charmedgirl's Profile
WSJ - Olive Garden tries to attract foodies - cautiously
...... okey doke, ceekskat.
WSJ - Olive Garden tries to attract foodies - cautiously
I am saddened to report that I walk past the Olive Garden at 22nd and 6th in NYC on an almost nightly basis and frequently the line of people holding buzzers waiting to be seated is out the door.
Recipe using chocolate cream filled wafer cookies?
Oh, I know! I knew exactly what type of cookie the recipe meant, and I should have warned my dad that "wafer cookie" could potentially mean two different things. I went out and bought a package of Nabisco's Famous Wafers and made the recipe without incident. The problem now is this package of inside-Kit-Kat-style-wafer-cookies. I was hoping for suggestions of interesting things to do with them, rather than just eat them. I'm not sure they are worth the calories by themselves, plus, I love to try new things, and I thought this would be an opportunity to experiment with a recipe I might not otherwise ever think to make.
Recipe using chocolate cream filled wafer cookies?
These aren't covered in chocolate the way Kit Kats are (it's just the inside part), so I'm not sure any of those would work, but it's worth a try. Thanks!
Recipe using chocolate cream filled wafer cookies?
The chocolate tart recipe I made for Christmas called for a crust made out of crushed chocolate wafer cookies, like the chocolate cookie part of an Oreo. I sent my dad out to buy the ingredients, and he came back with a package of those wafer cookies that are like the inside of a Kit Kat bar. (I put a photo below of the sort of cookie I mean). I went back out to get the right cookies and the recipe was a success (yay!), but now I have this package of cookies. We could just eat them straight up, but I thought I'd see if anyone knew of any recipes that use them. I tried doing a search, but all the recipes I've found calling for "chocolate wafer cookies" mean the end-part-of-an-Oreo-kind, not the inside-of-a-Kit-Kat-kind.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 8: "Finale") [Spoilers]
Huh. Surprised. I really thought they'd give it to Falkner to bring some new blood into the network, highlight her pastry talents which no other IC has, she's a woman, etc. But I realized once it was over, I don't really care. I enjoyed watching NIC, and have watched the previous seasons as well, but I can't remember the last time I actually watched ICA. And personality-wise, I liked them both.
Did anyone else see Anne Burrell on the Daily Show last week? I just caught it on my DVR a day or two ago. She was there to promote her cook book, but they spent the whole time talking about NIC. She seemed REALLY bummed that she got eliminated. Talking about how everyone expected her to do so well since she had been Batali's sous chef, etc. She said she had only just started to get over it. If the fix was in from the beginning, it sure seems like no one told her!
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 7: "Hamptons Beach Cookout") [Spoilers]
I only now caught up on this episode, and I'm shocked to realize that I actually like all 4 of the chefs who made it this far. I think Michael C. has the most talent and would have been a great IC, but I'm not super bummed he didn't make it. He's got other stuff going on, he'll be fine. (The only reason I would have wanted him to win is because I think he was robbed of the TCM title. Anyway.)
I also love Alex G's personality. I just think she's funny, and she comes across like she'd be a great girl friend to sit and gossip with over brunch. I'm ok that she didn't make it though because I'm not convinced she is the same caliber of cook as the others. Plus, she has a bajillion FN shows, she doesn't need another.
I have been pleasantly surprised this season how much I really like Zakarian. He comes across as a total DB on Chopped, in my opinion, but I have liked him here. I like his comments; it seems like he has a dry sense of humor. (Which, when I think about it, has been hinted at before. I remember an episode of 24 Hour Restaurant when he was acting as a judge, and Conant, another seeming DB in my opinion, was like "Geoffrey, speak to the scallops," meaning, talk about them. As host, I guess he was prompting comments to be edited later. Instead, GZ leans down to the plate and is like "Oh scallops, so overcooked, why would someone do that to you?" or something like that. I thought it was awesome. Anyway.) He also apparently is a WAY more talented chef than I ever gave him credit for.
And Faulkner just seems like a nice person who, apparently, is an amazing chef. So good on her. In the end, I think I hope she wins because she seems more well rounded and more suited to Kitchen Stadium. As someone said upthread, I'm rooting for a Faulkner win, and GZ to get his own show... preferably one where the producers aren't urging him to stare stoicly at the camera and say jerkface things, like they do in Chopped.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 7: "Hamptons Beach Cookout") [Spoilers]
I highly doubt Jen Carroll or Stephanie Izard would have agreed to appear. They don't seem to be quite the media whores Spike is...
