If you're someone who always asks for a spoon with their miso soup, you may need a sushi etiquette lesson and Sushi for Dummies is a good place to start.
Let's go over some of their basics.
Wasabi should not be stirred into soy sauce. Many people think that stirring these dreamy condiments together is as appropriate as throwing sugar in coffee. It's actually not considered traditional or proper. If however, you don't care and love the taste (I confess, I do) stir on, my friend.
For the love of spicy tuna over crispy rice, do not rub your chopsticks together. According to Dummies.com, this actually signifies to the owner that you think their restaurant is cheap and their chopsticks, dingy (cringe!).
Did you know that you should eat sushi with your fingers and place your piece fish side down on your tongue to fully taste the fish?
To keep from looking like this man (pictured) who's dipping his sushi into some sort of duck sauce (gasp!), check out the top 10 sushi-eating etiquette
Blog Posts by Maggie Nemser, Shine staff
Don't rub your chopsticks together (and other sushi etiquette for dummies)
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Shine Food – Mon, Nov 3, 2008 10:13 PM EST5 Secrets of a stress-free host
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Holiday Entertaining – Mon, Nov 3, 2008 7:11 PM EST
Read More »from 5 Secrets of a stress-free host
Hosting a party doesn't have to mean sweat spots the size of Texas and sky-high stress levels. These five secrets to happy-go-lucky hosting will help you enjoy your party, stress-free.
1. Make a timeline-to-do list
Parties can be a breeze if you have enough time to prepare. Use the weekend before to get started and make a pie to stick in the freezer or take advantage of your lazy Sunday to buy the wine and cheese. On the day of your party, try setting the table before you go to work so you have one less worry when you get home.
2. Don't take things personally
It's easy to get defensive when someone criticizes your choice in wine or mentions that your potatoes could use some more salt. Spare yourself the stress and don't sweat it. The best thing you can do when someone makes a comment that you don't like is to laugh it off or to simply ignore it.
3. Choose your outfit the day before
There's nothing worse than being stuck in wardrobe for over an hour and endingDinner with your ex: Innocent or inappropriate?
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Shine Food – Fri, Oct 31, 2008 5:53 PM EDT
Read More »from Dinner with your ex: Innocent or inappropriate?
You know the drill: You have an amicable break-up where you both realize you're actually better as friends. Now you have a really cool guy friend who loves you inside and out (as a friend, of course!). You don't have to worry about pulling your hair back to cover your grays when you see him because he knows all about them and once told you that you're the most beautiful woman in the world (wait, was he lying?!)
It feels perfectly natural until a new boyfriend comes along, one you (gasp!) really like and suddenly all those cozy, make-up-less dinners where you laugh your ass off with the ex aren't so cool anymore... or are they?
What do you think? Is it OK to grab dinner with an ex and toast to past times, ones that made you the wonderful person you are today or should you, as my hip dad says, "move on dot com?"
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He orders for you: Sexist or romantic?
I'm trying to decide what to cook for Halloween. I want the menu to be both spooky and delicious which is not the easiest combination. I have some preliminary ideas, but could do better. What spooky concoctions are you cooking up this Halloween? I would love to hear your suggestions!
Here's my working menu so far:
Edamame puree w/ toasted pita (guts)
Chipotle meatballs with a jalapeno slice in the center (eye balls)
Chicken with a pomegranate reduction sauce (blood)
Pumpkin pie with crushed Oreos (dirt)Eggplant is one of the most versatile vegetables. From rago to baba ganouj, here are six ways to make the most out of the season's beloved purple eggplant.
Eggplant and spinach lasagna spirals
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Read More »from For the love of eggplant4 Easy ways to not gain a zillion pounds this Thanksgiving
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Shine Food – Mon, Oct 27, 2008 8:56 PM EDT
Imagine a Thanksgiving where you eat whatever you want without blowing a week's worth of calories. Not so easy to picture, huh? That's because it never happens or at least it didn't until Hungry Girl concocted yummy guilt-free Thanksgiving makeovers that are super easy to make. By throwing some healthy sides into the mix, you can cut calories and the post-Thanksgiving tight pants blues.
