winencheesepa's Profile
French Copper Pots = lined with TIN or STEEL?
When I bought mine, I researched the tin/steel issue and went with the Mauviel stainless steel.
I also decided to spend a little more for the professional series with the SSteel handles as well, much
better that the brass. The handles stay cool to the touch. At first I kept mine shinny, but now I don't bother, I use them so often. Only problem is that the larger skillet can get very heavy to lift when full.
But I do love cooking with them.
Most Underrated Foods
Lot of great foods listed here, so my take on some of them:
Brussels Sprouts - love them roasted too, but steamed a little, crisp, then add sea salt butter, yummy.
Grapefruit - When I took my sons on Boy Scout camp outs, we'd halve a GF, eat the insides, leaving the
"bowl" intact. Then we fry two eggs in the bowl, till firm, making a great campfire breakfast.
Root veggies: parsnips, turnips, fennel, & squash - Roast them in the oven on a sheet pan with a rosemary honey glaze. Delicious
What odd or unusual foods to you eat?
My big three:
Peanut butter & strawberry jelly sandwich with sardines layered inside. Tasty and nutritious!
A bowl of your favorite ice cream with potato chips crunched up top to bottom. - Divine
Sweet bologna sandwhich - soft bread, mayo, and a layer of potato chips, then flatten the whole thing under the palm of your hand, it combines the flavors & textures just right.
What odd or unusual foods to you eat?
fluffernutter mix on nilla wafers, with or without a slice of banana! yummy
Lancaster - any word new restaurant GUSTO?
Finally got to Gusto this week. Was not entirely pleased with the experience.
They have a nice wine, beer, spirits selection, combined with a good bartender.
Drinks were well made, and prices about average for this level of dining,
as are the small plates and entrees.
The good: Appetizers - Nice portions, prepared well, great flavor combo.
Service was a little slow, but it was a busy night, the dining room where we were
seated was full, a few people were waiting for seats at the bar.
Good crowd, many familiar faces of Lancaster.
Staff was pleasant, attentive and quickly took care of any problems.
The bad: Main entrees - Pasta was quite bland, and the watery tomato sauce tasted
more like thinned out Chef BoyRdee!
Tried the Pizza - It arrived un-sliced, that was annoying. Had to slice it myself with a table knife.
The outer crust was thin and nicely toasted, but the rest of the pie was very soft and
undercooked, rather soggy actually. The cheese was tasteless.
After ordering we were given small bread plates and a bottle of oil. The bread never arrived.
No mention of specials, and after the meal, no offer of dessert or an after dinner drink.
Well, that kept the bill a bit smaller.
Probably will try it again. I asked about a web site, server wasn’t sure, "didn’t think so",
she didn’t think to go find out either.
What Will You Be Drinking While Watching "Mad Men" This Sunday?
After the season finale the other night my wife started screaming about it being over. She forced me to make her an old fashioned.
We don't smoke but we're considering taking it up, just kidding.
And now we're considering putting a bar next to the bed.
Great show!
What great cocktails can be made with Hendrick's gin?
"it's good to befriend your bartender" - words to live by!
I stock about a dozen gins in my cabinet, and Hendricks is by far my favorite.
Nothing more refreshing on a hot summer day than a Hendricks and tonic, with a sprig of fresh mint.
I miss summer already.
Lancaster - any word new restaurant GUSTO?
I was not able to get there to check it out. But my past experiences with Ralph have always been great.
He's got a solid reputation and a strong following. I'll report more once I get there, should be soon.
York, PA chow
Just checked out the Left Bank web site. I've not eaten there, yet, but I do think
that's one of the worst web sites I've encountered in a long time.
Very poorly organized, the menu section is very unprofessional.
Does not give a good impression of the business.
Best cheese Chester Co?
Been to VaLa a few times. Very nice regional wines, beautiful setting out behind their large barn of the vineyard. And some nice cheeses to go with their wines. Worth the visit.
Lancaster - any word new restaurant GUSTO?
Heard a little about it, and hoping to dine there tonight.
I'll report back later. Ralph's always had good food,
so I'll check it out.
New bakery in Lancaster area - Tutti Pani
If you get the opportunity, check out a new bakery just southeast of Lititz.
Tutti Pani - at the Brighton Village Shops across Fruitville Pike from Bent Creek Country Club.
I go by there on my way to work every day, and it's hard not to stop in for a goody or two, or three.
The owner is from Brazil, professionally trained in Europe, and makes
fantastic breads and pastries. Great Brazilian coffee too.
She does lots of little cream puffs, other pastries filled with Guava paste & cheese,
a incredible green olive bread, it's a mix of European & Brazilian treats
Caution - weight issues may occur!
7am - 6pm, Tues - Sun 717-509-2664
Birthday Dinner in Central PA
Have been to Bricco, and highly recommend it.
Excellent service, decor is great, food was wonderful.
The after dinner cheese tray, paired with a dessert wine, just fabulous.
They have a great cheese & meat shop as well.
Very nice wine selection. Clean place,
friendly staff, exceptional menu choices.
Sushi in Lancaster area
Most of the experienced Sushi fans in downtown Lancaster avoid this place for a number of reasons.
It's in the heart of the business area, but has a serious image problem, cleanliness, freshness issues.
Sushi in Lancaster area
I did not mention Olive and Jasmine, I too try to avoid that part of Lancaster.
Their food may be great, maybe I'll get there one day.
I read the restaurant inspections religiously, Cafe East has had a history
of cleanliness issues over the years, and many frequent violations for the same
ongoing problems. Just my observations.
Best cheese Chester Co?
Regarding Gap Cheese Shop - Better give you a head's up, I thinks he's only open Wed-Sat.
I'd call ahead to be sure, but worth the trip.
Here's a link to a story about him:
http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/977
More questions about freezing basil
I grow large amounts of basil and parsley. At the end of the season I make small batches of pesto, some basil, some parsley. I then pour the pesto into ice cube trays, lay a little plastic wrap over the surface, and freeze them. Once frozen I plop them out and put them into a freezer quality zip lock bag. I use them over the winter months for pesto/pasta dishes. Works great.
Best cheese Chester Co?
In Lancaster County, right off Rte. 30, in the town of Gap
Town Clock Cheese Shoppe - excellent selection & service
717-442-9090
Sushi in Lancaster area
Ginmaya, in Manor Shopping Ctr - very good, fresh, nice sushi specials, BYOB
Wasabi, in Kendig Shopping Ctr, Willow Street - very good, fresh, BYOB, nice atmosphere too
Ichiban, KMart Shopping Ctr, Fruitville Pike - overpriced, dark & gloomy, so-so service, full bar
Shogun, Columbia Ave, Lanc - building looks run down, service very good, and wonderful food,
very fresh, nice selection. Simple but delicious, don't be fooled by outside appearance. real treat! BYOB
Tokyo Diner, Manheiem Pike, average sushi, nice atmosphere, great hibachi, good service - BYOB
Cafe East, Centerville - average sushi, good service, many bad health/food inspection reports
Mojo, near Lanc. Airport, NEW - owned by Cafe East - average sushi, BYOB
Blue Pacific - Lititz Pike, Lanc. - excellant food, service, great bar, nice wine selections, mixed drinks
they'll be opening a second location at the new Richmond Square development on Fruitville Pike soon
