JKSea's Profile
Cast Iron or Ceramic?
Ina Garten has a recipe for chicken that's placed in a 425-degree oven, either in a cast iron pan or in a roasting pan not much larger than the chicken. I have a cast iron pan but am wondering if I can use one of the generic white baking dishes from Crate & Barrel. Can such a baking dish withstand 425 degrees? Thank you!
Waechtersbach
Can anyone tell me where to purchase Waechtersbach pottery in the Seattle area? Thanks!
Seoul - Chicken Fried Steak?
One of my Korean language students really enjoyed the chicken fried steak at IHOP in Seattle. He's now back in Seoul and I'd love to be able to tell him where to find this dish in Seoul. IHOP isn't in Korea. Any suggestions please? Thanks!
'Spice Hunter' spices
Does anyone know where I can buy Spice Hunter brand spices in Seattle?
Thx!
Pot Roast is sweet - need help please
I just made a pot roast using ingredients on hand, the usual - onion, celery, carrot, garlic, dry rosemary & thyme, beef broth. I had 1/2 stalk of celery and 2 large carrots. The resulting broth is noticably sweet, maybe because of too much carrot? Before I start to add things willy-nilly as I'm wont to do and then disposing of the resulting mess, I'm requesting advice. Any thoughts out there to give some body to this my thin sweet broth? Thanks!
Picnic Spots?
With summer on the horizon, I'm beginning to think about picnics. Looking for a few new spots. We're a lazy sandwich-and-soda-on-a-blanket family, so don't need cooking or recreational facilities. Any good ideas within an hour of Seattle? Water - lake, river, sound a plus but not required. Thanks!
Fruits with sweet-sour dressing?
I'll be serving guests a Paul Prudhomme dish 'Garlic Shrimp and Oysters on Pasta' (double the shrimp, minus the oysters). It's a slightly spicy dish, and I was looking for an interesting side. I ran across a tropical fruit salad w/sweet and sour dressing on an online restaurant menu. I'm not very familiar with tropical fruits such as mango, papaya, kiwi - and am not limiting myself to only tropical fruits. I love to get some advice on which fruits would lend themselves to a sweet-sour dressing and which fruits, if any, would not work well. I'm also curious about the inclusion of pineapple here because I'm looking for a salad to compliment the main dish, not become the main flavor. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Please help me find a toaster!
Several years ago I received as a gift a Cuisinart 'Heat Surround' toaster. It had one toasting slot, 2-inch by 11-inch. Browning control, but not bagel or defrost or frozen or warming options. It was wonderful! Everything toasted beautifully, including bagels and long slices of french bread. Unfortunately, I didn't realize just how wonderful it was until one heating element burned out and rather than having it repaired I disposed of it, thinking I could easily find a satisfactory replacement. How wrong I was! In the last month I've bought 3 toasters, returned 2 and am living unhappily with number 3 (an Oster and the only long slot I could find). None of the 3 will allow a regular slice of bread to drop fully into the slot, which is not deep enough. Forget a slice of rye, which is oval and won't fit either horizontally or vertically. French bread, not a chance. The Oster long slot will take a wide piece of bread but, like the others, some sticks out the top and has to be flipped and toasted twice.
I use a toaster a lot. I realize life is short and filled with problems more important than a decent toaster, but starting each morning with this minor frustration is becoming more annoying every day. I am willing to fork out whatever is necessary to find what I want - a toaster with a long slot and deep enough to toast a piece of bread from top to bottom. Any additional features are optional.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Salty's Alki
I would like to take visitors to Salty's on Alki for lunch. I've never taken the water taxi from downtown Seattle to West Seattle, and am wondering if Salty's is within walking distance. Does anyone know how much of a walk this would be? Thanks!
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Salty's on Alki
1936 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126
Drive-In in Seattle?
I'm hosting Asian visitors who've seen drive-ins in American movies and would like to experience that. They have never eaten in an automobile. I know about Dicks, but am wondering if anyone has suggestions for a more 'classic' drive-in experience in the Seattle area. Would like car-hops - roller skates optional :) Thanks!.
What do you cook when you're completely stressed out?
