Anyone want to chat about cooking, et all?

[mgrace]

I'm not sure if anyone from the WC thread is over here or not, but I thought I would give it a try. If you wanna chat cooking, kitchen gadgets, recipes, etc. post away!

[evagatesgreen2]

Can I play? :)

I always wanted to join in when I saw this on the "other" board. ;)

[MES in Chicago]

Loved it on the "other" board and I am sure I will love it here. I will definately need some inspiration as we are moving into a new house where take out will not be as abundant as it is now. I have to remember how to cook again! :p

[chrisinluv]

Well, I'm jumping in on this one asap! By the time I started reading the other one, I still couldn't keep up!

Of course, I don't have anything useful to add yet :rolleyes:

[emmjay]

I'm in too - and I'm another one who never joined in on the WC. I guess I was intimidated by the size of the thread!

Ummmmm, well I didn't really start cooking until about a year ago. My father is an amazing cook so I was lucky enough to learn a lot of fundamentals growing up, but I never bothered doing anything on my own. Now I cook almost every night and I love it!

I did take a class last night on proper knife skills - it was really interesting! I'm going to try to share what I learned, so I hope it translates without a visual demonstration!

To hold a knife properly: pinch the base of the blade just above the handle with your thumb and index finger. Grasp the handle with your remaining fingers - your thumb and index finger should still be relatively in the same position, and your index should be positioned on the knife so that the space between your palm and first knuckle is resting on top of the knife. Apparently you should eventually get a callous on that part of your finger if you chop a lot! Basically like this:
http://www.prochef.com/fbi/images/chopping.jpg
Don't extend one of your fingers along the top of the blade (I do this all of the time!) - keep them all firmly grasping the knife.

To hold the food properly while you are cutting: it's kind of hard to see in the above photo, but form your food-holding hand into a claw, then point your fingers down and put it on the food you are cutting. You should be relaxed and have your fingers bent in enough that you can't see your fingernails - this minimizes the likelihood of accidents. If your fingers/fingernails are sticking out, you could possibly cut them, so make sure everything is tucked in - ideally your knife will be sort of rubbing up and down against your knuckles. Also your knife should always be perpendicular to your fingers, not at any other angle or alongside them.

Finally, if you are chopping something in a rhythm or really quickly, only your hands and the knife should be moving. The food should always stay in the same spot on the cutting board.

It was a really useful class - I hope what I posted makes sense. And I'm looking forward to being part of this thread!

[ummserious]

I joined! Mainly to post here but I'm sure I'll find my way elsewhere. ;-)

[Jazz]

I'm in!

Thanks for the tips emmjay -- I have a gift certificate for a knife skills class, I'm really loooking forward to it.

[ee_chick]

I'm in too! I posted a few times in the old one, but lurked for the most part.

Is anybody doing anything fun for 4th of July? I'm making ribs, but I haven't decided on the rest of the menu yet.

I just got the class catalog for the next three months from my local cooking school. I'm thinking I'll take Cobblers, Crisps, Buckles, & Grunts and Fast Fish on the Barbie. Fun!

[mgrace]

Cool, glad to see some posts. :)

[juliebug]

I'm psyched to be getting in on the front page this time. I was a lurker in the old thread, but it was so long I was intimidated to post.

[looch]

How could i not post! I was a long time lurker at WC, never had a computer at home, and was somehow prohibited first from posting, then from even reading the message boards!
I love to cook, starting to bake, now that my kitchen aid is out of the box!

[mgrace]

Is anyone making anything special for the 4th? Not sure, here, but I've always been a sucker for some version of the flag cake

http://www.kraftfoods.com/images/recipe_images/Wave_Your_Flag_Cheesecake.jpg

[betsyboop]

I never joined in the old thread because it was so long too. Now I can get in on the beginning.

That's good to know, emmjay! I'm a terrible chopper and it's probably because I always try to move the food I'm chopping and not the knife. D'oh!

[ALeonard]

I really LOVE the Flag Cake. :D I make one every year! But I use a White cake mix instead of the Jell-O. I'm a huge fan of cake, so what would be better than cake with Cool Whip and fruit?? I can't wait to make it this weekend...

[jakedog]

And just cause I couldn't get enough of this ont he old thread here you go again :)
http://www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

Ooh! I'm getting in on this. I like cooking when I have a good meal idea, but I have trouble coming up with the ideas. :( So, I'm hoping cooking talk will inspire me a bit.

[Noniitis]

Yay.. one of my all time favorite topics!

Anyone else addicted to the farmers market??

[mgrace]

Noniitis, oh yes--Farmer's Market addict!

[angelraven]

mgrace: I LOVE your avatar! Charlie Brown is my absolute favorite cartoon!!

I'm subscribing to this thread to learn tips from all of you. I'm slowly getting better at cooking, much to my husband's delight. I'll also be making a flag cake for the 4th. I can't wait!

[vwinkel]

I was a lurker on the other thread to but never joined! Who new there were so many of us. Okay maybe four right now, but I bet there's more. Anyway, I'm looking forward to this thread.

jakedog - that link was hysterical. I can't wait to read through that more.

[juliebug]

Speaking of farmers markets, does anyone belong to a CSA? We joined one outside of Boston this year and it's just starting to get good after 4 weeks of nothing but lettuce and other greens. I'm looking forward to trying to keep up with the challenge of lots of different veggies!

[Noniitis]

Ok I just got home from the Farmers market. I must be in a fruit mood.. I bought 3 pints of homegrown Strawberries, 2 pints of bing cherries, 6 peaches and a very small seedless water melon. I also bought a cream sweet clover honey. Any one have ideas of a recipe that would be good for fancy honey. My DH wants to use some in a BBQ glaze.

Does anyone else go crazy for speciality honey, jellies, mustards and dips? I love them. It is so silly how packed my cupboards and fridge door are with these things.. Wasabi mustard... oh yeah... vanilla chia tea jelly... you know it.

[Jazz]

Add me to the list of farmer's market lovers! This morning, I picked up: salad greens, zucchinis (4 for $1!), a canteloupe, a boatload of cherries, four lovely tomato plants, bacon, and lamb chops (there are naturally-raised lamb, beef, and pork farmers who come to the market -- I love it!). Oh, and a loaf of hubby's favorite five-grain bread.

Noniitis -- I'm jealous of your berries :) -- I think those are a couple of weeks away for us, winter was slow to depart. I love creamed honey, but I only ever have it on bread. I bet it would be great in salad dressing / marinades / glazes, though.

Jakedog is in the house! Your fourths spinach salad is still a favorite in our house (and thanks for reposting the ww cards, I lost the link).

Juliebug -- kjh924 started a thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=968) on CSAs, I rambled on about mine in there (love it!).

Hi everyone else!

~Jazz

[juliebug]

Juliebug -- kjh924 started a thread (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?t=968) on CSAs, I rambled on about mine in there (love it!).


Thanks for pointing that thread out to me, Jazz. I wouldn't say you rambled - you were enthusiastic!

Last week in my CSA I got garlic scapes, which I've never even heard of before. Thank goodness the farm has a website (http://www.communityfarms.org/c-veg.htm) with recipes for some of these more obscure veggies. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Nutty Herbs and Scape Pesto
(amounts are approximate)

5 fresh garlic scapes
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/4 cup fresh parsley
3 tbls fresh oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup cashews
2 tbls pine nuts
1/4 cup peanut oil (or olive oil)

Process all the other ingredients until finely chopped and blended and then pour the oil in slowly while the processor is running and add enough to get the right consistency.

[mgrace]

Welcome to everyone joining our fabulous thread!

angelraven, thanks!

juliebug, don't belong to a CSA, but we do buy stuff from CSA's at the farmer's market. I love CSA's, but they are a bit too pricey for us right now.

We made a great stir fry with our farmer's market veggies--peas, brocolli, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes. It was so good!

[dragonfly28602]

Joining! Long time lurker of the other thread.
K

[emmjay]

I am currently obsessed with this cool gourmet store with a website (it was mentioned on Food Finds on the Food Network, and in the most recent issue of Food and Wine Magazine) - Kalustyan's (http://www.kalustyans.com/).

The physical store is in NY, but you can order online. They have all kinds of specialty items like black quinoa and Moroccan argan oil and more Indian ingredients than you could ever imagine. Also tons of cookbooks. The site is a little primitive (no pictures of the products) but it's a great place to find obscure ingredients. Or just browse around!

Some other food sites I like are
Murray's Cheese (http://www.murrayscheese.com)
and
The Vinegar Factory (http://www.elizabar.com/vinegar.html)

[sparkle&shine]

Just joining! I used to kind of sort of participate in the thread at the other place but kind of lost time with it and can't wait to start keeping up with it here!

[sparkle&shine]

Chicken Enchilada Dip

1 lb Shredded cooked Chicken Breast
8 oz package of Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour Cream
4 oz Diced Green Chiles
4 oz Diced Jalapeno
1 bag Shredded cheese
1 tablespoon Taco Seasoning (optional)
Black Olives, Green onion, tomato for Garnishing (optional)


Cook up your chicken for shredding - I prefer to boil my chicken when I am going to shred it as it comes apart so easily - and shred it. Some people like to use their food processor to make the shredding go quickly but I just use two forks.

Combine Cream Cheese, Mayo, Sour Cream, Green Chile, Jalapeno, taco seasoning and some shredded cheese (I use half the bag but I am a cheese nut). After combined stir in the shredded chicken. Empty into an oven safe casserole dish or even into a crock-pot! I used a 9 X 13 in. Top with shredded cheese and bake at about 350 until the edges are bubbly and cheese is melted. Garnish with Black olives, Green Onions, and tomato to your liking. You can also serve some picante on the side with it.
Serve hot with Tortilla chips!

