Bologna and hot dogs are both highly-processed, cooked sausages that use salt and curing agents as preservatives. Hot dogs are made from beef or pork trimmings, which get blended smooth and stuffed into a cylindrical casing made from pig or sheep intestines.
Meat is cured when it's introduced to sodium nitrite or nitrate. There are natural and artificial versions of this. Artificially cured meats are manufactured in a lab, where nitrite is added in precise amounts to prevent nasty bacteria like botulism from forming, as well as preserving the color and flavor.
"The solution to everything was just add butter. It was the moment when I realized so much of the magic that occurs in pastry, but also in sauces, emulsification, creating that silky texture of a classic French sauce, it's all because of butter."
Nitrites are generally used as a preservative in bacon and other processed foods, and the U.K.'s Food Standards Agency published a report last fall on the health risks of consuming nitrites. As Dr. James Cooper, the agency's Deputy Director of Food Policy, stated, '[W]hile nitrates and nitrites can form compounds called nitrosamines, many of which are carcinogenic, the link to serious health problems like cancer in humans remains inconclusive.'
"Red meat can definitely fit into a balanced diet," she says. "It is rich in iron, vitamin B12, zinc, and high-quality protein that supports energy levels, metabolism, and muscle growth. Despite these health benefits, however, overconsumption is possible. "Where we see more concern is when intake is higher over time," Benson adds, "especially with processed red meat, and especially when fiber intake is low."
For someone aiming to end the global livestock industry, Bruce Friedrich begins his new book called Meat in disarming fashion: I'm not here to tell anyone what to eat. You won't find vegetarian or vegan recipes in this book, and you won't find a single sentence attempting to convince you to eat differently. This book isn't about policing your plate.
John did not want to give up beef entirely, but he feared the impact of the beef industry on the Paris agreement's limit of 1.5C of post-industrial global heating and the devastating effects of beef farming on deforestation. He compared the overconsumption of beef to the coolness of tobacco back in the day: Norms feel permanent, but norms can change and when they do it can be powerful, he said.
The 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow lives in the village of Notsch at the foot of the Carinthia mountains in southern Austria. She's kept as a pet by a local farmer, and can roam her meadow to her heart's delight. Like many other pets, she likes to have her back scratched. If no friendly humans are around to do the job, that's not a problem Veronika uses a brush or stick to do it herself.
When you think of farming, what ingredients do you generally associate with a successful harvest? The basics certainly come to mind: fertile soil, plenty of sunlight and lots of water. But there are other variables that can also mean the difference between a crop of healthy fruits and vegetables and a large heap of organic waste. And it turns out that one of those variables is a very small hawk.
Vegan meats are known to be a hit or miss. They're either a total surprise that makes you double-check whether you're not accidentally eating the real thing, or a massive disappointment that leaves a regretful dent in your wallet, given the average price of plant-based meat substitutes. In all fairness, certain types of meat are difficult to replicate, bacon being one of them. The thin texture and the smoky flavor are hard to make from plants alone.
Food trends are changing and evolving constantly, with yesterday's textures, flavors, and ingredients moving aside or inspiring the ones we expect to see in 2026. We expect the upcoming year to be influenced by health trends, as well as politics, and the need for comfort in our food offerings. People's ever-expanding palates and health needs are also colliding with their budgets, but that doesn't mean they plan to sacrifice their food experiences.
"Fold maybe 6-8 inches of that tapered in back on itself and tie it off. That will make the skinny end much closer to the thickness of the fat end and allow for the roast to cook evenly," he says. "Trussing the rest of the tenderloin with tight circles of butcher's twine every couple inches will also keep the tenderloin round rather than allowing it to flatten out, which will also help with cooking evenly."
A sandwich might sound like a "boring" meal, but these vegetarian sandwiches are anything but uninspired! I've spent years testing different combinations of veggie sandwich fillings in my kitchen, and over the years I've collected my favorite ideas for making meatless lunches and dinners. These vegetarian sandwiches have become my go-to's for quick weeknight dinners and healthy lunches that actually make me look forward to the meal.
