mcel215's Profile
Foodie Weekend Suggestions in Portsmouth NH - or should we go somewhere else?
Just went to The Black Birch in Kittery for an outstanding dinner, terry. In case you'd like something closer than Portland or Boston.
How do you cook basmati rice?
I have been making basmati rice from my Indian grocer for over a year now. And I never rinse my rice.
I found tidbits of information here on these boards and my rice comes out really, really good. It's super easy too.
1 cup of basmati rice
1&1/2 cup water
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. better than boullion (I use chicken)
1 tsp. salt
Bring all ingrients to a boil except rice. Turn heat to low (I move it slightly off burner as well). Take two paper towels and place over top of pan and place a tight lid on pan. Set timer for 16 minutes.
After it's done, shut heat and remove rice from hot burner, remove paper towels and cover. Fluff with fork. Place cover on again, but not sealed. Let sit for 5 minutes and fluff again. Optional: Add chopped cilantro and julienned basil.
TreMonte in Woburn
I was a huge fan of Tremonte's, but sorry to say they have gone downhill.
The last two times I was there for dinner, it was just okay. I had the haddock with shrimp which was a huge favorite of mine and I almost sent it back. It was breaded, soggy and bland. My shrimp were so overcooked it was barely eatible. If my friend didn't have a gift certificate, it would have gone back.
I will be happy to go across the street to Tuda Na Brasa and get the BBQ beef and all the sdes on the buffet, for 1/3 the price and twice as good.
And this downhill report, is done sadly, because I was a huge fan.
Maybe with lunch gone, they can concentrate on making better food at night now. I do wish them luck though, nice enough people.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
oc,
I'm in Boston also and haven't had a problem with them rising in the winter. hmm.
I usually buy them right before I am going to use them though. One time I had a box in the freezer for a few months and they didn't rise well overnight. Perhaps that's it.....
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
After school snack memories
Wow, you did hit paydirt Sherri!
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I serve those to company as a brunch item and they are a huge hit.
So Disappointed at Italian choices on North Shore
Not sure if Woburn is in your area ipso, but Tremonte's is excellent.
So Disappointed at Italian choices on North Shore
I love Joseph's too.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Marinara/Red sauce/Tomato Sauce/Gravy Help?
I would add the tomato paste "to fry" it, after you saute the onion and garlic. I usually just fry it for a minute or two. You do need to stir it a bit so it doesn't burn while you cook it. My mother in law insisted this gets the raw flavor out of the paste. Then I add my wine and canned tomatoes.
After a few attempts with different ingredients and flavors, you will devlop a sauce/gravy to call your own. Both of my sons make my recipe, but have added different seasonings to their tastes. To me, as long as sauce/gravy doesn't come from a jar, it tastes good. :)
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Marinara/Red sauce/Tomato Sauce/Gravy Help?
I have been making Tomato Sauce/Gravy for over 45 years now. It was taught to me by my MIL, who was born in Calabria, Italy in 1913. She just celebrated her 99th B'day last March. Her gravy/sauce was excellent and I am so happy she let me watch and learn her recipe.
I have changed it a bit, but not too much. Before I knew the "why's", I just followed her instructions. But, I believe that the best gravy/sauceflavor comes from "meat bones". So I add more meat than she did, even though if she could have afforded more meat back then with 6 children, she would have added it. So beef neck bones, pork bones, pigs feet and the only non-bone meat to my list is Italian hot sausage. I put a couple of each kind in my sauce and saute them to brown everything. The hot sausage gives it the "kick", I like.
I also believe that good canned tomatoes cannot be compared to what was available when I was growing up or even twenty years ago. I have not found bitterness in any canned product I use, but I do use "good canned" tomatoes.
About the paste in sauce/gravy, I use a small can. And I fry it after I have sauteed my meat, I add a can. It gets dark and less raw (a quote from my MIL).
Wine, red or white, to me it doesn't matter. But, I don't add that much and my MIL never added any.
For cooking times, my rule of thumb is this. After 3 or 4 hours, you will see the oil floating on the top (seperated), and then it's done.
Meatballs? I only add them about 1/2 hr. before I plan on serving them. I don't cook my sauce/gravy with them in it. And most of the time, I seperate and freeze my gravy for future use. And will only make meatballs as I reheat my sauce, then add them.
I never add carrot, celery nor onion. I only add minced garlic, bay leaf, salt/red and black pepper.
I have tried Giada's recipe and even though you blend it, I couldn't find any added depth of flavor.
I don't use a slow cooker to cook my sauce/gravy. I make it on a morning that I will be around the house to make it. But one of my son's makes it sometimes in his slow cooker and says it's a great and convenient way of cooking it without being home to babysit it.
I also feel like people should like their own sauce and gravy. Every person is different and every gravy/sauce is a little bit different. If you put love into yours, it will be wonderful. :)
http://saffron215.blogspot.com/2011/03/sunday-gravy-my-spaghetti-sauce.html
Sunday Lunch in Watertown
The Spot Cafe has home made bread and soup. Their breakfast is amazingly good, the lunch menu is pretty basic with sandwiches, etc. But, everything is delicious. It is a very small place and can tend to be noisy and a bit cramped. If that doesn't bother you, then it's great. My DC couldn't hear me much when we went last week. However our Chicken Salad sandwiches were great.