This was a huge hit at the 4th of July party we had and it was gone first! I used Lite Sour Cream and have heard that lite mayo and cream cheese don't change the flavor either. I used Taco seasoning but some people make it without and also have good results! There are a lot of ways to change this recipe to suit your tastes. All results will be yummy!

[elh1015]

Hello! I made it here, finally. Several days of attempting to register, then finally getting registered, then waiting two days for an email to get activated. Nice to see that people who previously just lurked are joining in now. :)

Happy Cooking!!

~Erika

[njlorelei]

Kalustyan's is awesome, emmjay! Luckily for me my DH works in NYC and often stops by the store to pick me up things. I've only gone up a couple of times myself but each time I would just stand in the aisles and stare at all of the different spices and such in amazement. I never knew how many kinds of curry powder there are, or paprika, and so on.

[smiles33]

Oh, can I share my cooking-related news? DH and I currently are obsessed with ceramic knives...We bought our first one on our honeymoon, a Boker (German company) chef's knife. I just ordered a Kyocera one for MIL off eBay and we're eyeing a Kyocera santoku knife now. And those knife tips posted on page 1 are a good refresher!

[katmg]

Joining up! I posted in the old thread and want to make sure I keep up over here!

Jakedog - is that a weimaraner in your avatar?? DH and I have a weimie; we loves those grey dogs.

[Noniitis]

Hey all!

So the grill has been getting a work out cuz I refuse to cook in the house when it is in the 90's. I Even made a Blueberry cobbler on the grill last night! What do you like to cook when it is so hot out??

[JBB]

I'm joining this thread-I used to come and go on the one on WC!

I'm going to start a Question of the Day

Question of the Day
Is it just me, or do others feel less of an inspiration to cook in the warmer weather? In the colder months I try a few recipes a week, while in the summer I stick to mostly either grilling (we have an indoor grill) and/or broiling.

[emmjay]

I also prefer cooking in the cooler months - we have a tiny galley kitchen, and it gets HOT in there, especially in the summer. Just the pilot light in our stove makes the whole kitchen hot. I stay away from pasta and stir fry and anything else that puts out a lot of steam and heat, and I broil a lot as well.

[KKay]

It's funny you asked this question. My DH said he wanted a roasted turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes for dinner last week! I looked at him like he was crazy. The last thing I want on a 90 degree day is Thanksgiving dinner.

I'll probably surprise him later this week by making his Thanksgiving dinner, but I sure hope it isn't a steaming hot day. We have central air, but I usally like to eat something light in the summer (salads, fish, anything grilled).

[elh1015]

QOTD- It is hard to cook in the warmer months. Our kitchen gets hot, our house doesn't have central a/c and it's been 90+ this week, I think it will reach 100 today. HOT! It doesn't help that I'm 8 mos pregnant and losing the will to do any work. But eating out is way out of the budget for us right now. We try to grill and have salad and use the oven very minimally.

I did however finally make something I've been craving since about June. A pretzel torte. You know...crushed pretzels, cream cheese and whipped cream layer and then jello on top? 70's pot luck fare at it's finest. I needed to sit and get firm, but I packed some in my lunch for today. :D

[mierin]

Mind if I join? I lurked a little on the other site, but I was a little intimidated by the size of the thread. Four pages is a little more accessable.

QOTD
I have a very hard time cooking in the summer. It's hot and stuffy and food tends not to sound as good to me under those conditions. Especially hot food. I could eat a gallon of ice cream right now, but the thought of turning on the oven makes me break out in hives. Adding to my lack of inspiration, DH travels during the week and I don't know what to make for just myself.

[sparkle&shine]

Well considering the fact that it was 115 degrees yesterday and is supposed to be 117 degrees by Sun. I am most DEFINITELY not in the mood for cooking. We ordered Chinese delivery last night.

[jimmysgirl424]

Joining! This is the first time I have peeked into this thread and I never even looked at the one at WC! This is great, I am looking forward to lots of useful information here! :D

I used to live in Carson City, Nevada and while there, I visited a teeny little town called Virginia City. (a working 'ghost town'.) Anyway, in Virginia City, I found this amazing store called the Country Cupboard. They sell a huge selection of jams, jellies, preserves, soup mixes, cake mixes, pickels, mustards, dips, dipping sauces, marinades....you get the point. It got so I was making the drive to Virginia City very frequently just so I could buy stuff there!

Sadly, I returned to Baltimore...no more Country Cupboard. :( But....they have a website!! And you can order their stuff! :D DH is gonna kill me if he finds out how much I spent there, but I can't help it! Their stuff is completely addictive!!

Anyway, here is the link to the site:

http://www.countrycupboard.com/index.html


I personally recommend:

Smokey Garlic Mustard
Horseradish Mustard
Garlic Dill Pickles
Jalapeno Pickled Garlic (sounds gross, but sooooo good!!)
Cajun Pickled Garlic
Lentil Soup
Cajun Dip
All of their beans!!

[Noniitis]

QOTD~ I hate cooking when it is too hot. So we have grilled almost every night for the past week. Pork Loin last night with grilled sweet potatoes and garlic toast. Stuffed Large Cap Mushrooms with grilled corn. Grill beef shoulder roast.. Steaks..

jimmysgirl424 If you like spicy yummy pickles < I am thinking you might from your list> Have you ever had Tony Paco Sweet Hot Pickles. They sell them at HoneyBaked Ham stores. I always buy a couple jars when I am around that store cuz DH and I love 'em

[katmg]

Hot Pickles - We just bought a jar of Tabasco pickles. I believe one of the big makers (Vlasic?) makes them. They are delish and definitely spicy!

I made a blueberry cobbler this weekend and it just didn't turn out well. It was a peach recipe that I was substituting blueberries - it was very soupy/runny. So...does anyone have a good blueberry cobbler recipe?

[sparkle&shine]

I decided to use my new cake mold to make a cake to bring to work. I really wanted to try it out!
Here is the pan from Williams-Sonoma:
http://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/243/0080/image2.styleinamerica.com/wsecimgs/images/products/200528/0008/img22m.jpg

I made a lemon cake with a lemon vanilla glaze and then filled the center with a mixture of berries. It was a big hit at work today!
BTW Williams-Sonoma had a big section of sale items and there were some great buys. The had some Le Creuset cookware even on the bargain table!

[Noniitis]

Hot Pickles - We just bought a jar of Tabasco pickles. I believe one of the big makers (Vlasic?) makes them. They are delish and definitely spicy!

I made a blueberry cobbler this weekend and it just didn't turn out well. It was a peach recipe that I was substituting blueberries - it was very soupy/runny. So...does anyone have a good blueberry cobbler recipe?

This is the one I use that I got for Food network So awsome! I even made it on the grill by heating up the grill then turning off one side and baking it on that rack while the other side of the grill was on high.

Blueberry Cobbler c. Television Food Network, G.P.



Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
User Rating:




1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
2 cups fresh blueberries
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Pour melted butter into a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish. In a mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and milk. Pour evenly over the butter. In a bowl combine berries, water and sugar. Spoon evenly over batter, but do not stir. Bake 40 to 45 minutes. Batter rises to become buttery top crust.




Copyright © 2003 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved

[Etoile]

Ooooh that castle cake pan is so cool.

I agree, I hate to cook in hot weather. It's either crockpot (which, while nice because it doesn't heat up the kitchen, still produces hot food that doesn't always appeal) or grilling out. We've been eating a lot of grilled food and coleslaw.

[katmg]

I keep looking at that castle pan and trying to justify buying it. The best I can do is possible future children's birthdays? Still not a good enough excuse yet.

Noniitis - Thanks for the cobbler recipe! I'll have to try that one out!

[mgrace]

sparkleandshine, very cool pan. And your cake sounds gooood!

In the other thread, we had a Question of the Day (QOTD), which was lots of fun. So....QOTD: what has your most recent cooking related purchase been?

[mierin]

Eeek! Sparkle&shine, that is the coolest cake pan evah! I do my most creative shopping justification at Williams-Sonoma. I mean, clearly I need a castle shaped cake pan for...for...quick, someone give me a reason.

QOTD
I think most recently, I bought this:
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/images/product/bakingillustrated.gif
I'm really not a very good baker, so I'm hoping for some inspiration and a little luck. I will make a pie crust that doesn't fall apart if it kills me.

[sparkle&shine]

I had to justify that cake pan to myself also. Luckily I have my son so that helped but I also came up with these ideas...
Cute for summer since it is a 'sand castle'.
Can use it for Halloween as a spooky castle.
Birthdays obviously.
My MIL had a great idea to also bake a sheet cake or a round cake and put it on top of that and decorate the bottom cake to look like a moat or a graveyard for Halloween. You can make it a princess castle or with knights!

I also happened to have a gift card to the mall for part of the price and decided to heck with it! I also want the rose pan but I am running out of space to store all of my stuff!
How cute would these be for bridal showers or tea parties!
http://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/243/0080/image2.styleinamerica.com/wsecimgs/images/products/200529/0015/img61m.jpghttp://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/243/0080/image2.styleinamerica.com/wsecimgs/images/products/200528/0003/img65m.jpg
http://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/243/0080/image2.styleinamerica.com/wsecimgs/images/products/200529/0012/img96m.jpg

[njlorelei]

I saw that sand castle cake pan and thought it was cool. I couldn't justify buying it since I rarely make cakes at all but I'm glad someone bought it. :)

I don't normally mind cooking in the summer but I do try not to use the oven as much. I'm always trying out different salad combinations on days that it's really hot.

I can't really think of the last cooking related purchase except one of the gold coffee filters for our coffee maker, but that's not really exciting now is it?

[kmfroggi]

Subscribing

[JBB]

QOTD I think my most recent purchase were two cookbooks by Rachel Ray. Her newest one:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1400082536.01._PE43_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1891105175.01._PE32_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I originally was only going to get the first-I went to a signing at William-Sonoma, but then decided to go with the second one also.

