.O.D. Conference And Blumenthal's New Season

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Part One: Michael Graves And F.O.O.D. Conference. A celebration and discussion of good design is heading to Charlotte this week. The F.O.O.D. Conference at the Mint Museum (FOOD standing for Food, Objects, Objectives, Design) will host writers, historians, chefs and designers to speak about objects we use to prepare, cook and present food. Among the experts is Michael Graves, perhaps best known for his accessible Target product line. He'll join us to talk about how he works to combine function and style in his designs and we'll also hear about the Mint Museum's exhibition, which is also called F.O.O.D., when Charlotte Talks.

A Story With Morels

Tamra Wilson — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:48:46 +0000

Few things excite me more than morel mushrooms. Hunting them is a rite of spring where I come from. My hometown, Shelbyville, Illinois, holds a mushroom festival Spores ‘n’ More, with a contest and auction. That’s serious mushrooming.

There’s something about that delicate nutty taste, the crispy-fried texture that makes my mouth water. Morels are the epitome of eating local, in season. If they were available every day, I wouldn't care so much.

Feast Of Faith: Celebrating A Non-Traditional Passover

Keia Mastrianni — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:33:31 +0000

Sound Clip: Pharaohs Slaves

Spring Cleaning, Passover Style

Amy Rogers — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:46:03 +0000

Ah, spring! Time for rebirth, renewal, celebration - and the dreaded chores of spring cleaning. Ironic, isn't? Just when longer days are luring us outdoors to play, there’s housework demanding to be done.

Each year at springtime, flat, unleavened bread called matzo appears in stores as Jews prepare to observe Passover. But non-Jews may not realize that modern-day spring cleaning has roots in the holiday, too, as a ritual that reaches back thousands of years.

Mixology: The Art Of The Cocktail

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Grab your little drink umbrella and join us for a liquid version of the Charlotte Talks monthly food show. This time we belly up to the bar and explore the popular rise of interest in cocktail making, or 'mixology.' Mixology has become a serious exercise with classes offered by well known culinary schools. We'll look at the science of mixing a drink and at the explosion of cocktail choices. We'll also look at a growing debate between traditional bartending and what makes a bartender a 'mixologist.' It's 5 o'clock somewhere, when Charlotte Talks.