Food-related statistics project ideas?

I'm in an engineering statistics class, and one of our projects is to develop an experiment where you alter one or two variables and determine the effect. For instance, I could vary between two types of fat to make biscuits, bake at three temperatures, and measure the "fluffiness (i.e. height) of the resulting biscuits. So I'm looking for something:

easy to make for several experiments or store-bought
cheap
measurable outcome (ex. height, not "tastiness" or "chewiness")

Some ideas I've come up with are using a toaster oven vs. a regular oven and its effect on.... internal temperature of something. Any other suggestions?

noanise in Home Cooking

Help! Tofu and grits recipe

I have a lot of tofu that I've been trying to use in creative ways. I've been graving some good grits, and decided to give shrimp and grits with a try with tofu (kind of ironic, I know). Any suggestions so that it doesn't come out tasting bland?

I have some nice sharp cheddar I'll be putting in the grits. I think I'll marinate the tofu in white wine, paprika, and a little chilipowder/cayenne, maybe a dash of some worcestershire sauce? Then either coating it in breadcrumbs or flour and sauteing it with onions, some bell pepper, and mushrooms.

Any suggestions that could improve it?

noanise in Home Cooking

Authentic Food in NC Triangle Area

Pancho Villa on Chatham St. is about as authentic as you can get for mexican food. Speaking spanish is almost a requirement. Their pozole is delicious, and you can get any of their tacos with a variety of meats, including tongue. Then you can always go next door to the mexican grocery store and get a fresh paleta.

noanise in Southeast

Tapeo and sel de terre- this weekend

I'll be visiting Boston this weekend and will have the pleasure of going to Tapeo and Sel de Terre. Any suggestions for what to get?
I'm also thinking about stopping into Flour and grabbing a sticky bun. Any other recommendations?

noanise in Greater Boston Area

Wine and Cheese Party Planning

I'm planning a fairly large wine and cheese party, and am thinking of having various tables with a different country represented by each table (Chile, Spain, etc.). Each table will have about 2 wines (one red, one white), 2 cheeses, and 2 hors d'ouvres, although they could have more. Do people have suggestions for countries that should be represented, what wine/cheese/food should we should have, and also ideas for a couple of desserts? Food doesn't necessarily need to be easy to prepare, but it should be managable.
Also, if people have a different idea for how to organize the party (i.e. not by country), I'm open to suggestions for that as well.

noanise in General Chowhounding Topics

Birthday dinner in Raleigh

I'm looking for a good place to have a birthday dinner with a couple friends next Friday. I'm a student at NC State, so somewhere fairly cheap (~$10) and near the university would be ideal. I was thinking about Flying Biscuit in Cameron Village, but I'd like to try something new. Any suggestions? This may go without saying, but somewhere with its own unique food is what I'm looking for, not dishes that I can find at any Olive Garden.

noanise in Southeast

visiting Boston- advice?

I'll be visiting Boston for the first time this weekend and was hoping to get some advice about where/what to eat that is typical or unique to Boston. I'm a cheap college student, so it has to be good but inexpensive (under $10 for sure). I was hoping to get some clam chowder in there at some point, although I've heard there's some kind of clam crisis?
Also, any advice for markets or places to go that would interest a foodie.

noanise in Greater Boston Area

What are good pasta joints in Chapel Hill?

for good, cheap pasta I've gone to Pizza and Pasta on franklin street.

noanise in General South Archive