Sparkle and Shine I love that cake pan. I may break down and buy it the next time I am in W&S! I don't have kids yet, but someday I will and it will be so neat to make the castle cakes!

[Bloomwood]

Can I play too? I posted a couple of times in the other thread, but would like to get in early on this one.

Just read the whole (6 pages) thread. Some random related comments:
I think I belong to a CSA - it is an organic farm that delivers fresh fruits and veggies to us every other week. I love it. They also bring "weird" food (we received purple potatoes last time) which I like because it challenges me to find a good way to use it. I am looking forward to their tomato season to start!! We've been hitting the farmer's market for them so far, but love when our delivery brings them.

QOTD #1 - nah, summers aren't unbearable here. But, at the same time, I LOVE all the summer produce so it inspires me to cook/come up with tasty healthy meals.

QOTD #2 - This is kinda lame, but I finally bought a digital thermometer today. I have the Taylor one that is a dial and I have a bigger one with a long cord that I rec'd for an xmas gift, but the one I have always wanted is that little digital guy. It was $20 on the registry, why did no one buy it? Why didn't I buy it? Well, today I got a $10 one at Target. Still Taylor, but probably their lesser quality line.

My NEXT cooking-related purchase will be The Best Recipe cookbook from Amazon. I purchased some other stuff (books and music) from there today and forgot to get it! :mad:

[mgrace]

If anyone is looking to buy a 4 1/2 quart classic Kitchen Aid mixer, check out Amazon.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00093DLNG.01._PE60_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg
$99!

link (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00093DLNG/ref=pd_ts_tb_1/002-7898736-1489619?v=glance&s=kitchen&n=284507)

[Etoile]

Wow! Good deal! I love my red Kitchenaid mixer. That and our Cuisinart Food processor are two of our most-used wedding gifts.

I can't remember my last cooking-related purchase besides Tupperware. The last cookbook I purchased was Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume 2 (excellent book). I have been lusting after the Barefoot Contessa books. I also want to get some more crockpot cookbooks... especially 500 Low Carb Crockpot recipes by Dana Carpender.

[ee_chick]

My most recent kitchen purchase:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0028631528.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Mmmmm, fish.


I love that cake pan, sparkle&shine! I'm always torn between wanting to bake more, and knowing that I shouldn't. ;)

[mierin]

mgrace, GET OUT! $99!?! Now I feel really bad for what my grandmother paid to get us that for our wedding. :D Gotta love the Kitchen Aid, though. It's my baby.

[jimmysgirl424]

My last kitchen purchase was a Crockpot recipe book, but I can't remember the name of it right now! :rolleyes: Anyway, did someone say they bought Hot Tabasco pickles?? OMG, I am going to the grocery store right after work now for sure!! :D Yummy!!

This is one of my number one favorite kitchen tools, my Quick Chopper:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/tvproducts4less_1855_9774620

It chops up just about anything with just a few handle turns and it's really easy to clean too.

Now if I could just remember to buy that new set of measuring spoons and cups that I've been needing for like 6 months..... :rolleyes:

[katmg]

That was me with the Tabasco pickles - yummy!

QOTD: last cooking related purchase? I bought a pretty bowl on sale at W/S for my mom's birthday. I think the last thing I bought for me was the cookbook, Pastry Queen. Can't wait to try out some of the recipes!

[jimmysgirl424]

katmg - Did you find the pickles in a regular grocery store? And you said that Vlasic makes them??

[emmjay]

QOTD: My last cooking-related purchase was a 14-cup Cuisinart for my mom's birthday. She has wanted one FOREVER, so she was really psyched. The last things I bought for myself were 3 Cooking Light cookbooks (Best Ever, 2005 Annual Recipes, and the Holiday Cookbook). Love Cooking Light!

[ummserious]

"Martha Stewart Hors Deouve cookbooks"

Jakedog, that is one of my favorites! Good luck on your kitchen, I am still within 6 months of having ours remodeled and it was so painful in so many ways during but so very worth it after.

[katmg]

Jimmysgirl - Sorry I didn't check in for a few days. Yes, I found them at our local grocery store, and they were Vlasic. They were called 'Snack 'Umms.'

[juliebug]

My most recent kitchen purchase : 2 rectangular tart pans from W-S. Just washed them up last night (and managed to slice the bejeezus out of my hands in the process)!

[mgrace]

Anything going on? Any cooking?

[katmg]

We've been on veggie kick lately.

I made a cucumber salad and a corn salad recently. Both were quite good. I need to find some add'l veggie salad recipes. DH and I have been taking them for lunches.

[emmjay]

I have a veggie salad recipe - diced tomatoes, red onion and cucumbers, chopped fresh cilantro, mixed into cooked (cooled) Israeli couscous, drizzled with olive oil, and salt and pepper.

[CarlaB]

Ack!! I am late....I knew I heard the sirens calling.:D Going back to catch up.

[CarlaB]

Oh, caught up.

QOTD #1 I never had a problem cooking in the summer before, but I always had central air. Now we've moved into our house with no AC, it is TOO.HOT.TO.COOK!! Lordy. First time I tried I was a sweating machine and was not hungry by the end of it. I allow myself to turn on the stove for one side dish (if at all), the meat/fish is on the grill and we supplement with salad and fruit.

QOTD #2 New kitchen is smaller than apartment kitchen (:eek: I know) so no new gadgets here. I do need a new trash can that fits under the sink though.

It is TH and this means Farmer's Market Day!! We did a CSA last year, but the farm to collect produce was way out of our way in the new digs, so we decided against it this time.

[CarlaB]

Had broccoli rabe last night, sauted with onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, golden raisins, EVOO, and red wine vinegar. It was delish with grilled pork chops and grilled peaches*. I actually used my wok and it cooked up way faster than with my saute pan.

* Holy moly I love grilled peaches. Make this a must try. I am dreaming of them with vanilla ice-cream and crumbled amoretti. Swoon.

PS- Name change: I have no imagination. A was maiden initial, B is married initial. Whose the most boring?? Me! Me!

[katmg]

Carla - you're not boring! I was katmgbride over there and now I'm just katmg. :rolleyes: Someone needs some creativity and that someone is me.

I went to an AWESOME restaurant here in town last night. I had sesame crusted seared ahi tuna with a crab risotto. For dessert we shared two - one was a brownie sundae thing (not my choice) and the other was called a "Cherry Bomb." It was bing cherries slightly sweetened with a cornmeal/pastry crust in a ramekin with whipped cream on top. It was heavenly! One of the other people didn't care for it too much, but I thought it was amazing. The cornmeal wasn't at all overpowering and just gave the pastry a bit more heft/texture than normal. Plus the cherries weren't overly sweet or gelatinous like a typical "pie filling." I need to see if I can find a similar recipe.

[EmilyZA]

Subscribing. :)

[bookworm]

Ok, once again I am late jumping in...I lurked in this thread constantly at The Other Place.

I made a great dinner last night with all farmers' market ingredients (I was obscenely proud of myself). It was whole-wheat pasta with roasted veggies (zucchini, summer squash, tomatoes, red onion, & garlic) and goat cheese. I had the leftovers today :).

I am in charge of picking a restaurant for tomorrow night, so I have been all about chowhound.com today, and I am very (i.e. "far too") food-focused right now!

[DianaFaye]

I took culinary arts in college the first time around so if anyone has any questions, just ask! Cooking is a serious hobby of mine. :)

[SweetRed]

Subscribing. Like others, always intimidated by the previous thread. Happy to get on board early with this one. Now time to catch up!

~ Kay

[Sarah]

jakedog- can you post the recipe for that soup? I know it sounds like you made it up, but it sounds awesome, and I'd love to know what you did.

[jakedog]

Sarah- I think you really have to like broccoli rabe for this 'recipe' since there is not a whole lot of other stuff in it.
Just sautee (in EVOO) as much chopped garlic as you like in a large soup pot (I use a whole head) then add two bunches of washed and chopped broccoli rabe (you can also add pepper flakes when sauteeing the garlic) I use that vietnemese chili garlic paste because I use it in EVERYTHING. Anywho add the rape, sautee- salt and pepper to taste. When somewhat wilted add one box of chicken stock (you could use veggie if you are a veggie) cook until rabe is tender, add a can of rinsed white beans and a can of rinsed ceci (chick peas) bow I prefer the texture of the beans so next time I will probably just do a can of small white beans and a can of white cannalini. Anywho there you have it- you can top with a slice of grilled bread and grated parm or put of pasta.
My favortite dish is rabe with grilled sausage and penne but its not so good for the bottom line if you know what I mean.

[CarlaB]

I am thinking of doing a picnic this Sunday and will probably have about 10 people (inclusive). I have no idea what to make. Yes, I might do most of the food.

I was thinking a cold tortellini salad with pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. And then I run out of ideas. :confused: Need some advice if you care to share.

[CarlaB]

Your soup sounds fab Jakedog. I will have to try it (in the winter though). If Broccoli Rabe is too bitter, it might be great with escarole.

[elh1015]

Carla- chicken salad either with crackers, rolls or already assembled as sandwiches might be good. Chicken salad is the kind of thing that tastes good after it has a chance to sit and have the flavors meld. Or, wasn't there a recent MS recipe either in Everyday Food or Living that had pressed sandwiches...like salami or some other Italian meat? You make them in advance, wrap and stack them under heavy pots or bricks or something?
Brownies make a good dessert that is easy to eat too.

Barefood Contessa did a picnic show once...I seem to remember lemon bars and salmon sandwiches or something like that.

Shoot, now I'm hungry.

[Jenean]

What a great thread! I love to cook and am always looking for new things to try.

These are kind of old now, but I'll answer anyway:

QOTD 1: I don't generally mind it, especially now that we have central A/C (just moved into our new house 4 months ago). We bought a grill last summer, though, and I like to use that as much as possible. I'm all about fast easy meals and the grill is definitely good for that!

