World's Most Expensive Dessert - Unveiled!!

The culinary world has always been a world full of fascinating, intriguing, exotic and salivating surprises. The power of the TV and the web has brought all the gourmands and food-lovers so close to each other that barriers of geography, lifestyle, language or region are no longer existant. As more and more people join the newly-emerging Food-Lover community, this is one world that's growing faster than any other sphere, leaving even the tech world behind! The latest chart-buster on the food and culinary arena is the "Frrozen Haute Chocolate", the dessert that made its mark as the Most Expensive Dessert in the Guinness Book of World Records, and is priced at an exorbitant $25,000 !!! Astonished, aghast, interested in knowing more...the secret is unveiled right here, at Fun and Food!

On Tuesday, New York City came up with a $1,000 bagel, topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry-infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves. (yeah, like someone would buy that!). But that was no competition for a local restaurateur who unveiled a $25,000 Chocolate Sundae on Wednesday, setting a Guinness world record for the most expensive dessert. Stephen Bruce, the proud owner of the restaurant called Serendipity-3, and the luxury jewel-designer Euphoria New York teamed up together to create this astonishing and I have to say "out-of-this-world" dessert, the Frrozen Haute Chocolate (the 2 r's in the name are intended, its not my typo, could be numerology though:)) which combines a blend of 28 cocoas, including 14 of the most expensive and exotic ones from around the globe.

It also contains 5 grams of edible 23-karat gold and is served in a goblet lined with edible gold. the base of the goblet is adorned with an 18-karat gold bracelet studded with 1-carat of white diamonds. (don't even ask me how many diamonds!!). The sundae is topped with whipped cream covered with more gold and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier, which sells for $2,600 a pound (do these places really exist!!). And as if this is not enough, you are expected to relish this dessert with a gold spoon decorated with white and chocolate-colored diamonds, which, by the way, can also be taken home (yeah, some incentive to spend 25,000 bucks!!)

Bruce, the creator, said in an interview that it took them a long time to experiment with all the ingredients and flavors before they finalised on these, and more than three months went just into designing the golden spoon. (photo courtesy of Reuters)

Four years ago, Bruce had also created a $1,000 ice cream sundae called Golden Opulence, for his elite customers that include rock stars, socialites and other celebrities. And this year it's this award-winning dessert which will continue the glory. Both these delicacies are only made to order (yeah right! like you and me could walk right in and buy one!!) and are mostly made for Kings, Princes and rich businessmen who want to impress their wives, friends or clients. Well, as for us, we can only feel and sense and enjoy this delicious sundae through our remote senses of sight, smell and imagination:)

Maybe a few of us should team up to make something new that would break this record, what say??! Any takers for this challenge??

11:59 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Celebrating Food Art - Edible Animal Sculptures

An artist is a person worthy to be revered and respected. And art knows no boundaries, no regions; just a significant amount of imagination, determination and diligence, and of course, some talent!! So let's take a moment to look at these beautiful and intricate works of edible art. You don't have to try to match these works of excellence, but if it inspires you even a little to be creative about your presentation techniques, my job here is done!

These are works from famous artists, definitely not by me. I'm just an admirer of art, saluting these geniuses, just like you...

An "Easter Bunny" carved from a Melon.....




A beautiful "Swan" carved out of Cheese.....



An "Alligator" carved from a Pineapple.....



A "Pegasus" sculptured out of Butter.....



A "Cute and kind Orange Couple" adopting a "Tomato".....



And finally, the perfect centre-piece for a couple "Just Married".....

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Ever thought what lies behind the Fancy Restaurant Menus?? - MUST READ!!

It's well-known that first impressions are very important, and though I don't always adhere to this popular quote, restaurant menus are one thing where I think this does prove to be a worthy measure of competence. Ok, before you start thinking that I have gone bonkers, let me explain myself. Have you recently been to an expensive restaurant and looked at a menu which is more like a decorative binder? Well, if you exercise your gray cells a bit more, you'll also recollect that most of these menus have very interesting and out-of-this-world names for their entrees like "Deep Fried Shrimp with Whipped Mashed Potatoes" (ok, I just made it up, I doubt if there can really be such an item on the menu:); but you get the meaning, right?)

