Blog Posts by The Daily Meal

Stop buying the popular appetizer frozen and make it, perfectly, from scratch at homeWe know what you're thinking. How is it even possible to perfect a pig in a blanket? When you think of the popular mini appetizer, you probably think of it frozen on a sheet pan, ready to be popped in the oven - so what's there to discuss?

Click here to see 7 Other Ways to Blanket Your Pigs

Even if you do want to make the classic cocktail wieners at home, you're probably thinking that there's not much to worry about. A package of pre-made dough, mini cocktail franks, and a side of mustard for dipping and you've got yourself a dish, right? We beg to differ.

Check out the 25 Best Party Foods

Pigs in a blanket will forever be a widely loved dish, and it deserves to be treated like one. Whether whipping up a small batch for a pre-dinner snack or preparing them for a crowd, there are certain steps that you should take to make them into perfectly passed treats. Ever think about the dough getting soggy? Because if you don't dry your cocktail franks well, it's definitely a possibility. Or

The classic brunch staple has been around for ages, so we examine its history and how to make the perfect versionMuch like so many other iconic dishes with muddled histories, the origins of eggs Benedict are subject to some debate. There are several theories surrounding where, when, how, and - most importantly - by whom the classic dish was created, and in honor of National Eggs Benedict Day, we decided to give it a careful look.

Click here to see How to Make the Perfect Eggs Benedict

Of all of the theories that are thrown around, some of which involve chefs, commodores, the term "benedict" meaning bachelor, and traditional French cookbooks, there are two prominent ones that seek to explain the creation of eggs Benedict. The first theory dates back to the 1860s, at the historic Delmonico's Restaurant in New York City. Supposedly, a frequent patron, Mrs. LeGrand Benedict, was bored with the usual menu and wanted something new and exciting to try for lunch. After discussing her options with the chef at the time, Charles Ranhofer, they decided on a version of eggs Benedict, and the dish

Credit: P.J. Clarke'sThere's something magical about the humble Tater Tot. Some might even argue that it's the perfect food: bite-size, salty, crispy, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, greasy but not overly oily, and a great vessel for just about any topping. Its abundant nooks and crannies allow for nearly limitless surface area (aka more crunch) and it boasts a pillowy interior that french fries can only hope to emulate - let's just say there are many reasons why it's one of our favorite childhood foods.

Check out America's Top Tater Tots

"Tater Tot" is actually a registered trademark of Ore-Ida, the company that invented them in 1953. Founders F. Nephi and Golden Grigg (great names) found themselves with an excess of potato scraps after making french fries, and were sick of selling them off for a pittance as animal feed. So they chopped them up, added in some flour and other seasonings, and then sent the whole mess through an extruder and into the deep-fryer. And a legend was born.

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Americans are expected to spend $66 billion on weight loss this year. Walk into any bookstore and it's bound to be filled with piles of books on how to lose weight, what is making you gain weight, quick fixes, and weight loss concoctions. The books tell you to "Eat this, take this, buy this, drink this!" and they are selling like bottled water in the desert!

In reality, however, it takes a conscious decision to create good health, and the choices we make determine the outcome. The most important step in losing weight is to think of long-term lifestyle changes rather than quick-fix solutions. Motivation and willpower are key and you don't need a pill or potion! If you are looking to drop a few pounds and get healthier, then do just the opposite of the behaviors outlined in the slideshow and you will see results. Sometimes looking at things from a different perspective can be a real eye-opener.

Credit: iStockphoto/ThinkstockDon't Forget About the Fat
Choose lots of unhealthy fat in your diet! Fast foods, chips,

It's not just as simple as frying - there's a science behind itIs there anything better than a crunchy, salty potato chip?

Created in 1853 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., potato chips were originally meant to be a prank in response to a surly customer complaining about his potato fries being "too thick," but their thin, crisp qualities turned out to be something very different than a joke. "Saratoga chips" instantly became a hit, and their popularity traveled from upstate New York to all around the country. By the 1920s they had become a well-known and popular snack, and potato chip manufacturing companies starting popping up everywhere in the culinary industry.

Check out the World's 10 Craziest Potato Chip Flavors

The widely distributed chip is one of America's favorite snacks, and with so many brands and varieties available, potato chips continue to be one of the most popular food items that you can buy. And while you can walk into any convenience store, gas station, or supermarket and pick up a bag, the Cook editors here believe that

The Minneapolis-based coffee chain closing stores in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and other statesHas the rise of third-wave coffee shops inevitably hurt the coffee chains? It appears at least one chain has been forced to change its game.

Caribou Coffee, the Minneapolis-based coffee chain, announced closings of 88 stores nationwide today, according to The Huffington Post. Sixty-six of those stores are in the Chicago market, but closures will span as far out as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. But the company also plans to convert at least a dozen of those shuttered stores into Peet's Coffee & Tea shops. Said the company in a written statement, "Over the past few months, we at Caribou have revisited our business strategy, including closely evaluating our performance by market to make decisions that best position us for long-term growth."

Click here to see America's Best Coffee Shops

The Chicago Tribune reports that after the closures - effective this Sunday - about 1,000 people will be out of jobs. Of the stores lef, the Tribune says, "Caribou will have 486

Here's to the roasters, brewers, baristas, and coffee aficionados that turn a cup of joe into an experienceCoffee culture in America, in the post-World War II era, began with the dark stuff. The "water dressed down in brown," as singer Ani DiFranco once put it - the nitty, gritty, put-the-hair-on-your-chest stuff that would hardly pass for a decent cup of coffee today. And forget the billions of combinations of milks, beans, and flavors you'll find today; back then, it was coffee, black, and no questions asked.

Coffee soon hit a decline through the '60s and '70s, thanks to the rise of America's other favorite caffeinated drink - soda. But then came the second wave of coffee, when hanging out in coffee shops and drinking espresso became cool (basically, finally following in the footsteps of our European neighbors who had it right all along). But with the boom of coffee once again came the mass market appeal of coffee.

Click here to see the Full List of America's Best Coffee Shops

Starbucks opened its doors in Pike Place Market in Seattle in 1971, when the coffee industry was

We're celebrating the dynamic duo with best tipsPeanut butter... and jelly. The two condiments are nothing without each other, and for years, they've gone hand in hand wedged between two slices of bread. As National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day is April 2, it's only fitting to celebrate the two foods and their relationship by examining what makes them so great for each other, and to determine how to make the perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Jelly came into existence long before its counterpart, peanut butter, with uses of it dating back to the 15th century. Peanut butter came onto the scene in the late 19th century, when a St. Louis physician developed a peanut paste for people with bad teeth in 1890. Only five years later, the Kellogg brothers patented the process of using steamed peanuts to create peanut butter and distributing it in plastic packaging, and from there the idea of peanut butter was born.

Click here to see 5 New and Creative Peanut Butter & Jelly Recipes

Although peanut butter and jelly existed in the food