QOTD 2: hmmm, I guess my coffee grinder and electric can opener. I have 3 gift cards for BBB (housewarming gifts) to use, so I might need to take a drive there soon and see what other fun stuff I can add to my kitchen collection.

What do you guys like to cook most? I love to bake, but I'm trying to expand and get into more. My goal this summer has been to try at least one new recipe a week. I've managed about maybe 1-2 a month, but that's better than nothing I guess!

[Jenean]

Carla, my MIL makes a terrific cold tortellini salad. She uses cheese tortellinis, frozen mixed veggies (usually a squash/carrot mix, and then adds in broccoli, cherry tomatoes, olives, peas, corn, and whatever else she finds in the fridge), and just regular Italian dressing. She makes it early and lets it marinate for a while to soak up the flavor of the dressing. It's one of my favorites!

[njlorelei]

Carla - Really late notice since it's almost Sunday but when I had some friends over last weekend I had put together some turkey burgers spiced up with cumin, cayenne pepper, lime zest, and lime juice. Then I made a broccoli and grape salad, a pasta salad, and a corn and black bean salad. Everything was a hit and was perfect for a hot summer Saturday.

[CarlaB]

Thanks for posting all!! We have a forcast that predicts thunderstorms for today. :( So I will be having the picnic on another day. The way my weekends look though, it won't be until after Labor Day. Oh well.

Did have a fun appetizer dinner with DH last night.

Melon and Prosciutto (got the cantaloupe at the FM on TH and it was incredible.

Bruschetta with goat cheese, roasted red peppers, grilled portobello mushrooms, drizzled with olive oil.

Marinated olives.

Caprese Salad.

Absolutely no cooking required since I had the 'shroom left over from a weeknight dinner (why do they come in packs of three?). Had margaritas, which totally do not go, but something frozen and slushy was perfect since it wad so darned hot.

[Bloomwood]

Just wanted to pop in to say I finally bought "The Best Recipe" this weekend. Is it bad that I just want to read it cover to cover?? I love it. There are so many good hints in there and I love how they tell you all the different approaches they tried. Can't wait to try some of the recipes!

[mgrace]

Bloomwood, how do you like the The Best Recipe?

I ordered some bowl covers for my KA mixer and some much needed tongs. I'm very excited. ;)

Does anyone have a LeCreuset french oven like this?
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004SBGZ.01._PE26_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Do you love it? What do you use it for?

[ee_chick]

mgrace -- I have a 7 qt Le Creuset french oven like that, and I love it. I use it for soups, sauces, casseroles -- for everything, basically! It's one of my most used pots, actually. I also have one of their oval ovens, and I don't use it as often because I prefer this one.

I also love The Best Recipe. It's my go to cook book. :)

[Sarah051504]

Ok I'm joining, I've lurked enough.

All week long I look forward to Sat mornings and the teeny tiny farmers market (5 boothes) can't wait till tomorrow, last week it was mostly tomatoes I wonder what it will be this week.

I've been craving goat cheese (specificly chevre) but I want to make something new with it, instead of my standard salad or right out of the package :o . Does anyone have any good ideas?

[bookworm]

Sarah, I have an amazing recipe for penne with roasted vegetables and goat cheese. The cheese makes the sauce, and it is SO good.

Essentially, you roast a bunch of veggies (summer squash, zucchini, tomato, onion, garlic) then drizzle with balsamic vinegar and toss with hot pasta and the goat cheese. And basil, I think. I've made it twice in the last 3 weeks (because my farmers market has a goat cheese lady, so I've been going a little nuts with it lately :) ).

[Pineknot]

mgrace - I use Le Creuset cookware and those big pots are one of my favorites to use.

I love using it for pasta....so much room for the noodles. I also like it for roasting meats of any kind. It's perfect because it retains its heat while cooking, plus you have plenty of room to throw in potatoes and veggies.

On the stove, it's great for soups and stews. Le Creuset makes a soup pot that is out of this world as well. It has a small bottom, large top, just right for cooking without burning.

I just can't ever imagine being disappointed with a Le Creuset purchase. They have outlet stores as well that are great to find good deals in.

[CarlaB]

Late chime in re the Le Creuset. I have three as a result of a wonderous amazon friday sale and this thread on the WC. I love them, they are my kiddies. I hardly use them in the summer, way to hot to cook here. But come winter they become my go to pots. Osso bucco, soups, beans, stews, oh my! They are perfect for deep frying wings and chicken if you don't want to shallow fry in a cast iron skillet. Versatility from stove top to oven is great. So pretty much everything everyone else have mentioned. :D

[deliciousjones]

oh, my long lost food loving friends, i've finally found you, thanks to CarlaA/B!

so happy to have somewhere to talk about foody stuff.

Sarah: I like to take chicken breasts, cut a slit in them, and stuff them with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice and then grill. Super quick and easy and yummy.

erika??? have you had your baby yet??

[CarlaB]

Erika had the baby on the 23rd. She and the baby (girl) are doing great.

[mrsfromage]

Could anyone post some Le Creuset recipes? I have a few pieces that were wedding gifts that I haven't yet used and would love to have some good recipes to try. Is the advantage that it cooks slowly? I have the French Oven and a big roasting dish. Thanks.

[mgrace]

They are perfect for deep frying wings and chicken if you don't want to shallow fry in a cast iron skillet
See, I never would have thought of that. Thanks Carla!

I know that the LeCreuset's are amazing--just need enough uses to justify the purchase. ;)

Congrats erika! :D

[mgrace]

Another question. Does anyone have a Staub dutch oven?

http://www.surlatable.com/images/products/thumb/324202_3218c3.jpg

[CarlaB]

I do not have one, but the cover reminds me of another Le Creuset piece. The cover has ridges on the inside and is slightly sunken, you place ice on the top of the cover. The pan is used for braising and the ice facilitates the steam condensation and causes it to drip back into the pan to keep everything moist. Looked around on line and I don't see it...hmm. Curious to hear what others have to say.

[ivansbabe]

Okay, this may sound dumb but what does "et all" mean when you say "cooking et all". I lurked alot on the old thread and I got two wonderful recipes here. One was someones green bean casserole who my sister would like to thank because she never liked green bean casserole till I used that posters recipe and the other was a chocolate bread pudding which is devine and I've made three times and each time it comes out awesome. Once I know what et all mean (from scratch?) then I'll definitely post a couple recipes. Thanks guys!

[Tanya]

Okay, this may sound dumb but what does "et all" mean when you say "cooking et all". I lurked alot on the old thread and I got two wonderful recipes here. One was someones green bean casserole who my sister would like to thank because she never liked green bean casserole till I used that posters recipe and the other was a chocolate bread pudding which is devine and I've made three times and each time it comes out awesome. Once I know what et all mean (from scratch?) then I'll definitely post a couple recipes. Thanks guys!
I'm just lurking, but it's et al and it means literally "and others (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=et%20al)". So basically, "Cooking and other stuff related to cooking":D.

[ivansbabe]

Okay, that makes sense since I googled it and that phrase came up often.

I just thought, was there a seperate thread of just recipes along with this one? If so, that would be great to have around since you guys have such great talents for cooking.

[Tanya]

My last kitchen purchase was a Crockpot recipe book, but I can't remember the name of it right now! :rolleyes: Anyway, did someone say they bought Hot Tabasco pickles?? OMG, I am going to the grocery store right after work now for sure!! :D Yummy!!

This is one of my number one favorite kitchen tools, my Quick Chopper:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/tvproducts4less_1855_9774620

It chops up just about anything with just a few handle turns and it's really easy to clean too.

Now if I could just remember to buy that new set of measuring spoons and cups that I've been needing for like 6 months..... :rolleyes:

What do you use this for? Onions and peppers and hard veggies like that? It looks like it's manual--how much was it (if you don't mind)? It looks interesting!

[CarlaB]

Oooh, I found it. it is called a Doufeu Oven.
http://www.chefscatalog.com/(ffy42g55njprrkj2dooc3j45)/images/catalog/product/20028_med.jpg

[CarlaB]

Ivansbabe on the WC, we had a separate thread for recipes. But we have not set up separate one on here. Are you talking about Erika's green bean casserole? She won a competition for that recipe. Damn, now I want green bean casserole.

[Amuse Bouche]

Ooh -- I wanna join too! We've been grilling a lot this summer, but when it's really hot sometimes I make chilled soups in the blender or ceviches. I made a great dessert for a dinner party the other night --- summer pudding. You just stew berries gently with some sugar, and layer it in a bowl with slices of white bread with the crusts cut off, and weigh it down, so the juices soak through the bread. It sounds weird, but it's SO good, and no cook! Or almost no cook.

[lauren f s]

I've been lurking along for a few days now and tonight I made bookworm's recipe for penne with roasted vegetables and goat cheese. I used zuchinni, red & yellow bell peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and an onion and added in some sirloin steak strips. I couldn't find any goat cheese at the store, so I used feta instead, and it was amazing! It was definitely one of the best things I've made in a while. Thank you for sharing the recipe, bookworm!

[Etoile]

I have been jonesing for a good, gourmet-type pizza--like carmelized onions and gorgonzola or something. We are having friends over for dinner and I think I'm going to make two pizzas--dough in the bread maker. I need to find a good dough recipe.

One will be carmelized onions and some type of cheese. I am not sure, but not gorgonzola as our guests don't like blue cheese. The other will probably be just a plain cheese pizza w/ red sauce.

Anybody have good, unusual gourmet homemade pizza recipes?

[Amuse Bouche]

Caramelized onions and goat cheese makes a nice combination. Sauteed leeks is also a good topping, and goes well with goat cheese. Prosciutto and Figs

[njlorelei]

Anybody have good, unusual gourmet homemade pizza recipes?

