Link roundup

1. A recipe for hardtack. (If you don't know what that is, you really should run out and buy a couple Patrick O'Brian novels.)

2. (New, specific) Assertions that FIFA demands massive bribes from potential host countries.

3. "Frank McCourt's motives and methods for potentially putting the Dodgers into bankruptcy."

Link roundup

1. Great, long article about Stephon Marbury's continuing adventures in China. Via.

2. Serious Eats: Passover Recipes We Love.

3. "Which HBO pilot has more nudity: True Blood or Game of Thrones?" A detailed analysis by io9.

Link roundup

1. Someone uploaded Tron: Legacy to Youtube - - the full movie as one, two-hour video. This has to be by Disney, right? It was mentioned on Reddit hours ago, and yet Disney hasn't taken it down. Or does it take much longer than I think for infringing videos to be removed?

2. Recipe for Horseradish Cream Sauce (so good with prime rib).

3. Noxzema now has two fewer ounces than it used to, but comes in the same size container - - which features a false bottom to disguise the smaller amount of product.

Food link roundup

1. Taco Bell is testing out shells made out of nacho cheese-flavored Doritos.

2. News about the Chipotle spinoff restaurant, ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen:

Chipotle Unveils Details about New Asian Restaurant Concept
DENVER, Apr 12, 2011 -- Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) has unveiled additional details for its new restaurant concept slated to open this summer. The concept, ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, is inspired by the traditional shophouses found throughout Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Shophouses are classical two or three-story buildings where families live upstairs and run restaurants or fresh markets on the ground level.

The ShopHouse menu will pair the bold and complex flavors of southeast Asia with fresh, sustainably raised ingredients; grilled and braised meats, a variety of fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, spicy sauces, and an array of garnishes. Customers will move along a service line and customize their meal according to flavor preference and diet, in a format similar to the one that has become the hallmark of Chipotle's success.

"I have always believed that the Chipotle model would work well with a variety of different cuisines," said Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO of Chipotle. "Chipotle's success is not necessarily about burritos and tacos, but rather about serving great, sustainably raised food that is delicious, affordable, and convenient."

"Anyone who has traveled throughout Southeast Asia can tell you that food there is served very fast -- it's also full of flavor, nutritious, and affordable," said Ells. "This cuisine gives us a great opportunity to prove the idea that the Chipotle model can work with other cuisines."

ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen is scheduled to open summer 2011 in Washington, D.C.

3. Cupcake fondue.

4. Recipe for Matzo Brei With Pear And Dried Sour Cherries.

5. Recipe for Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks.

*Buy Happy Meal toys at eBay.

PushCakes and Butterbeer Cupcakes

"PushCake: cake layers kept moist between generous, almost mini trifle-esque layers of buttercream."




Butterbeer cupcakes recipe. The final step: "Then pipe your buttercream onto your cupcakes and top with a drizzle of butterscotch ganache!" Via.

Easiest Things to Cook

How to cook easy food? Sounds like a brainteaser. Easy food is picking up the phone and ordering pizza. Or eating a bowl of cereal. But that sort of eating can get old. Besides, if you are throwing a party or planning a dinner food for 2, cereal or pizza are not very good options. But what are the easiest things to cook, without burning the kitchen down? You'd be surprised at the variety and choices. So if the hungry chef in you, yearns for some lip smacking, yet simple recipes to satiate your appetite, then yearn no more, for here's a collection of the easiest foods to cook.

Easiest Things to Cook with Eggs

Eggs are a versatile ingredient for filling, and easy things to cook. One of the fastest things to cook is scrambled eggs, with a preparation time of just 5 minutes.

French Toast
Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 slices bread

Directions: In a deep plate, beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Heat a skillet or pan, with a little oil, over medium heat. Soak bread slices in egg mixture for 20 seconds on each side. Make sure bread slice is thoroughly coated. Cook bread, until both sides turn light brown and crisp.

Scrambled Eggs
Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Break eggs in a bowl, add milk and whisk till well combined. In a frying pan, or skillet, heat butter at medium heat and pour egg mixture gently into pan. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle salt and pepper. Add chopped parsley and other additions (cheese, mushrooms) that you want, now. Using a wooden spoon, scrape eggs from pan's edge to the center, forming large curds. Keep scraping, to redistribute eggs as they cook. Turn off heat, keep pan on burner and make some toast, to serve with the eggs.

Quiche
Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup biscuit baking mix
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) packet frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
• 1 cup cubed cooked ham
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish. In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add broccoli, ham and cheddar cheese and stir well. Pour this batter into prepared quiche dish. Bake in oven for 50 minutes, until top turns golden brown and eggs are set.

