Back From Vegas Uncork'd and Ready to Pop

I'll be posting a top ten from the 4th Annual Vegas Uncork'd tomorrow, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend. How great was the food? These items didn't even make the list! Stay tuned.

Can I Get the Onion Rings, Instead of the Fries?

Onion rings have an odd place in American cuisine. Everyone seems to love them, and they're on the menu at just about every burger joint in the country, yet their popularity as a side dish to meat on buns doesn't even come close to the venerable French fry.

The reason is as obvious as it is annoying – they cost extra. Fries always come with the burger, but if you want those crispy, golden brown rings of pleasure, it's going to be $2.00 more.

Sure you crave the crunchy goodness, but the thought of paying extra to upgrade a side dish at Big Bad Billy's Burgers and Beers seems downright un-American.

So, as much as you may want them, and as much as you may fantasize about what a nice treat they'd be while standing in line, when you come belly to cash register, you just can't pull the trigger.

Well, I have good news – this onion rings recipe is so easy, and so amazingly crispy, you can now make up for all those years of deep-fried denial by making these at home.

If fact, these are so good, you may want to consider charging your friends and family a little bit extra for the upgrade. Enjoy!




Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons instant mashed potatoes
big pinch of cayenne
1 cup cold club soda
2-3 cups Panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs), or as needed
fine salt to taste
vegetable oil for frying
2-3 yellow onions, cut into 1/4-inch rings
*Note: the amounts in the video were for a smaller batch. The amounts above will make a nice large batch, enough for about 8 servings.

Hello from Las Vegas

Just a quick hello from Las Vegas, where Michele and I are having a great time eating and drinking, shoulder-to-shoulder with an amazing array of culinary talent at Vegas Uncork'd. We will be back to work Monday, and I will have lots to share. Stay tuned!

Michele and I are Getting Uncork'd in Las Vegas

Thanks to some clever marketing, the thought of someone using the food as an excuse to go to Las Vegas seems like the punch line to one of those "what happens in..." commercials, but thanks to Vegas Uncork'd, that's exactly why we're here.

Held May 6-9, at six different resorts over the four-day Mother's Day weekend, Vegas Uncork'd is becoming one of the country's top food and wine events. As you probably know from reading about my previous trips, I'm a huge fan of Las Vegas in general, and the city's food in particular, so I jumped at the chance to cover the event.

There are over 30 events planned, including a Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace, where 50 of the city's top restaurants and chefs will show off their offerings to an estimated 5,000 foodies.

As usual, I will be collecting recipes, taking photos, and will post a recap upon my return. Charlie Trotter, Bradley Ogden, Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay, and Cat Cora are just some of the chefs I hope to speak with, and if things work out, win money from.

In addition to updates here, if you want to follow along on Twitter, I'll be providing play-by-play, or rather bite-by-bite coverage over the course of the weekend. Stay tuned!


We're Huge in Estonia! Who Knew?


I'm always tickled when I hear from fans in far off places, like Annika in Estonia. Apparently, our recipe videos are quite popular there, although I'm sure the mustache has a lot to do with that.

Annika reports the country's biggest fan is her boyfriend, Rigmor, who's celebrating his 30th birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday! You sure look a lot older in the picture. Enjoy!