Cheers For National Whipped Cream Day

Who doesn't love whipped cream? It tops so many different desserts and dishes, from a dollop atop an ice cream sundae to a mound atop a Belgian waffle. You'll find it atop hot chocolate and frappes, creme brûlée and bread pudding. I'm certainly a huge fan of whipped cream, especially home-made, though I won't turn down almost any type.

Today, let us celebrate National Whipped Cream Day, giving even more love to this tasty treat! I have done some research but been unable to pin down the exact origin of this day. But it may be related to Aaron Lapin, the creator of canned whipped cream.

January 5 is Lapin's birthday and he was born in 1914 in St. Louis. Known as Bunny (as "lapin" means "rabbit" in French), he was originally a clothes salesman but got into the food industry in the 1940s. He started selling Sta-Whip, a wartime substitute for whipping cream, and eventually put whipped cream into a new type of aerosol canister and called his product, Reddi-wip. Reddi-wip was first sold through local milkmen but it went national in 1954 and is still available today.

Reddi-Wip has been in the news recently, the center of a whipped cream shortage. Reddi-Wip cans rely on nitrous oxide and last August, there was an explosion of a nitrous oxide tanker in Florida, killing a man, Jesse Graham Folmar, who was filling the tanker. The plant had to be shut down, leading to a shortage of nitrous oxide, with current stocks going first to medical customers with lesser amounts to food customers. In November, production of Reddi-Wipp was ceased and it was hoped that production would restart around the middle of this month.

You might have difficulty finding Reddi-Wip right now, but you could always make your own whipped cream. It isn't that difficult and still is an excellent way to celebrate today's holiday. Here are four ways from the Pioneer Woman to make whipped cream.

What is your favorite dessert which has whipped cream on it?

Advice For Attending The Boston Wine Expo

You're confronted with the opportunity to taste nearly 2000 different wines. There's no way you can taste all of them, or even a large percentage, so what should you do? What is the best strategy to handle this intimidating dilemma? What other advice should you know about attending such a huge wine event?

Let me provide some advice and suggestions.

The annual Boston Wine Expo will be held during President’s Day weekend, February 18 & 19, at the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center. Thousands of local wine lovers will attend this event and many would likely benefit from advice for maximizing their enjoyment and education during this large-scale wine event. Even if you have attended the Expo before, you might find some valuable suggestions here.

At the Expo, there will be the usual Grand Tasting, which will feature over 200 producers and about 1800 wines and it is easy to feel overwhelmed. People attend these events for a number of different reasons. Though many don't like to discuss it, there is always a contingent that goes just to get drunk. I don't advise anyone to do this. Instead, have fun, taste wine, but don't over do it. You will want to remember what you experienced and tasted. Use this opportunity to learn about wine, to find new favorites, and to socialize with other wine lovers.

What is my best advice for attending these Grand Tastings? Like many endeavors, the key is in your preparation. Don't just show up and drink, especially if you want to learn anything. Take some time and make a plan. I've attended numerous of these Expos and, based on my experience, I'll help you make an informed plan so you can best enjoy the Expo.

Initial Planning

1) Your first decision needs to be which events you want to attend at the Expo, whether the Grand Tasting, Vintners' Reserve Lounge, and/or the Seminars. You can purchase your tickets online here. Take some time and examine the Boston Wine Expo website and look at which events most appeal to you. I can even provide you a special Promo Code: BloggerTaste17 (not case sensitive), which will provide you a 10% discount if you buy your tickets between January 4 and January 18.

2) It is important to realize that each year the Boston Wine Expo contributes a portion of their proceeds to a local charity and this year the major charitable benefactor will be the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center’s Summer Camp Program for Children with Disabilities. To date, the Boston Guild of Oenophilists has raised over $1.4 million for worthy causes. So you can feel good, knowing that some of the money you pay for your tickets will go to help children in need.

3) The Grand Tasting is the main event, where the 200+ wineries showcase nearly 2000 wines. This is the most popular of the events and the one that will most likely appeal to you. You can go on Saturday or Sunday, or get a Weekend Pass which allows you access on both days. If you can only go one day, I recommend going to Sunday to avoid the largest crowd. Saturdays are usually the busiest day at the Expo. Sunday will still be busy but the crowds are much more manageable. If you want to spoil yourself, opt for the VIP Experience, giving you an early VIP entrance, some swag, and more.

