Seeking guidance on duck breasts

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/397074?tag..#4228732

I love Suzanne Goin's method for cooking duck breasts in a cast iron skillet. Details missing in that post -- you heat the skillet for a couple of minutes first, and you also score the duck breasts. Happy to take a look at the recipe to post any other missing details if you like.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Beef Wellingon without duxelles....and no pate or mushrooms.

Highly recommend Caroline1's tip of wrapping the beef in prosciutto -- I used it several years ago to make individual Beef Wellingtons.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

So I wanted to make an almond cake for Valentines day

This is a lovely cake from Suzanne Goin, and doesn't call for almond paste. Let me know if you want me to type in the recipe.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/397075#2567287

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Where to buy quality Vanilla Beans in bulk?

I've bought excellent vanilla beans at Costco -- don't remember the price, but certainly cheaper than a lot of other sources.

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Costco
517 E 117th St, New York, NY 10035

MMRuth in Manhattan

Good place to dine after the theater, solo

We had an excellent dinner at the Sushi of Gari location in the Theater District awhile back, if you feel like Japanese.

Sushi Seki is open very late as well (Eastside in the low 60s), but I prefer Gari.

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Sushi of Gari 46
347 West 46th Street, New York, NY 10036

MMRuth in Manhattan

ABV Wine Bar on UES/East Harlem

I've not been yet, but a neighbor and co-worker went a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it -- actually emailed from there to let me know about it.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Restaurant Recommendation on Upper East Side

Agreed - and I'd highly recommend starting with a Pisco Sour at Bar Pleiades next door. (Had one at La Mar on Friday night, by the way -- no comparison!)

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Bar Pleiades
20 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021

La Mar
11 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10010

MMRuth in Manhattan

What side dishes with scallops?

Saffron rice.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

I need grilled sardines

You might check Casa Mono's menu.

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Casa Mono
52 Irving Place, New York, NY 10003

MMRuth in Manhattan

January 2012 Cookbook of the Month Voting

HOW TO EAT.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

any great swedish recipes to share?

One can make it in a shorter time -- 36 hours can be enough. I leave it on the counter for the first six hours, then refrigerate,

MMRuth in Home Cooking

tried and true recipes for the following: Gravlax, dill, green beans & pancetta? (not all together)

Grav lax - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/285610#1530124

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Where are the best jelly donuts?

I agree completely. Though my favorite is the coconut one.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Aquavit Redux

Thanks so much for your post -- our last visit to the front room (before the change) was disappointing, and we weren't sure of what to make of the changes.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Good British Food - is there such a thing?

I agree -- while it's been more than a year now since I've been to London (can't speak to the rest of the country), I ate very well whilst there, mostly thanks to CH.

MMRuth in General Chowhounding Topics

Looking to Make Special Surprise: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake in Cast-Iron Skillet

And if it does stick, you can heat it up just slightly and try again.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Where do chefs buy cookware in NY?

Pretty sure they still have a store -- just that it's in NJ now.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Accompaniments for chicken pot pie?

I like to have a salad with a buttermilk dressing and, in this weather, pinot noir.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Where do chefs buy cookware in NY?

I've ordered from them many times and always been pleased. They used to have some good free shipping deals.

(And, yes, they are now in NJ.)

MMRuth in Manhattan

Help some new parents with special occasion / date night dinner?

I've had some fabulous lunches lately at Cafe Boulud, and would heartily recommend it. And would suggest starting off the evening at the bar next door (in the hotel), Bar Pleiades, with a Pisco Sour. Available even if not on the drinks menu.

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Cafe Boulud
20 East 76th St., New York, NY 10021

Bar Pleiades
20 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021

MMRuth in Manhattan

Fruit for fruitcake, does better quality exist?

Would love to see her recipe on the HC board if you have time. I try to make my father his favorite of his mother's cookies every year as a pre-Christmas gift.

MMRuth in General Chowhounding Topics

Fruit for fruitcake, does better quality exist?

I buy mine at Economy Candy in NY. They do mail order:

http://www.economycandy.com/

MMRuth in General Chowhounding Topics

October 2008 COTM Batali: Meats

I think I would try using less sage next time. Just love the combination of veal and sage.

MMRuth in Home Cooking

Le Creuset pate terrine

I've also made lasagna in mine, as well as Janssen's Delight (spelling?) and potato gratin.

MMRuth in Cookware

Looking to buy bottarga in NYC

How much were they? Was each pack a full "lobe"? Thanks!

MMRuth in Manhattan

Hurricane dining - Any thoughts on what might...

Here in Carnegie Hill things looked pretty damn closed -- other than the 24 hour deli at 92nd and Madison, which looked like it was hunkering down for the duration. Was amazed, as I drove up 8th Ave. and then Madison around four how many establishments were closed.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Hurricane dining - Any thoughts on what might...

A friend stuck in a hotel was warned yesterday of major food shortages -- was able to fly out though.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Where to find mason jars & lids? Columbia/Morningside/Harlem preferred

Will check it out next time I'm there. They have also ordered jars that they usually don't carry for me.

MMRuth in Manhattan

Where to find mason jars & lids? Columbia/Morningside/Harlem preferred

I suspect GH would be more expensive than Zabar's but I've never bought these at Zabar's. BTW - I love their newish line of jars - w/o the kitchy fruit etc. on them:

http://www.foodservicedirect.com/product.cfm/p/208803/Ball-Canning-Platinum-Wide-Mouth-Jar-8-Ounce.htm

MMRuth in Manhattan