Gingersnaps and cocoa and rum balls and Italian knots and Kolacky and biscotti and chocolate chips, oh my! LAist has been in the kitchen, cooking up a Cookie Exchange. I Can Has JGoldBurger? Omg the PULITZER PRIZE WINNING JOURNALIST uses LOLspeak, I don't know what to say, my world has been all shook up like a snowglobe. It's entirely possible I was Afghani in a previous life (as well as Korean, Persian, Icelandic, and......

" "Just because you've rolled horse manure in powdered sugar doesn't mean you have a doughnut": people aren't very happy with the Farm Bill, and yet the Senate still seems set on passing a totally inadequate "reformed" bill that continues to subsidize Big Agriculture at the expense of our nation's health. City officials are "identifying" Muslim communities across the city -- but it's not profiling, it's "community engagement"!! Those kooky kids at City Hall!......

You know who makes a lot of sense? Michael Pollan does. If only he had the ear of the Senate as it prepares to pass a sorry, sorry Farm Bill. I love alcohol in unusual, fruit-oriented containers. Slashfood turns us on to this pumpkin keg -- yes the beer was actually brewed inside the pumpkin shell. Expect to see one of these at an LAist party near you very soon. It's good to know......

Would you pay $85 for truffle mac n' cheese? Or would you rather enjoy the cheaper, classic versions at Larkin's or Lucky Devil's? The Glutton over at the LA Times samples the goods for you. What do we want? Conservation programs, access to healthy food, and promotion of renewable energy! When do we want it? Whenever the Senate gets around to voting on the Farm Bill. There's still time to make your voice heard.......

Our lovely and talented sister publication Gothamist interviewed Chef Dan Barber about the Farm Bill and the "Omnivore's Dilemma" effect and how food policy and activism is changing the culinary face of the nation. Jeffrey Steingarten always says that New York tap is his favorite kind of water. The New York Times agrees with him. Is this enough to get you drinking LA City tap? The LA Times now features quick cooking how-to videos......

The Sustainable Table's Eat Well nation-wide roadtrip kicks off in West Hollywood today from 11:30a - 2:00p in King's Road Park. They're out to raise awareness about how sustainable living in general and supporting local foods in particular can have a meaningful and positive impact on the environment, human & animal health, and energy consumption patterns. They've even got their very own Google mashup tracking the progress of their sweet ride, and, of course,......

-- U.S. agricultural exports to China have increased to nearly $6.7 billion this year thanks to a sudden rise in demand for California produce, especially fruit and nuts. -- The NY Times also points us to 101 simple summer meals that can be readied in ten minutes or less. Anybody else have quick recipes to share? -- And speaking of U.S. Agriculture: the House Ag Committee has put together its Farm Bill, set to......

- Do you think Jamie Oliver is cute? We do. We also think he's a great cook. Check out this clip featuring his Lamb Curry Song. Curry looks great, the singing? Not so much. - EaterLA has worked itself into a frenzy over two new celeb chef restaurants: here's their first peeks into Craft LA and Osteria Mozza. So far Craft is winning the war of the reservation line. - Jonathan Gold loves The......

- According to Pat Saperstein of Eating LA, the LA Times is starting a food blog…ooooh, how 2005 of them! - Jonathan Gold checks out ChiliMySoul. Damn him. Now we've got to go to Encino. - EaterLA finally gives a shout-out to LAist's fabulous food reporting, and mentions Callie Miller's excellent expose of bakery Sweet Lady Jane (more like Pissy Lady Jane). - There's beer in Santa Barbara??? No! You'll never make us believe......

What with all the political hubbub brewing this year over issues like The War, immigration, abortion, political corruption, we’re pretty sure the Farm Bill is going to get the shaft as far as public conversation is concerned – just like in 2002, when its passing was totally overshadowed by 9/11 and the ensuing hysteria. Frankly, it’s a damn shame. This is one issue that actually has a chance of raising bipartisan support – even......