4) For more advanced wine lovers, I'd recommend tickets to the Vintners’ Reserve Lounge, a special tasting room for higher end wines, special vintages, as well as unique small production wines. There will also be food samples there from a number of local restaurants. It is a more intimate event, albeit pricier, and you will taste some amazing wines.

5) Whether you opt for the Grand Tasting or Vintners' Reserve Lounge, you should consider attending one or more of the 35 different Wine Seminars as they can be an excellent choice for more directed wine education in a more intimate setting. You can learn about Port and Chianti Classico, Riesling and Champagne. A few Seminars which sound especially appealing to me include: Fun With Food & Wine Matching, Back To The Future With Georgian Wine, and Decadent & Delicious-Sweet Wines of the World. There are even some spirit-based Seminars, such as The Art of Japanese Whiskey and Gin--From Bathtub To Bottle To Your Glass. Buy tickets early though as seating is limited and seminars can sell out.

6) If attending the Grand Tasting, the sheer number of wines available for tasting, nearly 2000, is intimidating. To make the most of your time at the Expo, you shouldn't just show up at the Expo and wander around tasting wine. You'll probably miss plenty of wines you wished you had tasted. Instead, I strongly recommend that you make a plan beforehand, deciding which wine regions and/or specific wineries tables you want to visit and taste. You cannot taste every wine at the Expo, or probably even 5% of the wines. So you need to be very selective as to what you taste. Check the list of Participating Exhibitors to see which wineries will be at the Expo and select a number you want to visit.

7) When choosing which winery tables to visit, I also recommend that you don't drink wines you already know and like. You can do that anytime and anywhere else. Instead, take this opportunity to expand your palate and try different wines, hoping to find new wines to enjoy. Never had Portuguese wines? Then make an effort to venture to their tables and try some of their wines, from Vinho Verde to Altejano reds. Never had Greek wines, they check out their wines made from grapes like Xynomavro and Agioritiko. With all the diversity of wines available, it makes little sense to spend your time drinking the same wines you drink at home all the time. Be willing to experiment and taste something different. Make the Expo an opportunity to explore the wide world of wine.

8) In the near future, prior to the Expo, I will post an article with my own recommendations for wines you should check out. That will give you some suggestions to help you expand your palate and try some different wines, hoping you'll find some new favorites. For example, at last year's Expo, thirteen of the wines I tasted ended up as some of my Top Favorite Wines of 2016.

Pre-Expo Preparation

9) How will you get to the Expo? Remember that you will be tasting lots of wines so you may not be able to drive home safely. No one should ever drink and drive! So, if you can, take public transportation, book a nearby hotel room, or have a designated driver. Please don't drink and drive. That is the most important advice in this entire post. DON'T DRINK & DRIVE!!

10) Eat a hearty breakfast or lunch before going to the Expo. If you are going to be tasting all that wine, you should have a full stomach to help nullify some of that alcohol. If you go on an empty stomach, the alcohol will hit you harder and quicker, and you won't last long. There will be some food available at these events, but it is much better to start off with a relatively full belly before you even get there.

11) Dress comfortably, noting that there is always the potential you might spill wine on your clothes. So leave those white shirts, blouses, pants, etc. home. It is a casual event so there is no need to get all dressed up, though you are welcome to do so if you desire. Just beware of the possibility of wine spills. It is very important to wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for several hours, walking around the tasting hall. Those high heels might be beautiful, but standing on them for four or five hours could be painful, and dangerous if you get too tipsy.

12) Please don't wear perfume or cologne as they will interfere with your ability to smell the wine, and will also interfere with the ability of other people to do the same. It is very important for a number of attendees to be able to smell the aromas within the wines. That becomes so much more difficult when a strong perfume or cologne clouds their sense of smell. So please show consideration for your fellow attendees and don't wear it.

13) Make sure all your electronics, such as your camera and smartphone, are fully charged. It's a pain when your battery dies half way through the Expo and you are unable to take any more photos. You might also be posting to social media while at the Expo so you want sufficient power in your smart phone to keep you going for the while event.

