anni's Profile
Rehearsal Dinnerl, Vienna VA area
I'm going to suggest Brio's at Tyson's. http://www.brioitalian.com/location.html?id=16
They have rooms that close off with glass doors from the main restaurant and can probably meet your needs.
There is a parking garage adjacent and valet parking if desired.
Colombian Market?
Does anyone know of a Colombian-specific market in Northern Virginia or D.C.??
65th Birthday not too far from Reston?
Bazin's used to be a favorite for us, but a recent lunch was very disappointing in a number of ways.
We've always enjoyed Lightfoot.
where to buy prepared (de-thorned) nopales
I'm pretty sure I saw them in a jar at Harris -Teeter today.
Mole?
My son lives in north Arlington and is looking for a Mexican restaurant that is known for its exceptional mole sauce. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Do you enjoy rare-to-medium poultry?
No poultry that isn't cooked through. Nothing rosy, not even duck breasts.
Fantastic Lunch in Leesburg- The Wine Kitchen
Thank you! When it isn't so cold, I'll get my husband to venture there with me!
Good Eats in El Paso?
DH and I plan on visiting our son stationed at Ft. Bliss before he is deployed.
Any suggestions as to where to take him in El Paso? Good food & casual dress. Thanks!
Am I the only exhausted cook today???
I am exhausted from all the cooking, cleaning, shopping, etc. The worst of it is I've gained 5 POUNDS!
It isn't even 6 pm and I'm ready for bed.
New Year's Day open house -- menu ideas & critique pls
I think your menu sounds delicious, but I might consider changing it a bit to allow for vegetarians (which I am not). Maybe stuff the mushrooms with a non-meat filling and fix the quiche minus the crab?? Maybe a lilttle fresh fruit too like grapes & pineapple chunks?
Dinner near Patriot Center
There are several Indian restaurants nearby. I believe the one right down University Drive is called Bombay Garden. Then there is Bombay Bistro right on the corner at 29 and 123.
There is also a Thai restaurant...Courtside, I believe, right in the heart of historic Fairfax with a parking garage nearby.
favourite pistachio recipes- sweet or savoury?
One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in a couscous salad with feta, black olives, etc.
Can I partially cook rib roast then reheat on Christmas??
I'm not an expert on the precooking of rib roasts, but it seems to me that this would not work out very well because by the time you have brought them up to temp, they will be overcooked as you mentioned.
How about precooking your sides and then reheating them while your beef rests?
Menu Check - For Christmas Dinner
I think your menu sounds wonderful!
The men in my family though would want potatoes of some kind. I would probably make a gratin using gruyere to go with your lovely roasted pork.
your favorite way to use ground lamb?
Greek style pizza with toasted pine nuts, feta, mint, etc.
Torn over Christmas Dinner: What Would Hounders Prefer?
I'd do a lobster or shrimp first course and then whichever beef "calls to you". Tenderloin or rib roast can stand on it's own.
Would you cancel if sick?
In your situation with an upcoming party and the holidays, I'd cancel. That's just the right timing for you to come down with something to ruin your Christmas and you can't expose the elderly if you can help it.
Yeah, yeah to all those who go "what the hell", you can't live in a bubble, but you can avoid situations.
Hopefully, your spouse feels the same as you do.
Dinner party activities
I don't remember what the name of this game is called, but you pin the name of a famous person (real or fictional) on the back of each guest. As they walk around and chat, they have to get clues and guess who they are.
This can be fun if people don't know each other.
Cocktail Party Etiquette Question
I'd be interested to find out how this turns out; please post and let us know.
Secondly, it makes me very glad that I am too old to have friends who want to bring their children over. We only have to worry about staying awake.
Cocktail Party Etiquette Question
One more suggestion. Any way you can have a sitter to entertain the children in another part of the house for a couple of hours?
This isn't something I'd personally want to do, but I've known people who have. Just throwing it out there.
No electricity for 36 hours. How do I tell if my food is still OK?
Here is a list from the USDA. Since you don't have a thermometer, how did the food in the fridge feel once the power went on? Did it still feel cold to the touch? If you have no idea, I'd toss food rather than go on a sniff or taste. I went through this once and then bought thermometers for my fridge and freezers.