Hungry Girl's bean casserole - 1 gram of fat, 80 calories per serving
Hungry Girl's I can't believe it's not sweet potato pie - less than .5 grams of fat, 110 calories per servingHungry Girl's stuffing swap - 1.5 grams of fat, 88 calories per serving
If you're feeling extra virtuous, try her Too good to deny pumpkin pie - 3 grams of fat, 133 calories per serving
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Turkey-free Thanksgiving mains
DIY Thanksgiving tablesettingsRead More »from 4 Easy ways to not gain a zillion pounds this ThanksgivingThe secret to perfect muffin tops
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Work + Money – Thu, Oct 23, 2008 1:48 AM EDT
Read More »from The secret to perfect muffin tops
I'm a muffin fan and when it comes to quality, I have very specific requirements. The perfect muffin must be fresh, relatively healthy slightly chewy and have a perfect and significant top.
Achieving the perfect muffin top can be challenging or at least it was until I stumbled on a little how-to from foodblogga. Did you know for example, that by placing your muffins in the center of the oven your fluff factor increases? I sure didn't.
Read more about how to make the perfect muffin top.
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Get creative with your cheesecake
The best bolognese in 30 minutesThe tortilla test: Does EVERYTHING taste good wrapped?
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Shine Food – Wed, Oct 22, 2008 10:25 PM EDT
Read More »from The tortilla test: Does EVERYTHING taste good wrapped?
If you've ever wondered what a hot dog wrapped inside of a tortilla tastes like, you're not alone. Thanks to the ultimate tortilla test conducted on mattbites.com, we now know.
Here are some highlights:
Do Rocky Road ingredients (sans ice cream) taste good in a tortilla?: No
How bout hot dogs with sauerkraut & mustard: Yes!
Pate de fois gras with cornichon: No, or in Matt's words: "If I was stoned, perhaps. But I don't do drugs so FAIL."
What about Elvis' favorite: Peanut butter, banana and honey?: Why, Yes
Nutella & strawberries?: You bet
Chana masala?: Yup
To find out what pork belly, pumpkin pie and other favorites taste like inside of a tortilla, check out mattbites.com.
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How well do you know your fast food french fries?The best of the web: Top Thanksgiving menus
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Holiday Entertaining – Wed, Oct 22, 2008 10:15 PM EDT
Read More »from The best of the web: Top Thanksgiving menus
It's easy to get overwhelmed with so many amazing Thanksgiving menus floating around in cyberspace. To help you streamline time-consuming menu surfing, here are the top Thanksgiving recipes for every taste.
For the time-strapped
From quick and easy ideas for picky eaters to quick (60-minute) Thanksgiving feasts, check out Every Day with Rachael Ray's six Thanksgiving menus.
For the traditionalist
When it comes to the classics, like good old mashed potatoes and green beans, Martha Stewart is your lady. Check out her traditional Thanksgiving menus.
For the budget-conscious
Epicurious somehow managed to pull together a lavish Thanksgiving dinner for 8 people for $79.79. Good timing!
For the wholesome dieter
If you want to avoid the dreaded Thanksgiving weight gain EatingWell has your menu in their extensive and wholesome Thanksgiving menu collections.
For the age-conscious
Whether you're 20,30 or 40, Food & Wine has a menu perfect for your age. Strange? A little bit. Cool? Very.Bye-bye turkey, hello ratatouille: 10 turkey-free Thanksgiving mains
By Maggie Nemser, Shine staff | Shine Food – Wed, Oct 22, 2008 3:34 AM EDT
Read More »from Bye-bye turkey, hello ratatouille: 10 turkey-free Thanksgiving mains
With at least one macrobiotic vegan, lactose intolerant, vegetarian, gluten free or picky eater in every family these days, most Thanksgiving dinners now include an alternative to the bird.
Here are 10 popular, turkey-free Thanksgiving mains that will also make for great one pot, day after meals.
Lasagna with chard, tomato sauce and ricotta
Vegetable moussaka
ratatouille
Sweet potato shepherd's pie
Low-fat spinach and mushroom lasagna
Cedar planked salmon with maple glaze and mustard mashed potatoes
Polenta with eggplant, mushrooms and tomatoes
Risotto with leeks and mushrooms
Pumpkin ravioli with sage brown butter
Grilled veggie pasta with cumin
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