14) At the Expo, you'll be able to pick up a free plastic bag which can be used to hold any pamphlets, maps, books, business cards, souvenirs, and other items you acquire. However, you might want to bring your own bag instead, maybe a cloth bag, something which has a strap which can rest easily on your shoulder and you won't mind carrying for several hours. The plastic bags you get at the Expo generally must be held in your hand and can't be easily carried on your shoulder. I prefer to have my hands free at the Expo if possible.

15) Arrive at the Expo early so you can beat the the long lines to get into the Expo. You'll be able to enter the Grand Tasting as soon as it opens and can beat the crowds to your first tasting table. You will also be able to find a better parking spot if you are driving to the Expo. Opting for the VIP Experience is another way to gain early VIP entrance.

16) If you drive, leave your coat in your car. The coat check room at the Expo is always crowded and you don't want to waste time waiting in line when you could be wine tasting. The parking lots are close enough so you would only be outside for a few minutes at most without a coat. A New Englander should be able to handle that easily.

At The Expo

17) When you are tasting wines, please spit. Every sip you swallow adds to your alcohol level and if you do not spit, you will soon find yourself intoxicated. Even small sips can add up quickly. Once you are intoxicated, all of the wines will start tasting good to you and you probably won't learn anything. Spitting is the only way to navigate through a large number of wines, trying to discern which new wines appeal to you. So spit, spit, spit! At the very least, minimize the amount of wines you swallow and spit out the rest.

18) While you are tasting wines, take frequent breaks to drink water and eat snacks to help cleanse your palate. There are numerous food vendors at these events, many offering free samples, so there is no excuse why you can't find something to nibble upon. Water is also necessary to stay hydrated and the Expo usually has plenty of free water available. All of this will help keep your palate sharp and also try to limit the effect of all that alcohol.

19) Carry some napkins in your pocket. They will help if you spill any wine, letting you quickly blot up such a spill. In addition, your wine glass is likely to get a little sticky after you've tasted a number of wines and a napkin can help clean off your glass for continued tasting. Plus, if you nibble on some food, an extra napkin can come in handy.

20) If you really enjoy a wine, ask questions about whether it is available or not. Unfortunately, not all of the wines poured at these events are yet available in Massachusetts. If it is available, they should be able to tell you the name of the distributor. Write that info down as it will help you locate the wine later. You can go to your local wine store with that info and they should be able to get the wine for you.

21) If you find a new wine you enjoy, how will you remember it? You can take notes, writing down the name of the wine, or use your smart phone to take a picture of the wine bottle label. Nothing is worse than tasting a great wine but later forgetting its name. You will taste plenty of wines at the Expo so the only way to ensure you remember which ones you enjoyed are to take notes or pictures. Taking a photo of the label is easy and you'll be very glad later that you have a record of your favorite wines.

22) Pair some food with some of the wines you taste. This will help you better appreciate and understand some of the wines you taste. If you taste some dessert wines, find some sweet foods to pair with them. Try pairing cheese with various wines to determine which pairings you like best. It can be important with some tannic wines to pair them with food, such as meat dishes, to better appreciate how they are best enjoyed. There are many possibilities and it is fun to try different wines with different foods.

23) Check out one of the free Chef Demos, held on two different stages, where you can watch chefs, many local, demonstrate recipes and you often get to sample what they prepare. This can be a fun break from all of your wine tasting and you can see some excellent local Chefs. For example, you can see Bing Lu and Preston Miller of the new Peruvian/Asian restaurant RUKA, Johnny Sheehan of Liquid Art House, David Becker of Sweet Basil/Juniper, Justin Winters of Cinquecento Roman Trattoria, and more.

24) Bring cash/debit card/credit card with you just in case you want to purchase anything at the Expo. There will be some food vendors selling their items, as well as other lifestyle vendors, selling everything from jewelry to magazines. Some of these vendors offer special deals for Expo attendees so you can save some money off their regular prices.

25) Most importantly, make sure you have fun!

Rant: No Predictions, Only Desires

The New Year, 2017, has arrived!

