Whosyerkitty's Profile
Finger lickin' good? [moved from General topics]
(C'mon, now, hasn't everybody done this one time or another?)
Come up with a more sensuous technique. :)
How to cook a buffalo/bison burger?
I love buffalo with bleu cheese and dijon, no veggies, YUM!
am I a SNOB?
Snob, I dunno. Practical, maybe. I think jarred garlic is bland, there's too much of it, so it's wasteful (I have seen mold on it at someone else's house) and too expensive for what it is. So, I whack and plane by the clove myself. Much tastier, although smellier.
Does eating crabs and ice cream make you sick
Nope. Ate crab legs followed by ice cream just last night, along with two other people. We're all rockin' in the free world today. Who comes up with this silly nonsense and what's the "scientifical" basis for it?
Registering for Cookware
I love my cast iron, but it was handed down and very very old. So I am not qualified to comment on new ones, but I CAN tell you that your children and their children will love yours someday.
I like stainless for wet things: pasta, soup, rice, boiling eggs, hot chocolate, etc. I think you may want a few good quality ones, i.e. a stockpot and small sauce pan, at least. I don't like sets either, because I like different types for different things so I would go to the store, see which ones I like the feel of and have them put them on the registry.
I am personally trying to not use nonstick much anymore because I am concerned about the chemicals even though there are several "green" brands now. I am lucky enough to cook with gas and really hated induction when I used it at a friend's over the holidays and I would never EVER get it. So I guess if you know what type of surface you're going to have, that may be helpful. Congrats and good luck!
Help! last minute super bowl party
An infant AND a toddler? You are one patient woman.
When in doubt, order pizzas, BBQ or chicken or some combo. We are going to a bar and I don't like either team, but am leaning towards the Pack, because I do like Rodgers. Even though they beat my Bears in my backyard in the Game of The Century (ha ha ha ha HA! GAWD!). He's talented and he's NOT Favre (Or creepy Ben Rothlickerburger). But hence, our menu will be beer beer and more beer. There are Chicagoans boycotting cheese. We are a bitter people.
But I digress....
Get some salad greens, grape tomatoes and make a simple salad with your carry out. You can also get veggie trays and cheese and sausage trays from the grocery store and make a dip to replace the probably gunky one that's included. Cupcakes, too because everyone loves them and everyone has football themed ones now. Maybe with some ice cream
Another idea is to get giant subs and slice in individual portions, some deli salads and various chips, snacks, etc. The thing is, if you DO order out, call SATURDAY MORNING and talk to the pizza place, sub shop or whatever to ensure it arrives or is ready to pick up before kick off or halftime or whenever you want it.
best thing to eat when stomach is off?
Mint herbal tea. With honey instead of sugar if you need it.
Chow Kids. Are you raising one?
I don't forbid either. I just sort of try to discourage sometimes :) It is FAR worse to me to FORCE anyone to eat anything and to use food as a punishment. In fact it's reprehensible I have witnessed this recently and it made me ill. Food should never be a power trip--ever!
"I'll have the grilled cheese with the Kraft cave-aged singles, please."
To each his own.
Chow Kids. Are you raising one?
Wow this was resurrected! So, in two years, my clone is now an almost teenager. Not picky, but a bit more careful, watching her figure--she thinks. THIS is whole different phase: you want your kids to be healthy, open minded and adventurous, but you need to ensure they keep a positive body image. Some of her friends have already shown symptoms of possible trouble (one kid ate rice and apples for about a week, because some fly by night "modeling agent" said she should lose a few pounds!). This is complicated by more independent socializing--they'll go to Starbucks or a local to "study"--and order high fat drinks and things like pizza and fries. Sigh. Don't forget your vitamin.
Trader Joe's. What is it??
TJ's is NOT a replacement for your regular grocery store, doesn't carry all the items and leans more towards specialty things, and its stock is not necessarily consistent. Prices are good/better on SOME items. It's owned by ALDI, which has the same "faults". Some of its stuff is great, and some sucks (their coffee, for instance, although the packaging is cool). I like their bread and cereal and have never had a problem with it. Like their cat food, don't care for their dishwasher detergent or paper products. NOT impressed with their produce or produce prices, but very impressed with their wine and beer selections and prices--and no not just the Chuck (which is fine for cooking, and even drinking once in awhile). And the people are so happy and cheery! I hear from a former employee that's a bit of a farce, though. GO HUNGRY, unlike most shopping because you can often eat your way through that place.
And maybe I am PURPLE or schizo, but I refuse to go to either WalFart or Hole Foods. One is too un-PC to me and I refuse to support that, and one horrendously overpriced and pretentious. Target is okay--I just never think about going there to specifically grocery shop, although I will if I am there anyway. I like Costco the few times I've been there, but I don't need five gallons of ketchup or a case of toilet paper. People seem to go a little crazy there and go home and end up with piles of STUFF all over the place.
So, go and check it out, but don't count on becoming a total convert. I guess you need to feel lucky too, because it's said that they get hundreds of requests per day from people wanting them to open in their area.
Best (for lack of a better term) INSTANT coffee??????
Well, gosh, great minds think alike!
Steak Tartare
BBBWWWAAAAHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!! OMG. That's TOO funny. Presumably, it wasn't on a Friday.
Steak Tartare [split from GT]
Nah, it won't kill you, but I had a mild case of food poisoning over the summer and believe me, I wished I would just die for about 10 hours.. NOT to worry re: THIS subject matter, though. It was from a meal at a friend's and I wasn't the only one which is how I knew.
ANYWAY, back to the subject at hand. According to a wonderful and older lady I knew who used to make it herself, you have to buy the best grade sirloin you can and grind it yourself. I have never tried this, as I don't have a grinder and I like the finesse of restos doing it. With lots of onion and worcestershire for me.
