charlieboy's Profile
Looking for a Bread Pudding recipe
I've found that bread pudding recipes vary from region to region and also from other countries. For instance, in the UK they make something called "Bread & Butter Pudding"....quite different from the US version, in that they don't have as much cream/egg/milk in them. You didn't mention it, but if your mom was from another country that might be why you've not been able to recreate hers. if, for instance she was from Ireland or elsewhere you might try looking at recipes from there.........just a thought.
Help - Where to buy fresh yeast in N. Phoenix
Yep, asked the bakeries in the stores, I was told they didn't use it....I called Whole Foods and I'm waiting for a return call - will try AJ's...thanks!
Help - Where to buy fresh yeast in N. Phoenix
Anyone know where I can purchase fresh yeast in the N. Phoenix/N. Scottsdale area? I've been to all the local supermarkets and none of them sell it.
Need help sourcing fish for gefilte fish
For the past few years around Passover time, I've had luck at Whole Foods. Try the one near Shea and Tatum and also Scottsdale Road and the 101.
Sofrita in Fountain Hills
We happened upon this little gem of a place in Fountain Hills this past Saturday at lunch time. Truth be told, we saw a flyer that advertised free soft drinks, and with 7 of us, the cost of soft drinks add up. They advertise themselves as "Postres + Tortas + Tapas + Sangria". A quick look at the menu had something for everyone in our party, even some very picky eaters. Turns out everything was unbelievably fresh and tasted delicious. They have 4 types of soft tacos for $1.99 each, how can you go wrong with that? Tamales that were homemade with the just the right amount of masa - sometimes they're all masa and no filling, not these, they were served with very tasty black beans and saffron rice. I ordered their small house salad and wasn't expecting much, after all, most house salads are just a few lettuce leaves with a bit of carrot, however, these mixed greens were so fresh that I think its about the best house salad I've ever eaten. Their shredded beef taco was really tasty....it came with a side of their housemade salsa - again, very fresh and very tasty. Other folks had the other tacos and said they were really good too. Now I'm not a coffee drinker, certainly no connoisseur and on the rare occasion when I do its decaf. It came served in a European style cup, I tasted it and couldn't stop raving....there was no bitterness and it was fabulous. My friend, who is a connoisseur ordered the regular, one taste and she was OMGing for 5 minutes. Our server told us that the coffee comes from Italy as do the cups that its served in. Needless to say all 7 of us had a wonderful experience and were really impressed. They also serve breakfast and dinner which I'm looking forward to trying and on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month have live entertainment. I hope this place does well. Its refreshing to find a good place with fresh food and very reasonable prices. They're located on Ave of the Fountains 480--816-5316. I have no affiliation with this place whatsoever, I was just really impressed and want to get the word out. I would like to see them succeed in this tough economy.
Sweetened Condensed Milk - Nestle or Eagle Brand?
I was wondering the same thing a while back when shopping at Walmart. Walmart has their own full-fat brand which was less expensive than the full-fat name brand and had the same ingredients, so I bought both kinds and did my own taste test. I boiled both cans for a couple of hours and then let them cool. The result - absolutely no difference whatsoever between the less expensive Walmart brand versus the name brand. If I was making a Key Lime pie, I'd definitely choose the less expensive one.
breakstone sour cream: do you know of any better??
I agree with the OP about Breakstone, but unfortunately, its not sold in AZ. I buy the Daisy brand and find that its really good too.
Where to take a wine connoisseur to dinner in Phoenix?
Absolutely Atlas Bistro!
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Atlas Bistro
2515 N Scottsdale Rd # 18, Scottsdale, AZ
Just moved to Scottsdale/N. Phoenix and need food help!!
Having moved from NY a few years ago I understand your dilemma. Our dining out days have dwindled considerably and a lot a of the smaller places we enjoyed are now out of business. Most of the restaurants in this part of town are new so they lack that particular intimate vibe you're looking for. Have you tried Humble Pie across from the Desert Ridge Mall? We like it there, its not a huge place, size-wise It might fit the bill. They have happy hour wine specials and the wood oven pizzas and their price are pretty decent. If you're looking for a tasty burger two places come to mind. White Chocolate Grill, 101/Mayo Blvd has a good burger as does 25 Degrees at City North. Been to Petite Mason for a quiet lunch and really liked it, I'm sure the evenings there are great too. Still haven't found anywhere that's even remotely close to great Thai as Srip in Woodside.
We've had great recommendations on this board so keep checking.
Why Didn't My Onions Carmelize?
In my experience caramelizing onions, I find it best to use either a large stainless or large non-stick fry pan. I put a little olive oil at the bottom of the pan, add the onions, stir and just let them fry on a medium to lowish flame without disturbing them too much, maybe stir them every 5-7 minutes so that the moisture has time to evaporate. It takes quite a while for the caramelization to take place but eventually they get there. I've not had much success caramelizing onions in a high sided Le Creuset.