I recently made a pizza with shredded chicken mixed with BBQ sauce, Monterey Jack cheese, sliced zucchini, and sliced onion. So good!

[bookworm]

How about gorgonzola and grilled pears?

I also make one with sauteed portabellas, carmelized onions, goat cheese, and basil.

But I cheat and use Boboli crust :).

[emmjay]

I like spinach, feta and tomatoes - not too unusual but it tastes SO GOOD!

[Bloomwood]

Against my better judgment, I tried a recipe last night. Not that it didn't look terrific, it's just that I never cook with recipes, I just use them as inspiration. Well, I followed this one for papperdelle (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9068824/) to a "T" and it just didn't turn out. I somehow bought egg noodle papperdelle so they were tough and yellow instead of that delicious white slipperiness. The tomatoes were great as were the rest of the ingredients, except for the broccoli rabe.

I've never cooked broccoli rabe before, just broccolini. It was super bitter and the ends were tough. I still have some left in the fridge and would like to try cooking with it again to redeem the veggie for me. Any ideas or is it just always bitter?

[CarlaB]

Broccoli rabe is a bitter green and IMO you need to appreciate bitter to like it. I have had it tasted less bitter by doing the following:
~Taking off the leaves and florets, not using the tough stems
~Blanch in boiling, salted water then shock in ice water
~Then use as normal (saute, place in soup, etc.)

I always thought that pappardelle were traditionally egg noodles. Hmm.

[elh1015]

Hey ladies! I'm here! Yes, I had my baby girl on the 23rd. Victoria Grace Meilani. We're calling her Meilani.
I'm just reading and catching up. Probably not doing much cooking right now, although I cooked up about 9 meals in the week before I had the baby, so we have stocked up our freezer for awhile. :)

[Etoile]

Yum!!!! All those ideas sound great. I do appreciate the bitter so I'd definitely try the Rabe. And, pears & gorgonzola, yum yum yum.

[Etoile]

PS, elh, congratulations and what a beautiful and special name. What girl gets 3 names? that's awesome.

[mgrace]

Hey ladies! I'm here! Yes, I had my baby girl on the 23rd. Victoria Grace Meilani. We're calling her Meilani.

Congrats! Meilani is a beautiful name.

Any cooking going on? Hubby and I have been making "saturday night meals" for the past few weeks. Steak one week, pork another, I think this week is chicken. Anyway, it's lots of fun to spend the time on making a really yummy--better than restaurant--meal, complete with dessert and wine!

[deliciousjones]

mmm i love cooking full meals at home. im ashamed to admit that i haven't really, truly cooked in so long. i've done a few pasta nights and fajita nights with friends, but nothing earth shattering.

the w-s catalog came in the mail today and it's definitely Fall themed. so excited.

[bookworm]

I almost picked up an all-soups-and-stews cookbook from the clearance table last night. I may need to go back and get it. Summer has been fairly lame from a cooking perspective (excepting my farmers market finds), but I'm looking forward to getting into it again with cooler weather. I love fall!

[wine_o_girlie]

I just found this thread and I hope it will become active again. I love to cook and entertain and I just got the newest Bon Appetit last night and it got me excited for fall cooking. I am already half way through the magazine and I have already market about 20 recipes to try. Butternut squash, yum. Stews, yum. Soup, yum. What are some of your favorite fall recipes?

Also, I posted a question about encrusting fish with nuts. If any of you experienced cooks know some tips for me, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[mgrace]

I just got a bunch of fall magazines, but have only had a chance to look at one of them. I have the Sept and Oct issues of Everyday Food and the Oct issue of Cooking Light. I subscribed to Bon Appetit a while ago, so hopefully I'll get the Oct issue. I really want to try more soups this fall. I love making apple crisp and applesauce. And things like stews and roasts--heavier things that are too much for summer.

[CarlaB]

Mgrace, like I need another cookbook, but I just ordered this book by the Soup Peddler from Austin. I know his soups are fabulous and I am looking forward to some interesting recipes. I will share anything fab I come across.

[mgrace]

I think our thread was on the 3rd page. I'm so out of ideas for dinner. I want to cook, but have no idea what to cook. I hate funks like this. So, Q: What's for dinner tonight?

[ivansbabe]

Huh, funny you should ask because I just found a new recipe that I'd like to try out. Sounds simple but yummy. I found it on the www.stonewallkitchen.com website.

Mango Chipotle Grilled Salmon with Butternut Squash with Corn Cakes and Zucchini Ribbons

A hint of Caribbean flavors blended with fresh salmon, a unique and festive grilling idea.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Salmon:
1/2 jar Stonewall Kitchen Maple Chipotle Grill Sauce
1 ripe mango, peeled, cored and pureed
4 6 ounce pieces of salmon, filet or steak
salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Stonewall Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Corn Cakes:
1 butternut squash, cooked, peeled, chopped and mashed
1 package Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix (prepare as directed on the box)
2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

Salmon:
Rub salmon with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Heat grill.
Add pureed mango to Maple Chipotle Grill Sauce. Place salmon on the grill and brush with the grill sauce.
Flip salmon and brush on more grill sauce. Flip salmon and repeat. Continue brushing with the grill sauce as salmon cooks. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of the salmon. Reserve any leftover grill sauce.
Corn Cakes:
Heat skillet and prepare muffin mix.
Add mashed squash and combine gently.
Add oil to skillet and place batter in the pan. 2 tablespoons for each cake. Cook until golden on each side.
Zucchini Ribbons:
2 medium zucchini, cut off ends and cut into thin strips.
Place in a bowl and drizzle with Stonewall Kitchen Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Grill Zucchini over hot grill until marked and Zucchini becomes a little bit flimsy.
To present this dish, place one corn cake on the plate and then the grilled salmon. Cross with two zucchini ribbons and then top with another cake. You can also drizzle any left over grill sauce over your dish before serving.

Recipe Tips When cakes are a bit cooled place them over the grill just to give them grill marks.

I'll use my countertop electric grill. It's great and cooks food very well, especially meats. Looks similar to this:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/wholesalesoftware_1863_9498350

[CarlaB]

Mgrace, with an avatar like that, who needs dinner....yum!

[mgrace]

Mgrace, with an avatar like that, who needs dinner....yum!
He is yummy! :)

[katmg]

mgrace - The most interesting thing I've made recently was a recipe for Beef Empanadas. I just posted about it in the Everyday Food thread. They were pretty durn good!

[Amuse Bouche]

Last night I spread store bought pesto on salmon and baked it for about 10 minutes, then served it over sliced polenta I had fried in some olive oil and parmesan cheese. It was good.

I've also been craving meatloaf, and I had time this weekend, so I made it and we'll have cold meatloaf for dinner tonight.

[ivansbabe]

I made the recipe above and it was tasty, except I didn't care for (or didn't do it right????) the squash pancakes. I'd add some other starch, but the salmon and grilled zucchini were very excellent.

[mgrace]

katmg, those empanadas sound yummy! I have a fear of dough though. :rolleyes:

[katmg]

mgrace - I fear dough as well. But this was SO easy. It really, really was. When I started rolling mine out it had lumps of butter and I was afraid it would never work. Came out beautifully and that was with me not having any place to roll out dough properly. I have tile countertops so I have to roll out doughs on top of an inverted sheet pan. :rolleyes: I'll post up the recipe tonight.

[wine_o_girlie]

I really want to try the squash-corncakes. Those sound great and not your normal starch side dish. Ivansbabe, what didn't you like about them? Any tips?

I have never made empanadas before but I love how they taste. I had one at a party before that was some combination of chicken and apple and it was wonderful. I will have to try this out but I am dough-phobic also.

We had a (late) Rosh Hashannah dinner last night but since it was thrown together very last minute we didn't have a brisket. :( My husband was very sad about that but I couldn't find one on such short notice. We did have a great dinner though and I don't think we ended up missing the brisket too much. We had matzoh ball soup and challah bread to start. Dinner was beer can grilled chicken (love to do whole chickens this way), latkes with sour cream and applesauce, and a spinach salad. Dessert was warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. Except for the challah, all was homemade. I was rather proud of myself for pulling it off on short notice and on a weeknight (I did have to sneak out a bit early!).

[katmg]

jakedog - I'm sure that "proper" empanadas have cornmeal but these don't and are quite tasty! ;) I think I saw a commercial for Pillsbury biscuits that used the biscuits as the empanada batter. I'm sure that would work as well.

Oh - I posted the recipe in the Everyday Food thread if anyone is interested...

[roberta]

Made risotto and apple pie last weekend and both were delicious.
DH has requested a roast or something in the crock pot for this weekend so I am off to look for a recipe or I may just make it up. I think I might make a soup/stew too. It's getting chilly so it is time for fall comfort food!

[CarlaB]

I know that some of us on the old thread had major cookbook problems (moi included). But this was just in my inbox from Barnes and Noble and how could I not get excited??

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/PImages/email/2005/10/cookbooks/cookbksale_member_06.gif

So to go with the picture, here is a QOTD. What from the BN sale on cookbooks do you want/are you going to buy? Off to browse and come back with an answer!

[Amuse Bouche]

CarLA! I have WAY too much work to do.

The book I'm most likely to buy from this sale:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/10020000/10024598.gif

I have her Baker's Field Guide to Holiday Cookies and I love love love it. I make at least three recipes from it every Christmas and they all come out terrific.

On my wish list:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9690000/9691351.gif
(DH and I went there for our anniversary this year)
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9810000/9816634.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9700000/9700745.gif
(stocking stuffer for DH -- mostly to piss MIL off)
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9420000/9421205.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/1750000/1754216.gif

[Amuse Bouche]

And just to read:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7110000/7115267.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8450000/8455275.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5770000/5773838.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9980000/9984318.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5210000/5219641.gif
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/6010000/6019157.gif

[mgrace]

katmg, I think I might try the empanadas. They sound so good and I'm trying to get over my fear of dough.