Predictions for the New Year are basically useless. At the end of the year, the vast majority of predictions will have failed to come to fruition and even those that do are probably due more to luck than any actual ability to predict the future. You would have just as much success by reading tea leaves or the entrails of goats. I know that if I devised my own predictions, they too would probably fail.

We can all hope that 2017 will usher in positive changes to the local food & drink industry. Instead of offering any predictions, I'm going to provide a list of my desires, those trends, issues and items which I would love to see step forward and take precedence in 2017, though I'm not predicting they will actually come to fruition. However, I think we would all benefit if these desires were fulfilled.

And we have the ability to make these desires come true. They pose valuable opportunities for entrepreneurs and others to step up and make their mark. They are matters we can demand and promote, matters we can hound restaurant owners, legislators and others to pursue. We can make our future become a reality.

Many of these desires are the same I wrote about last year, as those desires did not come to fruition but I still believe they should become more prominent. Maybe 2017 will finally be the year to see at least a couple of my desires come true.

1) More Bread Pudding  
Bread pudding is relatively easy to make and can be inexpensive as it can be made with day old bread. Plus, it is a diverse dish that can be made in a wide variety of flavors, with different sauces, and accompaniments. I've had some superb bread puddings at local restaurants, and would like to see more restaurants offering it on their dessert menus. However, I also think there is a great opportunity for an enterprising baker to open a Bread Pudding Bakery. They exist in other parts of the country so why not in the Boston area? Skip opening another damn cupcake bakery, think outside the box, and opt for a bread pudding bakery instead. I've been pushing for this for a few years and it still hasn't caught on. Why not?

2) More Filipino Restaurants & Dishes
This is another matter I've been ranting about for several years. There is a dearth of Filipino cuisine both locally as well throughout the U.S., though a few regions seem to be opening several new Filipino restaurants. With apparently only a single Filipino restaurant in the Boston area, there is a huge opportunity here for more Filipino spots. Or if even not an entire restaurant, maybe we could see more Filipino inspired dishes on other menus. Chef Patrick Enage, who was born in the Philippines, is hoping to open a Southeast Asian restaurant, Akinto, in the Spring of 2017, which will have some Filipino dishes. That will be a great start but we need even more Filipino dishes and restaurants in the Boston area.

3) More Local Seafood
Something is seriously wrong as the U.S. imports over 90% of their seafood. Where is the love for domestic seafood? There is plenty of sustainable and delicious domestic seafood available and more of it needs to be served at restaurants and eaten at homes. For example, why serve Asian shrimp, especially considering problems such as the Thai slavery scandal, when Gulf shrimp can be just as good? We should support local fishermen and our local economy by buying more local seafood. Local seafood is also more traceable, so you know where it has been counter to imported seafood which can have a much murkier origin. Price alone shouldn't be the reason to opt for imported seafood. Last year saw an increase in our annual consumption of seafood of about one pound, which is a a very positive sign but it needs to continue.

4) More Breakfast Pizza
A breakfast pizza, such as with potatoes, bacon, cheese and a fried egg, can be absolutely delicious, such as the one at Ciao! Pizza & Pasta. It isn't a difficult dish to create yet you won't find it available on many menus. Think of all the pizza joints you know and then consider which ones make a breakfast pizza. You might know one or two, at best. So why isn't it more popular and available? It is puzzling to me and it seems such a no-brainer. People love pizza so why wouldn't they also love a breakfast pizza? This too seems to be a missed opportunity for many so I hope more restaurants decide to add these to their menu.

5) More Sake at Non-Asian Restaurants
In the Boston area, Sake is largely confined to Asian restaurants and there is no reason why that should be the case. Sake pairs well with all sorts of cuisines, from Italian to French, Barbecue to Burgers. I've previously written about The Science of Sake & Food Pairings, explaining reasons why it pairs so well with varied cuisines. For Sake to become more popular and mainstream, we need more restaurants to carry and promote Sake. Tasting Counter is one of the courageous outliers, a non-Asian restaurant with ten Sakes on their menu. In southern Maine, plenty of non-Asian restaurants now carry the locally made Blue Current Sake. There is now Dovetail Sake, made in Waltham, so Boston restaurants have another local option to add to their drink lists. Sake is not just for Sushi!

