Here is an ongoing compendium of area food events, as well as numerous kitchen tips and tricks that expand on information found in the Gazette’s Wednesday food section. The material comes from wire services and local sources. Check back for additional postings and feel free to submit your own.
To read other posts from today as well as archived entries, simply click on Food Forum’s colorful place setting.
Reader comments are encouraged. Information should be sent to Gazette reporter Elysia Nest at nest@dailygazette.com.
The resurrection of Spam
Sales of Spam — that much poked-fun-at lunch meat from yesteryear— are spiking as consumers turn to lower-cost foods to extend their already tight food budgets.
What has long been the butt of joke after joke is now what’s for dinner, analysts say.
Food prices are increasing faster than they’ve risen since 1990, at 4 percent in the U.S. last year, according to the Agriculture Department.
Many staples are rising even faster, with white bread up 13 percent over last year, bacon up 7 percent and peanut butter up 9 percent.
And there is no sign of a slowdown.
What’s going on in the Capital Region? Is Spam becoming the new meat of choice as gas and food prices skyrocket?
How are you managing to put a well-balanced meal on the table in these difficult times?
Help for the kitchen
The Williams-Sonoma store in Crossgates Mall in Guilderland has announced its next round of kitchen-technique demonstrations, being held at the store on Sundays in June and July.
The demonstrations are free. All classes are to be held at 11 a.m., and reservations are encouraged by calling 456-0201.
Here is the lineup:
June 8 — Grilling: Favorite Summer Sides
Burgers, franks and chicken may get top billing, but learn how to grill veggies that’ll steal the show. Get the most flavor out of summer produce as experts demonstrate some of their favorite summer sides from the grill and from the garden.
June 29 — Extreme Ice Cream
Learn a few basics, and they’ll all be screaming for ice cream. Learn how to make your own ice cream at home that you can enjoy all summer long. You’ll learn how to take basic ice cream flavors and transform them into delicious, decadent, ice cream flavors that are uniquely yours.
July 13 — Pizza
Not all pizza comes in a box. See how to make a pie from scratch in the kitchen and on the grill and how to get family and friends in on the fun. You’ll learn how to make a pizza dough in minutes, how to bake it to perfection and how to wow them with toppings.
July 27 — Summer Fruits & Vegetables
Make the most of summer’s bounty as experts guide you through the fruit and vegetable garden. Learn the basics of fruit and vegetable handling and storage, and take away exciting recipes that showcase summer’s delicious produce.
