Rachael Ray is quite a phenomena. With several hit TV shows, her own product line, and her insanely popular day-time talk show - things are quite “yum-o” for this Upstate NY gal (gotta plug my roots when I can!) So it’s no surprise that her website would offer a wealth of information and delicious recipes […]

Since Easter was last weekend, Gourmet Magazine created a beautiful slideshow of a dozen different eggs. (Click on the emu egg above to view.) It’s really amazing the variety that exists in nature. I mean, who knew seagull eggs were so beautiful. But my personal favorite is the egg in the last slide. Shocking, I […]

So one of our vendors recently sent the crew at North Star a few boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. (BTW- Brilliant idea, if anyone else wants to send cookies, please go right ahead, just make sure you address them directly to me…) As I was sampling a few Tagalongs and Samoas I realized - in […]

It’s true! Now you can have your cake AND your beer… and eat them too! I found this recipe here and saw that it was adapted from Nigella Lawson’s cookbook called Feast. How appropriate.
Cake:

1 cup Guinness
1 stick, plus 1 tb, unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tb vanilla […]

Question: What do you get when you combine Mandy Moore + a wanna-be facebook/myspace/online community format + a HUGE website budget?

Answer: uPumpItUp.com a very slick online community that is SO sicky-sweet/cheesy I actually physically cringed. And then immediately turned my volume down and promptly visited dietcoke.com to reverse any long-term negative effects. (I […]

For some reason, call me strange, I LOVE to photograph food. When a beautifully styled plate is set before me, whether appropriate or not, I almost have to capture a few shots before I can even think of taking my first bite. I’ve even passed my camera around so that everyone at my table could […]