Is Soybean Oil The New Face of Deep Frying?

Fried shrimp, fried chicken, fried fish, onion rings and French fries. Just naming a few of these items brings about a certain greasy smile on many people's faces, being the country's favorite fried delights, according to a Yahoo! survey.

But as America's waistline continues to expand, along with the quantity of health-conscious individuals, fried foods are earning a less-than-satisfactory reputation. Plagued with talk of trans fats, partial hydrogenation and morbid obesity, one of America's favorite cooking methods is taking a beating. With eyes locked on the most common cause of death in the United States – heart disease, according to the Center of Disease Control – it is no surprise that Americans are rethinking their favorite munchies. Not just consumers, but producers are also taking steps in saving lives, one deep-fat fryer at a time. [read more...]

Peace, Love & Noodles: The Allure of Doc Chey's

Although Athens is home to a wide variety of delicious restaurants, Doc Chey’s Noodle House is definitely one of the most popular neighborhood favorites. Located in the heart of downtown, Doc Chey’s is nestled between the many bars and stores on Clayton Street. The restaurant’s high ceilings, glass walls, and cheerful colors create a warm effect that invites every passerby to stop in and enjoy a freshly woked bowl of noodles or steaming pot of Thai tea.

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Clocked: Creative Burgers At Affordable Prices

If you’re looking for a hearty burger with a touch of flair, Hudson Carter’s Clocked is the place to eat. Locally known as Clocked, this small vintage restaurant is located in downtown Athens on West Washington Street and is reasonably priced, even for the college budget.

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Athens Locally Grown Offers Healthy Local Food For Online Purchase

Kevin Cale's knees are starting to hurt. He's spent the better part of the afternoon kneeling on the cement floor of the garage at the Roots Farm in Winterville, Ga., carefully cleaning and sorting carrots. In a few days, these plump Boleros and long, sweet Mokums will be joining fresh meat, dairy, eggs, produce, honey and more at the site for Athens Locally Grown's weekly pick-up.

Athens Locally Grown, founded by Dan and Kristin Miller of Heirloom Organics in 2001, provides a way for Athens-area residents to easily find and buy locally-grown, seasonal organic foods. The variety found on the website is startling: lamb, honey, goat cheese, milk, eggs, oyster mushrooms, arugula, even homemade pet treats are all produced just outside the Classic City. [read more...]

Corn Meal Varieties Can Revolutionize Your Muffins

Choosing which type of frozen pizza you’re in the mood for tonight might be a bit of challenge. There’s pepperoni, vegetarian, white, plain cheese, and more. And ice cream. Countless flavors of Mayfield, Ben & Jerry’s, and Breyers line the shelves of the freezer section. So when is the last time you stood in front of the corn meal section and couldn’t decide which type to buy? Probably never.

Corn meal is actually an important ingredient in everyday dishes – including many Southern favorites, such as cornbread, hushpuppies, and grits. So, if you’re looking for an alternative to instant or boxed foods, this comparison of three types of cornmeal – by substituting each one into a recipe for homemade corn muffins – will give you a better idea of what’s out there. [read more...]