6) More Mezcal Bars
There are plenty of Tequila bars in the Boston area, and even those which do not specialize in Tequila often carry a significant selection of Tequilas. However, there are only a handful of Mezcal bars, places which carry at least 20 different Mezcals. With about 100 different bottlings available in Massachusetts, there are plenty of Mezcal options for bars and restaurants to carry. Mezcal is often traditionally produced, can be made from numerous types of agave, and can be complex and delicious, unique and compelling. Mezcal needs far more attention and consumers will embrace it once they realize its wonders.

What food & drink trends would you like to see in 2016?

New Year's Eve Resolutions For My Readers

Happy New Year's Eve, and I hope you enjoy your celebrations this evening, whether you go out to a party or have a relatively quiet night at home. Have some bubbly, whether it is Champagne, Franciacorta, Cremant d' Alsace, Cava, or some other type of Sparkling Wine. As the ball falls in Times Square at midnight, I hope you are with family and/or friends, looking forward to the start of 2017. And I especially hope that this New Year is better for you than 2016.

This is also the time when people will ponder their lives and choose to make Resolutions, the things they want to do, or not do, to make their lives better in the New Year. Maybe you want to give up smoking or lose weight, maybe you want to start going to a gym regularly or save more money. Unfortunately, many people will break their resolutions after only a short time, so numerous people will choose not to make a resolution, figuring they won't follow it anyways.

As I previously done for the last several years, I want to offer some alternative suggestions for resolutions, all connected to food and drink. Rather than deal in absolutes, or exact measurements, I merely hope that you choose to do your best to follow these suggested resolutions with the simple goal of doing better than you did last year. I don't expect anyone to follow these resolutions all the time. Please just do your best. I think you might find this easier to do than a more specific resolution which is an either/or proposition. Seek continued forward progress in these ten resolutions.

1) Resolve to eat & drink healthier
That encompasses so much, from eating less calories to choosing items that have less preservatives and chemicals. Take small steps in your approach rather than diving into a major change. The smaller steps won't seem as burdensome and it will make it easier to take another small step later on. And even small changes can bring about positive changes. We all would benefit from eating and drinking healthier and it will also help our environment and economy.

2) Resolve to consume more local food & drink
Local products can help the environment, the local economy and benefit the local community. Plus, many of those local products can be healthier than mass produced, overly processed foods that might come from thousands of miles away. This includes drinking local wines, as every state now produces wine, and you might be surprised by the quality of some of that local wine. Not all local food and drink is delicious or good for the environment, so do some research to find out the best.

3) Resolve to eat more seafood, especially domestic
Seafood can be extremely healthy for you, especially those fish rich in Omega-3s, so it is an excellent choice for dinner. And seafood is delicious, versatile and often easy to prepare. Yes, it can be more expensive, but it is well worth the added cost. And buying more domestic seafood will help our economy, rather than buying so much imported seafood. Eating more seafood can be one of the healthiest life changes you ever make. It has scientifically been proven that consuming 26 pounds of seafood annually will reduce your chances of heart disease by 36%. An easy and delicious resolution.

4) Resolve to expand your drink horizons
Don't keep drinking the same old stuff all the time. There are so many wonderful beverages out there to taste, to see if you can find some new favorites. Break out of your rut and endeavor to try something new on a regular basis. If you mainly drink Chardonnay, venture out and try some other white wines, such as Gruner Veltliner, Trebbiano or Albarino. Try Sherry, Sake, Japanese Whisky, Mezcal, Franciacorta, Baijiu, and other under-appreciated beverages. Taste it all, constantly trying new beverages, and continue drinking those you enjoy.

5) Resolve to expand your food horizons
In a similar vein, don't keep eating the same old stuff all the time. There are so many wonderful foods out there to taste, to see if you can find some new favorites. Break out of your rut and endeavor to try something new on a regular basis. Try some less common meats, from rabbit to wild boar, or maybe something even more unusual like insects or guinea pig. Seek out ethnic dishes that are new to you, and look for new ingredients you can try out in your own kitchen. Taste it all, constantly trying new foods, and continue eating what you enjoy

6) Resolve to cook more at home
Cooking at home is another way to benefit the environment, and it can be more economical than eating out all the time. It also gives you a better handle on exactly what you eat, so you can make the food as healthy as you desire. It can be fun too, if you cook with someone else, breaking the potential boredom of cooking alone. Be creative in what you cook, seek out new recipes, and share recipes with others.

