likaluca's Profile
Overwhelmed by CSA... need ideas!
You guys are incredible! This is an ABUNDANCE OF IDEAS. For the record, from the past three shares, I now have 5 jars of dill pickles.
Loving the idea of corn chowder and gazpacho (which I've never made) -- oddly, I've also never made tomato sauce from fresh, so perhaps I'll give that a whirl.
Thanks for all the ideas! This will be a delicious week. And if you have any more, send em along!
xxL
Overwhelmed by CSA... need ideas!
note: I am all kinds of pesto-ed, salsa verde-ed and cole slawed OUT. (Also of note, I find raw tomatoes horrifying, I know... tragedy.)
Overwhelmed by CSA... need ideas!
Hey all,
I love my CSA, but I am completely, utterly overwhelmed. And we keep getting the same things, I only know so many ways to use a cuke. Any ideas, below please find the share:
Sweet Corn, Green Peppers, (way too much) Basil, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cukes (again), Zucchini (again), Fennel, Sun Gold Cherry Tomatoes and Red Cabbage. From market: Cilantro, Tomatillos, Baby Bok Choy.
Pantry is well stocked!
Thanks!
Fall Dinner Party, Thoughts on Menu?
Oh and Herbed Pork Loin it is, it is a recession! :)
Fall Dinner Party, Thoughts on Menu?
thanks for the advice, i think I will be making the dinner as described for the most part, mostly because I got married to it in my mind and didn't realize it, that said now that I am more aware of how heavy it is, I'll be making sure that the portions are realistic so people don't leave thinking they will never eat again.
That said, I might indeed make a lighter dessert and the salad. But even if not for tonight, the cake in question is the best cake I've made in quite some time (and will keep on making), so perhaps you all might like the recipe. I came across it through Orangette, who found it in the NYTimes:
Whiskey-Soaked Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/dining/031arex.html
Who can argue with a cake that calls for a whole CUP of whiskey?
Fall Dinner Party, Thoughts on Menu?
I was going to just do a tiny bit of the soup, but you are right, heavy heavy heavy. I think I get that from my grandfather. Skipping soup!
Fall Dinner Party, Thoughts on Menu?
I'm planning a dinner party for 7 tomorrow night and am finalizing the plan and about to start the do ahead things. I'm a little iffy on the main dish, so any thoughts/suggestions welcome.
Roasted Beet salad with Goat Cheese and Toasted Walnuts
Butternut Squash Soup
Herbed Leg of Lamb*
Fennel & Potato Gratin
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon
Whiskey-soaked Chocolate Cake
Would you do anything different? The Lamb felt like fall to me, but is pricey and other options might be nice to consider. (Everyone coming loves meat.) CH'ers, help a girl out? If I end up sticking with the lamb, any good recipes, I'm not married to one yet.
Thanks!
New List of Oyster Happy Hours?
Lure Fishbar
142 Mercer St.; 212-431-7676
Via NYPost:
Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m.: All hands on deck! The yacht-like surroundings may be swank, but the bar/lounge's popular happy hour is perfect for the hoi polloi. Despite the crowds, servers do a good job of hustling out $1 oysters ("from Fire Island"), $7 shrimp cocktails (three jumbo specimens), $7 crispy calamari (a nice tangle with smoky chili dipping sauce) and $8 fried oysters (four tempura-battered nuggets). Skip the $7 cocktails -- they taste overwhelmingly of sour mix -- and opt for a $5 bottle of beer.
New List of Oyster Happy Hours?
The thread wasn't all really related to the question (super cheap, recently super cheap because of recession), but this list: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/602167#4616504 was super helpful as far as the tried and true oyster happy hours, and recent! Thanks!
New List of Oyster Happy Hours?
After a fairly exhaustive search of CH--looks like we are well due a new list of Oyster Happy Hours in NYC. Especially with all of the so-called "recession specials". Has anyone happened upon any good ones. Anyone want to reiterate a tried and true spot that offers the elusive dollar oyster?
