TastesSightsSounds

Join us as we take a look back at the most fascinating and exciting topics, interviews and stories we covered this year at Fine Dining Lovers. http://bit.ly/2Eh06N4

Salad does not have to be a boring side dish. Here's four perfect salad recipes that will take your salad game to a whole new level. http://bit.ly/2EilAsY

SAM, the Autonomous Soda Maker, wins this year's Future Food Design Awards, a prize for innovative design in sustainable future food. http://bit.ly/2EjwzST

We round-up the best food events on this January, from chefs on sustainability in the Alps, to Moscow's leading food festival. See what's on around the world. http://bit.ly/2pS90NR

What is star anise? 26 interesting facts and figures about this spice having a huge variety of uses and purposes, from culinary to digestive. http://bit.ly/2pTz4rN

A soup to warm up the Winter days with a touch of Russian flavours: try this easy Shchi recipe, the traditional Russian cabbage soup with sorrel. http://bit.ly/2E8rugj

Passionate about art and music, Gualtiero Marchesi was the first chef in Italy to expand Italian cuisine beyond traditional boundaries. http://bit.ly/2E6W3mz

Are you a sandwich lover? Don't miss this easy pulled pork sandwich with basil: the perfect idea to prepare a delicious and original sandwich. http://bit.ly/2E4qvxn

What are the best winter sun destinations for fine dining? The following five spots will satisfy all you sun-seekers with a love of good food. http://bit.ly/2pKxdpt

Try these gingerbread muffins, prepared with honey and ginger syrup: a delicious recipe perfect for breakfast or dessert. http://bit.ly/2pLeUk1

Here are 12 amazing appetizers that'll make sure your guests never go short of delicious bites alongside a glass of bubbles. http://bit.ly/2pL0OPu

An easy and tasty recipe for curried parsnip soup, a vegetarian and spicy dish very easy to make. http://bit.ly/2E1uVW6

Watch chef Elise Kornack speak candidly about her battles with mental health at Food on the Edge 2017. http://bit.ly/2E2rIp1

An easy and tasty recipe for Fillet Wellington served with mixed Vegetables , with a Gluten free golden and crusty pastry. http://bit.ly/2DZijyA

Kick off your New Year with an easy gourmet brunch. What's on the menu? Chorizo waffles, egg and bacon pies, kale muffins, Spanish egg omelette and more! http://bit.ly/2DZxMyq

A chat with the S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 mentor for South East Asia, on his culinary education around the world and on his plans for the future. http://bit.ly/2pHYhW2

Find out how to make this delicious and vegetarian strudel with red cabbage... so yummy! http://bit.ly/2pGI0km

Japanese Chef Ryohei Hieda brings us to the Keelung Fish Market to buy bonito fish and shows us how he cooks it in his restaurant in Tapei. http://bit.ly/2DUb1fi

Try these easy recipe to turn broccoli stems into a tasty slaw you can enjoy as a salad or a topping for sandwiches, burgers, tacos and more. http://bit.ly/2pAKAbA

Craving authentic Hungarian food? Here's a list of some of the best food markets, street-food and perfect venues for your gourmet experience in Budapest. http://bit.ly/2DQZttA

Don't waste Christmas leftovers! Turn them into muffins, croquettes, soups and other yummy treats. Try these easy recipes! http://bit.ly/2pup7Ry

Here's the ultimate guide to having a very merry Christmas: tips for DIY decor, gourmet recipes and advice on making the classics, like glazed ham. http://bit.ly/2ptTxDy

This week at FDL we discovered the best places to ring in 2018 in Paris, examined the history of Panforte di Siena, and interviewed chef Wojciech Modest Amaro. http://bit.ly/2DEdRVG

A selection of amazing and revolutionary pictures from 'Food in Vogue', a book dedicated to the iconic magazine's food photography and writing. http://bit.ly/2DABONK

Elena Arzak, Joan Roca, Andoni Luis Aduriz and other world class chefs will deliver unmissable masterclasses and themed talks from 22 to 24 January. http://bit.ly/2Dy8o2M

Three-Michelin-star Grace restaurant in Chicago has closed after chef Curtis Duffy and manager Michael Muser walked out. http://bit.ly/2DxqrX1