ETA: I'm not sure why this appeared all the way down here, but it is in response to chowser's post much further up.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 2: "Take Me Out to the Ballgame") [SPOILERS]
Interesting. I thought it WAS a joke. A real, honest to goodness joke; just some playful ribbing. And not a "joke" in quotes, implying it wasn't a joke at all.
Just goes to show how much is in interpretation of what we see on screen. None of us can know for sure, unless or until Falkner gives an interview discussing her opinions on him.
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
I can speak only for myself, but my opinion that "Sally" came off with a mean girl vibe is not based solely, or even primarily, on her statements about Katzie. That seems to be the assumption of other commentators here, but for me, it is not the case. For what it's worth, I didn't particularly like Katzie either. My opinion on Sally was based on watching all her interactions and interview segments through the entire season. No one thing in particular made me feel that way, it was a slow build. (And I have neither the time, energy, nor inclination to go back now and create a catalogue of all the things that made feel this way, just in case anyone was about to ask, ha ha!!)
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
I'm not being snarky. I really don't get it. Do you mean that Sally's ethnicity has influenced how she was edited? Do you mean that it has influenced how she is being perceived? Or do you mean something else entirely?
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
Yep. All we see is what the editors choose to show us. Perhaps I should have caveated, but I thought it was understood: comments about contestants are not comments about the real, live person, but about the version of that person portrayed on TV. Certainly, none of us can know whether that portrayal is accurate or not. So when I say I wasn't rooting for Sally to win because it seemed to me that she had a "mean girl" vibe, I mean that I wasn't rooting for "Sally" to win because the "Sally" portrayed during the season had a mean girl vibe.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 1: "Primal: Heat and Meat) [SPOILERS]
Agree re. Elizabeth Faulkner. Seems like a really nice person; and very diplomatic! Must have been hard to have a partner who was freaking out.
I do like Alex G. though. Diff'rent strokes and all. I also met her (very briefly) at a food event once and she was really sweet, so that might be influencing me some.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 1: "Primal: Heat and Meat) [SPOILERS]
Spike getting sent home first episode is the best possible outcome for me. I couldn't stand him on Top Chef, and was not looking forward to putting up with him here. Now I don't have to. Yay! I share others' surprise that he was even on this show. He lost regular Top Chef, but is in the same group as the dude who won Top Chef Masters?? Spike's PR people must have been working in over drive. I also think that if I were one of the chefs from a previous season of Next Iron Chef (NIC) I would be seriously insulted that the season where Spike (and some of these other folks, honestly) are appearing is called "Super Chefs" and my season was not. I think some of the people who appeared in earlier, "regular" NIC are more "super" than some of the chefs appearing now.
I really like Alex G's personality. Seems like she has a nice sense of humor; some of the stuff she said made me chuckle ... though I admit she seems quite stiff in her own show and when judging Chopped. I think she is too high strung/easily stressed to win this, but I do like her and hope she sticks around for a while.
I also hope Michael C. does well. I know almost everyone else in the CH world loathed him on TC Masters, but I didn't. I thought he was fine, and I was impressed with his ability then. I hope he shines here as well.
Agree; totally dig the new format.
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
The focus on showpieces doesn't bother me; I find it kind of interesting. I do think that I would not find it nearly as interesting though, if I hadn't seen the move Kings of Pastry. Before seeing that, I had no idea what a showpiece was. From that movie, I perceive that being able to do a showpiece is an essential part of being a professional, "classically" trained pastry chef; sort of like being a chef and knowing all the mother sauces. I think that going into TC:JD with that perspective has affected my reaction. That's just my perception though; no idea what the reality of the situation is.
I know there are CH pastry chefs who watch the show and comment: can any of you weigh in on the relevance, if any, showpieces have to being a pastry chef? Is it a snooty, niche thing, a relic of a bygone era, or actually an important part of professional training?
And ladybugthepug, your post made me laugh! Wafles and Dinges was my first introduction! Slathered on a hot waffle with a scoop of ice cream on top.... DEE-licious. I was hooked!
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
My impression that Sally acted like a "mean girl" is based on what she did say, not what she didn't. You're certainly entitled to have a different opinion on her though!
