doc_k55's Profile
ISO Amazing Coffee for Home
wow, I can barely manage to put dinner on the table these days (work, kids, volunteering, other stuff). I think roasting coffee is out of my league!
But there are some good ideas here. Coffee Labs - I don't know where that is, but it can't be too far, and TJ's is REALLY convenient. MCF - where do you get the Jim's Organic? Wincountrygirl - I've never heard of Boyd's - how did you find out about this company?
ISO Amazing Coffee for Home
MCF- this was my experience too. I heard great things about Fairway coffee and then - it's kind of out of my way - I went there to get some and it was disappointingly stale.
ISO Amazing Coffee for Home
I love coffee.
Not a little, but a lot. When I think back on some of my favorite experiences they are even better when I can say "And the coffee was fantastic!"
I don't care for Starbucks, though I'll drink it in moments of desperation. I think the regular roast is too dark - almost burned. But most places serve way too light a roast, and still more leave a lot of the dud beans in the blend so the coffee has off flavors.
I've been buying my coffee out of state for the past ten years - at a place near where I grew up. Unfortunately they just changed their roast and it is a) not as dark b) has more of the duds in it and c) is just mediocre. Sadly, I bought 6 lbs of it. Anyway. I need to find another coffee.
I live in mid/lower Westchester. Scarsdale, White Plains, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Northern New Rochelle - all really convenient. I'm on a desperate hunt. For the record I've had the coffee from Balducci's (not impressed) and from Zabar's (better than Balducci's, but it didn't bowl me over). Surprisingly liked the Elite Turkish Coffee blend that can be purchased in the market, but would prefer to find something I can buy fresh. I'm providing this information so you know what I"m looking for - a delicious, medium to dark roast that can be brewed as a strong cup and will be delicious.
Please throw out suggestions!
Eclisse, White Plains--any reports?
I, too, would like to see a report from someone who has been here. A friend suggested we try it.
Enrico's Pastry Shop of Hartsdale to move and expand
I've been there many times and have had nothing but pleasant experiences.
As for the smoked fish & cheese, the woman who used to work at the Cheesery is now working at Enrico's. There is a real niche market for the smoked fish and cheese: unless one goes to a large market, there's no place else convenient to get that stuff. I admit I haven't ventured much to Michael's in Scarsdale Vill (is that even still the name?) but I have never gotten anything at Balducci's I'm happy with, and none of the other area markets really carry a complete selection of what one might want. So I think the plan for Enrico's is great. Hartsdale Vill benefits from having both a bakery and a cheese shop. I live walking distance to the village and I am happy to support local businesses.
Kid friendly close to Bleecker & Lafayette?
...I wish!!
The last 3 times I made plantains, she told me they were gross. Tonight she ate cold salami for dinner. I keep hoping someday she'll be a gourmet...
Kid friendly close to Bleecker & Lafayette?
Pinkalicious is the story of a little girl who turns pink because she eats too many pink cupcakes. It is very popular among three and four year old girls.
Kid friendly close to Bleecker & Lafayette?
Thanks! cute menu for Acme - I never heard of it before. I have been to Noho Star way back when... do any of these places have kids' menus? These three do NOT have the most experimental palates.
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Noho Star
330 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
Kid friendly close to Bleecker & Lafayette?
I am taking my daughter to see Pinkalicious on Sunday w/ 2 friends. We need a place that will be suitable for three-year-old girls and their mothers who prefer not to eat mac n cheese. I no longer live in the city and I have no idea where to go. Please make suggestions! Keep in mind the show is at 1 P... obviously a long wait is out of the question.
thanks!
kosher l'Pesach semisweet/bittersweet baking chocolate?
unfortunately, they are the best the market has to offer. I think Schmerling is much better than the others. I had the opportunity to have a face-off between Alprose, Schmerling & Elite this year - Elite was awful by comparison - chalky & dry. Alprose was ok. Schmerling actually tasted good.
kosher l'Pesach semisweet/bittersweet baking chocolate?
I've tried them all... it's a bit late for this now, but for next year try the Schmerling. 55% for a less bitter flavor and 72% for the best you will do for baking. Alprose is decent. Skip the other brands... they are not good at all.
Cook's Illustrated 'Editor's Choice'
1) I agree with most of the comments posted here (and I feel a bit nickel-and-dimed too), but I don't feel ripped off with the pricing because
2) I am not fighting with a gazillion advertisements in the magazine or online.
I'm not sure if I will pay for the Editor's Choice bc of exactly the reasons cited here, but for those who don't want to pay the $14.95 or whatever it is... it is still a business
Orange Cake
I decided to try the Nigella version of the cake this year for Passover. On the whole, although I did not mind that it was less sweet, I did not care for this cake and would not make it again. There are better almond cakes out there. Too soupy.... and I squeezed out / drained my clementines extensively.
Droste cocoa?
Really? Now I am going back to my first idea, which was to order a case!
Droste cocoa?
I was in Brooklyn today - no luck; and at Stop & Shop in White Plains - no luck. Didn't look that carefully at Supersol in Scarsdale.
Droste cocoa?
Last few years I was able to buy KofP Droste cocoa but this year I saw none and a search on the circle K website did not yield hits. Anyone know what the story is? I love this cocoa.
Need Westchester recommendation ...
I second Sam's of Gedney Way? There is a semi-private room off to the right when you walk in that looks like it can seat up to 15. I saw it set up for a private party the other day. Harry's of Hartsdale has a quiet and private 2nd floor. Have you looked into such places as Blue, Antipasti and Elements in White Plains? Also, Melting Pot does a "Ladies night..." I don't know if this is a group of women, but I am guessing with a book club, it might be.
