AntarcticWidow's Profile
Cooking grass fed beef
Because grass fed beef is leaner than grain-fed, it has a tendency to overcook very quickly. One of the local beef purveyors advised using lower temperatures to cook grass-fed vs. grain-fed beef. As to cooking meatloaf, if you add some ground pork to the mixture, it will help to keep the loaf from drying out.
Best restaurant view of Golden Gate Bridge fireworks
McCormick & Kuleto's Seafood Restaurant in Ghirardelli Square is reputed to have a bay view from every table in the restaurant. I've never been, but others may be able to validate this. You can find reviews of their food throughout this board.
Birthday cake ideas for 7 min frosting
I usually make cupcakes, but you can easily do the same to a layer cake - pan roasted, grated pistachios sprinkled over the frosting is very pretty. I've also taken a torch to the frosting, reminiscent of toasted marshmallows.
The best garlic bread ever!
My step-MIL likes to use two cubes of butter per loaf, one cube per side. And cheese, lots of shredded parmesan cheese. One night there were four of us for dinner. She cooked two loaves, half a loaf per person. Sat at the dinner table for four hours with half a loaf of garlic Italian bread on my plate. Gaaaahhh.
Thankfully, she doesn't cook for us anymore. Now we visit, we go out and "argue" over who is paying for dinner.
Catering question re party for 30-40 people
pinehurst, I'm not too keen on the veggie platter myself, but the host requested one be provided. It's one of the last things that ever get eaten at a party, but as other platters run out, it will eventually be chowed down. Tea is a lovely idea, and I do have some thermal carafes I can fill with hot water.
Catering question re party for 30-40 people
jlhinwa and lala ... coffee is a great idea. I didn't think of it because I don't drink coffee past noon, it keeps me up late and I tend to be an earlier riser. I'll see if I can get a clue about the age group of these folks. I'm suspecting they will be somewhere between 40-60 years old, both men and women. I now plan to bring enough to fill up each beverage container at least once, the containers I have only have a one gallon capacity.
Catering question re party for 30-40 people
firecooked, I only assume my "widow" status when my husband is working on the Ice, otherwise I happily reside on the mainland. The host said she might provide some additional beverages, not sure what she has in mind though. I'll most likely bring more than a gallon of each, that is just the capacity of the containers I have.
Catering question re party for 30-40 people
I have been asked to cater a "Celebration of Life" memorial/party in a few weeks. The host is anticipating 30 guests. The party will last about three hours (1pm-4pm). The request is for light refreshments. For personal reasons, no alcohol will be served.
My quandry is quantity. How much do I need for "light refreshments"? The menu so far:
- assorted fruit platter (grapes, berries, whatever else might be in season)
- veggie platter (asparagus, radish coins, carrots, snap peas, endive with a green goddess type dip)
- sliced cheese and salami platter with crackers
- assortment of tea sandwiches (tuna, egg salad, chicken salad, cucumber)
- mini cupcakes
- beverage service (one gallon each of iced tea or lemonade, and iced water)
I thought of arranging one platter each of the assorted fruit, veggies and cheese/salami. For sandwiches, I'm thinking 3-4 sandwiches per person. Then, I'm making one cake recipe which yields about 5 dozen mini cupcakes if I measure properly.
How am I looking, too much? Not enough? I appreciate your input.
TIA!
-AW
Doughnut Dolly - Outstanding doughnut pop up in Oakland
Here are her facebook posts from today:
Doughnut Dolly
47 minutes ago
And, We're Back! There will be Naughty Doughnuts at Cosecha Friday, April 20th, (that's tomorrow), from 5:30-9pm. Fillings are: Naughty Cream and Raspberry Jam. Dominica is featuring Grilled Swordfish with Spicy Olives for Friday Night Supper! I can't wait to see you all there! It's been 2 weeks=too long! ♥
and
Doughnut Dolly
33 minutes ago
Doughnut Dolly is proud to be part of this Earth Day celebration! Did you know, that doughnuts, and their packaging are compostable? Of course you did! So, do your part and join Me, San Francisco Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, and Trumer Pils USA after the beach cleanup this Sunday! There will be music, "Naughty Cream" doughnuts, and some of SF's favorite Food Trucks! Pick up some trash, and get some cream on your face!
