By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Thu Oct 20, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Toro, the fatty cut of flesh from the belly of a blue-fin tuna, is often the most expensive item at a sushi restaurant. Eat it while you can, because increasing demand, overconsumption, and unregulated fishing may lead the species to extinction. On second thought, maybe all sushi-lovers should refuse to eat it and opt instead for more sustainable species. [Triplepundit.com]
LivingSocial is launching a gourmet food events service aimed at offering foodies unique and exclusive dining opportunities. [Fox News]
If you went to McDonald’s and ordered a happy meal, would you be happy to find apples, but fewer french fries? Some fast food chains are making changes to help their customers eat healthier meals. Some aren’t happy with the changes and view them as taking away their right of choice. [NPR]
The RP’s Recipe of the Week: Creamy Delicata Squash Soup. Fall/winter varieties of squash are packed with vitamins and fiber. [Everynutrient.com] While this cream-based soup may not be the healthiest way to eat squash, it definitely is a delicious way to eat it. This is an easy recipe, and the butternut or acorn varieties can be used in place of delicata squash.
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Thu Oct 13, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Population growth and increased use of biofuels will keep food prices high in the coming years, leading to greater worldwide food insecurity. [Financial Times]
In China, Hairy Crabs are a prized delicacy that have spawned a counterfeit crab industry. [ NPR]
A Pennsylvania-based candy company creates controversy with Pot Pops–a lollipop in the shape of a marijuana leaf. [ LA Times]
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Thu Oct 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
What do milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat and soy have in common? Together, they account for 90% of all food allergies. In two years the percentage of reported food allergies in children has doubled. [Cleveland.com] This has prompted some schools to ban outside foods from being brought to school. [The Inquisitr]
Donald Trump dabbles in the wine industry. [Sacbee.com]
Want to save money on dining without looking cheap? Here are some tips. [Huffington Post]
The RP’s Recipe of the Week: Honey Glazed Salmon (I reccomend a slight variation–use teriyaki in place of soy sauce in this recipe.)
By Greg Harris, on Thu Oct 6, 2011 at 8:30 AM ET  Eating a good steak is almost like a religious experience for me. It’s an occasion … such as a birthday dinner at a throw-back steakhouse whose environment encourages even the most effete of men to talk like Goodfellas.
Cincinnati’s most well known restaurateur, Jeff Ruby, plays up this pageantry at his steakhouses.
The grand opening of one of his restaurants came in the form of an invite tied around the neck of a dead fish, playfully evoking the mafia intimidation tactic of sending would-be victims the message that they would soon be “sleeping with the fishes .”
 Often outside Ruby’s restaurants you’ll see men awkwardly smoking a big cigar, trying to look the part, but perhaps tying a little too hard. (I also enjoy an occasional good cigar, but smoke mine in private.)
My Grand Pa Leon became a well regarded restaurateur in Chicago after years as a kosher butcher. He knew a good cut of meat, and never strayed from quality. His restaurant, Frenkel’s, had the best corned beef and even earned a reference in a David Mamet play. He actually looked the part of a gangster … a cigar aficionado who drove big Buicks and resembled a thicker, stronger version of Robert DeNiro. Yet his ethics and honesty were very much unlike that of a Mafioso. In his early years as a shop owner when the mafia came by for their take, he chased them out with a meat cleaver. Year later, he abruptly left a thriving restaurant and nightclub in downtown Chicago when he learned his partner had mafia ties. (No offense, Mr. Ruby and other would-be goodfellas, but I share my grandfather’s disdain for the mob and wannabe’s that glorify thieves and thugs.)
Read the rest of…
Greg Harris: A Herbivorous New Year
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Killer melons: 13 people are dead and 72 people are sick after eating listeria-contaminated cantaloupes. [MSNBC.com]
Banks aren’t lending to first-time farmers. What does this mean for the next generation of American farmers? [NPR]
Some fast food chain restaurants have introduced alcohol on their menus, but the associated costs may not be worth it. [NY Times]
The RP’s Recipe of the Week: Fall is chili season. Try this hearty vegetarian recipe. [AllRecipes.com]
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Thu Sep 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Nutrition labels on packaged foods will soon be getting a makeover. [NY Times]
While the” locavore” food movement is gaining in popularity, the “cosmovore” movement is offered as an alternative that balances environmentally friendly eating with concern for the world’s poor. [ForeignPolicy.com]
It’s a common misconception that healthy eating means expensive eating. Here are some tips for healthy eating on a budget. [Beacon News]
The RP’s Recipe of the Week: Wondering what to bring to the next tailgate? Stick to something classic like guacamole and you can’t go wrong. [Food Network]
By Jonathan Miller, on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM ET 
At some point, I will give our loyal readers a full and mostly serious account of my amazing journey through Italy this past week.
But first, let me share my most two overwhelming impressions, of beer and Pisa.
First, beer. See the picture above. There really is Duff beer. It’s not just for Homer anymore. (And wasn’t the original Homer Greek, not Roman?)
Second, Pisa. It was absolutely amazing to see the Tower of Pisa (which is a lot smaller in person than you imagine, just as Michaelangelo’s David is a lot bigger). What an incredible thrill it was to stand in the same place where Galileo and Rick Perry dropped the pizza to disprove the scientific community’s misplaced faith in global warming and a round earth! Quite humbling.
But just like climate change and rough earth theory, the so-called “Leaning” Tower of Pisa is just yet another conspiracy. Check out the picture below. The Tower and I are perfectly straight, while the rest of Pisa leans to the right.
Another tragic myth perpetuated by the mainstream media, debunked exclusively here for the RP Nation.
You are welcome!
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Thu Sep 15, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
It’s not a joke–Schweddy Balls is the newest flavor of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. [NPR]
What the attack of mutant rice has taught us about the biotech foods industry. [Greenbiz]
Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain gets his own line of books. [Eater.com]
Despite rising food costs, polls show that consumers continue seeking out high quality organic and natural products. [WSJ MarketWatch]
The RP staffer’s web recipe of the week: Sour Cream Chocolate Banana Bread. Rich. Moist. Delicious.
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