jindomommy's Profile
Top Chef All Stars Predictions
Being from Dallas, I was really surprised that Casey and Tre fared so well in the competition. I always thought of Casey's food as glorified PF Chang. I didn't love the Abacus menu where Tre worked either. Abacus was good for Dallas, but compared to SFC or NYC...no competition. Also, Tre was given a do over with Restaurant Wars and he chose some really strange and strong flavors again. I have to think about my list, but my top tier group is as follows:
Richard, Jennifer, Angelo, Marcel, Tiffani F.
On a side note, I was surprised by how accurate the Chowhounders were about Elia's early exit. Also, can't wait for whatever competition they were talking about with regards to Hung. Mise en place relay?
Top Chef: Just Dessert Episode 8: CelebriTea
If they had said no chocolate prior to shopping, I would have been ok with it, but once everything is planned and bought...totally unfair. Considering how talented Erica and Heather were, I can't believe Danielle gets the honor of being the last woman standing. I am enjoying the show much more now. Whatever we say about Morgan...that boy can bake. He is truly talented.
Just Desserts 7: Dessert Wars!
I can't believe it, but I'm actually starting to really like Morgan. Thought the mise en place whipping challenge was hilarious. I couldn't believe the lack of class displayed by Heather. There is no reason to call the opposing side "team loser." Plus, it came back to bite her in the ass when they won the Restaurant War. The whole "shut up" incident...ugh. Can you imagine having to work with that woman? So arrogant and unlikeable. I'm rooting for Morgan and Eric. I had actually deleted TCJDs from my series recording, but added it back on when Sylvia made an appearance. Love her!
Besides the obvious pies, what will you serve for Thanksgiving dessert?
Is it really that good? I'm doing a bunch of desserts, but was looking for a chocolate pie. I was going to do Kate Zuckerman's caramel chocolate pie.
Does Nori go stale?
Nori definitely goes stale, but you might want to try toasting it in the oven. I've seen sushi chefs do this.
Diabetic Dessert for Party
I don't think watermelons are in season, but I've done this for my diabetic friend. Take a seedless watermelon and puree it in the food processor. Add Splenda to taste, a tiny splash of Limoncello, and an egg white. Throw in ice cream maker. Everyone loved this, even the non-diabetic guests. The recipe was given to me by a diabetic.
I've also done cannolis using Splenda, pistachios, and orange rind. You can play with the ingredients and use a little chocolate chips.
Looking for an old post on Maida Heatter recommendation...Hungarian or Viennese cookies
Yes! That's it. Thanks!
Top Chef Just Desserts S1 Ep 5
I agree. It was the first episode where I didn't feel like the producers were exploiting the mentally ill. I'm still somewhat taken aback by the egos in the room. That said I love Morgan's confidence in his dress and the comment about being alone for an extended amount of time helped his imagination go wild when designing the dress. However, for the elimination challenge...a chocolate dress...c'mon... That's where the playing field becomes really uneven considering they selected a cast of bakers and pastry chefs. I'm glad Eric did not go home. I'm a little over Team Diva.
A few other observations. Did anyone else look at Sherry Yard and think oh jeez...she looks like The Good Witch Glenda from the Wizard of Oz. She was wearing a pink sparkly blouse and with her adorable face and hair, I thought she'd be the ultimate fairy godmother because she would always smell like cookies! Also, I'm really happy with the celebrity chefs we are seeing. I've been a big fan of Sherry and Gale. I can't wait (I hope) to see Nick Malgieri and Maida Heatter! N
Looking for an old post on Maida Heatter recommendation...Hungarian or Viennese cookies
Someone recently posted that one of her cookies was a must try. I can't find it and when I opened my cookie book, there's a Viennese and Hungarian cookie recipe. If anyone recalls the rec, please post...thanks!
*NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 BAKING COTM: Voting Time
THE SECRETS OF BAKING, SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR SOPHISTICATED DESSERTS
Sherry Yard (By the way did anyone see her on TC Just Desserts last night? I saw her in a pink sparkly blouse and with her angelic face, I thought she looked like the Good Witch Glenda from Wizard of Oz. Oh...and she would always smell like cookies...I want her to be my fairy godmother!)