CarlaB, just a few from my wish list and one from DH's

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9920000/9921554.gif

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7730000/7731483.gif

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8930000/8937230.gif

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/9120000/9121176.gif

Amuse Bouche, I love French Lessons!

[ummserious]

Hi Ladies, I've been lurking on and off for a while. I have been cooking alot but just getting any time to post and contribute. That cookbook sale got me though, I tried not to look at too many but loved the idea of this one:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/7970000/7973350.gif

I always get attracted to the cookbooks of hot chefs but I never want to commit to the whole book, and I love most anything by Food &Wine. Of course B&N was out of it and I ended up ordering used from Amazon.

CONGRATS Elh!

[emmjay]

I love cookbooks - I read them cover to cover! I usually get them from the library and then if I like them I'll buy them off of ebay or Amazon. I just put the Baker's Field Guides and The New Spanish Table on hold at the library, so thanks for the ideas!!

I tried to put a hold on the "Best of the Best" book and I came up with "The Best of the Best Gay Erotica" - don't think that will have the same kinds of recipes! :p

[CarlaB]

Well, I bought a trillion books. But the only thing is that a few of them are Christmas presents (I am trying to get started early).

Here is my loot.
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5400000/5407509.gif
For use sometime in the future and is in no way an announcement.

Comfort Me with Apples - Ruth Reichl
I loved Tender at the Bone and plan on getting Garlic and Sapphires next.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8980000/8987322.gif
Come on, a book about pork!

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/5350000/5351568.gif
Just sounding interesting.

Allergy Friendly Food and Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (Mspi) Guidebook/Cookbook both for a friend who is allegic to everything.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8670000/8676292.gif & http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8670000/8676288.gif
Both for a new mom friend.

And no, I don't have a cookbook problem. :rolleyes: This was after removing the French Laundry Cookbook, another one by Alan Ducasse and maybe three more. Lordy.

[Amuse Bouche]

For use sometime in the future and is in no way an announcement.


Raising eyebrow.


I've seen that intercourses book in person -- it's beautifully put together, but the recipes don't inspire me. But then, I am AWFULLY picky. It's a good cookbook to have, IMO, just not necessarily one I'll cook out of.


QOTD: Speaking of Christmas gifts, what cooking related items are on your wishlist?

[CarlaB]

How horrible does it sound that my plan for each of these is that I look through them and only if I am inspired I totally keep them. But if not, I have no qualms about returning them either to BN store for credit (more likely option because then I can browse) or to the website.

Cooking wish-list would be to upgrade all my stainless pots to All Clad (you said wish list, right?). But the reality is more likely maybe some new platters? I would make a killing at the outlet malls for these.

[meganth]

QOTD: Speaking of Christmas gifts, what cooking related items are on your wishlist?

Ooo! I have an answer to this one!!!!

Le Creuset Round French Oven 5½ qt
http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/images/color/pot/Red-67.jpg

Le Creuset Stoneware Deep Dish Baker
http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/images/library/large/PG1048-X1.jpg?size=50&source=library%2Flarge%2FPG1048-X1.jpg

Global 7" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/assets/product_images/230/3821313680523P.JPG
(have any of you tried the Global Knives? They kick ass!)

I know there's a couple other cooking items on my list, but i can't remember them. How pathetic is it that i already have my christmas list going? Everytime i'm cooking i think of things i need/want and write it down.

[mgrace]

I loved Tender at the Bone and plan on getting Garlic and Sapphires next.

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8980000/8987322.gif
Come on, a book about pork!

I really liked Garlic and Sapphires and that book about pork sounds cool.

[deliciousjones]

wish list:

+ another vote for
http://www.lecreuset.com/usa/images/color/pot/Red-67.jpghttp://www.lecreuset.com/usa/images/color/pot/Red-67.jpg

+ knife sharpener

+ new platters

+ new dishes

[Amuse Bouche]

I'm angling for a 12 cup KitchenAid Food Processor. I have my mom's old cuisinart from the 70's, and to make it run you basically have to hold the bowl on and press the key down, which is a bit of an exercise in coordination. I looked it up and the modern kitchenaids are made by the same manufacturer that made old cuisinarts, and are supposed to be better quality than modern cuisinarts.

I have a 5.5 qt. Le Creuset French oven on my list, too, but I feel a little guilty. Last Christmas my mom got me this huge Le Creuset set -- 2 French ovens, a 12" skillet, a saucepan and an 8 qt. stockpot. I love it, but the ovens are only 3.5 qt, and occasionally I need bigger.

I also have an extra bowl for my kitchenaid mixer.

[mgrace]

Just made a kitchen wish list the other day :)

* LeCreuset 4 1/2 qt round french oven or a Staub french oven
* Santkou knife
* Knife sharpener
* Large wood or bamboo cutting board
* New coffemaker
* French press
* Microplane grater

[CarlaB]

I have a 5.5 qt. Le Creuset French oven on my list, too, but I feel a little guilty.
Don't feel guilty. You can't make Osso bucco for 4 in a 3.5 qt Le Creuset. Frankly, I would go for the 7.25 qt over the 5, and there are times when I use my 5 qt and it feels tight (I say sheepishly). I am afraid of the 9 or 13 qts only because I fear a hernia :eek: trying to lift it, but I know I could fill it in a second!

[mgrace]

Just wanted to let you all know that Gourmet, Vegetarian Times and Saveur magazine subscriptions are $5.95 at www.discountmagazines.com

[mrsfromage]

Ladies, I have several Le Creuset wedding gifts that have yet to be put to good use, i.e. the Dutch oven. Can anyone suggest some more dishes that are especially good in the Le Creuset?

Part of my problem is that I don't know what to make in it that's a quick weeknight dinner. Maybe it's best for weekend cooking when I have more time?

[deliciousjones]

chicken and dumplings might be a good quick dinner for your le crueset! rachael ray has a quick recipe that i've used a couple of times and it's great!

[Amuse Bouche]

Yeah, the LC's aren't super quick weeknight dinners -- they're really suited to long slow braises. I make beef stew, chili, long cooking soups, etc. in mine. What they're great for is going from the stove to the oven. But I use mine for anything I'd use a regular saucepan for -- they have great even heating. I made Bolognese sauce in mine the other night, and while it wasn't exactly quick (cooked for an hour) it could be done on a weeknight.

[mgrace]

For those of you that have LeCreuset's what size do you have?

[CarlaB]

Heeee, just logged off the Friday sale even though I need nothing.

My go to Bistro stlye cookbook is Bistro Cooking at Home by Gordon Hammersley
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/8520000/8521074.gif

Never thought of it from the POV of having other people in the kitchen with me (oh sacrilege :D ) But the few things I have made were exquisite and I love the book. I can look it over tonight and let you know if it lends itself to that.

[CarlaB]

Jakedog Step away from the Amazon Sale!!

[Amuse Bouche]

I like Patricia Wells' Bistro Cooking. There are all these stories about the bistros, and the recipes are good, too.

I don't know about cooking with Friends specifically, but I would recommend Nigella Lawson's Feast or How to Eat, which are menu-based cookbooks, so you could delegate part of the meal to another person. I think it's tough to have too many people doing one dish, though.

[katmg]

jakedog - I tend to think that cookie recipes are sometimes regional. Best Recipe tends to have a more Northeastern slant to it. We never like their barbecue sauces either! I have a great oatmeal cookie recipe that I got from the FRIENDS (t.v. show) cookbook. I made it side by side with the Quaker Oats recipe and we liked the FRIENDS one best. I'll post it tonight!

[mgrace]

and just food for thought. I consider myself an oatmeal cookie afficianado and have always mostly followed the recipe on the quaker oats container- I made the one from BEST RECIPE a while ago and they just royally sucked. we threw most of them away:eek:
Honestly, I've not been impressed with any of the recipes I've tried from The Best Recipe. :( The chewy chocolate chip cookies were only good the minute you took them out of the oven, otherwise they were soo hard. And I made the beef stew and there was *no* liquid when it finished cooking. Yes, I understand that stew is not soup, but I ended up with big chunks of meat and veggies.

[katmg]

I like Best Recipe's Creme Brulee recipe (although I steep my cream with vanilla beans and sometimes orange peel and I had to double the cooking time) and I like their Bolognese sauce recipe. But honestly, I usually just look at it for technique or to compare to another recipe.

Bummer about the oatmeal cookies though.

[godsgift77]

*subscribing*

[katmg]

Here's the recipe from the FRIENDS cookbook:

1 1/2 sticks unslated butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. white sugar
1 large egg
1 t. vanilla
2 c. old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 t. baking powder
3/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 c. raisins

Preheat oven to 375. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Stir together the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the batter until just combined. Add the raisins.

Drop by heaping tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake until golden brown about 12 to 15 minutes.

[mgrace]

Thought that some of you might appreciate this coupon for 30% reg price of 1 cookbook (http://f.chtah.com/i/9/276579820/111005_cbcoupon.html) at Border's. :) I'm sure I need a cookbook!

I'm realllly looking forward to Thanksgiving. I'm thinking that I should do a mini-thanksgiving before the big day. I just want to eat mashed potatoes, cranberries, pumpkin pie. Mmmm. I think I'll actually make either pumpkin pie or cranberry bread next week. I have 1 1/2 bags of cranberries to use.

[ummserious]

Mgrace, me too! I think I am going to make little pumpkin-sage wontons this weekend for a get together I am going to. But now you are making me want to make a bread!

[godsgift77]

How funny! I was just talking about making some cranberry-orange sauce to go on a turkey sandwich! YUM!

[jakedog]

Ok its that time of year
QOTD Whats on your holiday (kitchen) wish list this year?
and
What are you making (food) to give this year?