If I've had an absolutely AWFUL day - once or twice a year - I only want one meal: french toast loaded with melted butter and maple syrup, bacon, and a big glass of cold milk. Come to think about it, that's the only time I ever eat that meal...
Whole Fish Recipes?
I've been making 'Splash Bass' from the Silver Palate for years, but would like to find other recipes for whole fish. Anyone have a favorite?
Menu Help Please - Need Third Dish?
Thanks to all for the great suggestions! My cooking skills aren't up to Chow standards, so I'm going to save some of these ideas for a future date when time is greater and stress is less. I'll be hosting 3 guests for this meal, 2 of whom are Korean and who eat rice twice a day . I go thru a 5lb bag in a year and am not sure how my 'boil 20 minutes then drain' method, the only one I'm comfortable with, would stack up. The 3rd guest is my ex-wife - don't even ask! I think a cucumber salad would be an easy addition to my menu, altho I bought spinach today to try the broiled spinach with garlic idea - never had that but seems both tasty and easy. Again - thanks to all for the suggestions!
Menu Help Please - Need Third Dish?
When I'm home alone I often make a salmon dish with ginger and sesame oil, topped with sliced mushroom, julienned carrot and green onion and baked in a foil packet. I add a side of orzo dressed with olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes. This is a complete meal for me, but I'd like to serve it to company and feel that something's lacking. These 2 dishes are both spicy, the salmon already includes a few vegetables, and I'm stumped. Should I add a vegetable dish - maybe Schezwan green beans? A salad? French bread? Would appreciate any suggestions!
Julia Child Gingerbread Baby Cakes
Over the weekend I made gingerbread using Ina's recipe that includes rum soaked raisins and chopped crystalized ginger. Everyone liked it a lot altho some thought it a bit too dense. I'm not a baker (or a chemist) so can't predict the results of a recipe from the ingredients and procedures. I'm wondering if anyone has tried the gingerbread recipe from 'Baking With Julia'. Unlike Ina's recipe, Julia's includes eggs and sugar. From comparing recipes, I don't think I'd lose any of the spiciness I love (Julia even adds a teaspoon of black pepper), but am wondering how the final products might be similar or different. Both will spend a few weeks in the freezer, if that makes a difference. Thanks!
Need Help Getting My Chix/Dumplings From 'PG' to 'R'
My family has been enjoying my German grandmother's recipe for chicken and dumplings for many decades. It's nothing more than chicken stewed with green pepper, onion, celery, canned tomatoes, then strained and thickened with flour and milk. Family loves it and wouldn't even consider any change, but it's pretty bland for others. Frankly, the finished sauce looks and tastes like Campbell's tomato soup made with milk. I'd like to kick it up a bit without changing the basic taste. I have no experience with bottled hot sauces, but was thinking that adding some at the end might be a way to go. Good idea? There are literally dozens of hot sauces on my grocer's shelf, but I don't know how to choose. Some seem to have a vinegar base (probably not a good idea?), others range from mild to deadly. If this is a good route to go, can anyone suggest an appropriate sauce to complement and pick up my chicken without turning it into a completely different dish? Other ideas welcomed, too. Thanks!
TEMPE - Gift Cards
I only mentioned that these folks are Asian in an effort to convey their lack of US restaurant knowledge, not just their unfamiliarity with the Tempe area. In fact, I believe Asian cuisine would be at the bottom of their list of foods to try as they have already found a Korean market and are cooking at home.. Chain restaurants would be fine. Other than Chili's, I don't know what chains are in the Tempe area. If anyone would post a few, I'll check for web sites and online gift cards. Thanks again.
TEMPE - Gift Cards
Some Asian friends have just moved to Tempe where the husband will be working on his PhD at ASU. I'm not famillar with the area but would like to send them 2 or 3 restaurant gift cards. I would like to buy $25 cards, but for restaurants where $25 would cover about half the bill for lunch or dinner. I also need to be able to purchase the cards online. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Drink Mix Help Needed
Several years ago I received as a gift a package of powder to make a frozen chocolate drink. The powder was put into a blender along with some milk and ice, then blended into a slush. I don't know what this product was called, but am wondering if I can make it myself. Does anyone know what this is, where to buy it or, even better, how to make it myself? Thanks!
