Monday Megalinks: The Kitchen Sink Edition

I was nearly finished washing dishes yesterday when my feet started feeling a bit damp. Fairly certain I hadn’t wet my pants (*sigh* ... again), I glanced downward to find water seeping from the cabinet under the kitchen sink directly on to my sparkly flip-flops. As it turned out, the pipe leading from our drain to … wherever pipes go … broke clean off, causing a minor flood in our humble abode. Good times.

Since no sink = no water = no dishwashing, I didn’t get the chance to cook anything new this weekend. I’m super sorry, and will (hopefully) have a new recipe up soon. With luck, the landlord should today send a questionably qualified plumber/cousin/drunk guy on corner, and we’ll be in full swing by tomorrow.

In the meantime, here are Tuesday's Megalinks, 24 hours early.

Bon Appetit: The Simple Secret to Making Homemade Jam
I know it’s cliché, but I TOTALLY GOT HUNGRY JUST READING THIS. Macerate! (Thanks to Slashfood for the link.)

Chow: Throw My Wedding
Columnist Helena Echlin asks: “Is it OK to ask friends to help with your reception?” Her answer is conditional, but well thought out. Essentially: don’t ask for cash, and refrain from letting them shoulder the whole workload. But wait! There’s more…

Consumerist’s Ultimate Fast Food Nutrition Guide: 2008
Popken’s crew went through the trouble of researching and evaluating every online nutritional guide for American fast food chains. It’s a masterpiece of protein! A tour-de-force of fat! An opus of information!

Culinate: Tropical Fruit
Star fruit and mangoes and papayas OH MY!

Eat Well Guide
Find farmers markets, CSAs, co-ops, personal chefs, butchers, and bakers (but alas, no candlestick makers) everywhere in a designated radius. Internet gold! (Thanks to Slashfood for the link.)

Epicurious: Seasonal Ingredient Map
The big E presents its newest innovation: a handy-dandy state-by-state guide to in-season produce. Valuable! Intuitive! Green!

The Kitchn: Eating Vegetarian More Often
This has become a big issue in the BK lately, as The Boyfriend and I have resolved to have three non-meat dinners per week. It’ll be a challenge, but I think we’ll be healthier for it. Suggestions, anybody? I’m gonna run out of pasta ideas real fast.

The Kitchn: The New Farm Bill – What’s in it?
I’m in the midst of Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food, and this breakdown of the recent U.S. Farm Bill proposal/veto/overriding goes well with the book. Read on for gobsmacking information, including surprising statistics about where government subsidies go.

Like Merchant Ships: Ethical question – sharing meals?
Meredith wonders if she should be allowed to split an adult-sized restaurant meal with her two small children. Lots of folks comment, with the consensus standing as: “Of course! But it might be cool to tip your waiter as if you’d ordered three separate meals.”

Lucy’s Kitchen Notebook: What to Do With Your Strawberries
Dozens (maybe hundreds) of suggestions for the only fruit with its seeds on the outside. (Thanks to The Kitchn for the link.)

New York Times: A Tiny Fruit That Tricks the Tongue
Rumor has it that this minscule crimson berry alters the VERY FABRIC OF REALITY! Meaning? It’ll confuse your taste buds for awhile, making them process vinegar as apple juice and Tabasco sauce as doughnut glaze. Neat.

New York Times: The Rich Get Hungrier
Yes, it’s article #23,284 on the food crisis. But it’s written by Nobel Prize-winning economist/all-around smart guy Amartya Sen, which is why it’s really important.

Serious Eats: Inventor of Pringles Can Buried in Pringles Can
I wonder if they took the chips out first?

Serious Eats: Paula Deen is Trying to Kill Us Part 5 – Butter, Mayo, and Cheez Whiz Spread
OH. MY. WORD. Paula, what in the name of your giant sons are you doing?

SF Gate: Fresh Wave of Home Canners Pump Up the Jam
Is jam-making the new knitting? I’m not sure, but it definitely tastes better on toast. (Thanks to Slashfood for the link.)

Time: Childhood Obesity Rate Levels Off
Hunh. So … this is contrary to everything else I’ve read on the subject. Is it possible – have our kids become as fat as they can be?

Wise Bread: Are Farmers Markets Frugal or a Luxury?
GOOD QUESTION. I adore the Union Square farmers market. I want to dance through it and head-hug all the vendors. But … I straight-up can’t afford some of the food. I want to, and wonder if I should make room for it in my budget. Yet … maybe … no … arg … *aneurysm*

Wise Bread: Drugstore Freebies – More Than Junk Food and Harsh Chemicals
A.k.a. In Defense of CVS Extra Care Bucks. A longer read, but worth the time.

(Photos courtesy of Flickr members la tourtine gourmande, sudergal, and bunchofpants.)