3 Crazy Food Stories From This Week, Recipes Included

1. Velveeta Shortage

Was this a crisis Krafted for the Twitterverse and lovers of word play? The so-called #Cheesepocalypse has left many worried that their Super Bowl appetizers may take a dip in popularity. Kraft Spokeswoman Jody Moore said that the sudden shortage is a “short-term issue that’s more noticeable right now given the increased seasonal demand, ” reports the Chicago Tribune. She did not comment on the reason behind the shortage.

If this sudden scarcity of Kraft’s popular processed cheese product affects your Super Bowl or other near-future cheese plans, we suggest you try making dips using real cheese. Here’s a recipe for Nacho Cheese Sauce from Food 52.

2. Burrito Vending Machine Hits L.A.

In a city where people have ample access to burritos and tacos freshly prepared in trucks, one would think L.A’s Mexican food scene need not be more user-friendly. But alas, the BurritoBox was born.

Yesterday LAist reported on the arrival of BurritoBox, the first-ever burrito vending machine, in a gas station in West Hollywood. Today, Emma G. Gallegos of LAist reviewed all of the burrito combinations available in the BurritoBox with her favorite being the shredded beef.

If you find the idea of BurritoBox unappetizing, but want to know how to make burritos you can freeze at home, the Kitchn has some tips.

3. Coffee Maker Meals

This past year we learned how to make salmon in a dishwasher and duck with a hair dryer. And now, reports NPR’s The Salt, you can make full meals using your coffee maker.

Jody Anderson, a former photographer based in Oregon, came up with the idea as a result of her nephew’s dismay at the food available in mess halls in Afghanistan.

Anderson says that the features in a coffee maker allow you to:

1. Steam: “The basket at the top is a great place to steam vegetables. You can throw in broccoli, cauliflower or any vegetable that cooks in about the same time as those.

2. Poach: The carafe at the bottom serves as a simple vessel for poaching fish and chicken. You can also use it to hard-boil eggs or make couscous and oatmeal.

3. Grill: This technique is a bit more advanced — and time-consuming. But if you’re really itching for a grilled cheese sandwich or a cinnamon bun in a motel room, the coffee maker’s burner can serve as a miniature grill.”

For recipes you can make in your coffee maker, check out Anderson’s Facebook Page Cooking With Your Coffeemaker.