Feed52

Brew that coffee! Pour that OJ! And settle in this morning to catch up on what's happening in the world of food. Here's what we're reading (and watching) this week.

• Got regular milk? We commend the Los Angeles School District for tackling childhood obesity by banning the sugary flavored stuff from its cafeterias because, at the end of the day, that Pepto-Bismol color just ain't found in nature. (The L.A. Times) 

• We know you've settled in, but time to dash out and grab a copy of Barry Estabrook's new agricultural exposé, Tomatoland. Based on the investigative journalist's 2009 article in Gourmet, the book explores the dark side of the American tomato business, forever altering our approach to out-of-season caprese salads. More importantly, Estabrook's book sheds light on a troublesome reality of America's favorite "fruit". 

• Perhaps we, at food52, should all get tattoos with the following headline from Sarah Jenkins's recent Atlantic article: Why Home-Style Cooking Will Always Beat Restaurant-Style. (The Atlantic)

• Many a food52 recipe has been vetted in the cosiest of kitchens in this great city of ours. Can you hear us, David Tanis? We are your tiny kitchen cooks and it's about time someone enlightened Americans to the beauty of beans. (The New York Times)

• 
• Photo: Stinging Nettle Tortellini by Emiko Davies -- it doesn't get niftier.

 

• If you've ever been asked to pick a "casetta" (restaurant-size case) of stinging nettles, you know the following oh too well: "No pain, no gain." They deserve such perfect presentation in what can only be described as pouches of spring joy. (Emiko Davies)

• What we're buying/eating: Leave it to the French to create the apotheosis of a fruity treat: prune-stuffed prunes. Unfortunately, as David Lebovitz dutifully informs us, they cannot be found outside of France. The outrage! (David Lebovitz)

• Cast iron skillets are like longterm relationships: up front, you entertain the possibility of other options, but soon thereafter discover that the beloved and reliable always win out. Kickstart your weekend with a little philanthropy as these Brooklyn-ites cast their own variety with the love of familiarity. (Kickstarter)