Don't know if they are open on Sundays though.
What 20 dishes should I know how to make without a recipe?
Along with your roasted chicken idea, I make these without recipes.
Roasted vegetables, like broccoli, asparagus, carrots, brussel sprouts.
Mashed and baked potatoes.
Beef and chicken/turkey gravy.
White or brown rice.
Beef Stew.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin (I love these)
Roast Beef.
Spaghetti sauce.
Lasagna.
Breakfast, like pancakes, eggs and bacon.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Foodie Weekend Suggestions in Portsmouth NH - or should we go somewhere else?
I've always wanted to try this place, but haven't gotten there yet.
http://www.quicktogo.net/hours_direction
In Portsmouth, just walking around and visiting Strawberry Bank or downtown is a really nice
place to go. The restaurants are good, but I don't think exceptional. We usually go to The Portsmouth Brewery for excellent Pub Fare. Jumpin Jays is another good one. The one thing I love to go to is the Wentworth Hotel's Sunday Brunch, its out of this world. More things than anyone can think of, but a little pricey. Aneka Jens is right across the bridge in Kittery, for an excellent meal too.
Portland, Me. has some outstanding restaurants and nice shops to walk around and see as well.
Have fun, it's a great area.
Why Prebake a Tart or Piecrust shell?
I never used to prebake pie crusts, but then took a pastry class. The chef said to always pre-bake. I have since then and my crusts are crispier and just all around better tasting. I bought a cheap crust protector also, so the rim doesn't get too browned during all of the baking.
I don't pre-bake galettes because the crust sits on parchment paper, which is on top of my half sheet pan. I believe the heat from the half sheet pan is hotter than the inside of the a pie plate.
http://saffron215.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-sisters-favorite-pie-pumpkin-pie.html
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thanks everyone,
We ended up at The Spot Cafe in Watertown. I really wanted to try Strip T's, for the Bahn Mi Eggplant Sandwich, but they are still closed.
The good news, about The Spot, the homemade bread is excellent. We each had the special, which was Chicken Salad Sandwich. The prices are excellent as well, averaging about $7 dollars per meal. I kind of wish they added a pickle and chips with the entree, lol! But, the sandwich itself was stuffed with chicken and not too much mayo.
On the down side, it's a teeny tiny place and the noise level is high. But, that is the only thing that isn't positive about the place. The staff is friendly, service is great and the breakfast looks (which most people were ordering), amazing.
Thanks again for your help.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thanks edgewater, will chedk them out.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thank you Bear, I've done Legal's a number of times in Burlington.
It's always been a solid choice.
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thank you OC,
She is not the formal type and I have been dying to try Strip T's. I wasn't sure
if parking was available, but I can always drop her off and go park myself.
Thanks so much.
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thank you all, will let you know where we end up going. :)
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Hmm. Don't know, but I am on my third bag and they are still wow-ing me.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thank you Madrid, I would love a little side trip to Sofra. I am sure that Ginny wouldn't mind if I ran in to survey the pastry case. :)
And yes, hopefully the trip to the grave will be peaceful for us both.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Thank you for all of your replies. I have been dying to try Sofra, but don't think this little lady would love it as much a I would.
Either The Spot Cafe or Strip T's is something I think we both would enjoy. Will report back.
Lunch near Mt. Auburn Cemetary? Cambridge, Watertown area?
Hi all,
Taking my (deceased) friend's mom to visit her grave next Saturday. She's been there, but
doesn't remember any restaurants near by. I am unfamilar with the area.
With this gorgeous weather, I am looking for a nice place for lunch. I've been to Cambridge plenty of times, but don't know really where the Cemetary is. She is 80 years young and has a cane, so we require a restaurant that has a parking lot and she likes just American fare. Simple sandwiches would be fine.
We would be going to the Cemetary first, so driving isn't a problem. Within a 1/2hr drive would be fine. Especially if it's a nice place for lunch, as it doesn't have to be just sandwiches.
Thanks again.
saffron215.blogspot.com
recipes using brown rice that taste good?
Yes, it's really, really good.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
recipes using brown rice that taste good?
A friend gave me a recipe with Lundberg's brown rice to convince me that I would love it and I couldn't believe how good and easy it is.
http://saffron215.blogspot.com/2011/07/brown-rice-with-beef-stock-and.html
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Yup, me too. I went back and got two more bags yesterday as well.
www.saffron215.blogspot.com
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Good to know, thanks. I'm headed back this weekend for another bag this weekend.
Grandparents Wedding Anniversary! Please help
This is one of my favorite spots to have lunch in the North End. And I love eating in that room, just lovely. It's all glass isn't it, if I remember correctly.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I just bought a bag of Sky Valley Heirloom Navel Oranges and they are by far the most delicious oranges I have every had. Just so sweet and succulent. I wanted to make sure it wasn't just me, so I served them to my co-workers, who were blown away too. Hopefully, it isn't just this one bag. :)