I have always wondered what inspired them to come up with such intricate names, and would there be an actual set of people working towards researching and coming up with such creative names? Well, I recently got an email from an unknown friend which can shed some light onto this mystery. Apparently, these menus are famous as "Froo Froo Menus". Restaurant owners can specify their regular entrees and the generator script can use those words and combine them with other relevant names to create unique Froo Froo names!! Still don't believe me - check this out!

http://www.generatorland.com/generators/froofroomenu_gl.php

My personal favourites are "Rotisserie Kitten with a Cinnamon Chutney" and "Bangkok Raccoon with a Traumatic Reduction" hhahhhaaaa...I just couldn't control myself and rolled in laughter on trying out all the different combinations. Thanks Mike for sharing this with all of us!!! I hope all of you have as much fun as I did with this FrooFroo Menu Generator!!!!

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San Mateo County Fair

One of the best advantages of living in the Bay Area, besides the beautiful weather, is the tremendous amount of opportunities that it offers for fun-lovers like us!! Today we feature the San Mateo County Fair, which is going on from Aug 10th to Aug 19th 2007, so if you've not already visited it, you need to check this out. (photo courtesy of official website)

This year is extra special, because it celebrates the 150th Anniversary of San Mateo County. (Incidentally India celebrates its 60th anniversary of Independence today!!) From food to rides, concerts to exhibits, and more, the fair is a full day's worth of fun and excitement for as low as $6. They also have mainstage entertainment featuring famous bands like Blue October, Hawthorn heights, REO Speedwagon and more. Some highlights for this year's fair are the pig races, giant BMX bike show, and Lifehouse concert in the Expo Hall. You can check out showtimes at their official website http://www.sanmateocountyfair.com/entertainment.html

They even have some discounts and promotions that would make this trip all the more worthwhile. What I was most interested in were the several exhibits boasting of categories like Culinary Arts, Home and Garden, Fine Arts , Floral and Youth exhibits. They even have contests, so if you have something interesting to show, you could win $$75,000!!! Wow, now that's something that can get you there. My husband was enthralled with the idea that the fair admission also includes a free voucher for entry into the Bay Meadows Horse Racing track!!! That's sure a deal hard to say NO to.

For kids, there's the carnival with lots of funa and exciting rides, and when you are exhausted and hungry, the numerous food stalls will pamper your culinary cravings. There are also game-stalls and booths in case your little one wants you to win a cuddly teddy bear for her!!

many people think that if you've been to one fair, you've seen all of them. But I think this one's a little different from the others as it provides entertainment for the whole family, and also because country fairs are a perfect way to reminisce about your childhood and live it once again with your kids!! So go out and enjoy and have a swell time at the San Mateo fair...

11:05 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Food Network - In need of a makeover??

Hi everyone, the poll winner today is no doubt Food Network (photo courtesy of CityFood), the most highly watched cooking channel in USA. I myself have been a huge fan of this channel and there was a time when tuning to FN was our favourite passtime.
But lately, I regret saying that it has lost its glory. Lets look at the good and bad of this

It still has the best food shows and the most intriguing and well-planned shows with lots of information. The shows like Unwrapped, 40$ a Day, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Good Eats provide great revelation and insight into the food industry, best culinary restaurants and chefs. This is the only cooking show which transgressed into actually being a Network in a true sense, launching its own brands, website and forums, contests, Food network weddings and Food Network Star Awards! It also provides great inspiration and a launching platform to yound and aspiring chefs or entrepreneurs with shows like Iron Chef America and numerous food and pastry competitions. It is still the Numero Uno channel that boasts of famous and highly skilled professionals in the culinary industry like Paula Dean, Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, Giada, Rachel Ray, Mario Battali and many more, and has the largest fan following that a food channel could ever have witnessed.