Herbed Cheese Omelet
Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• ¼ teaspoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 slices processed cheese

Directions: Beat eggs and seasonings in a bowl. In a skillet, over low heat, melt butter. Pour egg mixture into skillet and cook over medium heat. Make sure eggs turn firm and set, especially at edges. Remove from heat and place cheese on one side of omelet. Fold one half over cheese covered side and serve.

Simple Things to Cook – Sandwiches

The humble sandwich is a hungry man's savior. All types of breads (panini, brown, white, pita, tortillas), veg and non-veg fillings and a rich array of sauces, make a sandwich, one of the easiest stuff to cook.

Ham & Cheese Crescents
Ingredients

• 1 packet of crescent rolls
• ¼ lb thinly sliced deli ham
• Mustard (optional)
• ¼ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Unroll crescents and divide into 8 rolls. Spread mustard on each roll. Place a slice of ham and cheese in each roll, roll up, then bake for 15 minutes or until crisp and brown.

Cucumber Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches
Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 1 (8 ounces) packet cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoons chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• Pinch of salt

Directions: Shred cucumber. In a strainer or food processor, mix cream cheese, onion, cucumber, yogurt and salt, until thick green paste is formed. Spread filling on bread, to make a sandwich.

Tuna Melt Sandwiches
Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) can of tuna, shredded
• ¾ cup celery, chopped
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 6 hamburger buns, split
• ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened
• Salt to taste

Directions: In a bowl, combine tuna, celery, cheese, onion and mayonnaise. Spread butter on one side of buns. Spread tuna mixture on bun bottoms and lay buttered side over. Wrap buns in foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Grilled Cheese with Spinach and Tomato
Ingredients

• 1 slice cheese (any kind)
• 2 slices tomato
• 6 spinach leaves, halved
• 2 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
• A dash of salt and garlic powder

Directions: Heat a frying pan, pour a little oil or use cooking spray. On medium heat, add tomatoes at pan's edges and spinach to center. Sprinkle garlic and salt over vegetables. Toss spinach frequently and turn tomatoes, every minute or so. Do not over fry tomatoes, they should be a little soft. Cook spinach till slightly wilted. Remove frying pan and keep tomatoes and spinach aside. Heat pan, spread butter on 1 side of bread and place in pan. Sprinkle cheese and then place tomato-spinach mixture on top of cheese. Leave pan on heat, so cheese and spinach mixture lightly melts. Butter other bread slice and brown both sides of sandwich. Serve hot.

Parmesan Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ingredients

• 1 can chicken breast, cut into chunks or shredded
• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium lettuce
• ½ cup ranch salad dressing
• 6 portions of bread
• White pepper and salt to taste

Directions: In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, lettuce (rip into small pieces), cheese and ranch dressing. Mix well and using a fork, spread on bread. Sprinkle pepper and salt.

Miscellaneous Easiest Things to Cook

Chinese, Italian and rice recipes are difficult, right? No way! From the famous mac and cheese, to a chicken crock pot recipe, here's some varied easiest things to cook. And their cooking time isn't too long either.

Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (16 ounce) packet, mixed vegetables
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup ready mix stir-fry sauce
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups roast beef, cubed and cooked

Directions: Heat olive oil in a heavy saucepan. Add water and vegetables. Stir, cover and leave to cook for 3 minutes, at medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and stir-fry sauce. Add to veggie mix, in saucepan and stir well. Add beef and stir. Cover saucepan and cook at low heat, for 5-8 minutes. Stir occasionally. Cook until vegetables are tender and crisp and beef is hot. Serve with rice or egg noodles.

Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups milk
• 2 cups grated Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
• 1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 14 inch baking dish. Cook pasta, according to package directions. Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Slowly add milk. Cook, stirring constantly, for 6-8 minutes, until sauce becomes slightly thick. Add Gruyere, cheddar, pepper and salt. Cook till cheese melts. Add pasta and mix. Transfer this mixture to baking dish, and bake for 25-30 minutes, until top turns golden.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Crock Pot Recipe
Ingredients

• 6 chicken breasts, skinned and deboned
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Rinse chicken and sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Mix soups together and pour over chicken in the crock pot. Cook on low heat, for 6-8 hours. Serve with rice or noodles.

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Feta Cheese
Ingredients

• 1 (9 ounce) packet linguine
• ¾ cup sun-dried tomato halves
• ¼ cup basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons almonds, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Directions: Cook pasta as per packet directions. Reserve 1 cup of cooked pasta liquid. In a food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, basil, almonds, cheese, garlic, pepper and salt. Process till finely chopped. Mix tomato mixture and cooking liquid, stirring well. Add to pasta, toss well. Sprinkle feta over pasta.