When to Save and When to Throw It Out
FOOD Held above 40 °F for over 2 hours
MEAT, POULTRY, SEAFOOD
Raw or leftover cooked meat, poultry, fish, or seafood; soy meat substitutes
Discard
Thawing meat or poultry Discard
Meat, tuna, shrimp,chicken, or egg salad Discard
Gravy, stuffing, broth Discard
Lunchmeats, hot dogs, bacon, sausage, dried beef Discard
Pizza – with any topping Discard
Canned hams labeled "Keep Refrigerated" Discard
Canned meats and fish, opened Discard
CHEESE
Soft Cheeses: blue/bleu, Roquefort, Brie, Camembert, cottage, cream, Edam, Monterey Jack, ricotta, mozzarella, Muenster, Neufchatel, queso blanco, queso fresco
Discard
Hard Cheeses: Cheddar, Colby, Swiss, Parmesan, provolone, Romano Safe
Processed Cheeses Safe
Shredded Cheeses Discard
Low-fat Cheeses Discard
Grated Parmesan, Romano, or combination (in can or jar) Safe
DAIRY
Milk, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, evaporated milk, yogurt, eggnog, soy milk
Discard
Butter, margarine Safe
Baby formula, opened Discard
EGGS
Fresh eggs, hard-cooked in shell, egg dishes, egg products
Discard
Custards and puddings Discard
CASSEROLES, SOUPS, STEWS Discard
FRUITS
Fresh fruits, cut
Discard
Fruit juices, opened Safe
Canned fruits, opened Safe
Fresh fruits, coconut, raisins, dried fruits, candied fruits, dates Safe
SAUCES, SPREADS, JAMS
Opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, horseradish
Discard if above 50 °F for over 8 hrs.
Peanut butter Safe
Jelly, relish, taco sauce, mustard, catsup, olives, pickles Safe
Worcestershire, soy, barbecue, Hoisin sauces Safe
Fish sauces (oyster sauce) Discard
Opened vinegar-based dressings Safe
Opened creamy-based dressings Discard
Spaghetti sauce, opened jar Discard
BREAD, CAKES, COOKIES,PASTA, GRAINS
Bread, rolls, cakes, muffins, quick breads, tortillas
Safe
Refrigerator biscuits,rolls, cookie dough Discard
Cooked pasta, rice, potatoes Discard
Pasta salads with mayonnaise or vinaigrette Discard
Fresh pasta Discard
Cheesecake Discard
Breakfast foods –waffles, pancakes, bagels Safe
PIES, PASTRY
Pastries, cream filled
Discard
Pies – custard,cheese filled, or chiffon; quiche Discard
Pies, fruit Safe
VEGETABLES
Fresh mushrooms, herbs, spices
Safe
Greens, pre-cut, pre-washed, packaged Discard
Vegetables, raw Safe
Vegetables, cooked; tofu Discard
Vegetable juice, opened Discard
Baked potatoes Discard
Commercial garlic in oil Discard
Potato Salad Discard
How do you prepare scrambled eggs and grits?
I can't imagine any eggs but fried with grits. I do the fried egg/ice cube thing so no need to turn. Fried eggs, grits, scrapple and maple syrup. YUM!
Holiday cocktail party menu- thoughts?
If you go to Home Cooking and look for the thread "How Many Appetizers", Kilted Cook posted a reply giving the formula he uses.
Dinner menu help for Sunday 12/7
I don't have a specific recipe in mind, but this makes me think North African or Morrocan in nature?
Perhaps some kind of chicken dish with couscous with pumpkin and dried fruit...a tagine?
Feeling lazy and uninspired -- need idea/theme for simple cocktail party
I LOVE this, but then again, that was my era! LOL!
Slightly stinky chicken... Am I crazy or is it okay?
Raw chicken should NEVER sit in the fridge more than 1-2 days. The old adage is "if in doubt, throw it out!" and I completely agree. Food poisoning is not worth it.
Turkey soup- can it be improved?
This has nothing to do with having a clearer stock, but when adding the carcass, I like to break it in two.
Now, as for the clarity of the stock, you might try straining it through cheesecloth, chill it and strain again. That should help somewhat.
