What is a pancake?  Ken Albala offers up his own definition in “Pancake: A Global History,” one of the three flagship publications of Reaktion Book’s ongoing Edible Series, the other two aptly titled “Pizza” and Hamburger.” Albala is a professor of History at the University of the Pacific, California, and he perfectly marries the occupational penchant for facts with an innate literary style. His personal musings on the definition of the pancake often mirror a one-man, Socratic approach to problem-solving. Though the questions are posed internally, Albala is able to intelligently convey the results of his reflections to his audience, and the reader instantly becomes a willing party to the author’s pursuit of the elusive pancake. 

Times are tough for the undisputed king of cheeses

The Italian government is stepping in to help its regional producers of Parmigiano Reggiano. The bailout will cost $50 million in total, and also involves a rescue plan for the makers of Parmigiano second cousin Grano Padano. Not included: Italy’s buffalo mozzarella makers whose sales have also fallen.

It’s not quite la dolce vita anymore.

-Elisabeth Norton

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Dine daily on a full serving of fresh news every morning.  Why?  Because it’s cheaper than your morning latte and more informative than your average nutritional label.

Fridays Come Frosted

• Screw brown bagging it.  I'm getting me one of these intelligently pretty cardboard sandwich boxes. 

• Phones and Fry-B-Ques go hand-in-hand at Boing Boing.  Bacon wrapped cell phones?  Check.  Blackberries wrapped in raw cookied dough and moonpies for a deep fry?  Check.  Technology-induced gastric distress?  We'll get back to you on that one.

• The phenomenon that is social media is broken down for you.  In language of ice cream. 

• Here are the cheapest, most thoughtful ways to scrape by, this gift-giving season.  50 of them.

• Genius.  A tool that guts your pineapple and leaves you a thorny, tasty vessel for your island-theme cocktails.

• Color me cheap, but is this really worth 8.99?  Couldn't I just shove a bowl of kernels in the microwave with a ceramic plate on top?

Photos courtesy of  smartemma.co.uk

 -Alice Shin

Gawker cited a Wall Street Journal article earlier this week about the worrisome behavior at Chuck E. Cheese’s locations throughout the country. There have been at least six police-reported skirmishes in the past few years involving anywhere from two people to 85. The restaurants where “a kid can be a kid” seem to also prompt childish behavior in adults, varying from pepper spray attacks to calling a child “ugly” (needless to say his pop didn’t take too kindly to that).

The Journal claims the environment brings out what security experts call the “mama-bear instinct,” and relate Chuck E. Cheese’s to the animal kingdom “where beasts rush to protect their young when they sense a threat.”  

Perhaps it’s mating season.

Photo courtesy tofutti break

 -Elisabeth Norton

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | AIM: askeats | Twitter: eatsdotcom

Dine daily on a full serving of fresh news every morning.  Why?  Because it’s cheaper than your morning latte and more informative than your average nutritional label.

Holiday Shoppin's Stealing Thursday's Thunder

• The cutest chopstick-training-kit EVER gives new meaning to the word chickpea.

• EXTREME tea drinkers may appreciate these Blade Runner-esque uber cool tea orbs.

• Cooler than cool, this fridge turns ice cold the moment you hold its feet to the fire. 

• Wine lovers will dig this portably cool posh and tech-savvy wine cooler.

• Holiday shopping for your favorite breakfast buddy?  These super cute toast-related trinkets and gadgetry should be marked high on your list.

• This Japanese beer is hoppy enough without the alcohol, thank you very much.

Photo courtesy of technabob

-Alice Shin