Do any of you use Twitter? Because I love it and would like nothing more than to follow you. If you aren’t familiar with the Twitter phenomenon than please check out this fabulous video: Twitter in Plain English.

Engadget is reporting that HGTV and The Food Network will begin simulcasting in HD on March 31. Obviously this is great news for HD snobs like me (and probably you too). I hate that they only show reruns on the current Food Network HD Feed. Not that I don’t enjoy old Dave Lieberman episodes in high definition, but it would be nice if it mimicked the actual channel.

Kotaku has posted an early trailer for the upcoming Iron Chef America game that is being created for the Wii. Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine will be released this summer and will definitely include the voice talents of the “esteemed” chairman. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that Alton Brown will be included in some way as well.

Madeline discovered that Rachael Ray has released her own line of stocks. These cooking staples, cutely called “Stock-in-a-Box,” are available in both chicken and beef flavor.

Ned Batchelder made a rocking Doctor Who cake for his son Max’s 16th birthday. There are marshmallow Daleks and even a brownie K-9. So Ned, my birthday is in June…do I place my order with you now?

Hold the phone! Two of my favorite things, Nigella Lawson and Christmas, are being combined into one. Random House is scheduled to release “Nigella’s Christmas” in October. I think this year’s holiday party will definitely have to be an all Nigella affair.

Risa Green, author of the adorable book Notes from the Underbelly writes about a common problem that I’m sure a lot of moms have on a daily basis. How do you get your kid to eat something besides dessert? Risa apparently read some extremly helpful books and now she’s working on ways to “de-fetishize” sweets with her daughter. It sounds like she’s having good luck so far. Also, if you don’t already, than you should definitely be watching the ABC sitcom version of Notes from the Underbelly. Especially since it stars one of my favorite actresses, Jennifer Westfeldt.

Top 5 Recipes I’m Dying to Try this Week (If food didn’t have calories etc…)
Lauren’s Lasagna Rolls with Three Mushrooms, Four Cheeses and Sage Bechamel at Burghilicious
Allen’s Blond(e) Ambition Cookies at Eating Out Loud
Ashley’s Earl Grey White Chocolate Chunk Muffins at Eat Me Delicious
Rachel’s Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cupcakes with Butterscotch Buttercream Frosting at Rachel’s Bite. Even though CK thinks Mayonnaise baked goods are “gross.”
Amy’s Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits and Sausage Gravy at Nook & Pantry

Boston Menu Pages linked to a blog post and video made by this local guy, Andy. Andy took a trip over to the Fenway McDonalds, ordered a Big Mac, and then proceeded to eat the whole burger in one disgusting bite. His friend graciously documented the gluttonous event. Apparently this is Andy’s opening act for a series of “food feats” he’ll be posting in a new blog entitled, Andy Eats. He’s taking requests. So think up something ridiculous and dare him to comply.

Rachel has gotten her hands on one of those AeroGarden kits and is documenting the growing process at her blog, Food Maven. My mother and I are obsessed with this infomercial so I’m really looking forward to seeing what sort of real life results occur. Is it possible to really turn your kitchen counter into an herb garden and a cherry tomato farm? We’ll see.

Converse has designed a new Chuck Taylor All Star shoe called “The Diner.” For $46.99 you can have your very own pair imprinted with the black and white text of a nostalgic 1950’s greasy spoon-inspired menu.

Josh from Newlywed in Dubai details his experience having High Tea at the Burj al-Arab.

Don’t forget that Paul Pape is selling those adorable and delicious Mii Chocolates again. Give the guy a chance. My Mii’s arrived with lightening efficiency and in perfect shape.

