CHEFBUCK's Profile
Charlotte Area Suggestions
In Concord about 20 minutes from Charlotte, there is a great Mexican restaurant on 29 called La Taquera. The chips they bring out include 7 different sauces. They really out do the chip part of the meal. Very small place, but comfortable. I know you do not like chains, but there is a fast food burger joint called Cook Out. I used to manage one. THey get fresh gorund beef daily and actually grill their burgers. Taste like you made them out on the grill in you r back yard.
Ground bay leaf - why not?
The leaves do not break down too easily and can get stuck in your teeth. It has a very strong flavor and can smarten up a sauce or make it bold. The thing about ground Bay leaf is that you can not take it away if too much is added. A whole bay leaf can be omitted when the sauce/ stew is just right.
San Diego's Filippi's Pizza Grotto
Hounds,
I will be going to San Diego for a weekend. I heard Filippi's Pizza Grotto is great. What is so great about it? What should I order? What should I stay away from?
Thanks in advance
Alton Brown
My wife and I feel he has the best show on FN. His wife actually produces the show. They just work well together. I think he is great, because he shows the basics and why they work.
What are the rules? Serving fish rare.
Try a Seviche. Add lemon and or lime juice. The acid in the fruits will slightly cook the raw fish, still leaving it raw for the most part.
Sizzling Rice Soup
The one I am used to having included shrimp, peas, mushrooms and a tomato type broth that was sort of sweet. The sweetness may be from ketchup or maybe honey. Very good soup. The best. The restaurant I had it at has since closed down.I could google it, but you chowhounds have the best.
I checked the recipes, but none of them were tomato based. I may just add ketchup to one of the recipies or v-8.
I can't cook crispy bacon
cook it at a lower temperature and have a steak weight to keep it from curling. What also works and is quicker if accessible is to deep fry the bacon. Curls up quite a bit, but frys up in 10 seconds at 350
Gluten Free Crock Pot Cooking
Does your husband have issues with cornstarch. If not try a cornstarch slurry. Simply mix equal parts cornstarch and water with your fingers until starch disolves. Do this in small batches. Once mixed add to what is a soup. It will not get as thick as with flour, but will thicken the stew nicely
Sizzling Rice Soup
I used to go to a restaurant that would serve this soup. I cannot find a recipe anywhere. Can any Chowhounds help?
Bratwursts in beer-What beer?
The German Bratwurt needs a German beer. I have always liked St Pauli Girl. I simmer the brats in Beer w/ a little coriander. Even start a beer braised cabbage with vinegar, coriander and beer. When half way done put your brats in and simmer for a good 5-10min. Take the out and quickly grill them on high heat just to get grill marks.
Nothing like veal sausage.
Cooks vs. bakers
Cooks seem to be less text book as bakers are by the book. Baking is a science and you need to understand why certain ingredients work for a bread to rise or not. Cooks combine flavors to accomplish what they want and is not always from following a recipe. For instance, I never follow a recipe. I take pride in altering a standard recipe to call it mine. There are few tricks in baking.
You will find cooks to be more rugged, aggresive, agitated and anqious. A baker seems to be more intellegent, calm and easy to work with. I have been in this business for 16 years. Most everyone will tell you the same things I have.
I am a professional chef
You will never find a chef who is an incredible cook and an incredible baker. I have never seen it. I think the reason is because, bakers use the left side (science/ grammar) of their brain to excel as the cook will use the right side (art/ math) to excel.
Rinse the rice?
Rinse to wash excess starch, dust and any bugs.
Sauteeing the rice adds a nuttiness to the rice. It absorbs some oil and flavors it and helps to keep from sticking. This is the difference between rice pilaf and plain rice.
The best hot dog toppings -- Discuss!
The other day I took a sliced kosher dill pickle which fit well in the hot dog bun, with regular mustard. This was a great and fresher alternative to relish.
Lemongrass Cooking Ideas
Use the back of a knife (dull side). The punding will bruise the stalks and realease the oils easier.
Lemongrass Cooking Ideas
Im sure you know if using it to eat you want to pound the stalks to break up the fibers. I have used them in the past as skewers. They also go great as part of a bouquet garni. WHen making a soup or broth tie together your herbs and lemongrass so you are able to discard later. Makes a great flavor in rice if using the same way. Ive had a soup with lemongrass in it before but other than that, Ive never actually eaten it in anything. It may actually be good to add to wood chips when smoking. Just some thoughts. Skewer some fresh shrimp you have there or chicken and cook over the grill.
Also great in ponzu if cut thin:
Soysauce
sesame oil
chicken broth
honey
garlic
shalots
sesame seeds
lemon grass
green onions
MIx together to taste,. Dilute the soy sauce with other liquids. Use a few drops of sesame oil (can be over powering). Great for ahi tuna and california rolls or sushi. Great flavor.
Burgers, Brats, and...
Try a broccoli slaw.
make typical slaw dressing, instead of cabbage use:
Broccoli
diced red onion
diced bacon
dried cranberries
Im hooked. This is great for an outdoors meal.
Any great BBQ recipes?
I have my variation. im just wondering if anyone has a secret recipe that works. The day before I BBQ on the grill. I will Marinate whatever it is with a mixture of BBQ sauce and Italian dressing. The vinegar from the dressing will help marinade the meat with the BBQ sauce. This is so the outside tastes like BBQ as does the outside. Works great and tenderizes the meat. Any other advice?
Any vegetarian faves for Rosh Hashonah?
Great idea rruben with the seasonal vegetables, baby beets would be great with that also.
Birthday "Cake" for twins
Two seperate cake idea is great. Puzzle cake could work for this, because you could make part of it chocolate and the other half white cake. This will make a cool effect for the kids
How do you do your LOBSTER at home?
When steaming lobster stick a metal skewer through the tail to keep it straight when cooking.
Noodle Kugel
Remember that the noodles will absorb so adding more liquid helps with the moisture. The outsides are going to be dry anyway. You may be able to cook it in a water bath like you would for cheese cake. Surround the casserol dish with water 3/4 up the sides while you are baking.You can start by over cooking the noodle so they will not absorb anymore, then add your cottage cheese and Sour cream.
My mother used to make an apple kugel with cinnamon and raisons. I actually made it and served it as an accompaniment for a Fois Gras appetizer for a 5-star hotel I worked at. The chefs loved it and they have actually never had kugel.
I will have to find that recipe for you berna.
Birthday "Cake" for twins
Check out some puzzle cake recipes. They are too difficult to explain on the CHOW, but I am sure you can find them in any large cake cookbook.
The cakes present a very appealing look to kids. When you cut a slice the cake has a checkerboard appearance. If you've never seen it you must chek it out.
Happy Hour food deals in San Diego?
Ill be going to San Diego the end of the month. I have never been, but I have heard alot about Brigantine. Is it close to the Sheraton near the marina?
Venice, Florence & Rome - Help!!!
Check out Harry's Bar in Venice. When you get to the square it is located behind the left corner of the square. Excellent Risotto and Belinnis. Nice history also. I remember in Florence we had steak, which you do not find in alot of Italy. Rome has great pizza restaurants. Sorry I do not know many names of restaurants.
Do You Ever Get Funky Tasting Shrimp?
Everyone else pays twice as much good find there.
