pilotgirl210's Profile
Favorite Paper Towel?
Totally agree, Bob. I've used them for years and when we go off on vacation and rent a condo or house somewhere, I'm always so disappointed in the paper towels they provide that I'll go out and buy my own when I shop for groceries! Now thats a paper towel snob...tee hee. They are stronger, softer and more absorbent, as you say. I've found nothing else to compare. It's like my mayo. Has to be Best Foods and nothing else :=)
Refills To Go at Sit Down Restaurants
I have a favorite lunch spot down the street from my workplace. From the outset when dining there, I will order my diet Pepsi in a to-go cup with lemon, just so I don't have to ask for one later and they don't need to dirty a glass cup on my behalf. They always ask if I'd like a refill before I leave, but I'd never dream of asking them for one. It would make me feel like a total cheapskate.
Garbage disposal uses
I never toss leftover lemon peels into the garbage. I always put them down the garbage disposal and it makes it smell great!
Favorite Paper Towel?
Without question, for me it's Bounty. The select-a-size is preferrable so I don't waste.
Maui (Lahaina / Hana) & Big Island (Kona / Volcano Village) recs sought
If you go south of Wailea, where the road narrows into two lanes, you will find a wonderful fruit stand just off the road with all manner of offerings. At least we found it in March. It is along the road by the large stand of cactus. There is also a fruit market on the main highway just south of Lahaina.
Summer Sipping - alcohol & otherwise
And all this time I'd thought the Sheraton at the Pointe had come up with something totally original. What is old is new again.......tee hee.
Maui (Lahaina / Hana) & Big Island (Kona / Volcano Village) recs sought
Was on Maui over St. Paddy's Day and our favorites are among those you've mentioned. For breakfast, arrive at The Plantation House in Kapalua between 10 and 11 a.m. and you're almost guaranteed a front-row table to a kabillion-dollar view. I had the crab eggs Benedict, with hollandaise and red pepper sauce ($13.95), and hubby had the seared ahi tuna eggs Benedict with wasabi sauce. Always enjoy breakfast at Kihei Caffe, a rough-around-the-edges surfers' dive located directly across from the beach in Kihei. Food is good, ample and cheap. Hubby had the cinnamon roll French toast with coconut syrup and I had the loco moco with fried rice, an upgrade from sticky rice. Also enjoyed breakfast at Cane and Taro, Capt. Jack's on Front Street in Old Lahaina Town and Lahaina Coolers.
The Star Noodle was the best luncheon site we found. Highly recommend the shrimp tempura appie, two colossal shrimp with a dark and yummy dipping sauce and a light and very special tempura. Hubby also had the bbq pork buns and we shared a bowl of pho. Be sure to check out the restrooms. They're unusual. Arrive by 11:15 to avoid the rush. The place really fills up after 11:30. Another favorite lunch spot is the Kula Lodge up Haleakala, which we hit en route to the lavendar farm. It is much cooler up the mountain so the huge fireplace is a welcome sight and a rarity on the Islands. It is possible to see the ocean off Kahului on the windward side and off Lahaina on the leeward side at the same time from such an altitude. Since we were headed Up Country anyway, we stopped at the bakery in Makawao to buy their wonderful masaladas, but, alas, they are closed on Wednesdays. We won't make that mistake again. The Saigon Cafe, by the way, is in Lahaina, not Kihei or Kahului. Hole-in-the-wall place but good food. Great for takeout. Stop at Costco when you exit the airport on arrival to find good buys on wines, liquor and snacks. I buy my coffee at the coffee plantation/shop/bakery located at the base of the smokestack in Lahaina (Maui Coffee Co., I do believe). At home in Oregon, I drink Molokai Island Princess coffee, which I order online. It is made with whole vanilla beans. OMG. I hope they serve this in heaven because it's manna for me here on Earth. Best mai tais we found are served at The Mai Tai Lounge on Front Street. They're only $5 each during the daily happy hour. Nice people, too. We did a bit of everything for dinner, from cooking in our condo to Mama's, Lahaina Coolers, Cool Cat, Bubba Gump's, "the Moose", Longhi's and Kimo's. Wanted to do a dinner cruise but just couldn't squeeze it in. Be sure to pick up a Maui Gold pineapple or two. Only 99 cents each at Safeway while we were there. So I made pineapple daiquiris...tee hee. A local creamery makes a macadamia nut ice cream that I'd read glowing reports about but I couldn't find any when I looked for it. Next time! While on the island, hubby surprised me with two tickets to the Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Be sure to check their entertainment schedule online before you leave so that you don't miss something really, really fun! Have a great trip, Frodnesor, and report for us upon your return! Aloha.
