Blog Posts by The Daily Meal

For years, America's fast-food empires have embodied what's wrong with our eating habits: Too fast, for one thing, and too fatty. And thanks to the trend that dominated fast food in 2011, you can add another downside: Way, way too flagrantly over-the-top.

Click here to see the 2011's Over-the-Top Fast Foods Slideshow

This was the year that fast-food outlets across America took outrageous eating options to a brand-new level - one where quick lunches at times resembled unconquerable eating challenges. In 2011, greasy meat-and-cheese-laden pizza was stuffed with even more meat and cheese, layers of an overeater's favorites were combined into a giant bacon-topped bowl, and three sandwiches were crammed together and sold as one. Starbucks even got into the act, unveiling a 31-ounce "Trenta" cup.

Click here to see the Top 25 Food Trends of 2011

Food historians may one day trace the fast-food fervor back to one Southern-themed chain restaurant, which in 2010 declared that some sandwiches

We scoured through our archives to find the hottest trending people, videos, and topics in the food world
Every year, there's always a couple viral stories that stand out among the riffraff of pretty infographics and glamorous food photos. In 2008, Improv Everywhere made a splash with their food court musical. Last year, OK Go's "This Too Shall Pass" music video (in which they have water glasses play the melody, among other insanities) got 31 million views.

Click here for The Top 25 Food Trends of 2011 Slideshow

So we've decided to round up the biggest items of 2011, presenting the top stories, people, and of course, the videos that everyone just kept emailing you about this year. This is in no way a comprehensive list, but here's a reminder of what went viral in 2011.

Learn why you should take more time to eat (and enjoy) your meals
Wherever you are, take a look around you. If you're in a crowded area, you'll probably notice a few people eating in inappropriate places. One lady is juggling a briefcase and a bag of chips, another is bent over a computer screen frantically trying to reach deadline. They look frazzled, annoyed, and ready to pass out. Hardly anyone is sitting at a table or taking in each bite with fevered gratitude, and frankly, most of them look super rude in the process. The worst part of it? They are probably damaging themselves in the process of grabbing a quick meal-time fix.

Click here for the 10 Reasons to Eat Slower Slideshow.

With the world we live in operating on high-speed, you almost can't blame a person for not taking the time to eat slowly. How could they? With the evolution of technology, we are constantly plugged in and pressured to answer emails, phone calls, texts, and review reports at any given time. Eating is the ultimate multi-task activity, so naturally that is where the extra

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Ever wonder what your waiter says about you when he goes back into the kitchen? Sure you have. Remember that night when one of your martini-soaked relatives complained to the restaurant about the size of the serving plates? In his mind, they were too small and he let the waiter, maître d', and just about everyone else in the establishment know about it in a boisterous voice. You've never left a restaurant feeling so embarrassed, right? And you can only imagine how the waitstaff retold the story over shift drinks later that night. But besides being drunk and loud, what other things are you doing that really make your waiter mad?

Brownie queen Kim Ima shares her secrets and tips for making the perfect brownieThey seem so simple to make when compared to intricate and multi-step desserts, but there's definitely an art to making the perfect brownie. Whether you fall on the chewy, gooey, cakey, or dark chocolate side of things is a matter of personal preference, but making the best possible version is simply an art that you can learn to master.

Tips on cooking Asian cuisine, plus recipes from Bee Yinn Low's blog and cookbook
Bee Yinn Low is the author of RasaMalaysia.com, a food blog dedicated to all things Asian cuisine, with more than 400 recipes. Like the country it represents in its name, it features a diverse set of cuisines, from Chinese to Japanese, Indian to Thai, and of course, Malaysian. Low is also the author of Easy Chinese Recipes, currently the number one Chinese cookbook on Amazon. Low recently had the chance to take time out of her busy schedule to sit down with us; here's what she had to say.

What inspired you to create a blog about Asian cuisine?
I love Asian cuisine, from Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian to Japanese and Thai. Every country is so different and its cuisine and taste structure is iconic and distinct only to that country. I wanted to share my passion and love for Asian cuisines with my readers.

VIDEO: Updating Your Asian Flavors

Bee Yinn LowDo you have a favorite dish that you like to cook, and why?
My favorite dish to cook at the moment is shrimp fried rice. It's so easy to make,

What should you get your most beloved food lover? Here's the ultimate guide to great gifts
Have a family member or friend who is always talking about restaurant exploits, food fantasy meals, or the next amazing dishes and culinary experiences they're seeking out? Looking to really make a statement with a food-related gift this year? Maybe you're not as food-obsessed and you're unsure exactly what to give or perhaps you're just as much of a food lover, but you're drawing a blank. Never fear.

Momofuku Milk Bar's Christina Tosi shares essential advice for home bakers
Baking can be intimidating. Exacting measurements, yeast (it's alive!), frosting, creaming properly… It can be a little stressful, especially if the results aren't what you hoped for. But baking shouldn't be viewed this way. As Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar puts it, "You're baking because it's something that brings you joy and pleasure. Just keep your cool."

Click here to see the Foolproof Baking Tips Slideshow

While that might be easy for someone who is one of the most loved bakers in New York City to say, it will soon be the mantra you share with your newbie baking friends after following Tosi's helpful tips below.

Click here to learn How to Make the Perfect Brownie

The cookie and dessert queen shares some of her delectable, buttery, and insanely addicting recipes from her new cookbook, Momofuku Milk Bar, plus advice on how to be a better baker (and it doesn't involve going to culinary school).

Momofuku Milk Bar's Christina Tosi demonstrates the steps to the chocolatiest of