Is the anything GOOD in Fort Myers!!??

I second the recommendation for Doc Fords! Their Panko-crusted fish sandwich is excellent. I live on Sanibel so I usually go to that one, but I like the one on Fort Myers beach better because of the view.

I think someone mentioned Pincher's crab shack, it's pretty good. I liked their peel and eat shrimp because they weren't served in a messy sauce; they just gave some butter and old bay for dipping.

If you want pizza, Starz (on McGregor and John Morris) is really good. They use really fresh ingredients and are always busy! I like their stromboli the best.

I'm still lamenting the loss of Shells :-(

musicalchef in Florida

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes that Freeze Well

What about falafel? I mean if I form the little balls, freeze them, bag them, and then when I want to serve them, defrost, roll in a bit of flour, and fry? Do you think it would turn out well? Yeah, I know they're not exactly light and healthy, but I'd like to try it out. I'm making that eggplant and chickpea stew tomorrow and freezing it as well.

I've frozen mole before, but I'm living in Amman, Jordan, and can't get all the stuff for it here. When I'm in the States I make a big batch from Rick Bayless' recipe and it freezes (and reheats) really well!

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes that Freeze Well

The potatos and lentils would both be cooked (the potatos not all the way but mostly cooked) but not baked yet. I probably won't do it, mostly because I only have one baking dish that size and will need to use it often, so it can't be sitting in the freezer!

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes that Freeze Well

These all sound good; thanks! Do potatoes freeze ok? I have a good potato lentil casserole recipe from a food blog called Almost Turkish Recipes [http://almostturkish.blogspot.com/2007/12/vegetarian-potato-casserole-with-green.html] . By the way I've gotten several good recipes from that blog.

I think I may try that eggplant stew, and I'll look up the Ethiopian dal too.

musicalchef in Home Cooking

I never eat _______ out because nobody makes it right but me.

Key lime pie. Actually the problem is that i DON'T make it right; I add some cream cheese, but I guess I just don't like the "authentic" version of it with only keylime juice, egg yolks, and condensed milk. It's too sweet and tastes a bit gritty to me.

Also lobster. I refuse to pay an arm and a leg for overcooked shellfish when I can get fresh ones (my mom lives in Florida) and cook them myself just the way I like them. I don't even like shrimp in many restaurants. Somehow many Chinese places seem to get them right, but that's about it.

Frappuccinos and other expensive coffee drinks. I can make a better one at home for about a tenth of the cost.

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Freezing Homemade Gnocchi

Thanks! I'll make it this week.

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Freezing Homemade Gnocchi

Hi,

Has anyone frozen homemade gnocchi before? I want to make a big batch and freeze some for later. I was going to use Giada de Laurentiis' recipe (unless anyone has a really good one I can try), and probably freeze some marinara sauce alongside it.

If I can freeze it, do I do so before or after boiling the gnocchi? And when I want to eat it, do I just throw it into the boiling water straight from the freezer or do I defrost it first?

Thanks so much!!

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Healthy Vegetarian Recipes that Freeze Well

Hi all,

I'm expecting some house guests in a couple weeks, and am looking for some healthy, light, preferably vegetarian recipes that I can make ahead of time and freeze. They're visiting for a wedding, and I know we'll be having fatty food all week, so I want to keep the food I serve them at home on the light side. Does anyone have any recipes like this that freeze well? It's a plus if they are Indian/Pakistani or Middle Eastern dishes, but any other recipes would be welcome too.

Thanks!

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Can I swirl peanut butter into a brownie mix?

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone!

I ended up just dropping softened globs of PB on top and swirling it in, and it turned out pretty good. Next time I'll try some of the other suggestions. And thanks for the link to the older post about brownie mixes, some of those sound really good!

musicalchef in Home Cooking

Can I swirl peanut butter into a brownie mix?

Hi,

I often "cheat" by using brownie mixes (usually betty crocker) and mixing my own stuff in there (coffee, various nuts and chips, fresh mint). Could I swirl some peanut butter into the batter? Would I have to adjust the baking temp/time or mix something into the peanut butter before attempting this?

Thanks!

musicalchef in Home Cooking