Apple Pie Goof - Forgot the butter!
I did the exact same thing this afternoon, not only did I forget to dot the top with butter, I also left out the lemon juice and to add insult to injury, I think I added too much flour to the apples. Once it was cooked and came out of the oven I tasted the juice that had overflowed onto the cooke sheet and it seems fine. On the bright side, I did remember to bake the pie on a parchment lined cookie sheet! Enjoy your pie, I'm sure it will taste wonderful and no-one will be any the wiser.
16 QUART STOCK POT AT COSTCO
The great thing about Costco is that if you're not happy with anything purchased there, they will refund your money.
Cuisine Adventures All Natural Butter Puff Pastry
Really? Which Costco, I live in Phoenix and haven't seen this product at my local Costco.
Best pasta sauce in a jar?
I've been buying Victoria brand White Linen Collection Marinara Sauce. Ingredients: Imported Italian tomatoes, pure olive oil, fresh white onions, fresh copped garlic, sea salt & spices. It's really good.
Disposable Pie Tin Help
You could try painting the bottom and sides of the crust with beaten egg white and letting it dry before adding your apples. The egg white acts as a barrier and the apples and their juices shouldn't seep through to the bottom crust.
well, i made the english toffee...
Any chance of getting this fabulous sounding recipe?
Cupcake Decorating Videos
Have you looked on Youtube? IIRC there is one that shows how to apply the frosting with a palette knife from Magnolia Bakery.
Rosh Hashana - What's for dessert?
What about a zabaglione served with fresh berries or grilled peaches...Yum! Really easy to make, egg yolks, sugar and marsala wine.
Groceries in England... cheaper than U.S? Why?
As a Brit living in the US, I couldn’t help but chime in here……yes, its true some things are much less expensive in UK supermarkets compared to the US – biscuits (cookies), crackers, cakes and baked beans for instance. IMO though, when shopping on a UK salary in a UK supermarket it’s not less. Many Brit’s don’t earn as much as we do in comparable jobs. Home prices are higher there compared to here, so some Brit’s have smaller budgets when it comes to food shopping. My family and friends across the pond feel that food prices are extremely high in relation to their salaries and budgets.
Yikes-Help with a menu with dietary constraints!
homemade veggie soup, hummus w/pita or crudite, skewers of fish w/vegetables, greek salad, fresh fruit, maybe some lowfat frozen yogurt or ice-cream.
Baking Recipes that say 1 cup flour plus 1 or 2 tsps. or Tbsps.
I do a lot of baking and prefer to use a scale for measuring my cake ingredients. However, I've seen a lot of recipes that call for a cup of flour plus 1 or 2 teaspoons or tablespoons. What does that small amount bring to the recipe and how detrimental would it be to leave it out? I know that when measuring for cakes, etc, its important to be accurate but does it really make that much of a difference to the outcome?
Floyd's Kitchen - Phx
Thanks for the heads-up. I shop at Sprouts frequently and must say I haven't noticed this place, but now that you've mentioned it, I'll be on the look-out.
Roma tomatoes in Scottsdale/Phoenix
Welcome to AZ. Costco sells Roma tomatoes, I've been buying them from there myself. Costco's produce, while not farmer's market caliber, happens to be excellent quality. The good thing is that if you're not satisfied you can always return them for a refund.
Sushi in Queens
39TH AVE...CLOSER TO 40TH...ON FRANNY LEW[YES, THATS FRANCIS LEWIS]...WILL BE FLYING IN END OF JULY FOR SEVERAL STOPS AT GINZA..SAYING HELLO TO PETER,KEVIN AND THE CREW...
Dessert and Drinks Party- Bite Size Sweets
I've been asked to prepare dessert for 40 people. Some of the things I'm planning to bake are: Lemon Squares, Brownies, Choc. Pecan Tart, Linzer Torte. I'm going to make these beauties in large rectangular baking pans with loose bottoms and will cut them into bite sized pieces.
Barcelona, Scottsdale
Rumor has it that Barcelona has shut its doors, is there any truth to this rumor?
Need ideas for protein breakfast
This might sound weird....but what about a tuna sandwich? I've actually had this myself and its delicious. While making my son's lunch early one morning, I got a yen for a sandwich right there on the spot. So I went ahead and made myself one. It was so good and so filling that when I'm not in the mood for anything else for breakfast I'll make myself a tuna sandwich. Give it a try.
Taming the beast: I finally made good risotto!
My last risotto recipe was something of a disaster but after reading your post its given me hope that next time I will have cracked it too. Like yours, mine needed lots more liquid than my recipe stated, and after about 45 minutes I was starting to lose patience as the rice was still a little on the crunchy side but my stomach wouldn't wait. While it tasted great, the texture was all wrong. I wasn't about to throw it out as the ingredients and add-ins were rather costly. Next time I've vowed to have more patience and add as much liquid and extra time it takes for a creamy result.