7) Resolve not to be a douchebag when you dine out
When you dine out at a restaurant, be polite and show respect to everyone working at the restaurant. Don't demand special treatment or threaten the restaurant just because you write reviews on some community website. Tip properly, showing your server gratitude for all their hard work. If you enjoy the restaurant, spread the word about your positive experience. Good restaurants can use, and deserve, all the help they can get.

8) Resolve to give more to fight hunger
Despite the wealth of the U.S., there are still far too many people who can't afford to eat properly. Hunger is a major problem and one that we can do something about. Give food or money to local food banks, national organizations, or any other charity that is trying to combat this problem. Those of us without food security issues can all help out.

9) Resolve not to waste as much food
It is said that up to 40% of our food ends up as waste, and that is a nearly unbelievable statistic. Do your part to help reduce food waste. Food waste can lead to higher food prices and cause more environmental damage. Don't make as much food as normal when making a meal so you don't have leftovers in the first place. As your mother probably once said to you, finish everything on your plate. Use any leftovers to make additional meals.

10) Resolve not to drink & drive
As I have said time and time again, do not drive if you are impaired by alcohol. It is much too dangerous and you could injure or kill yourself or someone else. Even if you don't get in an accident, you could be arrested and that comes with its own high costs. It isn't worth doing it, so please just don't drink and drive.

Is there anything I missed?

Thursday Sips & Nibbles

I am back again with a new edition of Thursday Sips & Nibbles, my regular column where I highlight some interesting, upcoming food & drink events.
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1) Start the New Year off right with a pop-up brunch at Juniper, located in Wellesley, on Sunday, January 8, from 11:30am-2:30pm, featuring Avi Shemtov, chef/owner of The Chubby Chickpea and author of “The Single Guy Cookbook.” For one day only, Juniper chef/owner Dave Becker will open for brunch and welcome Shemtov into the kitchen to prepare a Middle Eastern-influenced mid-day meal.

Shemtov’s signature Shakshuka – a classic Middle Eastern tomato and egg dish – will form the cornerstone of the menu, alongside other tasty brunch fare, such as Lamb Belly Hash, Confit Duck Benedict, Fried Bacon Gravy and more. Juniper will be mixing up creative takes on the classic brunch cocktails to accompany the feast.

Juniper is a Mediterranean bistro, in the heart of downtown Wellesley, and offers creative, generously portioned plates filled with the “feel good flavors” synonymous with Eastern Mediterranean cuisine in an eclectic, colorfully adorned space.

Founded in 2010, The Chubby Chickpea aims to be at the cutting edge of Middle Eastern Cuisine, fusing traditional favorites and authentic recipes with fresh local ingredients and contemporary styles. As a fast casual restaurant, Mobile Food Truck and full service catering company, The Chubby Chickpea is committed to delivering the very best in ethnic comfort food.

Walk-ins to this special Brunch are welcome or reservations can be made by calling 781-446-6950

2) The Hot Toddy is often said to be an excellent way to ease cold and flu symptoms, and has been used for that purpose for centuries. At its most basic, a Hot Toddy is a mix of a spirit, such as whiskey, rum or brandy, with hot water and honey. It also commonly includes spices and sometimes tea or a lemon slice. There are plenty of variations and it is a perfect winter drink. January 11 is National Hot Toddy Day.

TAMO Bistro & Bar, in the Seaport Hotel, is now offering three different Hot Toddies, which will be available all winter, to warm you up. Each of their Toddies is made with honey harvested from the more than 1 million bees housed on the roof of the Seaport Hotel and then infused with different flavors in-house. So check out these Toddies now, on National Hot Toddy Day, or sometimes else during this winter.

· Traditional Hot Toddy – Seaport honey, lemon, cloves, whiskey ($10)
· Spicy Hot Toddy – Sriracha-infused Seaport honey, dried pepper, whiskey ($10)
· Sweet Hot Toddy – Cinnamon-infused Seaport honey, cinnamon stick, whiskey ($10)