Top Chef Just Desserts Finale
I agree. I'm not sure why TC:JD isn't as popular as the original, or at least, just more popular than it is. Personally, I enjoy it just as much. I do have quite a sweet tooth though, so maybe that has something to do with it.
Anyway! I thought this was actually one of the best episodes. Loved watching the MOFs give their advice and help in the kitchen. I was very glad Chris won, and Sally did not. I did not like her for most of the season (I thought she had a very "mean girl" vibe about her), and I would have thought it unfair since they edited it to seem as though Orlando did all the execution of her showpiece for her. (Doesn't matter to me that she designed it; lots of chefs have great ideas in their head, but the ones who can't execute on their idea don't deserve to win, IMO.)
REALLY suprised Gail didn't know what speculos was. (And I may have spelled it wrong there.) I have no where near the food knowledge of a lot of folks both here on CH and on TC, and I know what it is, have eaten it, etc.
Top Chef Just Desserts 10/19 episode (spoiler!)
Well ... I wouldn't be too impressed. When Johnny was doing his walk around before service and heard what Chris was doing, he actually said "isn't that English?" or something along those lines. Chris got this scared look for a moment, but defended the decision. Then, at the tasting, when someone else made the same comment Johnny had made earlier, Johnny was like "no, actually, blah blah blah", which leads me to think he or the producers did some quick research in the interim. Hubert might have already had the knowledge, but I really don't think Johnny did.
Favorite children's books that are food themed?
Just remembered another one. The Amelia Bedelia series was one of my favorites, and I remember one book in particular had her baking chocolate chip cookies and mixing crushed potato chips into the batter to make them crunchy. 5 year old charmedgirl thought that was freaking genius and insisted her dad try it with her.
ETA: just googled. It's Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping.
Favorite children's books that are food themed?
I opened this thread solely to recommend Strega Nona. That was my dream come true when I was a kid.
... Who am I kidding, that's my dream come true now!
Beecher's Cheese store in NYC?
OMG, do they have their delicious cheese curd samples and mac and cheese??
Top Chef Masters, Finale spoiler?
Floyd was my favorite to watch of the final 3, so I am glad he won. I wouldn't have minded if Mary Sue had won instead though. She seems like a lovely person, and her numerous wins indicate to me that she can definitely cook.
No one else has mentioned it, but I really enjoyed the little bit where Curtis cooked for them. I like seeing them all enjoy each others company.
Soul Daddy closes NYC location
What a shame. The guy who won seemed like a really good, stand up kind of person who was just trying to build a career and support his family. He frequently won the most tokens from the customers too, so it seemed like he knew how to cook as well. I hope he experiences some success from his time on that show.
Food Network Star - Episode 1 (formerly "The Next Food Network Star") [spoilers]
I kept wondering when sexy "left" the kitchen.
I don't get why no one called BS on her concept. It's just dumb.
Top Chef Masters Season 3, Episode 7 (SPOILERS)
I agree the pair was totally lackluster. (I actually thought the guy was sort of a d--che, but it feels mean saying it.) And I've long, long wondered how any of the folks who get to be the Top Chef "eaters" get chosen. The challenges frequently involve hosting food events with 100-200 guests, or Restaurant Wars where there is a pop up restaurant for a night, and there are customers in the seats or mingling through the room. Those people don't seem to have just stumbled across the taping. Who are these lucky people? (And... how do I become one? Ha ha!)
Top Chef Masters Season 3, Episode 7 (SPOILERS)
The Elvis thing is pretty much the opening anecdote of her book, IIRC (which I may not, but I think I do). She's clearly very proud of it.
ETA: my dislike of her book is actually one of the reasons I was never thrilled with her as a judge on TCM, and I wasn't heartbroken to find out she was no longer a main judge this season. That being said, now that I've had a taste of the alternative judges, I do prefer her.
ETA 2: Though I prefer (and miss desperately) Jay Raynor above them all.
Top Chef Masters Season 3, Episode 5 (Spoilers)
I am so sad to see George go! His food is super delicious. I've met him a few times and he's also super nice. He was one of my hopes to go all the way. Bummer.
Now that we're 5 episodes in, I can definitively say I agree with others about not liking the new format. I have no one to blame but myself though. When TCM first premiered I was one of the people who complained about the weird star rating system and bracket methodology (4 compete against each other, one from each group advancing). I thought they should structure the competition the way they structured "real" Top Chef. .... I was wrong. I like it even LESS this way. Double bummer.
