sebetti's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Greek Gods yogurt: they ought to be ashamed!
I purchased the Greek Gods honey yogurt by accident this weekend (wanted plain for chicken) and OMG is it SWEET. It's really just over the top too much for me. I hope my son likes it because otherwise its going to get dumped.
Chowhound Post
Foodies dining with picky eaters in PDX
With such a large number of children along, it makes it a little more difficult but Country Cat would work (and they take reservations for large groups) and possibly Lauro Kitchen - although I have not been to Lauro with my toddler, I do remember seeing several groups with children there the last time I ate there. Lauro is my favorite of the two recommendations but I'd want someone else to comment on how kid friendly they think it would be.
I just reread your post and realized that I didn't fit your walking distance criteria - Ah! Kids make it so hard!
Chowhound Post
Do you give everyone Thanksgiving leftovers to take home?
I think offering leftovers is a kindness and a courtesy but not something you should expect, especially if you are not immediate family. In my family, the leftovers went to the kids going back to school or the just out of college group...basically the ones who really do appreciate a free meal.
I understand that there are cultural differences and have (graciously) accepted leftovers that have been practically forced upon me but I would never assume that I'd be walking away from the meal with a doggybag. Besides, they did all of the work, the leftovers should be part of their reward or serve to feed relatives the next day that are staying in town or spending the night.
And one last thing, roasting an entire extra turkey just to send home with people? That's a bit...much. (Besides, I don't have the refrigerator space.)
Chowhound Post
Scent: Oven dinners. Question for you: What has the all time best cooking aroma in your house?
I made apple butter this weekend from homemade applesauce - it was pretty incredible smelling.
Chowhound Post
Why do people usually buy eggs that cost the most?
Big Guy, you seem to missing the point that an awful lot of recipes specifically call for large eggs - it's a point that has been made over and over and I think that it is a valid enough reason simply to buy large eggs rather than cheaper smaller eggs.
I always purchase large eggs for eating AND cooking simply because I don't want to deal with buying two different sizes of eggs and then track their different ages in my fridge. Also, I tend to use my eggs mostly for baking and cooking - not for breakfast.
Chowhound Post
How many people buy supermarket chicken and meat?
The suburbs.
Chowhound Post
How many people buy supermarket chicken and meat?
A small aside - I stopped by a mainstream grocery store that I rarely shop for meat at last week just to pick up a whole chicken. They didn't ask any. When I asked the butcher, her reply was: "Well, IF we had any, they'd be there" and pointed to a fully stocked boneless chicken display. "If?" I replied. "Well, we usually only get whole birds by accident", she responded.
Chowhound Post
Favorite ready to eat soups that can be taken to the office for lunch
I try to stay away from the 'Low Sodium' labels on the canned soups - they are, in most cases, pretty tasteless. Progresso has a new High Fiber! line that's pretty decent - I liked the Chicken Tuscany and the Homestyle Minestrone.
I always keep a few cans of something at work since I never really know if or when I'll be able to take lunch.
Chowhound Post
"Heard it was good, but it always seemed dead, so..." [moved from General Chowhounding boad"
There are so many reasons a restaurant could be empty, I wish people wouldn't make snap judgments based on clientele or lack thereof.
Of course, since I live in a restaurant wasteland that is quite close (but not close enough) to a restaurant wonderland, I hate, Hate, HATE it when I see my favorite place in my little town (Peruvian in a really old strip mall) empty. It is by far the best restaurant in town and I'm so scared that it’s going to close. If it disappears, I'll be stuck with one 'good enough' Thai place in the land of the Olive Gardens.
Speaking of which, although I don’t usually post on other sites, it’s time to post a review of this place. Anything to get more traffic in that door.
Chowhound Post
Whats with the beef @ Fred Meyer???
I think the meat depts. at both Safeway and Fred Meyer (PDX) (fm in particular) have really gone downhill in the last few years. I never considered them awesome by any stretch but good enough. Now they'e jumped the shark into "Buyer Beware". I purchase only chicken (foster farms) from those stores now.
Zupans is a great options that, with judicious shopping, doesn't have to break the bank.
Chowhound Post
Most Overrated Dishes
My torch gets more use as the ultimate cigar lighter for my husband than as a kitchen utensil for me.
Chowhound Post
Corn on the Cob Question
cgi,
I really don't like trashing whole regions but, well, South Dakota isn't the best place to be getting produce. My in-laws live in the Black Hills so I'm out there one to two weeks a year.