Summer Sipping - alcohol & otherwise
A Tropitini is my summer drink of choice:
One ounce each of Bacardi Lemon, Absolute Citron and Blue Curacao
Splash of pineapple juice
Splash of 7-Up (I use diet)
Spash of sweet and sour
Fill a martini glass and a shaker with ice. Pour the above into the shaker and shake for at least 30 seconds. Pour the ice out of the martini glass and fill with the Tropitini.
OMG is this stuff good! And when I order it in a lounge, all the women in the room want to order one because of its lovely blue color. Two's my limit, however. They're potent.
Maui: Gannon's, new Alan Wong, Merriman's, Haile Maile...decisions!
Spent a couple of weeks on Maui over St. Paddy's Day and, in addition to hitting our usual haunts, discovered The Star Noodle, which was very, very good for lunch. The Pan Asian restaurant specializes in *small plates, * a la Spanish tapas, and we really loved the tempura shrimp, two colossal shrimp (isn't that an oxymoron?) in a perfect batter served with some type of yummy dark sauce. Wished, though, that there had been more of the sauce on the plate. Hubby had the barbequed pork buns, which he really liked, but too much breading for me. We then split a bowl of pho, which was very good. Rather hard to find in an industrial area up the hill from Walgreen's. Really fills up at lunch time. We arrived about 11 and it was perfect. Great table and ocean/harbor view. They also have a sushi bar and a long, communal table that runs the length of the restaurant. Visit the restrooms. They are unusual!
No trip to Maui for us is complete without a late breakfast at The Plantation House in Kapalua. We usually arrive between 10 and 11 a.m. and have always been given a front-row, killer view table. I had the crab egg Benedicts ($13.95) and hubby had the ahi egg Benedicts. Great coffee and wonderful serving cups. You can just imagine Tiger teeing off just below the restaurant. And the view just takes my breath away.
Other breakfast spots we hit are Cane and Taro, Hula Grill and Kihei Caffe. We tried the new --to us anyway -- Capt. Jack's on Front Street and the food was very good but the service was deplorable!! I specifically ordered a condiment when I gave my breakfast order and when the food arrived, I reminded the server of my request. I sat there and waited and waited and waited for him to return from the kitchen as my food went from hot to tepid. He had the personality of a slug and appeared hung-over. I wish I were one who could equate my tip with service but, unfortunately, I always leave 20 percent or better. Then, I just never return.
The best mai tais we had were at the Mai Tai Lounge on Front Street. Unfortunately, we didn't discover them until a couple of nights before we returned home. Had a memorable St. Paddy's day at Lahaina Coolers, one of my favorite happy hour places. Many locals patronize this bar/restaurant and I can see why. We'd had breakfast there prior to a whale-watching cruise and, walking back to our condo in late afternoon, we returned to LC for a cocktail. We were greeted like long-lost family. A wahine put green beads around my neck and before I knew it, she had painted a shamrock on the back of my hand and on one cheek. We had a great time partying with our new-found friends. Made me feel like we were back in our Elks Lodge at home!
And to top it off, hubby surprised me with tickets to the Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefers Band concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center! Wow. Just wow. Be sure to check their entertainment schedule for the time of your visit. You might find something good going on. Great trip and I can't wait to return next March!
Funniest thing you seen in a restaurant?
I knew my son was ready to be potty trained when he'd walk up to me and hand me a diaper!!
Funniest thing you seen in a restaurant?
When my son was young (four, maybe), we'd visit my snowbird parents in Yuma, AZ. Dad would take Mark out to breakfast at the *Chat and Chew,* a diner-type place. He taught him to love ham and cheese omelets, which he prefers to this day.
Searching for casual spots in Maui
I think you meant to say Cheeseburger in Paradise....beachfront in Old Lahaina Town :=)
Shopping for good food and supplies on Maui - Advice for visiting condo cooks?
On Sundays, after Mass, parishoners from the Catholic Church in Lahaina sell the most wonderful Portugese sweet bread in front of the church. The loaves are huge and, as I recall, run about $6 each. The bread made for the most wonderful French toast and sandwiches during our Maui stay last year :=)
Maui Noodles and Shrimp Trucks?
Thank you so much for the recommendations, dahulagirl and rexster. We leave a week from tomorrow and I can't wait!
Maui Noodles and Shrimp Trucks?
Traveling to Maui the first part of March. Haven't visited since this time last year and am wondering if anyone knows of any new noodle, pho or saimin offerings? Also, I always enjoy the shrimp trucks on North Shore Oahu, which you can smell from several miles away with the vehicle's top down:=) Although I always look, I've never seen any on Maui. Where are they hiding, if there even are any? Thanx for the help. Counting down the days.
how to know what side dish goes with what main..?
I was always taught that a balanced meal was a protein main entree, a vegetable side dish and a starch side dish. Salad and bread optional. Any meat, any veggie or veggies and for the starch...potato recipes, rice, pasta, etc. Any combos were acceptable. But I have to admit that I often will make just a one-skillet (or casserole) main as we don't need all the extra calories and we are empty nesters :=) And frankly, I absolutely hate leftovers.