Turn your sous vide skills to drinks this festive season, from mulled wine to cherry brandy http://bit.ly/2Dx7Vht

Watch Gordon Ramsay taking orders and making a mess on the kitchen for a change, whilst appearing on Korean TV. http://bit.ly/2pdlAXG

Tips and tricks on how to prepare a delectable Christmas pudding from scratch. It is the perfect addition to Christmas dinner. Get the recipe now! http://bit.ly/2p7UsJu

Ice may be nothing more than solid water; but it is versatile and full of surprises. Here are some numbers to help you to know it better. http://bit.ly/2Dr7RQ5

6 Reasons We Choose the Wrong Partners and Stay in Unhappy Relationships One of our most essential needs as human beings is to love and be loved. Since we are wired for relationships from the moment we enter the world, one would think it would be easy to pick partners that suit us well. But the truth is, many people repeatedly pick the wrong partner and end up feeling unhappy (and perhaps utterly pained) in their relationship. For some, it’s easy to walk away from a relationship when it’s not right but for others, not so easy. Many people stay in relationships and are even aware of their unhappiness as they know deep down that their partner is not the right one. In my psychotherapy practice two of the most common themes I hear among my clients when discussing romantic partnerships are: “Why do I keep choosing the wrong partner?” and “Why do I stay in relationships that make me unhappy?” These are important and complex questions that can only be answered when we take a hard look

Do You Keep Choosing the Wrong Partners? Dating is often a fruitless search. Though they are filled with hopes and expectations at the beginning of each relationship, they are too often disappointing and even disillusioning in the long run. Yet, many single people continue to put huge amounts of their time and energy into every possible option for a long-lasting partnership. Despite multiple setbacks, they keep reaching for that elusive needle in a romantic haystack. When they describe their adventures to me, I’m often amazed and so impressed at how they somehow find the resilience and optimism to keep trying. And yet they do. The media responds by offering a smorgasbord of ready online adventures. From well-established dating sites to the plethora of ever-new ways to explore the dating market, today’s relationship seekers might easily spend many of their waking hours searching for the one person who someday will make it all worth it. Because life has other demands, it’s becoming m

VIRAL NOODLE VIDEO GETS 5 MILLION VIEWS Sometimes it’s easy to know why a story or video goes viral: it shows something new, shocking, funny or profound. Other times, well you’re not quite sure. Like this video of a Chinese street chef rolling out and cutting noodles , which has had over five million views at time of writing. Seemingly, the video, which was posted by Travel Thirsty over a year ago – it's a slow burner – has a real calming effect for some people. Watch below and judge for yourself. Its fairly long, 13 minutes, but you can jump straight to the cutting, which is what people are going wild for, in a way, from around eight minutes in. And further down, check out another chef in China, who loves noodles so much he dances with them. DON'T MISS: THE INCREDIBLE KNIFE SKILLS OF CHINESE CHEFS http://bit.ly/2p0WBXm

THE QUEEN IS LOOKING FOR A NEW CHEF PHOTO CREATIVE COMMONS Thinking about a new job for the new year and a fresh start? Well here’s something a little different for you. The Queen of England is looking for a chef to join the kitchen team at Buckingham Palace and you have until the 1 January 2018 to apply. The Royal Household is looking for a Demi Chef de Partie to “prepare classical and contemporary menus for a wide range of events” including “receptions and state dinners.” It’s a live-in role, meaning you’ll be based at the Palace, plus occasional travel to the other royal residences. The pay's terrible, around 20k, but that does include a pension scheme, 33 days of holiday, and all meals. The “salary will be adjusted” for the costs of accommodation, according to the listing. If this sounds perfect for you, then apply here now . Good luck! http://bit.ly/2Dk3OoC

HOW TO BAKE CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE: 4 FABULOUS RECIPES TO GET IT RIGHT Christmas fruit cake is an underrated holiday dessert that deserves a comeback. With these easy recipes you will learn how to bake a Christmas fruit cake that is above the rest. These recipes are prepared with dried fruit, butter, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves - all of which add great texture and flavor. Some fruit cake recipes even contain rum for an extra festive touch. Take your pick from these great fruit cake recipes and get your Christmas off to a great start. FRUIT CAKE LOAF This delightful Christmas fruit cake recipe calls for soaking dried fruit in warm tea. The results are to die for. Learn how to make this Christmas fruit cake recipe . GLUTEN-FREE CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE Use your favorite gluten-free flour in this recipe that yields a delicious, moist fruit cake with layers of spice. Get this gluten-free Christmas fruit cake recipe . EGGLESS CHRISTMAS FRUIT CAKE RECIPE Learn how to

