Have you ever seen artichokes in bloom? They are insanely neon purple, about 6 inches across and really heavy. If you grow them yourself, it’s worth letting a few go into flower just to witness this (see more photos at end of post). But, for those who just have to eat them as buds, here’s my favorite Hot Artichoke Spread recipe from The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort Food with a Gourmet Touch.

Hot Artichoke Spread

Prepare this puffy baked appetizer and you’ll realize how delicious (and simple) this taste combination can be.

1 cup regular mayonnaise (Full fat version. This is not a diet recipe!)

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (from a can or fresh)

¼ teaspoon salt

2 cans (13.75 oz.) artichoke hearts (Do not use the marinated variety)

(optional: ½ teaspoon paprika)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 minutes.

In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, cheese and salt. Drain artichoke hearts and cut them up into half-inch chunks or smaller. Stir artichokes into mayonnaise mixture.

Grease a 2-quart casserole. Spoon artichoke mixture into casserole. Sprinkle with paprika to add a little color. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until slightly puffed and golden. Serve warm with pita bread or slices of a fresh baguette, crusts removed.

Chef Amee’s Gourmet Touch

Add 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped, 2 to 3 teaspoons dried ground sage, 1 teaspoon of smoked Spanish Paprika and lots of yummy garlic, about 3 to 4 cloves, finely chopped. This will jazz it up a bit!

– I took a progression of photos of the artichokes growing – enjoy!

Dental molds and models made with 3D Systems additive manufacturing technology in e-stone material on  ProJet 6000 system

The cool technologies of 3D printing and 3D scanning show up more and more in the dental and orthodontic worlds, enabling the creation of better fitting crowns and allowing oral digital scans that replace messy impression-trays. Here’s a short write-up on the topic in Desktop Engineering, which describes work done by Albensi Labs with its Objet 3D printer.

For more depth on this subjec, check out the article I wrote for the April 2012 issue of Orthotown magazine called “3D Printing: How a Star Trek Fantasy has become Reality for the Dental and Orthodontic Professions.”  I know that’s a members-only site – I’ll also get the article on my own website soon – been very busy with launching the Braces-Friendly Seal of Approval!

It’s here: the new Braces-Friendly Seal of Approval from Metal Mouth Media. Take the guess-work out of finding snacks, books, websites and oral health products that work for a braces lifestyle, whatever type of orthodontics you wear. Read our press release for details, but here are the first three winners:

The Braces Survival Kit

Anderson Trail Moist Premium Granola

Plackers Orthopick Flossers

Thanks to our Braces-Friendly Advisory Board for their time in making these selections, and congratulations to the winners. If you know of a product that you think might be interesting for us to evaluate, drop us a line.

Can sugar cubes keep soft cookies soft?

I’ve talked about keeping cookies soft by putting a slice of fresh bread along with them in a sealed container. I’ve just read that a few sugar cubes will do the same trick. According to Cook’s Illustrated (January & February 2012), sugar cubes have moisture in them that will transfer to the cookies. I’m going to try it – let me know if you do, too, and how it works out.

Another tip involving sugar: I know there can be conflict between good food and food that’s good for you. Overall, it’s better to cut back on sugars in general and refined sugar in particular, which we’ve done for many of the recipes in the Braces Cookbooks. But, if you eat sweets in moderation, here’s a point to consider (again, from Cook’s Illustrated, this time back in January & February 1997). “Sugar makes baked goods both more tender and moister because it helps the cake or cookie retain water during the baking process.” So, a little sugar helps, though a lot of sugar pushes the cookies into crunchy-edge mode. We’ve found in general that you can cut 1 cup of sugar down to 3/4 cup to make a softer cookie.

Tip three: If a recipe calls for raisins, first put them in a microwaveable mug or Pyrex cup and add water to cover them completely. Microwave the raisins for about 2 minutes on high (close to boiling) then let the raisins sit for at least 5 minutes. Drain off the water before using the raisins in the recipe. By letting them absorb water first, they will not draw moisture from the cookie or cake batter while it’s baking, so the finished product will not be dry.