The possibilities for the easiest things to cook seem endless. Whether you are a pasta aficionado or a make-me-a-sandwich kind of guy, there is a recipe for you. There are nearly 10 different types of grilled cheese sandwiches alone! So next time, do not accept any slurs on your cooking skills. Whip up any one of the above easiest things to cook, and even the most jaded palate will be begging for more!

Easiest Things to Cook

How to cook easy food? Sounds like a brainteaser. Easy food is picking up the phone and ordering pizza. Or eating a bowl of cereal. But that sort of eating can get old. Besides, if you are throwing a party or planning a dinner food for 2, cereal or pizza are not very good options. But what are the easiest things to cook, without burning the kitchen down? You'd be surprised at the variety and choices. So if the hungry chef in you, yearns for some lip smacking, yet simple recipes to satiate your appetite, then yearn no more, for here's a collection of the easiest foods to cook.

Easiest Things to Cook with Eggs

Eggs are a versatile ingredient for filling, and easy things to cook. One of the fastest things to cook is scrambled eggs, with a preparation time of just 5 minutes.

French Toast
Ingredients

• 1 egg
• ¾ cup milk
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 slices bread

Directions: In a deep plate, beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Heat a skillet or pan, with a little oil, over medium heat. Soak bread slices in egg mixture for 20 seconds on each side. Make sure bread slice is thoroughly coated. Cook bread, until both sides turn light brown and crisp.

Scrambled Eggs
Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• 6 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Break eggs in a bowl, add milk and whisk till well combined. In a frying pan, or skillet, heat butter at medium heat and pour egg mixture gently into pan. Reduce heat to low and sprinkle salt and pepper. Add chopped parsley and other additions (cheese, mushrooms) that you want, now. Using a wooden spoon, scrape eggs from pan's edge to the center, forming large curds. Keep scraping, to redistribute eggs as they cook. Turn off heat, keep pan on burner and make some toast, to serve with the eggs.

Quiche
Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• ¾ cup biscuit baking mix
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) packet frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
• 1 cup cubed cooked ham
• 8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 10 inch quiche dish. In a large bowl, combine milk, eggs, baking mix, butter and Parmesan cheese. Mix well. Add broccoli, ham and cheddar cheese and stir well. Pour this batter into prepared quiche dish. Bake in oven for 50 minutes, until top turns golden brown and eggs are set.

Herbed Cheese Omelet
Ingredients

• 6 eggs
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• ¼ teaspoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
• 2 slices processed cheese

Directions: Beat eggs and seasonings in a bowl. In a skillet, over low heat, melt butter. Pour egg mixture into skillet and cook over medium heat. Make sure eggs turn firm and set, especially at edges. Remove from heat and place cheese on one side of omelet. Fold one half over cheese covered side and serve.

Simple Things to Cook – Sandwiches

The humble sandwich is a hungry man's savior. All types of breads (panini, brown, white, pita, tortillas), veg and non-veg fillings and a rich array of sauces, make a sandwich, one of the easiest stuff to cook.

Ham & Cheese Crescents
Ingredients

• 1 packet of crescent rolls
• ¼ lb thinly sliced deli ham
• Mustard (optional)
• ¼ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Unroll crescents and divide into 8 rolls. Spread mustard on each roll. Place a slice of ham and cheese in each roll, roll up, then bake for 15 minutes or until crisp and brown.

Cucumber Cream Cheese Finger Sandwiches
Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 1 (8 ounces) packet cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoons chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
• Pinch of salt

Directions: Shred cucumber. In a strainer or food processor, mix cream cheese, onion, cucumber, yogurt and salt, until thick green paste is formed. Spread filling on bread, to make a sandwich.

Tuna Melt Sandwiches
Ingredients

• 1 (6 ounce) can of tuna, shredded
• ¾ cup celery, chopped
• ¾ cup cheddar cheese, diced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 6 hamburger buns, split
• ¼ cup butter or margarine, softened
• Salt to taste

Directions: In a bowl, combine tuna, celery, cheese, onion and mayonnaise. Spread butter on one side of buns. Spread tuna mixture on bun bottoms and lay buttered side over. Wrap buns in foil. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes, or until cheese melts.

