Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Save the Gulf Dinner - Lessons on Impact, Oyster Shucking and More

I was thrilled when Foodbuzz announced July's 24x24 Gulf Ambassador Event, bringing 24 bloggers around the world to host a food event over a 24 hour period and to blog about it. This month, Foodbuzz had a special request, asking bloggers to host a "Gulf inspired" event, one that would highlight the impact of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In lieu of the $250 stipend typically given to participants, Foodbuzz will donate that amount - a total of $6,000 to benefit the struggling Gulf Coast fishery community via Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF).

It has been more than three months since the Deep Horizon oil rig explosion, and some of you may be wondering the toll of this enduring oil spill. There are no exact numbers, but here are a few figures to assemble a picture of the ramifications.

Here are a few statistics:

• 4.9 million barrels of oil is estimated to have spilled into the ocean (source)
• 35,000 -  60,000 barrels (about 1.5 - 2.5 million gallons) of oil gush into the ocean daily (source)
• Approximately 630 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline has been contaminated by the BP oil spill (source): 
• 89 miles in Florida
• 364 miles in Louisiana
• 107 miles in Mississippi 
• and 70 miles in Alabama
• Roughly 1.84 million gallons (7 million liters) of dispersant have been applied (source): 
• 1.07 million on the surface and 
• 771,000 subsea
• 17,000 jobs estimated to be lost by year-end because of the oil spill (source)
• At risk is the livelihood of family businesses that took generations to build.
• $1,200,000,000 projected to be lost by year-end due to the oil spill (source)
• 400 species estimated to be at risk, from the base of the chain with oil-eating bacteria, shrimp, crab to endangered sea turtles, brown pelicans and whales. (source)

No one can predict the long-term impact of such high levels of oil and toxins released into the ocean, however it is becoming more and more evident that the damage from the oil spill will span beyond the food chain and through the entire lifecycle of the Gulf's eco-system.

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Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls Recipe

Versatile, refreshing and satisfying, Vietnamese Spring rolls are one of my favorite summer recipes.  The combination of fresh crisp vegetables, comforting rice noodles, and fresh brightly flavored herbs all bundled into a cold roll makes this an ideal healthy recipe to keep in the refrigerator for an appetizer.  This recipe is meant to be a guide as to the amount of a certain ingredient you add in the roll, your taste should dictate the ratio.  Also, the ingredients substitute well in this recipe, the key is simply to bundle together a good combination.

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Smoky Shrimp and Wine Basted Sausage with Red Bell Pepper Rice

I have a very loving and supportive husband. Someone who makes my journey through life so much more fulfilling, tolerates my idiosyncrasies, and most importantly, believes in me. Recently we were sitting on the sofa staring into each others' eyes when I declared, "I love you."

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Grilled Shrimp, Tofu, and Pineapple Salad

It has been abnormally chilly in New York for this time of year, it actually feels much more like San Francisco with highs in the mid-60s.  To get myself in the mindset of warmer weather, I made an Asian fusion salad with a tropical flair from ingredients such as caramelized pineapples, crisp jicama and fresh mint. This salad always transports me to the lazy afternoons in California on our garden terrace when I'd have my feet up, sipping on a glass of ripe chardonnay, basking in the sun's warmth, and watching the boats sail quietly through the bay. It was during one of those amazing clear afternoons when I first made this salad, so I have very warm memories affiliated with it.

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LASOON JHINGA

After all of the party food we've been pigging out on all through November and December, both my husband and I have been craving a simpler, lighter and fresher fare. The nice thing about following food blogs is that meals are almost effortlessly planned for you. It doesn't often occur to me to search for recipes anymore, I just read until I find an inspiring recipe, think about  whether I have the ingredients on hand, and see if I can accomplish the recipe by dinner.  I've learned so much about different cuisines and cooking techniques by using this approach, and with so many great recipes to try I typically do not repeat a recipe within a month.

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SMOKY SHRIMP AND CHORIZO SOUP

It's been a busy few days for me running to one meeting after another. The only thing that keeps me sane these days is chocolate and coffee.

This past weekend when I had some time to slow down and cook, I decided to make smoky shrimp and chorizo soup from a recipe that I had bookmarked in Food & Wine magazine from two months ago. It's about time!

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GRILLED LEMON PARSLEY SHRIMP

Do you find yourself making the same shrimp scampi recipe over and over again?  I found myself in this rut recently and I think I've pull myself out by throwing bamboo skewers into the mix. It's pretty much the same recipe without the pasta. Simple, delicious and fun, what's not to like about this recipe.

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FRESH VS. FROZEN Shrimp

It's been crazy in New York City this week, streets closed, sirens blaring so loudly my head hurts, protests large enough to rival my college days at Berkeley, and a general nervousness due to the heightened security. The UN General Assembly, which has been touted as an event that brings the world to New York, congregates this week bringing with it a world of chaos.

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