ISO Lamb biryani recipe

It was a while ago...but I think we par-cooked the rice and the lamb and then layered it (no potatoes or anything on the bottom). Then we topped it with saffron-milk, put the lid on, and sealed it with dough. I think we did all the cooking on the stovetop--sounds like the oven would be a better option.

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

ISO Lamb biryani recipe

My boyfriend and I are planning on making lamb biryani together for Valentine's day. He's from India and is very familiar with Indian cooking techniques. However, when we tried to make it last time, it got horribly burnt and did not turn out well at all.

Does anyone have a good recipe and/or good tips for success? I'd be looking for as traditional a recipe as possible that can be prepared in a typical kitchen.

Thanks in advance!

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

Kin Shop in West Village - just opened

I went last night with my SO and was very impressed (usually takes a lot to impress me).

We had the fried duck tongue and papaya salad (special) and eggplant to start. Both yummy. For entrees, we had the goat and rabbit curries. These were excellent; I think we ate nearly all of the sauces on the plates. The goat (and to a lesser extent, the rabbit) seemed to be very Indian-influenced, especially with the rotis.

Dessert was OK--thai iced tea ice cream was good, but the lychee was not. Just tasted like canned lychees and had large chunks of ice within it. We also had two cocktails. The ALN (gin and pickle martini) was good, but the bourbon drink was so/so.

It is a little pricey--certainly not an everyday kind of place. But I look forward to going back for another nice dinner out.

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Cool foods for the warm months

Can you tell me the recipe? That sounds really good.

Also thanks everyone so far!

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

Cool foods for the warm months

I'm looking for cookbooks (or other sources) that have a lot of cool salads or other recipes that don't involve a lot of cooking with heat. I'm not trying to go all raw foods, but want to minimize heat production as it gets hotter (in my small NYC apartment). Also, the more vegetables, the better!

Some ideas I have so far...

- summer rolls
- cabbage salad (made this the other day with lots of fresh ginger, scallions, soy sauce, mirin, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, lime juice)
- Mark Bittman's NYT list from last summer http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/18/dining/18mini.html?_r=1

Please let me know if you know of any good cookbooks or have any great ideas yourself.

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

NEVER been to San Francisco (or even California)

Thank you so much everyone! I will definitely report on my trip.

Does anyone have any suggestions for where to go for a Mission burrito? Also, is there a Vietnamese place you'd suggest? NYC is seriously lacking in that department (IMHO).

umisquirrel in San Francisco Bay Area

NEVER been to San Francisco (or even California)

Thanks so much!. I knew it was a really broad request, and I do apologize. That's why I asked for websites that I could trust. Also, I had looked at posts, but was a little overwhelmed since I am so unfamiliar with the area.

I would be interested at really cutting edge places as well as ethnic places or specialties only available in San Francisco. I guess it is still broad...

For some more info, I live in NYC and am from Chicago. I will be staying in San Francisco and will not have a car. So anything that's walkable or accessible by public transportation would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

umisquirrel in San Francisco Bay Area

NEVER been to San Francisco (or even California)

I'm planning on going to San Francisco for a long weekend. Does anyone have any must-try recommendations for restaurants and/or bars? Or reputable websites that review San Francisco restaurants?

I'm totally open to any kind of restaurants- hole in the wall, fancy, any kind of cuisine. Am also a big cocktail fan. Just want to know what I should definitely aim for.

Thanks in advance!

umisquirrel in San Francisco Bay Area

Favorite Quinoa Recipes

my favorite way is Quinoa Salad With Lime Ginger Dressing and Shrimp
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/health/nutrition/04recipehealth.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

really good with sriracha and super easy if you use trader joes frozen cooked shrimp.

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

lunch alone

I want to treat myself to a nice meal this week, and thought a lunch would be fun. (I have the week off but unfortunately none of my friends do, and I couldn't cajole anyone into visiting me.)

Does anyone know of good spots to eat lunch alone? So far all I've thought of is Momofuku Ssam.

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Where can I buy Sichuan peppercorns?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know where I can buy Sichuan peppercorns?

