phofiend's Profile
cleaning cookie sheets without scratching them.
Try Dawn Power Dissolver. It rescued a broiler pan that was so crusted over that the drain holes were plugged.
Ralphs Garlic Ranch Dressing discontinued! Why O Why?!
I've never had the Ralph's dressing, but Marie's makes a very nice "Creamy Italian Garlic" dressing that you may like.
http://www.maries.com/product-detail.aspx?productID=9&catID=1&pcatID=1
Places to have a bridal shower
Harbor Mist in Cold Spring Harbor has a lovely room upstairs with a very nice view. Food is good, too.
Tutto Pazzo in Halesite is good, old school Italian, and reasonably priced.
Sauce for Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin??
The ginger sauce in this recipe is wonderful. Tart, sweet, and piquant. The apple-onions flans are a nice accompaniment.
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/pork-with-ginger-sauce-and-apple-onion-flans
How do you turn your roast chicken?
Depends on the size of the bird. For a small chicken, I just put a large wooden spoon in the cavity, lift and turn, using a silicone spatula on the outside to guide the flip. A larger bird requires the use of two silicone oven mitts. They are ridged for a secure grip, but smooth enough that the skin is not damaged.
Need recs on sturdy wine and martini glasses
I have had these for some time, and none have broken, even with repeated washing in a dishwasher on a regular (not delicate) cycle.
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=16461431&RN=2516&KSKU=118361&
They are Crescendo by Luigi Bormioli, and are available at most department stores. They are made of a lead-free glass that is supposed to be break resistant. I bought this particular style because at the time it was the only one available using this glass. They may have more, now. I know they also have a martini glass, but it may be too large for your liking.
"What's that?" - grocery store edition.
A new market opened near me recently, and I bought a some herbs and vegetables. As I was unloading my cart, the young man asked me what some of the items were: cilantro, dill, bok choy, scallions. Imagine my surprise when the cost was $42. The boy charged me $.99 for each individual scallion in the 3 bunches I bought.
canned ( or bottled ) herring recommendations
I've tried several of the herrings from Ikea and found them all too sweet for my taste. Not sure about Forest Pork store, but I know that Kabanos, Euro Deli, and Polmart in Copiague all carry several varieties of Polish herring. Seko and Lowell are favorite brands, but I've seen a few others.
Simple things you can't get right
Very fresh eggs are notoriously hard to peel. Let them age at least a week before you boil them.
SYRACUSE for 3 days. A MUST in your book!
Eva's European Sweets
1305 Milton Ave
Syracuse, NY 13204
Don't let the name fool you. It's a wonderful Polish restaurant. Really good soups and pierogi, especially the Ruskie. Potato pancakes and gulasz were a big hit.
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Eva's European Sweets
1305 Milton Ave, Syracuse, NY 13204
Desperate in Plattsburgh
Anthony's is very nice, somewhat upscale for the area.
Anthony's Restaurant
538 State Route 3, Plattsburgh, NY
(518) 561-6420
anthonysrestaurantandbistro.com
The Butcher Block is more rustic. Food ranges from good to not so good, but portions are huge.
Butcher Block Restaurant
15 Booth Drive
butcherblockrestaurant.com
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
http://www.amazon.com/Grips-171497-SteeL-Salad-Spinner/dp/B00167ZAU6
cleaning turkey soup
Please don't call it dirty. It may be cloudy, or have particulates that you don't want to see, but it's perfectly edible and not dirty.
What do you like in a state other than its "proper" one? Frozen rather than chilled? Stale rather than fresh? etc.
I like to leave white button mushrooms uncovered for a few days so that they dry out a bit. It concentrates the mushroom flavor, making them more woodsy.
Help! Banana bread bread without baking soda or baking powder?
Try bicarbonado de sodia, or bicarbonado de natria as Natrium is the Latin name for sodium.
Help! Banana bread bread without baking soda or baking powder?
Have you tried a pharmacy? Bicarbonate of soda should be readily available.
Potato Salad Using Baking Potatoes?
I also sprinkle the potatoes when they are warm, but I use pickle juice instead of vinegar.
Lamb Tops - tough
I've never heard of lamb tops. What are they? Maybe a top round roast?
Pho Vietnamese Restaurant on Prince Street, Flushing
Has it closed?
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Pho Vietnamese Restaurant
38-02 Prince St, Queens, NY 11354
Question about Brining Turkey in Buttermilk
I was just in Stop & Shop on Northern Blvd in Little Neck looking for it, too. They were out, but will be getting a shipment Tuesday morning.
What to serve while Thanksgiving is cooking?
A pot of vegetable soup, assorted crackers, and some cheeses.
:: Singing:: Get Me To The Table On Time
http://www.crock-pot.com/Product.aspx?cid=113&pid=373
I've seen it in Costco for a bit less.
Potato Ricer
I have an earlier version of this one from Williams-Sonoma, and am very happy with it.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/deluxe-angled-potato-ricer/?pkey=ccooks-tools-thanksgiving
This new one seems to have a larger capacity, which may or may not be a good thing, depending on your hand strength.
Brining - from where does the practice originate? [moved from Home Cooking]
I don't know about the rest of Europe, but I grew up in Poland, and poultry was always brined. It may have been adopted by non-Jews from the Jewish practice of koshering meat.
Thanksgiving: Tired of Pies
As a pumpkin hater, I had to be cajoled into even tasting this cake when a friend made it. Now, it's my holiday dessert of choice. Something about the brightness of the apricots transforms the bland pumpkin into something wonderful. And it's pretty, too.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Golden-Pumpkin-and-Apricot-Layer-Cake-2623
Dinner suggestions near Hilton Melville
Cirella's is just a couple of miles north on Rte 110, and is quite good.
Cirella's Restaurant
14 Broadhollow Road
Melville, New York 11747
http://www.cirellasrestaurant.com
Another possibility is Barolo
1197 Walt Whitman Rd. (Sweet Hollow Rd.)
Melville, NY 11747
(631) 385-7380
You may need a reservation for Friday.