Yet, as the saying goes "Nothing Lasts Forever", change is a vital part of man's life, and anything that tends to get stale starts losing its charm. Even precious metal needs to be polishes to restore its glitter from time to time, and so does Food Network. With the same shows running for years and years, and airing recorded shows under Primetime Live, this diamond is losing its glitter. It needs some major revamping to re-establish its strong hold in the hearts of the people who now have interesting alternatives to engage them like HGTV. The recipes and stars are becoming a dull routine, and the fans are hoping for something more interesting from this great conglomerate. They tried something new with launching the FN Star Awards last year, and also 2-3 new shows. So I would say it's on the right path, but there's still a substantial amount of way to go. They should give more exposure to international cuisine to attract non-US viewers, and also encourage chefs from interactivity with viewers.

I think with a little more work, this star will surely get back into the Number One spot. And that's what we all wish for, right???

10:27 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Celebrating something that stinks!!!- Gilroy Garlic Festival

Few herbs or plants would share the glory that is bestowed upon this king of spices which stinks!! Yup, I'm speaking about none other than our dear friend "Garlic", and how it deserves a 3-day long celebration at Gilroy CA, the largest producer of quality garlic in California.

For anyone who's not heard about the Garlic Festival at Gilroy, its held on the last full weekend in July every year by a non-profit organization to support charity work in the town of Gilroy. You'll find more than 2-3 tonns of fresh garlic in that area that day, making it a garlic-lover's dream destination. The festival boasts of 3 stages of musical entertainment, various arts and crafts booths, a nic children's are, interactive displays about the herb, some fine wine-tasting booths, and rows and rows of booths brandishing garlic food entrees ranging from appetisers to main course to desserts!!! yes, you heard it right, the Vanilla Garlic icecream is sure to cath your attention, as it did mine....They also have a Garlic Cook-Off Contest featuring authentic and out-of-this-world garlic recipes. But what surprised me the most was the Miss Gilroy Garlic contest, and fortunately, it wasn't based on who smelt the most like garlic:), but is judged like any other pageant.

This might not be a place for vegetarians who cannot taste most of the dishes, or for people who cannot stand the strong smell of garlic for more than a few minutes. But most people have commented on this with words like "Fragrant and Intoxicating"

http://www.gilroygarlicfestival.com/index.html

So give it a try and plan to visit it next year if you missed this one, and for people who've already been there, please comment on this post to let others know your reviews about this Gilroy Event.

11:27 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Barbecues - How they originated and why are they tied to July 4th?

Though Americans grab any available opprtunity to turn on their BBQ grills and start grilling, the act has been tied to July 4th since a long time now, and most people keep following the tradition, without realising why....So, here's what I discovered when my curiosity got the better of me and I set out on a mission to find the history behind bbq's....

North-easterners are the biggest barbecuers in the nation, followed by those in the North Central, Southern and then Western parts of the country. However, it turns out that Barbecues have been a White House tradition since the times of Mr. Thomas Jefferson. What started as a mere celebration tactic by the president, later turned into a symbol associated with any national holiday. Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States, hosted the first bbq at the White House that featured Texas-style barbecued ribs. Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter hosted a “pig pickin’” for about 500 guests including foreign visitors, while Ronald and Nancy Reagan invited ppl on their ranch. George H. Bush followed by his son, held a barbecue for Members of Congress annually on the South Lawn of the White House, a tradition that was interrupted on September 12, 2001, the day after the terrorist attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon. Secret Service agents, who had evacuated the White House a day earlier, cancelled the bbq and the White House kitchen released 700 pounds of beef tenderloin to feed the hundreds of rescue workers who had traveled to DC.

Neverthless, the grills and pots and pans and coal have become our beloved friends, and would continue to be so for a very long time....I'll share a veg bbq menu so the vegetarians can live the grilling experience too!!!

Veg Paneer BBQ Recipe

Barbecue Sauce- Mix tomato puree, ginger-garlic paste, mustard powder, sugar, butter and salt with Worcestire sauce to make the traditional bbq sauce. Alternately, you can also use a marinade for your vegges by combining lemon juice with oil, salt, pepper and Tandoori bbq masala available at Indian grocery stores.

Veggies on a Skewer- Marinate different veggies like capsicum, tomatoes(only skin, no pulp), boiled potates, onions, boiled cauliflower florets and paneer cubes in any of the above sauces for an hour or two. Then arrange them on a skewer and grill them till done. Sprinkle chaat masala and more lemon juice if required and serve hot

4:43 PM | 0 comments | Read More