Grilled Cheese with Spinach and Tomato
Ingredients

• 1 slice cheese (any kind)
• 2 slices tomato
• 6 spinach leaves, halved
• 2 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
• A dash of salt and garlic powder

Directions: Heat a frying pan, pour a little oil or use cooking spray. On medium heat, add tomatoes at pan's edges and spinach to center. Sprinkle garlic and salt over vegetables. Toss spinach frequently and turn tomatoes, every minute or so. Do not over fry tomatoes, they should be a little soft. Cook spinach till slightly wilted. Remove frying pan and keep tomatoes and spinach aside. Heat pan, spread butter on 1 side of bread and place in pan. Sprinkle cheese and then place tomato-spinach mixture on top of cheese. Leave pan on heat, so cheese and spinach mixture lightly melts. Butter other bread slice and brown both sides of sandwich. Serve hot.

Parmesan Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ingredients

• 1 can chicken breast, cut into chunks or shredded
• 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium lettuce
• ½ cup ranch salad dressing
• 6 portions of bread
• White pepper and salt to taste

Directions: In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, lettuce (rip into small pieces), cheese and ranch dressing. Mix well and using a fork, spread on bread. Sprinkle pepper and salt.

Miscellaneous Easiest Things to Cook

Chinese, Italian and rice recipes are difficult, right? No way! From the famous mac and cheese, to a chicken crock pot recipe, here's some varied easiest things to cook. And their cooking time isn't too long either.

Beef and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (16 ounce) packet, mixed vegetables
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 cup ready mix stir-fry sauce
• 2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups roast beef, cubed and cooked

Directions: Heat olive oil in a heavy saucepan. Add water and vegetables. Stir, cover and leave to cook for 3 minutes, at medium heat. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and stir-fry sauce. Add to veggie mix, in saucepan and stir well. Add beef and stir. Cover saucepan and cook at low heat, for 5-8 minutes. Stir occasionally. Cook until vegetables are tender and crisp and beef is hot. Serve with rice or egg noodles.

Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound elbow macaroni
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 6 cups milk
• 2 cups grated Gruyere or Parmesan cheese
• 1½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt

Directions: Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 14 inch baking dish. Cook pasta, according to package directions. Melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir constantly for 2 minutes. Slowly add milk. Cook, stirring constantly, for 6-8 minutes, until sauce becomes slightly thick. Add Gruyere, cheddar, pepper and salt. Cook till cheese melts. Add pasta and mix. Transfer this mixture to baking dish, and bake for 25-30 minutes, until top turns golden.

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Crock Pot Recipe
Ingredients

• 6 chicken breasts, skinned and deboned
• 1 can cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Rinse chicken and sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic powder to season. Mix soups together and pour over chicken in the crock pot. Cook on low heat, for 6-8 hours. Serve with rice or noodles.

Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Feta Cheese
Ingredients

• 1 (9 ounce) packet linguine
• ¾ cup sun-dried tomato halves
• ¼ cup basil leaves
• 2 tablespoons almonds, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, shredded
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Directions: Cook pasta as per packet directions. Reserve 1 cup of cooked pasta liquid. In a food processor or blender, combine tomatoes, basil, almonds, cheese, garlic, pepper and salt. Process till finely chopped. Mix tomato mixture and cooking liquid, stirring well. Add to pasta, toss well. Sprinkle feta over pasta.

The possibilities for the easiest things to cook seem endless. Whether you are a pasta aficionado or a make-me-a-sandwich kind of guy, there is a recipe for you. There are nearly 10 different types of grilled cheese sandwiches alone! So next time, do not accept any slurs on your cooking skills. Whip up any one of the above easiest things to cook, and even the most jaded palate will be begging for more!

Preparing a Dallas Mavericks Steak

Yield: 1 Dallas Mavericks Steak

Ingredients:

1 horse-shaped steak
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
14 oz. ginger ale
Coarse kosher salt
Picture of Jamal Mashburn
8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon finely ground gingersnap cookie dust
3 oz. goose grease

Preparation:

Combine ginger ale, six tablespoons of oil, and goose grease in gallon plastic bag. Add steak. Marinate outside in 100 degree heat, with 89% humidity for 14-16 days. Remove from marinade and place steak on picture of Jamal Mashburn (can substitute Erick Strickland or Martin Muursepp depending on preference) for 24 minutes.

While steak is on picture, heat non-stick skillet and remaining olive oil on high, until smoking. After 24 minutes, remove steak from picture and place on skillet. Place oregano in a small mound on the non-cooked side, and eat half of the gingersnap cookies. After 6-8 minutes, flip steak, keeping the oregano mound intact. Place cumin in a small mound on the side of the steak that is facing up. The mound should be exactly opposite of the oregano mound, making the eyes of the horse. Cook for 6-8 minutes. Eat other half of gingersnap cookies.

Remove from heat and place on massive flatscreen LCD television. Add salt to taste.