Pineapple Upside Down Cake - Yum!

Posted Under: food

It’s been a looooooong time since I’ve had one *rubbing my greedy hands together*

1. 6 ounces unsalted butter
2. 1 cup dark brown sugar
3. 1/2 fresh pineapple, cut crosswise, peeled, quartered lengthwise, cored and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
4. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
5. 2 teaspoons baking powder
6. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
8. 1 large egg
9. 1/2 cup milk

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch round cake pan with unflavored cooking spray. Melt 1 stick of the butter and set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter with the brown sugar over medium heat, about 3 minutes. Spread the butter-and-sugar mixture in the bottom of the prepared cake pan. Distribute the pineapple slices evenly over the mixture and set the pan aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. In a medium bowl, beat together the egg, milk and the reserved melted butter. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients until well combined; the batter will be thick. Using a rubber spatula, scoop the batter into the cake pan, spreading it until it reaches the sides of the pan.
4. Bake the cake until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Let the cake cool for 15 minutes. Place a serving plate over the cake pan and invert. Slowly lift off the pan and serve.

Yield: 8 servings

Starbucks Founder Licks/Likes Pinkberry

Posted Under: food

People are going nuts over this stuff. It looks like everything thing else I’ve ever had that calls itself frozen yogurt. I guess now with the extra 27 million dollars that venture capitalists had lying around you can expect to see one of these Pinkberry thingies in every city, in ever town and overseas too. Ah, well, so much for hype. I’m not impressed, but then again I don’t have to be.

Red-hot frozen yogurt chain Pinkberry has received a $27.5 million infusion of cash from Starbucks founder Howard Schultz’s venture capital firm, Fortune has learned.

The deal, which will be announced later today, confirms long-held speculation that Seattle-based Maveron - whose prior investments include eBay, drugstore.com, and Good Technology, now owned by Motorola - sees a bright future for Pinkberry, which was launched two years ago by a failed restaurateur and a former nightclub bouncer.

Schultz was not available to comment, but in a press release touting the deal he called Pinkberry founders Shelly Hwang and Young Lee “visionary entrepreneurs” and labeled their brand “a cultural phenomenon.”

The burgeoning chain now has 32 stores in New York and Los Angeles, and plans to grow by expanding its roster of company-owned stores and franchises. Hwang and Lee told Fortune earlier this year that they hope to have 50 locations by year-end. Stores in Las Vegas and London are also on tap.

Pinkberry’s tart-yet-sweet yogurt, topped with the customer’s choice of fresh berries, granola, or even Fruity Pebbles cereal, has won it a cult following that includes celebrities like Salma Hayek and Paris Hilton. (Mike Tyson once demanded his cookies and cream topping on the bottom, and the staff wisely complied.) It’s pricey - a large green tea with three toppings is nearly ten bucks - but Pinkberry’s largely female clientele doesn’t pinch pennies.

“I’ve seen people come in, order a small, eat it and then get right back in line for another,” says Daihwan Choi, who has exclusive development rights in New York City.

Some toppings are not even on the menu, which only adds to the allure, and the minimalist décor features $350 Philippe Starck chairs and $250 Le Klint lamps. (Lee even secured a 10% volume discount from trendy furniture shop Design Within Reach on the lamps.)

“They really developed a look that helped create a cult factor,” says Lesley Balla, editor of food blog Eater LA, who adds that top city chefs have worked frozen yogurt into their menus. “It’s Whole Foods meets Jamba Juice meets Sephora,” says branding consultant Nick Hahn.

But that winning formula has also spawned a slew of copycats, and Pinkberry will be hard pressed to clearly differentiate itself going forward. Of course, Schultz’s investment should certainly help in that regard. Starbucks (Charts, Fortune 500) is much more about the experience than the overpriced product, so Schultz will likely aim to foster a similar unique environment at Pinkberry.

This is the first outside investment in Pinkberry, which had previously been funded by its founders. Hwang and Lee will retain “significant equity” in Pinkberry and work with Maveron to create an employee stock option program, according to the announcement.

Banquet Pot Pies Recall: Product Linked to Salmonella

Posted Under: food

Yikes! Banquet Pot Pie Recall. Giant Con-Agra Warns Consumers About Turkey and Chicken Pot Pies

Note to self: Stop buying prepared food and cook dinner from scratch!

Today agricultural giant Con-Agra warned consumers to not eat Banquet brand frozen chicken or turkey pot pie products or generic store brand not-ready-to-eat pot pie products bearing the number “P-9″ printed on the side of the package. According to a statement on their website, ” ConAgra Foods was advised yesterday by health officials in several states that a number of consumers had been diagnosed with salmonella that they believe is statistically associated with the consumption of Banquet chicken and turkey pot pies.”

According to the CDC, Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment.

This is the latest recall involving food items marketed by the powerhouse food outfit. This past February, an infamous salmonella-related recall involved peanut butter marketed under its Peter Pan brand name.

Topps Meat Company Recall Forces Them Out of Business

Posted Under: food

I’ve been skittish about beef since back when Mad Cow Disease was looming on the horizon. As a business owner you don’t want to see any US business fold, however, times are HARD. About you can see as a Topps Meat Co. truck pulls away from the company’s plant in Elizabeth, N.J., in this Oct. 3, 2007 file photo. Topps Meat Co. on Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 said it was closing its business, six days after it was forced to issue the second-largest beef recall in U.S. history. I guess it’s three cheers for Vegans everywhere.

The recall of more than 21 million pounds of meat has led Topps Meat Co. LLC to go out of business, effective immediately.

Topps, a 67-year old privately held company based in New Jersey, is controlled by Buffalo-based Strategic Investments & Holdings Inc.