Steak Tartare
God, I LOVE this stuff. On very hearty dark rye, paired with a REAL MADE FROM SCRATCH table-side Caesar, one of my favorite meals, along with a glass of red.
I THINK it's only still served in very traditional private clubs or older traditional steak houses. And I am told there is an element of risk in serving AND eating it.
But, there's an element of risk in many great things, isn't there?
Best (for lack of a better term) INSTANT coffee??????
Unfortunately, there are times when you have to use it, like traveling, camping, or boat overnights with non coffee drinkers who don't have a maker or pot, or to have on hand in a power outage. My experience is that most of it is awful awful awful, but I still need my morning (and afternoon most days) jolt. Those Starbucks VIA packets are not that great, killer expensive and those little packets are a PITA.
SO, any thoughts or recommendations on an instant that's a least bearable? I figure if such a thing exists, y'all would know what it is.
When do you eat your salad?
I can see the possible advantages of eating it after for digestion, although it's something I'd have to try to be very conscientious about as we are usually too full. I do believe it helps fill you up with healthy stuff and you will eat less heavier entree type food if you eat it before. I think it's a good way to get kids to eat their veggies too, as they're hungry.
From years of being a former server, I can tell you that getting a salad, as well as bread for the restos that still do it, out quickly to diners shuts them up so to speak, takes the edge off their appetite and buys time, if you need it. And that's why they do it.
Solo Dining
I LOVE the opportunity to do that. SO--when I am able, once in a blue moon, in front of the tv and I eat my fave JUNK out of its original container if possible. This CAN consist of things like brie and crackers with/and/or smoked oysters, but sometimes it's a sandwich (varies) and chips (varies), or a leftover take out (thai, pizza, ribs).
This may happen three or four times a year. Sigh.
What is one tip that you learned about cooking that was simple but made a huge difference? [old]
the ONE tip? Getting back to the OP ;-).
BE PATIENT!!!
French Toast, a procedure poll
I am with you on the Challah, although I also like a good raisin bread. We usually eat a whole grain, but this is a disaster in french toast. I also like a splash of vanilla and a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon, but I've never used sugar in the egg mix. But I also prefer it sprinkled with powdered sugar instead of syrup.
Celery - Stuff it
the old classic, cream cheese mixed with crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts, sprinkled with paprika. Very '50's, I think. A friend's mom in her late 60's-early '70's always makes it for Thanksgiving and I look forward to it. The kids love it.
Cast Iron Recipes Please?
hmmm...sounds yum. I have a friend who slow roasts garlic in a similar way but in the oven. He then uses the oil as dipping oil for bread. Have you tried doing it in the oven? While I'm not sure it will necessarily have the same texture, it seems like less hassle. One day, I'll conduct an experiment (really, I will!).
Cast Iron Seasoning Woes
Hmmm. I love my cast iron, treasure it. My only complaint is weight. I also scrub it with soap and water and never had a problem, but I DO immediately dry it on the stove and spread a drop of oil with a paper towel when it's till warm. I'm kinda weirded out by non stick too, although I haven't tried the really new ones.
And wowee, I am pretty much paraphrasing athanasius below. LOL...
Putting pots and pans in the dishwasher- why not?
The only thing I WILL NOT put in the d/w is my treasured cast iron and anything crystal, silver or hand painted. Everything else goes in, knives included, although in their own compartment or the top rack for the big ones. You have to sharpen them anyway and the heat dry dries the handles fast enough. I don't own Calphalon but I know more than one person who does and puts it in and it's fine--cookware, but NOT bake ware because of an air layer or something. I hate washing dishes and the less I have to do, the better.
First Apartment Kitchen Necessities! I need help please!
Get thee to the dollar store. I have a small paring knife from there that I probably use the most often, even though I have a pretty decent set of knives, and I've had it for a few years. I have also bought silicone spatulas, plastic storage wear, wooden spoons (wood is wood whether it comes from there or C & B) dish towels (yes you need them) can openers and garlic presses and just about any other utensil you need and they're cheap enough that you can replace them when they break. And they do, regardless of from whence they came. The stuff there is not always cheapie-cheapie because they also buy rejects for REALLY MINOR things like a label typo or color flaw and sell them. While the pans are usually really cheesy and I wouldn't bother with them, you can also get dishes and glassware and it's often pretty cool. I have a set of champagne glasses that people think are Waterford that I wish I'd bought more of, but I haven't seen them since I bought them.
You also NEED (in addition to dish towels) pot holders or mitts, but these I wouldn't buy cheap either because they usually simply don't work as well, so the investment is worth not having fried fingers. Also, the first several jars you use, wash and save them. You can use them for food storage (this is even recommended for garlic and onion by none other than Martha Stewart), shaking flour and water to make a slurry and starting your first avocado plant (yes you will..). Besides, it's better for the environment.
Other than that, the ONE thing you NEED is a small to medium STEEL saucepan. You can cook almost anything in it if you have to.
Ground Beef recipes anyone?
Yum! I still make this and serve it over rice. We call it Rice n' Gravy. Perfect hard day fast cooking comfort food, and yeah kids LOVE it.
Care of a white porcelain sink
No, I bleach. Sinks, bathrooms, clothes anything that i want sparkling white and/or sanitary. i think by now SS sinks are more popular though.
Gravy advice
"rice and gravy" is my fave (fattening) go to meal and kids love it. use ground beef or turkey in place of sausage if your were making gravy for biscuits. fast, cheap, filling and YUM.
My other gravy rules, always a dash of Worchestershire, TONS of pepper, and if you're making mashed potatoes, save the potato water and use it to thin out if you need to. Whisk whisk whisk to keep it from getting lumpy.