I need a recipe for an impressive baked good for a fund raiser...can you help?
My black bottom cupcakes always get raves. So easy but deeeeelish.
Average Grocery Bill-for 2
My husband spends at least $50 a month on toys and treats for our two miniature pinschers (spoiled lil darlings!). We have dinner on Friday nights at our Elks Lodge ($13 per person for the buffet; $16 for rib eye steak dinner) and occasionally go out for breakfast on weekends. I work 20 minutes from home so I eat lunch out every day and buy great coffee each morning from Human Bean via their drive-through. But our budget for home-cooked meals each month is probably $500 to $600 per month. I love fresh seafood (we live in Oregon and crab season just opened) so that's spendy. And that amount includes a lot of household items that are not edible....like paper towels, cleaners, baggies, foil, etc. That stuff really adds up. We have a great discount grocery here -- Grocery Outlet -- where I could really save some money, but I hate running to several different stores. So I bite the bullet and usually do Albertson's or Safeway. Hopefully, when I retire I'll be able to hit the sale items from various stores more often and do a little couponing, as well. I enjoy the new *Extreme Couponing* show and it is amazing to see how much they save. But I don't want to spend 40 hours a week doing it, as some of them say they do.
What's your Favorite Christmas Cookie that you give as a Gift?
I have two all-time favorites. My mother's sugar cookies, using one of the few recipes to feature cream of tartar, and midnight rum balls. A sugar cookie just isn't a sugar cookie, in my book, without cream of tartar. Try it with, then without, and you'll see what I mean. The midnight rum ball recipe I found on Chowhound about five years ago and people love them! I also make Mario Batalli's slivered almond brittle (sooooooo good), rocky road candy, fudge (of course) and divinity (but never on a rainy day......tee hee.).
Thanksgiving: something new that WORKED
When in Boston, visit the Omni Parker House, home of the original *Parker* rolls. The lobby also showcases a lot of Kennedy family memorabilia....fyi.
what is your family's coolest thanksgiving tradition?
I'm just such a girly-girl, John, that I have to have a wine glass with a stem. I don't even like the heavy based ones sans stem that aren't supposed to tip over. And my mother, ever the proper Brit, never had plastic glasses or plates in the house, especially those from Tupperware. Food storage items -- fine. But she would rather not drink than to drink from plastic. (One exception: The family picnic basket, which featured Melamine plates and mugs.) Try as I have throughout life to not be a clone of my mother, I, to this day, despise drinking from anything but glass. Of course, crystal is even better...tee hee. No, I'm not a snob. Really. It's just a thing in our family.
what is your family's coolest thanksgiving tradition?
And I would put good money on a bet, Bill, that each piece of your stemware runs somewhere north of $70.00? tee hee. I wash my own, too.
what is your family's coolest thanksgiving tradition?
Wonder how I'd dress my two min pins ??
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Good Lord. You must add it by the cup! I've never had a problem, but then I've always gone easy on the salt and pepper, regardless of whether black or white.
what is your family's coolest thanksgiving tradition?
Oh, I wanna come to YOUR house :=)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
For me, it has to be roasted garlic. For my garlic mashed potatoes, I lay down three squares of aluminum foil, take three head of garlic and split them in half crosswise, smother in olive oil and wrap tightly. Roast in a pre-heated, 350-degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes. Boil potatoes until tender, drain and return potatoes to pan over low heat for one or two minutes to dry them. Add one brick cream cheese pre-cut into small cubes, a stick or two of butter (depending on how many potatoes you're boiling), similarly cubed, the roasted garlic (mashed), half and half and salt and white pepper. (Who wants black pepper on a white dish? Not me!!) These are the best garlic mashed potatoes ever. Filled with calories but for once or twice a year, who cares? And yes, the garlic may be roasted the day prior.
Thanksgiving ideas for two
A small standing rib roast. Much better than turkey any day of the week!!
Scrambled eggs - add dairy?
I learned years ago how to make omelets from a chef who appeared on the Today Show. He said to add just a splash of water, which is how I've made them since. He also showed how to move the eggs to one side of the saute pan as they cooked and set, how to add whatever fillings, and then how to perfectly fold the one half over the other. Then he'd cover the pan so that the eggs would steam and puff up nicely. Now for French toast, I always add milk or half and half to the egg batter.
PIE BAKERS! HELP!
I've won prizes at our annual Elks Lodge steak fry and pie contest with my black-bottom key lime pie. Even the name sounds like a winner. And, it is soooooo yummy. Basic oreo crust, key lime filling with lime zest included and then I either do a meringue topping or whipped cream. But the meringue holds up better in the heat. (It's usually more than 100 degrees here in August, when the contest is held.)
