Best potato for latkes?

Whoops. Sorry everyone: I've been away from the Boards since my post above, and didn't realize I'd caused confusion. As I said above, I par-boil the potatoes after grating with the large hole grater on my food processor. It's basically like cooking spaghetti. Put the grated potatoes in a big pot full of boiling water, let it come back to a boil, cook for 5 minutes, and drain. They keep for 5-6 days in the fridge. I chop the onions in the food processor, and store them separately. Sorry if my post was vague. One big mess ahead of time.

p.j. in Kosher

Best potato for latkes?

Second vote for russets, scrubbed but not peeled. I also par-boil the potatoes ahead of time, a la Mollie Katzen in Still Life with Menu. I prepared 5 lbs of potatoes on Monday night, as well as chopped 4 large onions. Now it is just a matter of mixing up a bowl of batter & frying each night. 2 down, 6 to go! Please pass the applesauce.

p.j. in Kosher

Kosher Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy

Do you know the brand name of the Grana Padano?

I will put in another plug for the Cheese Guy's Goat Cheddar. Absolutely yummy. Found at UWS Fairway by my son. I'll have to send him over before he comes home next week!
Shabbat shalom, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Framboises: Kosher? Other Suggestions for Kosher Liquor for Gifting?

No, I hadn't. But per the Veev website, it is available at a store near my office. I will check it out! Thanks, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Framboises: Kosher? Other Suggestions for Kosher Liquor for Gifting?

Well, it appears that Samuel Adams flavored beers are certified by the Star-K. There is a Cranberry Lambic and a Blackberry Witbier on the current CRC list, new as of yesterday:
"All unflavored beers with no additives are acceptable, even without Kosher certification. This applies to both American and imported beers, light, dark and nonalcoholic beers. Many breweries produce specialty brews that have additives; please check the label and do not assume that all varieties are acceptable. Furthermore, beers known to be produced at microbreweries require certification."

No Raspberry Lambics on the CRC list.

p.j. in Kosher

Framboises: Kosher? Other Suggestions for Kosher Liquor for Gifting?

Hey, zsero. Thanks for posting this. I'd forgotten all about this thread. Maybe I will look for the Lambic beer for my husband's birthday, which is on Dec. 25. Regards, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Trader Joe's Kosher Specialties?

The Spanish Terrenals are $4.99 to 5.99 here in St. Louis, and they are quite drinkable. Even my friend, a local wine critic, thinks they are good. The price is great: the only down-side is we now drink more wine!

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

AdinaA -
You are welcome. No, we won't be heading to Talia's for a graduation dinner come May.

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

Deis -
I still hope to get to Etc. Steakhouse on a future trip. I may have overstated the quality of my husband's lamb: he enjoyed it, but I don't think it was worth the $39 price.

p.j. in Kosher

Fresh mackerel and herring in St Louis

Hi Lemons!
We don't shop on Saturdays, or eat skate. However, we did get some delicious fresh mackerel at Bob's on the day after Thanksgiving. Broiled with just a light dredging in flour and a thin spread of mayonaisse on top. Yum times 2. Lemon wedge on the side.

p.j. in Great Plains

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

Hi AdinaA! Sorry about the great delay. I haven't been on Chowhound in months. Well, we wound up moving daughter in on Friday, before Irene: it was a wild day, leaving Edison at 6:30 a.m. to beat what turned out to be non-existant traffic. Moved her stuff into her brother's 3rd flr apt at JTS, moved his stuff out of storage locker, hit Fairway for storm food, then moved her to dorm at Barnard at noon. Ate dinner in NJ.
Came back to the city on Monday for parent orientation. After brunch at JTS (great corn muffins), lunch at Barnard (kosher roast veggie sandwich) , and a mid-afternoon reception with cookies, we weren't terribly hungry. Walked down to Talia's Steakhouse for an early dinner. My husband's dinner, the lamb shank, was very good. I ordered the Thai Beef Salad, which had good flavor. Unfortunately, approximately 1/3 the volume of the steak cubes was fat and gristle, and the sauce (which I had not expected) swamped the greens so they were wilted by the time I was 1/2 done with the dish. I won't go running back.

p.j. in Kosher

Positive Experience at ETC. steakhouse in Teaneck

vallevin -
I am beginning to think that this dinner isn't going to happen, due to Irene! Argh! Well, we shall see, and I will certainly call ahead to see if they are open.
Thanks for all your good help and encouragement.
p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Positive Experience at ETC. steakhouse in Teaneck

vallevin -
Not Brooklyn (& I will pass on your suggestions to my son, who travels to Brooklyn): Morningside Heights. Barnard/JTS move-in and orientation, starting at 8:00 a.m. So Teaneck is a good alternative to going downtown somewhere and searching for parking when we are sure to be tired.
I sent an e-mail to etc. asking a couple of questions; am waiting for a reply.
'Thanks again, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Positive Experience at ETC. steakhouse in Teaneck

Thanks very much, vallevin. I hope we won't be too tired from the moving and orientating to enjoy dinner! p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Positive Experience at ETC. steakhouse in Teaneck

Hi NJ Chowhounds -
I am responding to this thread to bring it "up to the top" to ask for comments re. recent experiences at ETC. Thanks to responses to my request for suggestions for dinner this coming Sunday, this restaurant sounds like it will fit our bill perfectly.
I think our only problem will be too many delicious choices, and both of us wanting the short ribs!
Thanks, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

Thanks, njkosher and Vallevin. I looked at the etc. website:the sample summer menu does look interesting and very tempting. The local produce sounds great: New Jersey tomatoes! (Our tomato season in the midwest has been a disaster)