8 OF THE HOTTEST NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS OF 2018 Cancel all plans: here are the eight new restaurants you have to visit in 2018. 2018 promises to be a bumper year for new restaurant openings and reopenings, with some big name chefs continuing to empire-build, and others looking to set out on their own for the first time. Los Angeles will further cement its reputation as one of the most exciting places to eat in the US, with a spate of high profile openings, Europe welcomes the return of perhaps its most influential and innovative restaurant, and over in South America, the darlings of Peruvian cuisine have an array of exciting projects on the slate. Here, in no particular order, are our picks for the hottest new restaurant openings of 2018.  1. NOMA 2.0, COPENHAGEN The unveiling of Noma 2.0 at the start of the year is already shaping up to be one of the biggest food events of 2018. Having shuttered the original in early 2017, chef René Redzepi and the team have popped-up in Mexico

40 EXPERTS TALK WASTE AND SUSTAINABILITY AT {RE} FOOD FORUM Waste, farming and sustainability are all on the agenda at two-day food symposium {Re} on 19 and 20 March in Bangkok, with a focus on the food industry in Asia. 40 speakers, including scientists, chefs, farmers, food historians and social entrepreneurs will all convene to give TED like talks on the future of food and food production in the hospitality industry in Asia. The brainchild of chefs Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan Jones at Bangkok's Bo.lan restaurant on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list, together with writer and farmer Leisa Tyler, the idea "is to create awareness about how we consume food responsibly”, explains Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava. “It is about considering all aspects of food production, from environment and sustainable farming techniques,to packaging, waste and the use of indigenous ingredients”  Speakers Include (more to be confirmed):  Douglas MacMaster - on creating the world’s zero

THIS THREE-MICHELIN-STAR RESTAURANT HAS 18 DIFFERENT MENUS FOR ALLERGIES While some chefs may bemoan what they believe to be an epidemic of fake allergies , intolerances and dietary requirements, others are doing their best to accommodate everyone. At the Azurmendi restaurant just outside Bilbao, which currently holds three Michelin stars and sits at number 38 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list , chef Eneko Atxa and his team have developed 18 different menus to cover any dietary requirements their guests might have. Gluten, dairy, alcohol, meat-free … they’re all there, annotated menus with pointed substitutions, delivered by a well-drilled kitchen that’s ready for anything, though of course, they would prefer if you let them know about your preferences beforehand. Will we see more restaurants follow suit? “Each restaurant is one world with its own resources and sometimes is not so easy without the support of health specialists or without information from guests,” says Atxa. “I

30 MOST EXCITING FOOD CITIES IN AMERICA Zagat have released their list of the 30 most exciting food cities across the America for 2017 , with Los Angeles taking the top spot. This is the first time the west coast Californian city has been named most exciting food city by Zagat, climbing up from second place last year. L.A. has seen a number of restaurant openings this year, including cronut king Dominique Ansel’s 189 restaurant and Johanthan Gold ’s top choice, the new avant-garde restaurant Vespertine. It's also attracting some big east coast names, like Daniel Humm and Will Guidara with Nomad Hotel Restaurant, Enrique Olvera’s Cosme and Momofuku's David Chang. Austin, Texas was named second, while Chicago came third. The windy city was also noticed by Bon Appetit as the best restaurant city 2017 . Meanwhile, last year’s winning city Washington, fell back into 6th postion and culinary epicentre New York appeared at 15, sandwiched between Boston and Dallas. The list of citie