I just noticed that Wombat in Wburg, the Australian spot down the street from my apartment, has $1 oysters on Monday.
Fresh lobster in Chinatown
Just came back from Chelsea Market--lobsters are 7.95 a pound and they will steam them for a dollar more. "culls" are 6.95 a pound (which I understand to be "slightly damaged" lobsters). Good deal, bought two and am trying to figure out what the hell to make. Since they are so cheap, perhaps its time to experiment with some of those less traditional lobster recipes!
Cooking the pumpkin before making the pie....
I was actually thinking of trying this recipe myself. I agree with the other posters that cooking the pumpkin would work well for cheesecake. I imagine it would be extra-helpful if you were starting with a pie pumpkin. (I usually have to drain mine in the fridge for quite a while to get all the water out.)
Smitten kitchen had an interesting post about her experience making this pie. her post is here: http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/silky-smooth-pumpkin-pie/
One lone lamb shank
Thanks!! great idea, as you can see above, I started right before I got a reply because, well, I'm impatient, but this has been copied and pasted into my recipe idea book--sounds so good.
You guys always have the best ideas.
One lone lamb shank
I've been feeling braisey myself these days... I got angsty and just decided to try my luck. Went with some chopped onion, carrot, celery and garlic, red wine, beef stock, tomato paste and some thyme (!!!--great minds?). Since its for two--I thought I would shred. We'll see how it goes.
Wouldn't have been as clear on what to do when the sauce is done, so thanks much for the tip on straining, shredding and pasta!
One lone lamb shank
Was doing the weekly shopping and came across the very last, lonely lamb shank. (Which was making apparently making a special appearance as I've never seen them at my local before.) Have never cooked with these before and was intrigued, bought it and immediately came home and thought... um, but I only have ONE! One 1.23lb lamb shank. Of course, could freeze and buy more, but whats the fun in that.
What to do folks? Any suggestions?
//Lisa
Bottling one's own wine in NY? The US?
I recently came back from europe and the folks I was staying with had purchased a demi-john of wine from a winery and had a snazzy machine with which they corked their own wine for storage. The wine certainly wasn't fancy, just good cheap italian table wine.
Best idea ever.
I was wondering if this is a possiblity at any vineyards in NY? Or if folks in other states have done this/know of places that do this. Perhaps its just another one of those awesome European things that we just don't have...
Does anyone know anything about buying wine in this way here in the states????
Chowing in Paris...
Hi all:
So as was recommended to me on this board, I read all the old posts and scoured the web for what I could find, but nothing beats a little CH commentary, so I would really appreciate your thoughts suggestions.
We are leaving for France tomorrow night and will arrive in paris on the 11th and will be there for 6 days. So far, the following places are on the radar:
Lunch (Or, erm, day drinking venues):
Autour D'un Verre
Rose Bakery (mostly because I adore their cookbook)
La Cremerie (I'm excited for this wine bar, although I'm not clear that it will qualify as lunch... but we might pick up a bottle from here another day and have a picnic, since I'm pretty excited about their selection of natural wines)
Dinners:
L'Ami Jean
Le Refectoire
A la Biche au Bois
Sweets:
Pain de Sucre
Any thoughts on these spots? We are trying to keep a reasonable budget but still eat well. If any of you know of any analogs to these spots that might be better, please feel free to chime in.
In addition, I'm definitely looking for some killer galettes. Note: We are staying in the 5th on Rue St. Jacques.
Thoughts? Thanks!
Please critique my list for our Paris trip!
We're heading to Paris on Friday as well, and um, I think I am stealing your list--this looks like exactly what I want to eat!
P.S. I think you are supposed to leave Paris overfed.
Buying Oysters in Chinatown
Didn't get any feedback, so went ahead and did it. I do NOT recommend.