Top 5 Recipes I’m Dying to Try this Week (If food didn’t have calories etc…)

Chuck’s Tofu Chocolate Chip Cookies at Sunday Nite Dinner
Amy’s Pushing Daisies inspired Apple Cup Pies at Eggs On Sunday
Gena’s Maple White Chocolate Fudge at Big City, Little Kitchen
Lindsay’s Golden Brioche at Love and Olive Oil
M&M and Padma’s Wonton Soup at The Secret Life of College Foodies

When everyone online went gaga over these adorable Mii Chocolates, I actually pulled out my credit card and bought a set for my video game obsessed boyfriend for Valentines Day. Paul Pape was so efficient in the order fulfillment and shipping of these tasty characters that I had to hide the package in our refrigerator for almost three weeks. Chris, observant creature that he is, never even noticed the post office box nestled behind his precious Coronas. Last night we both ate our respective Mii’s and I glared at Chris every time he pretended his chocolate was in pain…and then I bit his head off.

After work yesterday I went to The Pru to meet Chris and pick up a half priced calendar at Barnes and Noble and some cute Bachelorette party invites from Papyrus for my cousin Amanda’s wedding. Of course an hour later I’d spent much more than I’d intended after hitting the Victoria’s Secret Sale. Then I topped off my shopping splurge by picking up some heavenly smelling Peppermint Soap and a Slow Cooker cookbook at Williams-Sonoma. But what really caught my eye were these vintage inspired football plates and glasses. Too bad I’m partied out. These would be perfect for a Superbowl Soiree. Maybe I’ll feel up to that sort of challenge in a week or two.

Rumor has it that there’s an Iron Chef America game in the works for the Wii. Hopefully it will be more fun and challenging than Cooking Mama, which generally holds my interest for all of 5 minutes. Wouldn’t it cool if they actually had Alton Brown in the game? Or even better, what if you could actually play as Mario Batali complete with Crocs? I’d definitely be up for that!

More awesome Doctor Who crafts are popping up all over the place. Boing Boing pointed out some adorable fudge based pastel studded Dalek Cupcakes. It’s pretty tough to take those nasty guys seriously when they’re 80% Marshmallow Fluff and covered in M&M’s. Maybe it’s time for some Torchwood baked goods? Time Lord Tiramisu? Owen’s Osso Buco? I’ll have to think about that.

It appears that Ingrid Hoffman is on her way to reaching new heights of celebrity chef greatness. The Food Network has just ordered 13 additional episodes of her show Simply Delicioso. Look out Rachael Ray, there’s a new queen of perk in the kitchen. Have you been watching Ingrid? What do you think? I honestly have a little back-up of her episodes on the Tivo right now, but I fully intend to give each its proper due very soon. If you want to check out Ingrid yourself tune in on Saturday mornings at 11:30 AM EST.

I own Cooking Mama for the Wii. I was so excited to buy this game. I couldn’t wait! It was going to be so much fun. And then I played it and I was terrible. Like so incredibly bad that I still can’t create the first meal you’re supposed to prepare (Minestrone Soup). Maybe I’m just really bad at video games? Although my scores on Wii Play would counter that statement. So imagine my surprise when I read that Cooking Mama 2 is going to be released. Do people actually play this game? I’m sure a lot of suckers (like myself) bought it initially but does anyone still play it? Maybe I need some Cooking Mama lessons to truly unlock its “fun” potential?

Yesterday’s QotD (Question of the Day) over at Vox was to outline your kitchen essentials. My list included the following must have items:

Pastene Kitchen Ready Tomatoes - These make the absolute best tomato sauces. Just add some herbs (fresh or dried) a little garlic, salt, pepper, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. So good!

Whole Wheat Pasta - Obviously I need this so I can make homemade macaroni and cheese and spaghetti and meatballs.

Feta Cheese - I put feta on everything. But what I really like to do is mix feta and cherry tomatoes into couscous.

Near East Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous - See above

Newman’s Own Tomato & Basil Bombolina Sauce - This is the only “jarred” pasta sauce I will buy.

Low Sodium Chicken Stock - A must have for soups, risottos, deglazing pans when you’ve drank all the wine…

Arborio Rice - I make risotto a lot, so should you.

Wine, Wine, and more Wine - To cook with, to drink with friends, for decorative purposes — whatever.

Chocolate Chips - Chocolate Chip Cookies are a weekly occurrence in my house.

Good Quality Parmesan Cheese (to grate on everything) - Because my microplane grater/zester needs a daily workout too.