HOW TO COOK VEGETABLES: 48 VEGGIES EXPLAINED Vegetables often get a raw deal in the kitchen - the overlooked side dish, the quickly steamed accompaniment - it’s a shame to say it but they really are still second thought for many when it comes to cooking dinner at home. It's with this in mind that we wanted to highlighted these infographics from Berkeley Wellness that explain exactly how to cook vegetables, lots and lots of vegetables. There are 48 different veggies listed, covering A-Z, with information on how to cook everything from Artichokes to Zucchini. Each section also includes detailed info on how to prep each vegetable, should it be scrubbed, peeled, shelled. If you’re one of those home cooks who avoids certain vegetables because you’re not sure how to cook them, these infographics are perfect for your. HOW TO COOK VEGETABLES. http://bit.ly/2oW11yX

VEGAN SNOWBALL COOKIES: A MUST-TRY RECIPE FOR THIS CHRISTMAS FAVORITE Vegan snowball cookies are the perfect addition to your Christmas celebration . Our special cookie recipe yields vegan snowball cookies that melt in your mouth and make a beautiful homemade gift. These cookies go by many names: Russian tea cakes, Mexican wedding cookies, Southern butterballs, Italian wedding cookies, snowdrops, and of course, snowballs. Whatever the name this cookie is always a crowd pleaser. Making them is super easy! HOW TO MAKE VEGAN SNOWBALL COOKIES Our vegan snowball cookies are made with ground almonds but you can substitute with the nut of your choice. Ingredients  yields 4 dozen 1-inch vegan snowball cookies 2 cups (240g) of flour 3/4 cup (170g) of almond meal (or crushed almonds) 1 cup (226g) of margarine at room temperature 1/2 cup (113g) of powdered sugar + more for rolling the cookies 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract a pinch of salt Instructions Preheat oven to 400F (200C) 1. Place the

WOJCIECH MODEST AMARO'S SPIRIT OF PLACE We catch up with the East European S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 Mentor, Wojciech Modest Amaro, to find out more about his own journey as a chef. Wojciech Modest Amaro is a true lover of nature. His cuisine is an expression of genius loci, or a spirit of place, as well as time and tradition. At his 1-Michelin star Atelier Amaro restaurant in Warsaw, he divides the natural calendar into micro-seasons, and his dishes are referred to as ‘moments’ or lasting memories to be cherished for years. As mentor for the East European finalist at S.Pellegrino Young Chef 2018 , he spoke to Fine Dining Lovers about his own journey as a chef, and his connection with the natural world. Can you remember the moment you decided to become a chef – what inspired you and what obstacles did you overcome to achieve your dream? I always had an energy and desire for cooking, starting with homemade pastry at age 3. On family holidays to our relatives in the countrys

Sous Vide Stuffed Pork Loin Roast When cooked properly, pork loin is moist, tender, and deeply flavorful. When under-seasoned and overcooked, it’s just plain sad — a dry, stringy end to a potential-filled piece of meat. Fortunately, with the Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker, perfectly prepared pork loin is pretty much guaranteed. To ensure even seasoning throughout, we brine the pork overnight. It’s not essential to a quality end product, but we think it’s worth the extra step. To introduce even more flavor, we stuff this version with broccoli rabe, garlic, and a blend of cheese — our take on the classic Philadelphia roast pork sandwich made famous at places like DiNic’s, John’s Roast Pork, and Campo’s Deli. To finish, we roast until golden brown and serve with pork jus and crusty sesame-seed bread. Prep Time: 01:00 Recipe Time: 04:00 Temperature : 140F / 60C Ingredients 4-pound boneless pork loin roast 8 cups water 1 cup Kosher salt 1 cup sugar 4 dried bay leaves 1/

Sous Vide City Ham With Balsamic Brown Sugar Glaze If you're a ham lover, lucky you, because ham is one meat that's darn difficult to mess up. Want to make it even juicier and more foolproof? Cook the sucker sous vide. Because hams are precooked, it's really just a matter of reheating them. Typically, I'd suggest removing meat from its retail packaging, seasoning it, then resealing it in a sous vide bag before cooking it. But since ham's pre-seasoned, it can be cooked directly in the package it comes in, making the whole process even more appealing. Cook anywhere from 3 hours all the way up to 8, and your ham will be perfect on your schedule! Prep Time: 00:20 Recipe Time: 04:00 Temperature : 140F / 60C Ingredients 1 bone-in half ham (7 to 10 pounds; 3.2 to 4.5kg), 1 cup (about 225g) brown sugar 1 cup (240ml) balsamic vinegar Directions Set Anova Sous Vide Precision Cooker to 140°F / 60°C Place ham in a large resealable ziploc bag or vacuum bag and