The meat recall, the second-largest in history, involved frozen hamburger, which health officials said may be tainted with E. coli.

A product recall began Sept. 25.

California meat eaters were warned Thursday that they should be on the lookout for ground beef recalled by Topps and possibly sold in California retail stores.

“In one week we have gone from the largest U.S. manufacturer of frozen hamburgers to a company that cannot overcome the economic reality of a recall this large,” said Anthony D’Urso, chief operating officer. “We sincerely regret the impact this will have on our employees, our customers and suppliers, and the community.”

There was no immediate comment from Strategic officials on the closing.

Topps said a small number of the 87 employees will remain at the Elizabeth plant for an indefinite time to assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its ongoing investigation and to handle administrative matters, including ensuring the effectiveness of the recall.

10 Natural Aphrodisiacs for Love

Posted Under: food, sex

What is an aphrodisiac? Well, it can be a drug, scent, food, drink or device that some claim (usually those who market them) may kindle or increase sexual desire. Basically, aphrodisiacs are products that enhance sexual performance.

But for your wallet’s sake, today’s sex tip includes natural aphrodisiacs; in other words, stuff that you would either have around the house anyway, or natural ingredients that don’t require you to skip around the room on one foot while chanting ancient Chinese proverbs.

Now before I delve into all the yummy stuff that may cause your penis to remain erect for hours on end, keep in mind that the FDA (Food & Drug Administration) declares that there’s no scientific evidence whatsoever that proves that aphrodisiacs can treat sexual drawbacks. And to that I say, the mind is a very powerful thing. If it was only based on folklore, then how come so many people believe it to be so? Because our brains are the greatest sex organs we have, and food, scents and drinks are as pleasant to the senses as they are to the brain.

Fiery Foods for Foreplay

* Spices: Chili, curry and all those sweat-inducing foods are believed to have aphrodisiacal effects because they produce results much like sex would. Think about it; spicy foods increase our heart rate and cause us to perspire. So cook up some curry chicken and then give her a “spicy meatball” of your own.

* Oysters: Wow, I know you’re as surprised to see this one on the list as I am (yeah, right). We all know that oysters have been esteemed as sex aids for ages. Why? Well, it’s possible that it’s because of diets that were nutritionally deficient in zinc in the days of horse carriages and lasting marriages. People would eat oysters and since their overall health would improve, it would lead to an increased sex drive. So start shucking and don’t stop till you feel it move.

* Wasabi (horseradish): While some people believe that sushi has aphrodisiacal effects all on its own, my Japanese friends let me in on a little secret. Apparently, that green stuff that comes with it (wasabi, or horseradish) is what’ll really get your twig and berries ripe and ready. So the next time you go out for sushi, ask for some extra wasabi; it’s a kick and will make your eyes tear, but you can make your gal’s eyes tear when you take her home and show her Wasaaaaaaabi.

* Caviar: That’s right; fish eggs contain a large amount of beneficial vitamins. They are rich in phosphorus and are very nourishing to nerve cells. Their apparent aphrodisiacal powers are reinforced by vodka. So get yourself into Absolut shape for the night.

Divine Drugs

* Ginseng: The word ginseng means “man root.” So it’s likely that ginseng gained its popularity as a sexually enhancing herb via its similarity to the male, um, organ. While it is true that the root has a mild stimulating effect, like caffeine, there is no solid evidence that ginseng has an effect on human sexuality. But what the heck — increase your energy, and your sex life will follow suit.

* Yohimbine: Taken from the bark of an African tree, yohimbine is believed to work by stimulating the nerve centers in the spine that control erection. Although even the FDA found its studies on animals to be positive, there is still no scientific proof that yohimbine works on human beings. But some gentlemen swear by yohimbine, and like I always say: If it’s good for the goose, then slip on a condom and give it to the gander.

* Spanish fly: We have all heard about this little fly that can bring us to immeasurable sexual heights, but do you really know what Spanish fly is? It’s a bright green blister beetle from Southern Europe. The fly, or cantharis, is made from dried beetle remains and can be one of the most dangerous aphrodisiacs on the market. The sexual excitement initializes from the irritation to the urinary and genital tracts and results in a rush of blood to the sex organs. My suggestion: Keep away from The Fly.

Sexual Scents

* Vanilla: Because of its sweet, welcoming odor, it has a euphoric effect and can be used at will. If consumed, vanilla combats sexual debilitation and improves upon the central nervous system. Its odor implicitly acts upon sexual stimulation in both men and women . So add a few drops of vanilla essence to your bath and set the sensual mood for what’s to come (pun fully intended).

* Patchouli: This scent is believed to awaken and provoke sexual energy. If you’d like to try its aphrodisiacal powers, purchase patchouli in the form of incense. And while you’re at it, play some erotic music to add to the ambiance.

* Musk: Believe it or not, many experts believe that musk closely resembles the smell of testosterone (human pheromones), the male sex hormone. Now if you smell it and like it, that doesn’t mean you want to start playing for the other team. What you should be concerned with is her nose and what she likes. So bust out the musk and fill the room with man smell.

More to Come

* Yes, there are a multitude of other natural aphrodisiacs, but as I mentioned before, the most sexual aphrodisiac is the one between your ears. If you have the ability to sex up her mind with your own, you’ll have her begging for you to probe her in no time flat. Women love sensual as well as intellectual stimulation, so separate the boys from the men and let her know that you are da man!

* All that having been said, maybe you should break out the caviar and vodka and feed her slowly. Then perhaps you should add some ginseng to your diet for prosperity. And finally, light up some patchouli incense and get the night off to a banging start.

* And remember: Always protect your penile pal. Until next time, break out the food, spices and scents and discover the beauty of giving your woman all kinds of intense sexual desires with aphrodisiacs.

Source: Askmen.com