The produce at grocery stores can be pretty grim - they have a pretty low population base and I assume that the majority of their agriculture is focused towards wheat and/or other bulk grains due to their short, hot dry growing season.
My MIL keeps a garden but often has freezes well into June which really shortens the growing season for delicate items...perhaps it's better on the plains, I don't know.
If I were to pursue chow in SD, I'd focus more on Buffalo or game...not fruits and veggies.
Chowhound Post
Most Overrated Dishes
The yearly Turkey discussions are always so amusing - the Turkey enthusiasts just can't believe that some people just aren't that in to Turkey and the Turkey non-enthusiasts end up having to go on the defensive.
I actually double checked dates just make sure this somehow wasn't an old thread.
My house:
Extended Family visiting - Turkey
No one visiting: Standing rib roast.
And I really can't understand why ANYONE would choose Turkey over a roast. Case closed.
Chowhound Post
Children's Birthday Party Lunch
Drumsticks.
It's a little messy but I needed an item for a picnic party at a park that would require minimal prep the day of the event. I made the BBQ sauce the day before and just grilled the drumsticks (all 30) about 2 hours before we needed to leave.
Chicken skewers with dipping sauce - as long as the kids are old enough to handle pointy objects - they seem love anything on a stick. Plus, dipping is fun.
Chowhound Post
Corn on the Cob Question
With out a doubt, you had cow-corn.
Living in the NW (but raised in Iowa), I rarely eat COTC simply because it can't match what I grew up with -- it has to come out of your garden or from the back of a pickup truck.
I can only guess that the Corn Palace (RIP) was trying to be authentic to their SD roots.
Story Comment
Your Order Is Politically Incorrect
Conversation at a local meat market -
Me: Do you have ground veal?
Them: No. We don't support an industry that abuses animals like that.
Me: You know, there actually many sources to humanely raised veal calves these days.
Them: <pause>....I know. <Sigh> But we still can't sell it...
You know what? I was annoyed that I couldn't get the veal. I was annoyed because it was other people's perceptions of the veal industry preventing me from getting it. BUT I was also happy that changes have been made by some in the industry which now allows me to buy humanely raised veal.
It's gotta happen somehow and it's gotta start somewhere.
No lectures at the dinner table please but I still want to know where my fish comes from and it it's wild caught or not. And that involves both ethical AND chow standards.
Chowhound Post
Orgasmic Diet anyone?
'who the hell drinks a whole glass of soymilk?'
I'll have a venti, soy, half decaf mocha with a splash of sugar-free raspberry syrup...oh, and with whip.
There you go, half of California is consuming 20 oz daily with that drink alone. (oh, oops.)
Disclaimer: I am commenting solely on comment I referenced.
Chowhound Post
Raising a non-picky eater
I was the pickiest eater out of three children but now (at 40) I'm the most adventuresome. Who knew? Having dinner with my Dad is always a blast because he's always stunned by what I order (but...but...you once stayed at the dinner table for 3 hours rather than eat those green beans/brussel sprouts/lima beans/fish)
Personally, I've started to hate it when people start bragging about how 'chow-ish' their children are. Children go through all sorts of different phases and develop different likes and dislikes based on so many reasons (Dylan at daycare doesn't like it, it's not perfectly symmetrical, I don't like the color green today) and that's not even touching what simply cannot be controlled (immature digestive system which makes digesting food painful, etc.)
I am simply thankful that my three old currently likes most veggies yet am also wondering why he doesn't really seem like red meat.
Chowhound Post
just me??? I prefer plain old ice cream to gelato....
I think a lot of U.S. shops try to mimic ice cream flavors too much and usually end up with items to avoid. But those same shops also can offer some outstanding flavors once they move beyond the constraints of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Personally, I like the citrus flavors best. But a nice bowl of vanilla ice cream with Fran's chocolate sauce suits me just fine too!
Chowhound Post
Deli ham
I think you may be confusing your lovely Virginia Hams with a generic name for supermarket deli McHam that has been processed entirely differently.
Chowhound Post
Deli ham
Safeway's slightly upscale brand Primo Taglio has Ham Off The Bone in Natural Juice which pretty decent considering the source. It's pretty much the only thing I'll get from their deli.