[Amuse Bouche]

On my wish list:

I'm really really hoping that my mom picks up on my hints and gets me a KitchenAid food processor. I've been using her ancient (from the 1970's) and partially broken Cuisinart, and it just doesn't cut it anymore.

I also told DH that this dutch oven, designed by Mario Batali would be a good gift. I have 2 3.5 qt. Le Creuset Dutch ovens, but they're too small for some things.
http://www.italiankitchen.com/store/images/site_images/0-49010_product.jpg

This one is about half the price of a comparable Le Creuset one, at $99.

I also have a bunch of cookbooks on my wish list.


What I'm making -- cookies and candies to send to friends and give to relatives. My grandmother gets homemade fruitcake every year. If I have time, I was thinking of putting up some chutnies or infusing some liqueurs for local relatives.

[deliciousjones]

Hee!

The best and worst cookbooks:

http://www.villagevoice.com/nyclife/0547,sietsema,70286,15.html

[godsgift77]

now THAT was funny! :D

[mgrace]

:) Thanks for the link.

[PaulsGirl]

QOTD Kitchen wish list....
*New snazzy coffee maker (I hate mine! I registered for it but I hate it!)
*New Roasting Pan

What are you making for gifts this year?

I made this amazing Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cake for Thansgiving, and it was the first dessert that was all gone. Here is the recipe, courtesy of Williams-Sonoma:
http://a1412.g.akamai.net/7/1412/243/0070/content2.williams-sonoma.com/wsecimgs/rcp-images/Recipe/luscious44%2Ejpg
Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cake

The lovely Rosanne Toroian at Good Housekeeping magazine devised this gingerbread cake, and author Lori Longbotham thought it was the best one she had ever tasted. But, of course, she decided to add some chocolate chips. Don't be intimidated—it may look like lots of ingredients, but it's mostly spices that can be measured very quickly. Make sure to use natural cocoa powder.
***********************
2 1/2 cups plus 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural cocoa powder, plus more
for dusting
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 package (12 oz.) miniature
semisweet chocolate chips
12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at
room temperature
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup dark molasses
1 cup very hot water



Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour a 10-cup Bundt® pan.

In a bowl, whisk together the 2 1/2 cups flour, the 1/2 cup cocoa powder, the baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg and pepper.

In another bowl, toss the chocolate chips with the 2 Tbs. flour.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter, sugar and vanilla on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Reduce the speed to medium and add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a 4-cup glass measure or a bowl, whisk together the molasses and hot water. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture alternately with the molasses mixture in 3 batches, occasionally scraping down the sides of the bowl with the spatula and beating just until well blended. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake until the cake begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and is firm to the touch, 55 to 60 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Invert the cake onto the rack and let cool completely.

To serve, lightly dust the cake with cocoa powder and cut into wedges. Serves 12.

Adapted from Luscious Chocolate Desserts, by Lori Longbotham (Chronicle Books, 2004).

[PaulsGirl]

BTW, does anyone from this thread (Carla, Jakedog) on the old site know what happened to wendyl07? That girl had the best recipes! She saved me during my first few months of marriage with her tomato chicken in basil cream recipe. My family STILL asks for that dish!

[mgrace]

PaulsGirl, wendy is still around, I think. If not here, she is on LJ. I *love* her tomato basil cream sauce--just had it the other night!

Question for anyone who has SS pans. Do you use Bar Keeper's Friend (or other cleanser) on the bottom of your pan? Mine is discolored on the bottom and I want to try to get it nice and clean again. Any tips?

[bluhimmy]

She saved me during my first few months of marriage with her tomato chicken in basil cream recipe. My family STILL asks for that dish!

Sounds yummy! Where can I find the tomato chicken in basil cream recipe posted at? I'm in a chicken slump, and this sounds like it would be perfect!

[mgrace]

Here is the tomato basil cream sauce from wendy. It's yummy! :) I just make the sauce and serve it over pasta (and with salad, bread and wine).

Chicken In Tomato Basil Cream

1 tbs butter or margarine
1/2 C finely chopped onion
1 can (14 oz.) plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1/2 C heavy or whipping cream
1/2 C thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

Heat oven to 450 F.

Heat butter in skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until
softened, 5 minutes. Increase heat to high; add tomatoes and cook until liquid is almost evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes. Add cream and bring to boil. Boil until slightly thickened, 3 minutes. Stir in basil, salt and pepper.

Arrange chicken in shallow baking dish; pour sauce on top. Bake 20
minutes. Makes 6 (kinda small) servings.

[Amuse Bouche]

Ooh, that sounds good! I have to harvest my basil soon, too.

PaulsGirl -- have you tried Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Gingerbread? It's SOO good. The recipe is online -- you can just google it.

Mgrace -- my SS pans get discolored too. If its' cooked on grease, it can take some elbow grease to get off. I also have SS polish. Not a huge fan of Barkeeper's Friend - it smells bad to me.

[bluhimmy]

Thanks mgrace for posting that recipe. It sounds way yummy! Gotta add the basil to my shopping list.

[PaulsGirl]

Hey! I see the recipe has been posted. Mmmmm....

Amuse Bouche, no, I haven't tried Nigella's Chocolate Gingerbread.....I'll look at it and see if it's similar. I am SO craving that cake! I may make it again for us before I make it for Xmas for neighbors and such.

Does anyone have a good recipe for Chicken Tetrazzini? I am going to make one by Giada De Laurentiis, but if someone has a tried and true one, can ya post it?

[mgrace]

Just bumping this up. Anyone have any new kitchen buys or recipes to share?

[ummserious]

I use a product called Cameo on my SS pans occasionally. I am usually able to keep the inside looking good without it but the outside gets discolored a bit easier.

I have a few recipes but I am really short on time lately. In the meantime, I think DH convinced his mom to get me a GC to Williams Sonoma. I was really considering a Dutch Oven because I don't have one and I think I'd love to make a lot of the recipes that are suitable BUT I have 2 heavy duty SS stockpots from All Clad that are easily usable for soups and stews and braising. Is there any advantage at all to getting an Oven or would it be overload in the pot department? I am not into getting every single kitchen tool, I like to re-use but I would think that a Dutch Oven would have some advantages. Any opinions? My stock pots are 6 and 8 quart.

[mgrace]

Any new holiday kitchen gifts? We got a bunch of gift cards, so we are going to buy a french press and a new coffeemaker and a microplane. I'm thinking of getting a new knife, but I'm not sure.

[katmg]

I got the Rachel Ray 365-No Repeats cookbook. I'm not a huge fan of her's but the cookbook looks interesting. It will at least help with those weeknight dinner dilemmas!

I didn't get to do as much holiday cooking as I would have liked - DH and I both got sick the week before Xmas. Yuck. I did get to make my apricot balls (delish) and my molasses cookies (which didn't come out like they normally do. :( ). I managed to score some divinity, fudge and peanut brittle from relatives though!

[ee_chick]

I got several cookbooks, a food mill, and a bamboo steamer. :D I also got a bundt pan, so I'm looking forward to baking a cake this weekend. Yum!

[December27JJB]

Any new holiday kitchen gifts? We got a bunch of gift cards, so we are going to buy a french press and a new coffeemaker and a microplane. I'm thinking of getting a new knife, but I'm not sure.

-KitchenAid Mixer
-Rachael Ray Cookbook
-Gasparilla Cookbook
-Spice shredder (Im not sure if thats what it is called)
-Mixing Bowls

[msnicolea]

I got the Silver Spoon cookbook and a Le Creuset griddle pan--my new favorite thing! Oh, and a microplane zester, too!

[looch]

I just cashed in some gifts cards for a new toaster oven. It's big enough for a 12 inch pizza! I finally got rid of the old slot toaster I had, that thing started to smell like burning plastic!

[katmg]

Man...I really want a microplane zester!! I gave my mom one for her birthday and she loves it - I was hoping she would give me one for Christmas. No such luck. I'm going to have to suck it up and go buy one. Bummer.

*Devious thought* Oooh...DH's birthday is coming up. Maybe I could do some sort of cooking basket for him and include the zester with that... */Devious thought*

[mgrace]

*Devious thought* Oooh...DH's birthday is coming up. Maybe I could do some sort of cooking basket for him and include the zester with that... */Devious thought*
:) I bought my husband some OXO tongs, but truth be told, I use them way more than he does.

[katmg]

:) I bought my husband some OXO tongs, but truth be told, I use them way more than he does.

I think it'd be okay b/c he has been known to get me WS cookbooks on "grilling" or "fish." Two subjects that are definitely his domain in the kitchen!

[bookworm]

I got a bamboo steamer too! And a knife sharpener (because I was stealing my mother's), and a garlic press (I already have one I never use, but that's fine :) ).

I also got some $ that would defray a big chunk of the cost of the Le Creuset pot I want (the 7 1/4 one...my 3.5 is just too small), but it's so hard for me to spend $200 on a pot. Even though I don't have a Dutch oven...and it's winter...and I probably need one... I may take a ride down to the outlet this weekend to see if there are any post-Christmas bargains.

[godsgift77]

I finally got my KitchenAid Mixer!! :D :D :D

[Katy]

I got my le Cruset Dutch Oven (5 1/2 quart) from the hubby for Christmas (my one big gift) and a couple cookbooks from family. I'm planning on hitting the outlet soon and maybe pick up the smaller (3 1/2 quart) as well. I honestly think I'd use it quite a bit.

[pixielou]

i totally made out this christmas.

both the 5.5 qt and the 7.5 qt le creuset dutch ovens (did i mention how much i love mr. pixie????)
pizza stone and peel
immersion blender
10" lodge cast iron skillet
martini glasses
large iitala ultima thule cake platter

[Katy]

Pixielou, I got my Lodge 10" skillet as well! I plan to season it today and hopefully break it in this weekend while my friends are visiting :D

[ummserious]

Well I never got a Williams Sonoma GC like I thought I would but I am still considering starting a hunt for a really well priced 7 QT Le Creuset. Anyone have good suggestions on where to look? I do live close enough to one of the outlets.