Surfrider & Trumer Pils Earth Day Block Party & Ocean Beach Clean up!
22 April at 10:00
Tokyo Horumon where Andrew Zimmern went and served food?
I just watched this (Col. 5, Ep. 6, available through 3/16 on Netflix streaming). The restaurant is called Shinjuku Horumon owned by Ben Hasegawa. Sorry, I have no experience with this type restaurant, but it looks tasty on the show!
Fresh Coconut Milk Substitute
If your local Asian market carries frozen, grated coconut, they might also carry frozen coconut milk ... ?
So WHY were we forced to sit at the table till the food was gone??
My Filipino mom grew up during WWII. Food was scarce and they ate everything they could, when it was available. Luckily my mom was a pretty good cook and I had no problem eating pork adobo, beef sinigang, chicken nilagang, "chocolate" meat as a child. It was when she started cooking American style food that I had a hard time finishing my plate. For breakfast, garlic fried rice with scrambled eggs were replaced with soft cooked eggs and soldier fingers. Blechhh - half the time the whites weren't set - a serious snot factor I had a hard time getting past it.
Things you want to try making
You might also try using red enchilada sauce thinned with chicken stock.
Where to buy good, not too expensive, pancetta locally?
If you want a locally made, hand-crafted product, I recommend The Fifth Quarter Charcuterie, owned by Scott Brennan (former head butcher at Cafe Rouge). You can find his booth at the Berkeley Farmer's Market on Saturdays and Kensington Farmer's Market on Sundays. I've enjoyed everything I've tried from him.
His post on facebook for this week's offerings:
"This week in Charcuterie. Goat... Sugo, Saratoga Roast, Top Sirloin Roast, Bacon, Ham, Shanks, Stock, Chops, and Merguez. Wow. I will also have Boudin Noir with Monukka Raisins, Mexican Chorizo, Toulouse, and Hot Dogs. Duck liver Pate, Smoked Duck Breast, Duck Pate, Duck Confit, Pork Pate with Black Splendor Plums, Spicy Trotter Terrine, Head Cheese, Liverwurst, Chicken Galantine with Hazelnuts. Plus Stocks, Fats and a few other treats like always. See you there."
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fifth-Quarter-Charcuterie/209135572439257?sk=info
Taqueria Mi Familia in San Rafael
Thanks for posting on this place. I stopped by today after running errands in Marin, and ordered the tostada de ceviche and a fish taco. Even though the ceviche was a little on the wet side, the tortilla stayed crispy down to the last bite. My taco was so loaded that I had to it with a fork before I could wrap the tortillas around to eat it with my hand. I also had a small agua fresca (melon). The meal set me back a whole 6.28$. Total deal.
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
Aha, that would explain why some folks looked at me cross-eyed. My step-family is Japanese which is where I learned my soup eating habits. It never occurred to me that it was improper.
Taqueria Mi Familia in San Rafael
Thanks for the confirmation. I'll check it out next time I'm in the neighborhood. I usually get "trapped" at Mi Pueblo when looking for all things South of the Border.
Where to Buy Inexpensive Steel Bento Box? (preferably East Bay)
I was wrong ... BBW sells a 2-tier tiffin set (picture attached). I thought they were nice. They kind of remind me of the Chinese stacking steel lunch box, as seen in "Eat, Drink, Man, Woman".
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
Glad to hear you're feeling better. Having a cold is hard enough, not being able to taste your food is even worse.
I thought I could choose a favorite banchan, but they are all good. I tend to refill on the pickled seaweed and the shredded radish most of the time - they work as a palate cleanser for me.
I believe the clear soup is radish soup/broth. I think of it also as a palate cleanser and drink from the bowl just as it is.
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
Thanks for the clarification on their anniversary date. I may have just heard "this week" and presumed it was today. I have shopping bags from different markets, some chiller bags from New Zealand, and other cloth bags from Seattle and Vancouver area. Whenever I pet sit for my neighbors, I get bags from Alaska and Minnesota. They live in the back end of my car, just call me the Bag Lady.
