Jimmy Buffet's Profile
When making Turkish Coffee for guests....
Thank you all. I must be confusing Turkish coffee with Arabic coffee. A Sudanese friend gave me some (which he called Turkish coffee) and it had spices in it.; it was preground and unfortunatel;y, I cannot read the brand. I just bought some Mehmet Efendi and also want to practice making my own witha Zassenhaus grinder. Maybe I will leave the spices out...
When making Turkish Coffee for guests....
I like to make Turkish Coffee for my co-workers. I keep all of my supplies at work - cezve, a little burner, coffee, cups, sugar for any convenient moment to share this treat with them.
However, so far as spices in the coffee, should I allow them to add any spices to their own cup or should I ask them if they want me to spice the coffee before preparing? How about sugar? Should it be prepared sade (sans sugar) and have each person sugar the coffee to his/her tasting?
I am just not sure if adding spices and sugar AFTER the coffee is poured would diminish the quality.
How is this done in the lands where Turkish coffee originates?
Also, so far as spices go, I keep cardamom, cinnamon, ginger on hand. Are here any more that you folks could suggest?
Evaporation in cork-sealed bottles?
I have several bottles of bourbon that have a cork cap. I don't consume them at a very fast rate.. Should I add some kind of extra sealant - maybe a strip of vinyl tape or equivalent - around the junction of bottle and cork to add a bit more sealing power?
Espresso maker for the P.T. Barnum crowd...
I love my Rancilio Silvia but this seems a bit, umm, silly...
http://www.rancilio.it/rancilio/prod_model.jsp?id_model=84&id_language=3&id_category=26
...and it's not even real leather. I guess it could help with heat retention tho...
Foodsaver Freshsaver Handheld Unit
Rainey, I can't find my Reynolds vac but I tried using the Foodsaver Freshsaver on Reynolds bags (of which I also have a lot) and it worked. So conversely, maybe the Reynolds vac will work with Foodsaver bags.
However, I did some research on the Foodsaver Freshsaver bags and they are labeled as being refrigerator use only. Thats a big limitation for me. I guess that explains their thinness...
Reynolds Handi-Vac?
Stellar, I can't find my Reynolds vac but I tried using the Foodsaver Freshsaver on Reynolds bags (of which I also have a lot) and it worked. So conversely, maybe the Reynolds vac will work with Foodsaver bags.
However, I did some research on the Foodsaver Freshsaver bags and they are labeled as being refrigerator use only. Thats a big limitation for me. I guess that explains their thinness...
Just bought my first Kitchenaid Mixer...
Picked up the grinder attachment today. Oh boy...
Reynolds Handi-Vac?
Stellar, Reynolds has discontinued the sealer. But there is another out there. I'll refer you to this thread.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/655203
Foodsaver Freshsaver Handheld Unit
Like you, I have a full size FS but it is a pain to pull out...
Have you ever considered getting an impulse sealer? I have. They put a seal on plastic bags and not only just the Food Saver bags... Here is one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43477
And also like you, I have a considerable stock of Reynolds bags and I THINK I have another Reynolds HandiVac. If I can find it, I will try it with the FoodSaver bags, as valve-wise, they seem to be the same...
Foodsaver Freshsaver Handheld Unit
Rainey, I saw one of the Foodsaver units at Kohl's today and gadget freak that I am, picked it up. There is an intro kit consisting of sealer, charger, adaptor, some bags and a container.
The way it is designed, I believe you could use it on the Reynolds bags... Same principle - center a circular gasket over a flap valve on the bag and activate.
PROS:
- it sits in a recharger base (no batteries to change, and that Reynolds unit was a pain to change batteries).
- It is compact. Smaller than the Reynolds and more ergonomic.
- It also seals special rigid sandwich-size containers that are available. It comes with an adaptor for this.
POSSIBLE CONS:
- price of this unit was $32, although I understand KMart has them for $19.
- the bags don't seem to be as substantial as the Reynolds bags. This is purely subjective...I haven't sealed anything in the bags yet, but they seem flimsier, thinner, with sort of a cellophane feel to them.
- The adaptor for containers is stored in the recharging base. Not very convenient.