I'm still stumped though on the question I asked before the holidays about if it would be ridiculous to get one since I have 2 heavy duty all clad stockpots. Oh well. I do think there are some differences and for some reason I really don't like using the stockpots like an oven.

Did anyone have any great recipes recently? I made a lamb salad I adapted from a Nigella recipe for the second time last weekend, I like where it is going but I am still working on some of the ingrediants and timing.

[ee_chick]

Amazon sometimes runs pretty good deals on selected Le Creuset pieces. I think the outlet is hard to beat though. The selection is excellent, and the prices are very good.

I used my 7 qt LC yesterday and made braised short ribs with dijon mustard (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/104018). It was really yummy.

[bookworm]

I think I'm being persuaded :). If it wasn't snowing, I might head down to the outlet right now.

If I hadn't been too tired to go yesterday, I could be making a stew while it snows today!

[meganth]

For those of you who live close to the Le Creuset outlets, go there and get on their mailing list!!! Hello 35% off coupons!!!!! They gave me a calender with monthly coupons, plus they mail me a 35% off every couple of months.

Needless to say, i got a lot of Le Creuset for christmas! I got:

5.5 dutch oven
4 peices of Le Creuset stoneware
Warington Juicer
and some small misc items i can't think of unless i go stand in my kitchen!

[looch]

For those that have bought Le Crueset at the outlets, how much do the larger 5 and 7 quart pieces go for?

[meganth]

I want to say my 5.5 was $154 or at least around there. With my 35% off coupon i know i ended up with about $53 off.

[looch]

That is a great price. Even at williams sonoma, with their "sale," they are expensive!
I have a small 3 quart oven, but I need a larger one, and there are several outlets around here. Thanks so much!

[pixielou]

after much prodding from mr. pixie, i finally went out and bought myself a wusthoff chef's knife and paring knife. for some reason, i just never thought a good knife was going to be worth the money. i had some idea that a knife was a knife - all they did was cut. silly me! i don't know how i have lived without good knives for all these years. i can't believe i made it a priority to upgrade my wine glasses and live with crappy knives. i can't believe i put a priority on table linens over knives.

all of a sudden i'm going out of my way to look for recipes that require lots of chopping so i can use these new knives!!!

~pixie

[mgrace]

pixie, I'm right there with you! I, too, just bought a new knife and I love it. It's amazing to chop things. I bought a 5 1/4 inch Global santoku.

http://www.surlatable.com/images/products/thumb/446278_1201m3.jpg

Now, I need to get a sharpener.

[justHB]

Joining late in the game, but am really interested all things food.

[bookworm]

The 5.5qt Le Creuset oven (in red) is on the Friday sale for about $150:

Link to oven on Friday sale (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SBH4/ref=br_lf_outlet_27/002-4043745-3628047?n=548166&s=outlet&v=glance)

I'm holding out for the 7qt (b/c my 3.5 is just too small), but thought someone might want to know :).

[mgrace]

I was just going to post that bookworm. That is a great deal!

[mgrace]

Anything new going on? I haven't bought anything cooking related in a while, but I am going to buy this when it comes out next month:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1400043468.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
My Life in France --Julia Child's memoirs.

As for new recipes, I recently tried Barefoot Contessa's Macaroni and Cheese and it was pretty tasty. I did cut some of the butter and cheese out, as well as using skim milk. I can only imagine how good some of her recipes would be without altering some of the butter, etc.

[katmg]

Haven't bought anything kitchen related in awhile.

I did make a cream cheese pie with orange slices on top this weekend from the Williams-Sonoma book Pie&Tart. It came out looking gorgeous! I made a gingersnap cookie crust for it though (as suggested) and it came out ROCK HARD. My family was laughing at me trying to cut through the first slice and though surely I was just being dramatic. And then they took a bite and realized that the crust really was that hard. My mom actually couldn't eat part of her crust because she was afraid she would break a tooth! :eek: So, the recipe itself was pretty good but I need to find a different cookie crust recipe!

[CarlaB]

Katmg - Suggestion for the crust next time would be to follow a regular graham cracker crust recipe and use half graham crackers and half ginger snaps, and about a 1/4 tsp. ground ginger. This is what I do for my pumpkin tart at Thanksgiving (almost) every year and it works well.

[tlew12778]

What a fantastic thread! How did I never click on it before?

I love talking about cooking and kitchens and FH doesn't care about that stuff. The only person I know that cares is my BGF but she lives in a tiny studio apt and uses like one pot to cook :eek:.

I am currently putting together my wedding registry (even though the wedding is in a month). FH's coworkers bought out everything on our cookware section, then they complained there is not enough stuff on our registry. So now I am trying to figure out what else to add. We have so much stuff already and our kitchen is sooooo tiny. I don't know where I'll put everything (maybe in storage? such a shame though). I am toying with the idea of a kitchenaid mixer but I don't think I really need one... I really love mixing by hand. I actually feel I get better results that way. I am also thinking about one of those electric grill things but I already have a cast iron grill on the registry that they purchased for us. The store we are registered at doesn't have any good knives (they say they are getting wusthof in this month) and I already have a Wusthof block set anyway. I really want a Santoku knife. I'll definitely add a copper bowl and I am thinking of adding a copper frying pan now. I've got a Calphalon Commercial Hard Anodized 10" pan but FH just found a ding in it (manufacturing problem) and I need to send it back to Calphalon. So I think I might add a 10" copper to the registry to tide me over until Calphalon sends me a new pan.

On the food front, I have this thing where I try a new recipe every week. Or at least, I try to. FH is being a PITA though bc he decided to stop being vegan so that he can do the vegetarian south beach diet. He is soooo hard to cook for now.

[greenbunny]

I can't cook for crap (I'm a baker) but DH loves to cook, so I'll be lurking for gift ideas. You have some great stuff in here!

ETA: Cooking.com is offering free shipping right now on over $59 of Wusthof. I may buy DH's birthday present early.

[looch]

I haven't bought anything for my kitchen in a while, i think i am going to splurge and get some new 1/2 sheet pans and silpats. I would like a total of 4. I am also going to get an attachment or 2 for my kitchenaid...the pasta maker and the veggie slicer.

[mgrace]

tlew12778, any other small appliances that you would like? Blender, food processor, new hand mixer? I love having nice gadgets and tools like spatulas, tongs, can openers, etc. We are slowly replacing our old stuff with Oxo or another brand.

[katmg]

I haven't bought anything for my kitchen in a while, i think i am going to splurge and get some new 1/2 sheet pans and silpats. I would like a total of 4. I am also going to get an attachment or 2 for my kitchenaid...the pasta maker and the veggie slicer.

I could definitely use some more 1/2 sheet pans. I have 3 silpats but I really only ever use two of them. The third is actually still in the packaging. :o I guess since I only have 2 sheet pans that's why?

tlew - I would love to have a food processor. I have a little one but it's kind of a pain to use for anything more than just a few nuts, etc. I'd love a big one! Some other ideas...Stainless steel mixing bowl set - I love mine, garlic press, new silicon spatulas in various sizes, microplane zester, cookie cutters, various size tart pans...um...that's all I can think of right now.

[looch]

I swear, i don't know how i baked before silpats. Those things are amazing!!!!

[tlew12778]

tlew12778, any other small appliances that you would like? Blender, food processor, new hand mixer? I love having nice gadgets and tools like spatulas, tongs, can openers, etc. We are slowly replacing our old stuff with Oxo or another brand.
I have lots of small appliances that I've been collecting over the years. I LOVE my Braun food processer/chopper thing. It's also an immersion blender. In fact, I convinced my MOH to buy one for herself.

I did think of the little stuff but FH thinks that's dumb to put on the list. They don't do bridal showers here so I won't be getting small items really. I was just told someone wants us to pick out a washing machine :eek:. Not really sure where we'd put it though since our apt already has one :rolleyes:.

Anyway, I found a store that might interest you all. It's german so they sell the german knife brands for less than MRP in the US I think. Here's the link (http://hainlin.com/xenaShop/apps/shop3/app/index.php?PHPSESSID=d75e02877deb80a57d0f6a6c8789ae cc&module=ShopHome&lang=2).

[Jazz]

Hey everyone. I haven't bought anything in quite a while either, though we were in San Fran last weekend and I had a very enjoyable stroll through the Williams and Sonoma and Crate and Barrel stores in Union Sq. My wallet escaped unharmed thanks to only bring a small carry-on, but it was really fun to have a window-shoping day. :)

Tlew -- do you already have some sort of wall organizer for your kitchen? I don't know if you can get WMF (german) stuff in Italy, but they have at a couple versions. Ah, I found pix:
VarioFix:
http://www.wmf.de/upload/images/kollektionsbilder250x250/20050314_variofix.jpg

Active Kitchen:
http://www.wmf.de/upload/images/kollektionsbilder250x250/20050314_activekitchen.jpg

(I'm sure there's other brands, of course.)

Whenever I see these (there's a WMF outlet south of DH's parents -- we try to make a pilgramage whenever we are there ;)), I always think that I would have really loved them when we were living in small apartments.

ETA: Thanks for the Hainlin link!!

[pixielou]

i'm taking a cake decorating class right now, so most of my purchases have been cake and frosting related.

my latest "real" acquisition was the all clad pizza stone. i love it. and the pizza cutter that came with it - my dh practically drools over the thing.

we got an immersion blender for christmas - and i can't believe that i ever lived without the thing. it came with some other attachments - but i only have used it as a blender. amazing.

i found an amazing recipe for homemade focacia. yummy. and quick. though i did find the recipe a bit amusing - it calls for 6-1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons of flour. i read the recipe a thousand times trying to figure out the alternative use for those 3T of flo