I haven't tried the corn popsicle yet, but my husband gets the Samanco (fish-shaped) after every meal. They were delivering yesterday while we were at lunch so we knew they were "fresh". It's an artificially vanilla flavored ice cream with a layer of red bean, wrapped in a thin, wafer wrapping. I'll usually have a bite or two of his. If you don't have expectations on the level of Ici or Lush, these ice cream sandwiches are fine.
Wow, Tamarind
Consider buying it in concentrate form. No seeds or pulp, extremely convenient and easy to use. I would think most Asian markets carry it (16 oz for 3-4$) but it can be found online as well.
Can anyone identify this Kitchenaid mixer accessory, please?
The meat should only be partially frozen and not solid, or you can damage the motor. Cut the meat into almost 1 inch strips and lay out on a cookie sheet. Put into the freezer for up to 30 minutes. The meat will grind much easier and less likely to clog up.
Taqueria Mi Familia in San Rafael
Your tostada looks good. I'm trying to picture this place ... is it located in the Marin Square Shopping Center, maybe beside the Subway?
Where to Buy Inexpensive Steel Bento Box? (preferably East Bay)
I am 99% sure I spied the stainless steel ones at Berkeley Bowl West last week, in their cookware aisle.
Bowl'D - new Korean in Albany
More feedback from multiple visits.
Shrimp tempura. The shrimp are butterflied, battered, rolled in a panko-like coating and deep fried to golden perfection. They are served with a cocktail sauce, but they will give you a small glass bowl of kochujang sauce if you ask.
Spicy pork BBQ. I had this last week at dinner and also wondered how to use the cabbage leaves. I watched the table beside me as they put a slick of sauce on the leaf, added some meat and folded it over to eat (reminded me of moo shu pork). The pork was quite spicy, gave my lips a tingle for the money.
Ginseng chicken stew. The chicken meat came apart beautifully at the touch of the chopsticks. It's been my experience that when the dark meat comes away from the bone that easily, the breast meat is dry, but such is not the case here. The breast meat was very tender and not overdone. The "strands" of ginseng provided a bitter overtone but I didn't think that it permeated the broth too much. Just know that this is more than enough for two people. I ended up taking most of it home
The older Korean couple beside us giggled because I had the whole chicken and DH had dolsot bibimbop. In their eyes we had ordered enough for four people. They had ordered dumplings and a bowl of the spicy beef stew between them. It was kind of fun watching them serve each other.
Went in for lunch today. We shared the kimchi jun (pancake). I liked this a lot, another vehicle for eating kimchi - yum. It was a substantial portion cut into six good sized pieces, crispy on the outside, and not greasy at all. There was a small bowl of dipping sauce (soy and citrus?) that was light enough to compliment and not overpower the pancake. I would easily order this again.
I had the sundubu jjigae (tofu stew) with pork, DH had the Dolsot Bibimbop with mixed grain and spicy pork. Both are solid dishes.
In honor of their one year anniversary (tomorrow?), they are giving away fabric shopping bags with their logo printed on the side. They were offering them to customers today at lunch. I am a collector of such things and happily carried my "extras" in my new bag. If you also collect shopping bags, go sooner than later.
Heart Shaped Ravioli
Check with your local Costco. I'm in SF Bay Area and found Nuovo heart-shaped ravioli (nuovopasta.com). The 2 lb package contains both red and white hearts with a Italian four cheese blend (ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, aged asiago). Very festive for Valentine's Day.
Too much chili sauce in my stew - how do I tame down the heat?
Thanks for your suggestions. I ended up straining out the solids then thickened the sauce in the pan with a bit of flour. Next I made a ginger broth, used the sauce as a "seasoning", added some homemade wonton, fresh ramen noodles, veggies, and topped it with a few chunks of stew meat. The result was a delicious late night supper. Now I have a "master sauce" for my next batch of stew :)
Thanks again, I appreciate it!
