ingredients

A very cool idea this week from a startup service that both helps customers eat less and feeds the needy. McDonald’s Australia has an idea to surprise would-be Hamburglars. And in New York City the unthinkable happens: Chinese takeout… changes. It’s the first sign of the apocalypse in this installment of The Week in Ideas.

Every chef needs to have a few “go-to” desserts in his or her repertoire, and none is more important than chocolate mousse. The versatility of this preparation is enormous, as chocolate mousse on its own can fill a need for the simplest bistrostyle dessert, while the same recipe could also be turned into a layer in the most sophisticated glazed entremet. An understanding of the basic techniques involved in preparing it will help ensure success with each attempt and eliminate the possibility for mistakes.

The competition at the bar continues to heat up. Often that translates into a larger and more eclectic inventory—and a larger footprint.