Shrimp Cocktail - Seattle
Looking for good shrimp or crab cocktail, waterfront or PPMkt. Any favorites? Thanks!
Asian Visitors - 4 Days
Continued thanks for the great suggestions! I neglected to mention that I think it best to skip Asian cuisine. In our limited time I'd prefer to focus on some of the things SF is famous for - cioppino, sourdough, Italian, seafood, etc. Tadich, Trattoria Contadina before BBBabylon, Ferry Building Market, In 'N Out seem perfect. If they decide to stroll thru Castro - is Zuni still around? We'll plan dinners in advance, but I'm thinking I should prepare a list of lunch possibilities based on neighborhood so I'll have a suggestion no matter where we happen to be. Not looking for the 'best' - just interesting and fun. I have no doubt this will just be the first of many visits to SF during the 5 years it'll take to earn a PhD.
Asian Visitors - 4 Days
ML8000 - Thanks!! The Ferry Building is new to me, but I remember the good meals I've had at both Scoma and Tadich. In 'n Out Burger is a terrific fun idea - I've never been to one and neither have my guests, but we've all heard about Paris' midnight runs! Thanks again - this is a surrogate father/son situation and I'm very, very excited to provide a wonderful intro to America.
Asian Visitors - 4 Days
My wife and I will be coming to SF from Seattle to meet a young Korean couple on their way to ASU where he will begin working on his PhD. This will be their first visit to the US. I can't think of a more exciting introduction to America than a few days in SF, but because we haven't visited in over a decade I would really appreciate some suggestions. We'll be staying in the downtown area, probably near Union Square, and will be either hoofing it or using public transportation. Food budget will be moderate but not low, casual lunches and dinners, maybe one 'big' dinner ("big' more in view or ambiance than culinary). 'Touristy' suggestions are welcome; we cooked cioppino for them when we were in Seoul last summer and it would be fun to compare our effort with the real thing - still available from vendors on Fisherman's Wharf? We'll probably be strolling Fisherman's Wharf, North Beach, Union Square, Marina, Castro, plus open to other suggestions. When in Seoul they took us to a B-Boy Show and we'll reciptocate with Beach Blanket Babylon. So: downtown area, no car, moderate price, uniquely SF. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Have I ruined my kitchen cabinets?
Thanks to everyone for the advice and suggestions; I'm greatly relieved! Alanbarnes - thanks for the info, if I remember correctly, that's the type of finish my contractor referred to but claimed my applying soap & water had partially and permanently dissolved it and the only remedy was refacing. Hopefully a little more work on my part will remedy the situation. Thanks again!
Have I ruined my kitchen cabinets?
I'm in the first stages of a minor kitchen remodel - quartz countertop, Japanese glass backsplash, tile floor. Due to some disastrous quarters for my 401K, I decided not to replace appliances or cabinets at this time. My cabinets are 10-year-old, maple, off-the-floor Home Depot variety, in good shape but with a little grunge on the corners where you open them. Last week I decided to clean off the corners and I proceeded to do so with soap and water and elbow grease. Now the corners are sticky and my contractor - who has been pushing 10K cabinet refacing from the get-go - tells me I've caused permanent damage due to the type of finish that was used on cabinets in that price range at that time. Once sticky, always sticky, he says. Obviously I'm hoping this isn't true! But I'm leery about doing anything more without input from folks more knowledgeable than I am, and with nothing to sell me. Is there anything I can do to undo what I've done?? Thanks!!
Hot Fudge - What Did I Do Wrong?
I have a chocolate sauce recipe I've used successfully for a long time. I was trying to make half the recipe, was in a hurry, and may have fouled up the proportions. It's basically corn syrup and brown suger boiled until the sugar dissolves, then adding unsweetened chocolate, cream and Kahlua. When hot it is thin -as always - when refrigerated it is firm - as always, when heated in the microwave it becomes thin again - as always. But when poured over ice cream it becomes almost solid instead of syrupy. Can anyone tell me what I might have done or, more importantly, if and how I can fix it?