Steak recs in Westchester
So interesting how there are so many opinions. Friends also recommended BLT steak, Willett House, and Capital Grille in Stamford.
Steak recs in Westchester
We really CAN'T go to Manhattan or Brooklyn for this dinner... hence the request for Westchester or CT recs. Spouse loves Peter Luger's. It's not my favorite, but I like a medium rare filet or strip.... probably easier to do well at a lot of places. Good fries or onion rings and decent portions are a plus.
Steak recs in Westchester
I just got my latest Westchester Magazine which reviews a bunch of steakhouses. Unfortunately I do not trust their reviews, and I would like to find a place for a steak dinner in Westchester or southern CT (the title of this board notwithstanding, I only live 15 minutes from Greenwich). I don't want to go to the city. My husband looked at the reviews and was intrigued by Willett House. While price is not the critical issue, we definitely don't want to leave hungry, and he loves the porterhouse for 2 option. Please... make a suggestion!
Thanks
Half Moon
I went this past weekend on Saturday eve. While I thought the food was tasty, I was really unhappy with how they seemed to rush us through the meal. After we sat down, a waitress came over within moments to take our drink order. We asked for water and told her we hadn't decided on wine. So she went away and moments later a second person came by - who we also sent away. After we ordered, drinks came quickly, but we had our entrees within 15 minutes of ordering wine (got no apps) which felt fast to me. They cleared our plates when my friend was still eating and then brought our check while we were eating dessert - without waiting to see if we wanted another cup of coffee or something else. Whole meal took about 1 h 15 min which is not ok - I want to be out long enough to justify getting a sitter. Would have ordered another cup of coffee, or something else - but we were way too rushed. And our waitress was clueless.
Will not be going back.
Cocoa butter
So, apparently I made an inaccurate assumption when I figured either the cooking store or Whole Foods would carry cocoa butter. I am in need of cocoa butter and I am looking for a) brand recommendations b) online sources c) info about what I should expect to pay. I am also in need of info on someplace in Westchester NY selling organic (i.e. edible) lilacs.
Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Definitive Kosher cookbook for newbie?
oh, and for the starting kosher cook the kosher forum here is great for info on how to prepare stuff!
Definitive Kosher cookbook for newbie?
I love the Joan Nathan Jewish Cooking in America. I grew up kosher, but it was a great starting point for traditional recipes. I think some of the Kosher by Design cookbooks are better than others. That said, I use the Gourmet cookbook & the cookbook from America's Test Kitchen most frequently since kosher cookbooks are very often heavily focused on a) traditional cuisine (not a bad thing but not exactly for everday eating) and b) tend to not incorporate modern flavors. I grew up in a pretty integrated household - we ate out, tried different cuisines, were open to new tastes and flavors. I find that the specifically kosher cookbooks tend to come from a more observant community with less exposure to modern American cooking, and thus are less likely to produce foods that will taste familiar to someone who didn't grow up in an observant household. Of course, to each his own... but I am usually just as happy to sub margarine or soy milk or coffee rich or chicken broth into a standard recipe. The harder thing is learning what actually makes foods kosher, and how to adapt non-kosher recipes to a kosher kitchen. But for starters try the Jewish Cooking in America and one or more of the Kosher by Design cookbooks.
White lilac nostalgia
I have been tapped to make the showpiece cake for an engagement party. About 30 ppl will be there, and there are other desserts, so the size of this cake will be fine. Chocolate goods will be provided by other bakers. I should be able to get all ingredients without difficulty. So here goes... how is this cake? I am normally a fan of (don't laugh) frosting that is so sweet it crunches in my teeth. I understand this is a totally different animal, but are the mousseline & creme ivoire deluxe sweet at all, or are they just buttery and rich? Do I need to weigh all ingredients? Can I make the cake Friday & decorate Saturday for a Sunday party? Can I make the buttercreams farther in advance? Will they be ok in the A/C on a June day? What temp does my kitchen have to be for the buttercreams to survive?
Any help is appreciated. Given my normal proclivity for frosting targeted at toddlers, I have no experience with higher end buttercreams!
Thank you!
Post-holiday debrief: what was your biggest piece of PITA prepwork this weekend?
We were out a sink for 5 days. We bought 2 bins at Home Depot - Wash water and rinse water- and forged ahead. Most of the cooking was done, but it did make preparations a real challenge.
If they can put a man on the moon why can't I find KFP capers?
I had this issue last year. If only you could buy them fresh you could pickle them yourself... but that doesn't seem to be feasible. I gave up and, for chicken marbella, just used all olives.
ISO 2 pesach recipes
It's probably too late for my reply to you, but America's Test Kitchen just did a crockpot shortrib recipe - I DVR'd it! Lots of prep, but not too complex. Skip the bacon.
Kosher L'Pesach Margarine
couple of things:
First, I save my margarine from year to year. It does fine
Second, after I got over the shock of a second consecutive year without Mother's, I went out and bought several lbs of Haolam blocks. I marked them, quartered them, and dragged out my trusty kitchen scale. Not as convenient as stick margarine, but just as functional. I'm happy to report that I think the Haolam worked just as well as the Mother's (that is to say, like KofP margarine) and the flavor was a bit better and more buttery. I wish it came in sticks, but I will have no problem using this brand again in the future.
ISO recipes using matzo cake meal
I made a fabulous almond cake that I found here on chowhound. I simply subbed the matzo cake meal in for the flour. Note that this does not always work, and cake meal can impart some unpleasant flavors to baked goods, but it was undetectable in the almond cake, and the cake was FABULOUS. Fortunately no one else in my family seems to like almonds so I got to eat it myself :) Here is the link:
http://www.chow.com/recipes/18651?tag=search_results;results_list