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

simple chocolates

Hi everyone,

My bf is very fussy in that he does not like fussy food. He does love good chocolate, however. Does anyone know of a place that sells great, simple chocolates?

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Where to order a Thanksgiving turkey?

Hi everyone,

I was wondering what you all think is the best place to order a turkey from in the city (for Thanksgiving).

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Where can I buy chanterelle mushrooms?

Hi there,

I'd like to know where I can buy chanterelle mushrooms. I want to purchase them, not eat them in a restaurant (just to be clear).

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Where can I buy lychees?

Hi everyone,

Are lychees in season yet? If so, where is the best place to buy them?

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

what to do w/turnips?

eat them raw with salt, pepper, and lime juice

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

ricotta recipes

Hi there,

I am really obsessed with ricotta cheese right now (from the farmer's market). I usually make some variation of pasta with ricotta, lemon zest, basil, and zucchini. Does anyone out there have any other recipes using ricotta? I'm up for any use: breakfast, dinner, dessert.

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

new recipe websites/blogs?

I cook a lot and look at several websites for recipes/inspiration. I am, however, in a bit of a rut with epicurious and allrecipes. Does anyone have suggestions for other websites or food blogs that have good recipes?

Thanks!

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

Any good Trader Joe's wines lately?

A Cabarnet Savignon, Santa Rita (from Chile I think), $10.99

umisquirrel in Wine

Indian Curry Powder - Which brands are best?

I strongly recommend The Spice House. They're in Evanston, IL (and Wisc.), but you can order from their website.

http://www.thespicehouse.com/

Everything that I've bought from there (including garam masala) has been great.

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

What are you drinking right now?

Does anyone know where to find Double Bag in NYC? It's my favorite, but I've been unable to find it since moving to NYC.
Thanks!

umisquirrel in Beer

Popovers

did you open the oven while they were cooking? this would cause the popovers to not puff up or deflate

umisquirrel in Home Cooking

Anyone been to Prune lately?

I went about 2 months ago...don't know if they've changed things since then.
I had the bone marrow app (very good) and the quail (excellent).
My boyfriend had the sweetbreads and the pork loin, and he was not impressed with either of them.
Dessert was fairly forgettable, a fruit crisp if memory serves me right.

umisquirrel in Manhattan

Momofuku Ssam Bar - When to Go and What to Order?

I went there last night (been there many times). I'd say the real standout was the spicy squid salad. And you really must order the pork buns!
On weekend nights, I've heard of waits of 1.5 hrs. I'd go on the early side if you don't want to wait forever (before 8).

umisquirrel in Manhattan

good Polish deli to buy food for Easter?

Thanks for the link racer x. As an American of Polish descent (but no Polish speaking ability), I am a little apprehensive about going to all of these places. But I am so excited! Hopefully there will still be good stuff left the day before Easter.
Thanks to everyone else who replied as well!

umisquirrel in Outer Boroughs

good Polish deli to buy food for Easter?

Hello,
I'm feeling very nostalgic for some Polish food around Easter time. Does anyone know of a good place to go to buy pierogies, ham, bread, etc.? I've heard that there are good places in Greenpoint, but I'm not familiar with the area. I live in Manhattan, but I'm willing to go to Queens or Brooklyn for some good Polish eats to bring to an Easter brunch.
Thanks!

umisquirrel in Outer Boroughs

Please Update Me on Curry Hill South Indian Options

South Indian food is vegetarian.
I think that the South Indian restauarnts in Curry Hill are much better than the northern, but I would suggest that you try Haandi, Roomali, and Curry in a Hurry (tandoori chicken is pretty good).

umisquirrel in Manhattan

a nice simple place for dinner...

Hi everyone,

I am planning a birthday dinner for my boyfriend, and he has a odd sort of description for a restaurant that he would like:

"simple, French (or American), not fussy" (He considered Prune to be in the too fussy category, for reference)

The dinner is for a small group of friends, about six. So ideally I'm looking for a place that takes reservations. Also I would appreciate it if the rec's are not for very expensive places.

Thanks a lot!

umisquirrel in Manhattan

quail

Which Momofuku was this at?

umisquirrel in Manhattan