Who Are Your Cooking Icons/Idols?

Isa Chandra Moskowitz! I'm not a vegan, but the Veganomicon is my all-time favorite cookbook and really turned me on to vegetables.

melentine in General Chowhounding Topics

Bitter Beets

I steamed some golden beets last night that were purchased from the Farmer's Market on Saturday. They were steamed for about 17 minutes and they ended up tasting bitter. Can someone explain where I went wrong? Or is it the actual vegetable? They were smallish beets.

melentine in Home Cooking

Any recommendations for Mexican taco places that cater in Culver City?

Very helpful! I'll start making some phone calls.

melentine in Los Angeles Area

Any recommendations for Mexican taco places that cater in Culver City?

My mom once threw a party in which we had a guy from our local Tapatio in West Hills set up making tacos in our backyard. It was a big hit. Any suggestions for places that do that in the Culver City area? I'm not looking for a taco truck, just a guy with some meat, tortillas, and an oversized outdoor griddle.

melentine in Los Angeles Area

Where can I get sustainably sourced sushi in LA?

I love sushi so much, but I'm really concerned about fish that is not caught or farmed sustainably. Does anyone have any suggestions for a restaurant that serves sustainable sushi?

Thanks!

melentine in Los Angeles Area

Vegetarian visiting New York for the first time! (on a budget!)

I am indescribably excited to be visiting New York City for the first time ever. I'm going to be there in early December. I want to eat out, but can't really afford the trendy veggie restaurants like Pure Food & Wine. Any suggestions for a traveling vegetarian foodie on a budget?

melentine in Manhattan

Vegan Sukkot

Thank you for all the ideas!

melentine in Home Cooking

Vegan Sukkot

So my good friend invited me over for Sukkot dinner and I've never celebrated Sukkot. What are some traditional Sukkot recipes that I can make with out animal products?

melentine in Home Cooking

Sprouted Spaghetti Squash Seeds

I just got around to splitting open my spaghetti squash (CSA delivered 2 weekends ago) and the seeds in the center were sprouted! Is the squash still ok to eat? What about the sprouted seeds? (I usually roast and eat like regular pumpkin seeds.)

melentine in Home Cooking

Baking with kefir

I want to make some muffins but have no milk in the fridge. Can I substitute with my plain kefir? will it curdle?

melentine in Home Cooking

Fourth of July in SLO

My friend is taking me up to SLO for the 4th. I've really only been there on road trips with my folks and so I never really thoroughly enjoyed the town (my folks are great, road trips with them are not).

What's there to do around SLO, and more importantly what's there to eat? My friend and I are both foodies, but with fairly unpretentious palates. Also, I just graduated from college so I don't can't break the bank food wise, but might be able to do one nice dinner (or brunch) during our 3-day weekend. I'd also love some bar recommendations.

Thanks!

melentine in California

In Search of Callaloo

I've been reading up on Caribbean culture and have become intrigued by a soup called Callaloo made with crab meat, coconut milk and other savory elements. It seems this dish has special significance, especially in Trinidad and Tabago where it is the national dish.

I'm eager to taste this tantalizing delicacy, but am unfamiliar with the Caribbean restaurant scene in LA. Does anyone know where I can get good Callaloo? I'm also open to suggestions of any other tasty plates and Caribbean restaurants.

Thanks!

melentine in Los Angeles Area

Vodka Watermelon Crisis (HELP!!!) [Moved from Los Angeles Area board]

Thanks so much! It's too late now but I will definitely keep this in mind for the upcoming months (especially once the price of melons goes down!) I ended up blending the watermelon with some lime juice and vodka (and lots of sugar) and it was amazing!

melentine in Home Cooking

Vodka Watermelon Crisis (HELP!!!) [Moved from Los Angeles Area board]

I am having a birthday party tonight and had my heart set on serving vodka spiked watermelon. I've never made a vodka watermelon, and assumed it would be easy enough to make. I carved a hole in the top of my 16+ pound melon, scooped out some of the sweet, sweet flesh, stabbed the innards with a long knife, and then upended a 750ml bottle of vodka into it. A day later, the melon has absorbed almost none of the alcohol.

I'm not expecting people to start arriving until approximately 10 so there is still time to turn things around. I was thinking of making a punch or some sort of cocktail with the fruit or just cutting it up into pieces and dunking it into the alcohol. I also have some white rum in the house. I would love some suggestions, please help!!!

PS The watermelon is seedless. I know you're supposed to use the natural kind but this was all whole foods had.

melentine in Home Cooking