If you're willing to pay for it, a lot of upscale stores will bring in local or artisan producers (like the Duroc Ham from Iowa that I simply adore and pay $13 a lb for in Oregon) that can be amazing - in those cases, I have no problem feeling secure enough to just explore and try new things because the quality is so high that most of it is guaranteed tasty.
Chowhound Post
Service Difference Between Alcohol an no Alcohol Ordered
I started (in my mid 30s) getting bad headaches from drinking red wine. I never know when it will happen just that if happens about 80% of the time. It's not worth the risk to me when good food is on the line.
Chowhound Post
You haven't had a ! until you've had a !!
I was pretty indifferent to both cherries and raspberries until I moved to the NW.
My first Bing 3 hours from a tree in Eastern Washington was an epiphany.
Chowhound Post
Choices: Move to Portland or Stay in Oakland?
You really are comparing apples to oranges, a region with over 7,000,000 people vs. a regional population of at most 800,000 (which probably includes dogs) just doesn't match.
I love Portland, I love living in Portland - in summer it is simply heaven on earth. But trying to compare it to some of the great food cities is ridiculous - and most of the people who live here realize that.
What we do have is an amazing food scene for a population of our size that is vibrant, interesting, and is supported by the locals. You can eat very well in this town, better than in most. But comparing it to the Bay area culinary-wise? Silly. Whining because it doesn't compare? Childish.
Oh, and the best sandwich in the world is a Laurelhurst Market.
Chowhound Post
Ground Beef Woes :(
Wulfdog,
You are correct about the quality of meat offered at the stores you listed above - I refuse to buy beef of any type from those stores. (I know that I sound snobby but the quality of product from the mainstreams grocery stores has really, really gone done noticeably in the past 10 years, I used to think Safeway product was perfectly adequate but the quality has decreased alarmingly) I think you need to check out some independent butchers (great one on Main Street in Issaquah) and upscale grocery stores - Larry's maybe? Personally, I also find Whole Foods beef tasteless as well. (Higher quality, better smell and texture but always missing the mark flavor-wise)
I live in Portland (used to live in SEA) and currently purchase my ground beef from a local chain - Zupans - which sources from Harris Ranch - I've been very happy with their 20/80 and purchase it on sale several times a month for $2.99 a lb. It matches the quality of meat I grew up with in Iowa.
Chowhound Post
Are there threads u stay away from
Conversely, if I thread has been locked, I'll often look at it even if originally I had no interest. I'm not too sure I appreciate what that probably means about my personality.
Chowhound Post
Regional favorite that you just didn't get once you finally had a chance to try it
don't worry taos, very few people actually LIKE lutefisk. It exists on many tables simply for tradition's sake.
Chowhound Post
Least Offensive Cheap Cupcakes
Don't feel bad about your request, I too am searching for the same thing.
I love my daycare but they have very strict restrictions on what can be brought in to the building. If it doesn't have a printed ingredient list, it's not allowed inside...and no home cooking allowed.
Chowhound Post
Adults at a Children's Party -difficult menus.
I played with the brunch idea for a little while, especially since a frittata or quiche would be so easy to transport to a park but have decided to do more of a lunch since it's easier to just add appropriate salads to satisfy people's needs.
Right now I'm planning on:
Rich man/poor man meat and cheese plate which will combine choices to satisfy both developed and undeveloped palates (St. Agur blue next to a mild cheddar, etc.)
Condiments and fresh rolls will accompany so we can make easy sandwiches for the kids.
Fruit Salad (yummy yummy)
Kidney bean salad (should probably make beforehand to try because it's a recipe from my childhood from my Mom's 1964 Joy of Cooking)
Self -canned spicy pickled green beans, assorted other jarred pickles, raw veggies, and heirloom tomato plate.
Corn chips, best friend's salsa, home-made guac.
Cupcakes made by Dad.
Obviously, I’ve decided to not really cook but instead assemble things. It’ll be day three of company in the house so I’m thinking that easier is better. Plus, due to the age of the children and naptimes, it will only be a two – three hour party, at most.
Chowhound Post
easy dinners in PDX?
Actually, I'm just annoyed that you're completely trashing a nice, simple place that happens to be a more than acceptable choice both adults and children. Trust me, those places are few and far between, especially places that have put a little thought in their children's menu.
I'll admit that every meal I've had there has not been a home run but I've have some very lovely dinners there as well and I can't think of a better place to take a toddler.
Is it my choice for a date-night out? No.
Does it fit the OP's criteria? YES. And isn't that the point?