The most recent review that I could find was a year and 1/2 old. Has anyone been there within the last few months? Any suggestions for "must try" dishes?
Thanks so much for your suggestions - everyone! There are no kosher meat restaurants in St. Louis, so this will be a real treat!
p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

Deis -
Thanks for the suggestion. Have you been to Mosaica recently? Is it still good? My understanding from another thread is that the chef left to open Pardes in Brooklyn.
Thanks, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

njkosher & Vallevin -
Thanks for the suggestion of ETC. I looked at the sample menu, which piqued my interest & tastebuds. I didn't see a recent review of the restaurant. Any suggestions for best dishes, etc. I would enjoy hearing from someone who has been there in the last few months.
Thanks very much for all your ideas, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Need recs for dinner on Sunday, Aug.28 in Morningside Hgts. or UWS

Hi Chowhounds -
Since Darna has closed, my husband and I are looking for somewhere else to have a good fleishik dinner next Sunday, after we move our daughter into her dorm: we will be empty-nesters! Since both of our kids are in college this year, we are not looking to spend a fortune, but it will be a special "date" occasion. We want to avoid a very noisy situation: calm is the watchword.

Any ideas and recommendations are welcome. We will have a car (unfortunately), and I am a bit nervous about finding parking in midtown. We could leave the car in Morningside Heights and take a train or cab.
We are adventurous eaters, like spicy and all kinds of ethnic restaurants. We will be heading back to my brother's home in Edison, N.J. in the evening, so N.J. restaurants are a possibility.

Thanks so much, p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Trader Joe's Kosher Specialties?

We enjoy Trader Joe's challah here in St. Louis, slightly sweet with a bit of vanilla. It has a CRC (Chicago Rabbinical Council) hecksher. We also enjoy the Soy Creamy Cherry Chocolate Chip soy frozen dessert, which is pareve. The vanilla is not as good, in our opinion. As everyone else said, their chocolate chips are the best.
Aside from the good challah, we have not been impressed with the pies and cakes, etc. at TJ's. So we don't buy them anymore.
Good luck - have fun, and don't get too attached to anything.

p.j. in Kosher

Chinese food in St. Louis

I stopped by Famous Szechuan Pavilion on Manchester, just west of Brentwood, a few weeks ago after reading your post. It was the middle of a hot Friday afternoon, and I was the sole customer. The proprietress made my Dan Dan Noodles, and I inhaled them while she prepared some pork next to me. I had a wonderful time watching her knife work: she removed every bit of fat and gristle. Thanks for sending me on a delicious adventure!

p.j. in Great Plains

Fresh mackerel and herring in St Louis

It has been very hard to find mackerel or bluefish here in St. Louis for many years. In addition to Bob's Seafood, the Whole Foods on Brentwood has an excellent fish department. But they rarely get mackerel or bluefish. You can ask if they will order it for you. As Lemons said, you might get lucky.
Good luck from a Jersey girl who would love to buy fresh blues or mackerel.

-----
Bob's Seafood
8660 Olive Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63132

p.j. in Great Plains

Kosher Chili Garlic Paste

Huy Fong Foods, Inc. (rooster on label) makes Vietnamese "Chili Garlic Sauce." My jar (8 oz. ) is several years old and going strong. I probably found it at an Oriental or international grocery store here in St. Louis. The hecksher is a shield with a Magen David & a K in the middle. Potent!

p.j. in Kosher

Nine days picnic and cold fish dishes

Last week my daughter made delicious baked tilapia (about 5 servings) with a sauce that included 2 chopped chipolte peppers (in adobo sauce, San Marcos w/ KMD & VKAlephAleph heckshers), equal amounts of the adobo sauce & olive oil, chopped cilantro, the juice of one lime, a "pinch" of sugar, salt & pepper. Then she put halved cherry tomatoes, and red and green pepper rings on top. Beautiful presentation. Tonight we ate the leftovers cold - - -I think it would be great for a picnic.
To the spice- shy, I suggest starting with one pepper. Enjoy.

p.j. in Kosher

Dang squirrels are digging up my potted plants :E

Last year a lady at the nursery I frequent suggested putting lots of small rocks/ large pebbles on the surface of the dirt in a pot I hang in a tree. The squirrels seemed to leave it alone after I did that. This year, the method is not working as well. I am going to put more rocks in tomorrow.
Apparently the squirrels don't like the feel of the rocks on their paws. (I find that hard to believe, but give it a try).
I also used mothballs many years ago, with varying degrees of success. I quit because I didn't want to poison our feral cats.
Good luck.

p.j. in Gardening

Darna

I agree. It was my favorite place to go when visiting my son in the city. Argh!!!

p.j. in Kosher

Indian Spices: Amchoor Powder & Garam Masala and ?: Kosher Sources?

That is a great idea: sort of a food co-op through your shul! That could work for wheels of cheese as well.
Good thinking, jacobadler. Thanks..

p.j. in Kosher

Quinoa kugel and other quinoa recipes for Passover

Thanks. I will give it a try on my next go-round. p.j.

p.j. in Kosher

Quinoa kugel and other quinoa recipes for Passover

I made tabouli with quinoa for our Seders. I used Molly Katzen's Moosewood recipe, added a bit of ersatz chicken boullion powder to the water, used a mixture of parsley and cilantro, and the lemon mint that is in my yard. I wanted a cold salad, but not a standard "spring greens" salad.
Next time, I will try toasting the quinoa before boiling it. I rinse the Trader Joe's quinoa at least 3 times: the water is still cloudy at the end.
Chag sameach, all! p.j.

p.j. in Kosher