MAIDA HEATTER'S COOKIE RECIPES NO MATTER WHAT BOOK OR WHERE ONLINE THEY MIGHT BE
Odd Cooking Shows
I don't know if this qualifies, but I absolutely have zero idea as to why Brian Boitano has a cooking show on the Food Network. Really??? There are about a million other people who deserve a show on Food Network more than Brian Boitano. So sad what the Food Network has become.
Besides the obvious pies, what will you serve for Thanksgiving dessert?
That sounds interesting. Is it on the tarter side?
Besides the obvious pies, what will you serve for Thanksgiving dessert?
Oh...pumpkin zabaglione...that sounds so yummy. I guess I could do a pumpkin tiramisu.
Best all-purpose Chinese cookbook?
My grandfather was a Chinese chef and since he passed away many of his recipes were lost. I was shocked when I finally bought Grace Young's BREATH OF A WOK which contained many of those recipes. Her instructions are meticulous and everything I've made tastes extremely authentic, just like the stuff my grandfather cooked and that I get when visiting HK and China. COOKING THE SKY'S EDGE is preferred by some Chowhounders, but to me it's more fusion cooking and less traditional.
New Baking Book "FLOUR" by Joanne Chang
I've been waiting forever for this book! Can't wait. Her recipes are amazing.
Fabulous dinner roll recipe?
This month Food and Wine Magazine has caraway parker house rolls. They sound like butter rolls. I'm thinking of trying the recipe.
Besides the obvious pies, what will you serve for Thanksgiving dessert?
I'm tired of traditional desserts and want to do something different. Can I steal some of your ideas. I'm thinking of baking that Irish sticky toffee pudding that was on another thread.
November 2010 Cookbook of the Month Nominations (Through Sun., 10/17)
Any WOLFERT book.
Different types of cress and watercress?
I know that on Top Chef Masters Rick Bayless had a mini meltdown in Whole Foods because he wanted "real watercress."
November/December 2010: Baking Cookbook of the Month Nominations (Through Wed., 10/13)
I'm going to use my second nomination for SWEET LIFE by Kate Zuckerman.
Homemade BBQ Sauce - Do you?
If it's just my husband and I eating, then the answer is no. We lived in Texas and could always get our hands on good sauce like Sonny Bryans which is Dean Fearing's fave. However, when my husband would smoke ribs and chicken, we always made our own sauce and ribs. I used Chef Perry Lang's recipes and they are fantastic. Lots of depth and flavor. I haven't had bbq better than my husband's.
Recipe for a cake similar to Hansens's in Los Angeles?
I haven't had Hansen's, but in my baking experience, the moister cakes use vegetable oil and buttermilk. I think this is what gives boxed cake mixes their texture...the veggie oil and probably buttermilk powder.
Crab Cake Recipe with Scallops as Binder?
I haven't heard of the recipe, but you could probably use a scallop mousse recipe.
Non Greasy Fish and Chips
Corn and potato starch are used in tempura. The Chinese use cornstarch and it yields a much lighter texture. I've also read that baking powder or soda makes a difference. Was just in Orlando and the Ravenous Pig had the lightest, crispiest batter ever. It actually cut my tongue!
November/December 2010: Baking Cookbook of the Month Nominations (Through Wed., 10/13)
Hope I am doing this right...MINUS: Holiday...DESSERTS BY THE YARD and BAKED: NEW FRONTIERS IN BAKING.
I am using my vote for: HOLIDAY: THE SECRETS OF BAKING, SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR SOPHISTICATED DESSERTS, BY SHERRY YARD.
GENERAL: MAIDA HEATTER CAKES. This book has a section on yeast cakes and buns.
I'm thinking the Maida Heatter nomination is timely because I'm willing to bet that she will appear on Top Chef Just Desserts and well, she's like in her 90's... I think she would be tickled if she found out that a bunch of Chowhounders picked her book for BOTM. I love Maida Heatter.
skinless vs. natural casing hot dogs
I love natural casing hot dogs. They are one of my favorite foods. I won't even bother eating a skinless hot dog. I live in Fort Lauderdale and people swear by this place called Hot Dog Heaven. I was surprised that they only carried skinless. When I asked why, they said that the elderly can't chew on the skins and that the young generation grew up on skinless. I can find one natural casing hotdog in our local Publix and that's Boar's Head. Not my favorite, but it's the only one I can find. They sell it in the deli section.
