Tuesday O’Megalinks

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my blarney-kissin’, rainbow-chasin’, leprechaun-swattin’ brethren out there. In the immortal words of Jack Donaghy: “Passing out and cursing? On St Patrick's Day? Is nothing sacred?”

Casual Kitchen: The Problem with Government Food Safety Regulation
If you don’t quite understand the problems within the FDA, this is an excellent place to start. Dan explains it clearly and concisely, and even offers solutions. Nice.

Consumerist: Country Of Origin Labeling Officially Begins Today
It’s COOL time, folks! Now you’ll know where all … okay, less than half … of your food comes from! It’s a step!

Culinate: What is householding? Making the choice to stay home
Post of the week, here folks. It’s the best argument for staying at home I’ve ever read, not least because it’s equitable, logical, reasonable, and forward-looking. Fantastic.

“Inside [Irish] pubs, you will usually find Irish people, who are very friendly to strangers, especially compared with the British, who as a rule will not voluntarily speak to you until you have lived in Britain for a minimum of 850 years. The Irish, on the other hand, will quickly start a conversation with you, and cheerfully carry it on at great length, with or without your help.” – Dave Barry

E!: George Clooney: The Other White Meat (like Product)
This is not a joke: PETA is seeking to harvest some of Dr. Ross’ sweat to create George Clooney-flavored tofu, a.k.a. CLOFU. They say: “Cheese-scented CloFu could be used as pizza topping and in lasagna…CloFu will help people be healthier and more environmentally friendly and will spare animals from being killed for the table.” My world has finally collapsed on itself. (Thanks to Eater for the link.)

The Epi-Log: Frugal Eating: Acceptable in Public?
Regina Schrambling went out for dinner, and was shamed by a waiter into buying much more than she was hungry for. Was he angling for a bigger tip? Was she wrong in wanting to cut costs? Is it implicit, when you eat at a particular type of restaurant, that you’ll order more expensive meals? You decide.

Frugal Dad: A Frugal Diet, Or a Frugal Lifestyle
FD notes the similarities between the maintenance phases of budgeting and dieting. Namely, that they're often the hardest parts of either.

“Why are we roasting you? You're Irish, shouldn't we be boiling you?” - Nick DiPaolo at Denis Leary’s Comedy Central Roast

Guardian UK: Naughty and not so nice: celebrity chefs in firing line
Gordon Ramsey and Nigella Lawson are being targeted for having too much saturated fat in their recipes. There’s no mention of Paula Deen, presumably because she’s an American and/or her bacon-wrapped macaroni and cheese would melt the author’s brain.

Jezebel: We Are Totally Over Our Issues With Rachael Ray
Dude, I think the public is easing up on Ray-Ray. Even Tony Bourdain recently called her a nice lady. Of course, in a world where Sandra Lee exists, Rachael comes off like Julia Child in comparison.

The Kitchn: Vegetarians, When Did You Stop Eating Meat?
Ever wonder why and when folks slide into vegetarianism? This huge comment thread will explain everything you need to know, without the anti-meat proselytizing occasionally found within these types of articles.

"Do you not get it, lads? The Irish are the blacks of Europe. And Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland. And the Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin. So say it once, say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud." – The Commitments

New York Times: Bipartisan Call for Food Safety Fixes
If there’s one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s what goes into their enormous gullets. Also, that Ann Coulter should be deported.

New York Times: Michelle Obama’s Agenda Includes Healthful Eating
Pardon my politics (again), but how can anyone in the world NOT be in love with Michelle Obama? I want to have a mojito with her. Maybe two.

Serious Eats: Spousal Cooking: Am I a bad person?
Do you hate your S.O.’s cuisine? These people – all 54 of them – can relate.

“Why did the Irish farmer pour alcohol on his vegetable crop? Because he wanted to have stewed tomatoes”- Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor), All in the Family

Serious Eats: What are your strange, secret and personal cooking tips?
Answers range from “brine everything” to “use PAM baking spray” to “Mistakes happen. [Get] a dog.” Cute, funny, informative.

The Simple Dollar: A Guide to Making Inexpensive and Delicious Homemade Pizza
Trent is the latest and lastest in a recent rash of home-cooked pizza posts. Witness!

“Seems there are Irish people everywhere, or people who want to be.” – Eddie “Scrap-Iron” Dupris (Morgan Freeman), Million Dollar Baby

Washington Post: New Cooking Schools Are Pitching Classes as an Alternative to Dining Out
Ahhh … young love. Couples are opting for cooking classes over overly-fancy dinners, since A) they learn something, B) there’s often booze, C) it’s less expensive, D) there’s often booze, and E) there’s often booze. (Thanks to Serious Eats for the link.)

Wise Bread: Thirteen Convenience Foods I Think Are Worth the Money
On one hand, herb pastes and frozen pizza. On the other, snow peas and asparagus. It takes all types, yo.

(Photos courtesy of All in One Automotive, Bottoms Up, and Joe's Ramblings.)

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