3D Printed Farmer Family for Chipotle restaurant ad campaign

When Chipotle Mexican Grill wanted to highlight its sustainable-farming advocacy, the company’s advertising group knew it needed the talents of Artem model makers. Artem, in turn, created a series of stop-action farmland characters with the help of a Dimension 3D printer from Stratasys. Check it out. The video about creating the details of the animation is fascinating!

ADULTS AND TEENS TO ENTER DAMON® SYSTEM SMILE MAKEOVER CONTEST

WHAT:  Ormco has teamed up with Damon Braces endorser Bethany Hamilton—who relied on the Damon® System to improve her smile—to launch a smile makeover contest. Adults and teens can have their chance at receiving a complete smile makeover with the Damon System, and other prizes, by sharing—in 250 words or less—how a Damon System smile would be life changing. Soul Surfer Bethany Hamilton, whose story of smiling through adversity has been shared with the world, will review each submission and serve as the contest judge.

WHEN:  April 2, 2012 – April 30, 2012

WHERE:  Enter contest at www.DamonBraces.com/promo/smilemakeover/.

PRIZES:  Grand Prize—Damon System smile makeover (worth up to $8,000), Damon System surfboard, autographed by Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer DVD and book, autographed by Bethany Hamilton

First Runner-Up—Damon System surfboard, autographed by Bethany Hamilton  Second Runner-Up—Soul Surfer DVD and book, autographed by Bethany Hamilton Third Runner-Up—Soul Surfer DVD, autographed by Bethany Hamilton Fourth Runner-Up—Soul Surfer book, autographed by Bethany Hamilton

WHO: Ormco Corporation, a leading developer of innovative orthodontic products and services that help patients transform their smiles. Ormco’s flagship product, the Damon System, is a progressive treatment that is more hygienic, comfortable and proven to improve a patient’s smile in less time. Available in a virtually invisible Damon® Clear option, treatment can now be more discrete. Ormco believes your smile is one-of-a-kind, so your treatment should be too.

Bethany Hamilton, a source of inspiration to millions, as her story of triumphantly overcoming a horrific shark attack has encouraged teens, children and adults of all ages to smile through adversity, regardless of the challenges life throws their way.

RULES: For official entry rules and eligibility, please click here.

MEDIA CONTACT:   For media inquiries please contact Robin Dwyer at ormco@formulapr.com or 619-234-0345.

Layered Paper 3D Printing from Mcor Technologies Produced this Delicate Shamrock

You may know that I think 3D printing is the coolest thing since Star Trek. With applications in the fields of dentistry, medicine, automotives, art, manufacturing, aerospace, toys and more, this technology (available in many processes and materials) builds real 3D parts in a layer-by-layer fashion. Mcor Technologies of Dunleer, County Louth, Ireland, markets a system that adheres ordinary paper, of any color, one piece to the next, while cutting it to a shape guided by a computer-aided design (CAD) file.

I really like this equipment due to its simplicity and the fact that you can even use paper that’s been printed on and destined for recycling. Check out Mcor Technologies – they’re starting to market in the U.S. and will be exhibiting at the SME RAPID show in Atlanta in May.

A hefty Roman soldier lends a helping hand, keeping this cookbook opened flat.

What do you use to keep a cookbook laying flat and open?

• Can of tomatoes/soup/beans
• Another cookbook
• Flour/sugar canister

I often use a can of whatever I’m putting into my recipe, but then you have the problem, what do you do when it’s time to open the can? So, this time I (temporarily) solved the problem with a heavy ceramic bookend.

Question: Would you pay a little more for a cookbook if it came in a lay-flat binding? I’m pricing reprint options for The Braces Cookbook 2: Comfort Food with a Gourmet Touch and would like to have it lay flat the same way as with The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love. Comments?

So, if you want to buy the Kindle version of The Braces Cookbook: Recipes You (and Your Orthodontist) Will Love, just go directly to the Metal Mouth Media purchase page and scroll down. The Nook version is also there, as well as on the Barnes and Noble website – your preference. I’d appreciate it you all help spread the word – the Kindle version is still available direct from me!