- The containers have a simple rubber flap valve on the lid that provides the seal once a vacuum is obtained. To break the vacuum, you lift a tab on the rubber diaphragm. In theory it should work well but it looks flimsy.
I'll do some testing and get back....
Foodsaver Freshsaver Handheld Unit
Has anyone had a chance to use this?
http://www.foodsaver.com/freshsaver/
I am wary. I really liked the Reynolds Handi-Vac system at first. Reynolds has discontinued it, stating "Handi-Vac is one of those great products that was unable to generate the consumer demand and profitability required to keep it in our product portfolio."
Yeah...unfortunately this "great product" was also unable to generate a good seal to keep food in one's freezer. One could easily spend two minutes trying to find the sweet spot on the valve to extract air.
Just bought my first Kitchenaid Mixer...
Kohl's has them at a price I couldn't refuse:
$299.99
- 90.00 (SAVE30) 30% off code
209.99
-40.00 (Kitchenaid Rebate - link on kohls.com website)
$169.99 before taxes
THEN you get an additional $10 in Kohl's cash for every $50 you spend. That means you get $40 in Kohl's cash (based on the 209.99).
And free shipping on orders over $75.00.
I have searched here and online for links, sites, posts on how to best use it but if any of you can think of any favorite sites, I'd appreciate them.
I look forward to using it for biscotti dough BUT the last thing I need weight-wise would be using it exclusively for what most people seem to associate with Kitchenaids: cakes, pies, and bread.
Plus, I want my wife to hopefully use it. She hates them... feels we don't need one, and says they take up too much counter top space.
Thanks...
Noilly Prat to Change Formula for U.S. Market
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123154573030469717.html
Shades of New Coke!
Marinating with a FoodSaver
I just got a FoodSaver (model 2460) and noticed that one can purchase a FoodSaver marinating dish as an accessory.
Does this work better than vacuum sealing food in a bag with the marinade? I would think that using a bag or a bag made from a roll would allow the marinade to contact the meat better.
Am I committing a cardinal sin?
I'll have to look for some of that. i don't THINK any of our liquor stores (western MD) carry it...
Food Packaging that Drives You Crazy!
Another one - bags of pretzels, potato chips that upon opening, split longitudinally toward the bottom of the bag
what Columbia, SC needs
north2south, I lived in Columbia for seven years. Not even an Indian restaurant when I was there. If there had been, it would have had to be a buffet to stand a chance of making it.
Food Packaging that Drives You Crazy!
Not exactly food packaging but packaging for food - Glad Cling wrap.... I practically tore the box in half tonight trying to cut some until I discovered that the cutting strip is attached to the flap part of the box that opens; one has to tear it BACK rather than away in order to cut.
Food Packaging that Drives You Crazy!
Tonight it hit me while opening a bottle of olive oil...the person(s) who invented aluminum screw caps should be boiled in said oil. Once again, it seems I have stripped the threads on another oil cap.
Evan Williams Green Label?
While looking for some EW Single Barrel the other day, I saw a bottle of EW Green Label. Have not seen it in any other store. While I have given up trying to find EW Single Barrel (it just ain't sold around here) how does Green Label rate compared to EW Black Label? The EW site doesn't have any info on it other than a pic of the bottle
Am I committing a cardinal sin?
LOL...Does drinking champagne out of a woman's shoe qualify? OK, it's Andre and it's a boot...
Substitute for fresh lemon juice?
That squeezer works great. Bed Bath and Beyond sells them and also has a model that works with both lemons and limes, although I don't know theres that much difference...
Am I committing a cardinal sin?
For frozen fruity drinks like margaritas and daquiris, I use cheap rum and tequila - Port Royal, Old Mr. Boston, Montezuma - because the fruity flavor of these drinks can be so overwhelming. Am I committing a faux pas? How many of you do the same?
Favorite way to cook red new potatoes?
I place them on the grill and baste with olive oil, then sprinkle with coarse salt as they end cooking. Deelish
Bread Machine or Homemade?
I am one of those types who never found joy in bread kneading that I used to read about so much in bread books. Thats why I love my bread maker.
Omelets - to flip or not to flip
Dear Caroline, I am like Pavlov's Dog now as I read this...