Chew or Swallow Oysters
I do both and I definitely think there is merit to both! Depends on the oyster, for me, although I am new to the game. I love both the taste and texture of a small, delicious oyster AND the sensation of swallowing a yummy, briny oyster.
I know some avoid them in the summer months, but I find that its uber refreshing (swallowing them) when its hot out.
They taste good to me either way. But I admit, its way more natural for me not to chew. I don't think I lose anything.
Raw Oysters Happy Hour
I had a conversation with the bf while eating at Schaffer City about whether or not we loved or hated the owner. And I think we loved him. As a person who gets on her high horse about food--I love that he was very full force about his oyster knowledge. Except for when he stole one of the oysters off of my plate and gave them to my dude--that was not cute.
But I totally agree re: the entrees... not delicious. But I had some great oysters! The guy even liked them and he likes to pretend like he hates them.
Buying Oysters in Chinatown
Aha, well--anyone have any stories about how delicious or, erm, not delicious their chinatown oysters were?
And what should one NOT MISS in Paris?
What are your must eats when in Paris? and the best places for the must eats?
Belleville?
Getting ready to leave for Paris in a week and in my research it seems like some of the more interesting food experiences to be had are in the Belleville neighborhood...
Couple questions:
Excluding exciting chef spots, how are the dinner prices in this area (for two, with wine)?
Are there any places that shouldn't be missed?
Anything noteworthy at the Market on Fridays?
Thanks!
Buying Oysters in Chinatown
Generally, I am never ever fearful of buying seafood in chinatown--for the most part, everything I have ever bought from the markets has been cheap, well-handled and good...
Recently, however, I finally slurped an oyster down my gullet and am completely addicted... and I worry that since everyone seems to have had an "I got sick off an oyster story" if I should just look elsewhere.
Has anyone bought fresh oysters from the markets in Chinatown? Good/Bad? Should I/Shouldn't I? Any advice is appreciated.
Note: I tend to favor the shop on the corner of Mulberry and Canal.
Eating in Paris, your recs?
Thanks!!!
There were newer posts too, but the ones that I was most intrigued by were older.
We are definitely hunting inexpensive food BUT vacation is vacation so slurging on amazing cheese and/or wine is ok. Especially when we can bring it back home and save on dining out.
I definitely spend a huge amount of time in NYC hunting out teeny little places that are far away but have good food, so I am excited to do the same. I'm definitely planning on getting out the 5eme as much as we can. Thanks for the neighborhood recs. Its fun exploring, so a general sense of what neighborhood to visit is most welcome.
And thanks for the list of markets! Do you personally favor any?
Eating in Paris, your recs?
Yes, I have been looking, but I always like to ask given how prices change, new things open, and most importantly... new users join.
I found a great strand from 2006, but well, its from 2006!
As for specifics...
Best Cheese Shop?
Best place to buy inexpensive, naturally made wines?
Does anyone have a favorite open air market?
Also, we will be there for a bit, so while the 5eme is awesome any other outlying areas that would be awesome? Like say for more ethnic or street food options?
Hope that helps and keeps this strand alive. I would love to hear your thoughts and a dialogue with those offering advice is always nice too... :)
Eating in Paris, your recs?
Hey all:
Leaving in a month for a jaunt to Paris and I'm looking for some eating ideas!
We'll be keeping it a cheaply as possible (and staying in a friends studio in the 5th) so while hearty, yummy cafe eating is great, ideas for things we can nosh on at home, on picnics and procure at local outdoor markets would be great too.
So....
Cheese shops
Wine shops
Markets
Inexpensive, cute, casual eateries.
And finally, anything that must be eaten in September in Paris.
Thoughts guys?
Thanks!!
Lisa
What would you do with the things in my fridge?
all of this sounds super delicious. Its a bit late to make dinner, but I think I see a hearty frittata in my immediate future.
I think I'll just slice the potatoes super thin boil them briefly and then add--how do you deal with these when cooking?