TOP 10 MOST POPULAR RECIPES 2017 When on the hunt for new or interesting recipes, the internet is the usual first port of call. And here at FDL.com we have a whole portfolio of popular recipes designed to suit most budding cooks searching for that perfect new recipe, come breakfast time or dinner. As 2018 draws to a close it's always interesting to look back and reflect on the most popular recipes over the year on FineDiningLovers. Those recipes that have been the most searched online, gained the most traction and generally stood out for our readers in a sea of choice. The result is a surprisingly eclectic mix of global tastes, with the most searched recipes ranging from traditional Chinese Peking duck to Portuguese Bachalau and Japanese green tea mochi to French Mont Blanc dessert. Take a look and see all the recipes that made the top 10 this year. Popular Recipes on FDL 2018 1. MOONCAKE RECIPE These symbolic cakes eaten during the Chinese Mid Autumn festival remain in pri

WATCH THIS GUY HILARIOUSLY REVIEW FOOD VIDEOS PHOTO YOUTUBE We’re loving these videos from Kalen Allen, aka Kalen Reacts, over on YouTube . The Philadelphia-based student films himself watching some of the weirder cooking videos on the web and his reactions are priceless. We’ve all watched cooking videos online where people try to jazz up traditional dishes with ingredients that have no place in the dish, and Allen is just saying what we’re all thinking. He recently featured on the Ellen Degeneres show, and though he's only been making these videos for a month or so, he's racking up the views, so expect to see a lot more of him in the future. Watch some his of his videos below. We reckon he's have a field day with some of these scary-looking dishes from the 1970s . http://bit.ly/2D0Bvvk

ITALIAN DELICACIES: PANFORTE DI SIENA PGI Panforte di Siena is one of the most iconic Christmas desserts in Italy: find out more about the tradtion and the history of this spiciy cake made in Tuscany. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Panforte di Siena is a flat cake containing spices and candied fruit, which is usually enjoyed during the Christmas festivities in Italy. The moment you sink your teeth into the first slice, you realize that this is a very ancient recipe. Back in 1891, Pellegrino Artusi acknowledged the universal fame of Panforte in his cookery book Science in the kitchen and the art of eating well. Nowadays, the production of Panforte di Siena is not restricted to the Christmas season and is supplied by several medium-sized industrial firms and cake shops throughout the area of Siena, in Tuscany . Its turnover and export volume makes an important contribution to the Tuscan economy. Besides, every family in Siena has its own recipe for making it at home. HISTORY OF PANF

Kids, Divorce, And Manipulation: Parents Who Use Kids As Weapons high conflict divorce and kids In divorce, narcissistic parents often buffer the pain of a failed marriage by trying to destroy their ex’s relationship with the children. Unlike healthy parents, who aim to work themselves out of a job by preparing children to live independently, a narcissist sees their kids as extensions of themselves. They cannot tolerate the thought that their children might grow up to chart their own course. Sharing child custody loosens narcissists’ sense of control. They become terrified that their children might love the other parent more, or be more like that parent. How do they try to regain control? Often, it’s to embark on a mission to get the children back on their “side.” Some narcissistic parents may actually believe the other parent is evil, and may view themselves as their child’s rescuer. Some may simply have more Machiavellian intentions. Either way, a narcissistic parent won’t hesit

11 Warning Signs You’re Dealing With A Black-Hearted Person The existence of evil in the world is certainly not a new concept. Growing up we are introduced to the concept in our favourite  television shows, movies and fairy tales. Even at a young age, we learn to distinguish between the brave, selfless hero and the dark, evil villain. But does this definition of good versus evil exist in the real world? It would be hard to deny the existence of evil in the world today – all you have to do is turn on the news and you will be inundated with stories of psychopaths, murderers, and a wide assortment of criminals each focused more on their own well being than those around them. There are many different theories as to why some people view the world in such a different manner. Some say that it is all about the environment and the way that we are raised, while others argue that there is a biological component. When discussing some of the more serious cases, experts point to the release