sivang's Profile
graduation dinner in miami
I'm graduating from college, and the family is coming down to celebrate. I want to take them somewhere very "miami", so I'm thinking the beach. No one is a really a gourmet, my father would be just as happy going to Outback, so atmosphere is probably more important than food.
Budget of $50/person, including wine and drinks, so no place that is too over the top (although I so badly want to go to Barton G). Any ideas?
I'm thinking sushisamba, michael's genuine, ....?
new to university of miami
Hi, I'm a student and tour guide at UM. I actually get this question a lot, so here are some of the places I recommend. There are tons of great places on the Beach, but for a more typical UM experience check out some of these restaurants in Sunset, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables.
Moon Thai and Sushi, right across the street from UM. I more or less live there--the sushi is so-so but they have amazing curries.
The Rat is the on-campus bar and grill--basic burgers and sandwiches, but check it out because it's a big student hang out and a fun place to eat.
Blu Pizzera is at Sunset, about 5 minutes from UM and they have good Italian food and pizzas.
Deli Lane in Sunset also has a great Sunday brunch if you are there over the weekend.
Coconut Grove is great for eating and shopping; from UM take US-1 to Grand ave. and hang a right. Check out Green Street for outdoor seating and all around good food; Moe's or Scotty's Landing on Bayshore have a great outdoor atmosphere by the marina but the food is mediocre. There are also a bunch of nice French restaurants in the Grove.
Downtown Coral Gables has some great places; from UM take Ponce to a L on LeJeune and continue on to Miracle Mile. There's a great salad place for lunch called Giardino Salads on Giralda Ave.
Have fun and good luck on your visit!
Glut of apples, but no-sugar, no-flour diet. Ideas?
Slice them really thin, sprinkle on some cinnamon and nutmeg, microwave for a minute or so... its easy and similar enough to pie filling.
Also, julienne and add to salads
Latke mixture ahead of time?
I'm having a Hannukah party on Sunday night and was hoping to get some of the grunt work out of the way before the evening (I don't have a food processor so it will be lots and lots of grating by hand). Can I make the mixture ahead of time and then fry the latkes a few hours later? I use a mix of potatoes, onions, egg, matzah meal and flour. I don't really care if the potatoes change color. Thanks!
Your mom's weird cooking ... and other stories? (recipes encouraged)
I grew up with cream cheese and olive... I would always pick the olives off and eat them, then throw the rest away.
Also was subjected to my dad's specialty of hot dogs mixed with scrambled eggs and "beef stew"--one can of tomato sauce with some frozen peas and carrots and stew beef thrown in, cook until the beef is no longer raw but far from edible....
I took over the cooking when I got to high school. Thank god.
tarte tatin w/out cast iron
So I'm in charge of the Thanksgiving dinner this year at my parents' house. I'd been planning on making tarte tatin as a change from the usual apple pie. Problem is, they don't have a cast-iron skillet (or a pie tin!) and mine is too heavy to take on the plane... so what should I cook it in? We have either a very very large glass tart plate, a 9 inch cake tin, or a 10 1/2 inch stainless steel pan w/ sloped edges. Or do I just give up, buy them a pie tin and make the tart another time?
knife etiquette
I live in an apartment with several other people, and we all contribute to the kitchen. I am a bit of a foodie (obviously, seeing as I read chowhound) and I brought a bunch of my favorite kitchen equipment, including my super sharp chef's knife. The other day I saw my roommate mincing garlic with my knife, and I'm pretty sure she has no knife skills to speak of. I was terrified watching her fingertips get so close. I don't care if she uses the knife, but I do not want to be responsible for any chopped off fingers. I tried to tell her that it would be better to curl her fingers under but she ignored my advice. I don't want to come off as a snob/know-it-all, but how can I tactfully tell her that she really needs to use proper knife skills?
frying chicken... dutch oven or cast-iron skillet?
It's my first time frying a chicken... I've lived in South Carolina for three years now and it's about time! I'm good for the recipe, but I want to know if I should use my 12 inch skillet or my 5qt round dutch oven. I'm a little scared of kitchen fires and thought the dutch oven would be better for keeping the oil in but I don't know if it's ok to deep fry in one. Any thoughts?
Potato Latkes question
I slide large spoonfuls (normal soup spoon) into the oil. No perfect spheres for me. Then I use two forks to turn them and take them out. My Israeli mother taught me this method and it always comes out perfectly. My batter isn't so much a batter, though, but a mix of grated potatoes and onions with a bit of egg and matzah meal, squeezed through a colander and by hand to reduce the liquid.
getting into cooking-- what should I get?
As a graduation present, my parents offered to treat me to a few essential items for my first kitchen. I'm thinking of a good knife, cast iron pan and dutch oven. I really want a grill pan, but I'm thinking it would be a more logical idea to get a set of good frying pans instead... I already have a great wood butcher block and kitchenaid mixer, care of a thoughtful ex-boyfriend. Between these I feel like I should be pretty much set. Any ideas for good brands? Things should stay in the more or less lower-priced area-- I'm still a recent grad and have plenty of time to work my way up to the expensive brands.
Has anyone heard good things about the Kitchenaid grill pan? It's nonstick, not cast-iron, which may be a problem, but I have one of those flat electric stovetops so i think it might be better.
I was also thinking of an RH Forschner knife, I read good reviews on that.
Ok thanks for any advice!
Charleston on the Cheap
Really? I was there in April and it was fine. I generally go to the one in Mt. P... I'm heading back to Charleston in a few days so I'll have to see. I hope it's not true, I love it there
Charleston on the Cheap
Mustard Seed on Maybank Hwy or in Mt.Pleasant, really good food and its all in the $7-12 range... I go there everytime I visit. Five Loaves for lunch.... Poe's on Sullivans is great for burgers and fries and the beach. I eat well in Charleston all the time and I rarely spend more than $15-20 on a meal.
