Christnp's Profile
Birthday party food (vegetarian)
Sounds great so far! I agree that you need a cheese plate for more universal appeal.
Three bean-based dips may be a bit much. Consider doing an artichoke or spinach dip with crostini.
Good Ramen at Sapporo
I am THRILLED! I used to be addicted to Sapporo Ramen in Cambridge, MA (Porter Square). I had given up trying to find ramen here. Must get down there while the weather is still chilly.
I wonder if it's the same owner.? It was seriously good stuff.
pistachios in a chocolate tart. Salted or unsalted?
My BF and I were snuggling on the couch and watching Giada make a tart with a biscotti crumb crust, chocolate, cherries and pistachios. He was smitten and kept shouting "I want that!!". We're both foodies and excellent cooks. He is the one with the sweet tooth, but I have a bit more dessert/baking experience.
I want to make it for him as a sweet surprise, but I noticed in the episode that it wasn't clear whether the pistachios were salted or unsalted. (I was a bit distracted though!). The online recipe also doesn't specify, and simply states "pistachios" http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pistachio-cherry-and-chocolate-tart-recipe/index.html
I've googled similar recipes and found some that call for lightly salted pistachios, many that also fail to specify, and some that call for unsalted but have added salt in the recipe. I also know that salt and chocolate are great together!
Dessert cooks, what do you think? Would you do salted or unsalted? Maybe combine the two to achieve "lightly salted."? I do have access to high end markets with good bulk sections, so perhaps the salted, shelled pistachios will be lightly salted compared to the pistachios one might find at a gas station mini-mart!
home made food for babies/toddlers?
You've received some good suggestions here. Your post indicates that you tend to cook once a week and that's what he eats all week long? There are a couple of reasons why this might not be a good idea.
Ideally you should strive for a wide variety of different foods. Even if the meal is nutritionally sound, it will be high in some nutrients and lower in others. By varying foods eaten each day you get a better variety of nutrients. With an infant, I'd also be concerned with storing cooked meats for longer than is considered safe (typically 3-4 days). I'll admit that I eat leftovers that are older than that, but the risks associated with food borne illness are much greater for your little guy.
Help! Where can I find Tasso, Boudin and other Cajun products in Dallas?
It's unclear whether you found the Tasso at Central Market and didn't think it was good enough, or whether you failed to find it.
CM does have Tasso, but it's not in their meat section so could be easily missed. It's near the deli section.
Cookies for 200 people - questions
You may want to make just a few varieties. People have a tendency to want to try one of each. They will eat more if there are many varieties that they want to try.
Dallas restaurants with low calorie options
Is Plano close enough? Seasons 52 has a fresh and interesting menu. Nothing on the menu is over 480 calories. http://www.seasons52.com/menu/nutrition.asp#
For Dallas, Rise no 1 offers wonderful souffles that are low in calories (range from 216-413). They often have gazpacho as well.
Katz's salami hard vs soft?
Last time visiting NYC, I brought home a salami from Katz's deli. I want to order one for delivery, but cannot recall whether I bought the hard or soft salami. I do recall that the guy behind the counter had an opinion about which was the most loved.
Does anyone have a strong opinion about which is "best"? Is their hard salami very dry and ... well ... hard? I know mine wasn't extremely hard.
Thanks for any clues! If they are both wonderful, maybe I'll get two :)
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Katz's Delicatessen
205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
Navy beans- soaked two night now smell HORRID!
Beans can grow nasty bacteria if left unrefrigerated. Once they soak for a bit, they are ripe for bacterial growth. Throw 'em out. Refrigerating beans while they soak is usually recommended.
A Good Indian Buffet for Lunch in Plano/Richardson/Addison/North Dallas?
I'm often critical of Indian Buffets, but there's one in Plano that I love. Maharaj 4152 W Spring Creek Pkwy (Just west of Coit). Everything is fresh and they have an excellent variety of dishes. It's not Americanized.
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Spring Creek Restaurants
4108 S Carrier Pkwy, Grand Prairie, TX 75052
What healthy, room-temperature dinners can I mail?
There is really very little can make on your own that will be stable enough to be shipped without refrigeration and require very little cooking. If you are just shipping store-bought products, it would probably end up cheaper to order them from Amazon and have them shipped to her directly (yes, Amazon has food).
Another idea: Many areas have grocery delivery services where you can order online. It may the the store itself that delivers, or a third-party service that shops the grocery list and delivers for a reasonable fee. Google for grocery delivery and her area.
Eating low carb at chain restos
I'm big into low carbing. I'll warn you that McDonald's chicken nuggets aren't low carb. It's about half carb and half protein. 4 pieces = 11g carb to 10 g protein . Carb-wise, you'd actually be better off getting a quarter pounder even with the bun. 29 g protein to 40 g carb. Plus you don't have to eat the entire bun.
For sit-down chains, I'll usually get either a burger or a grilled chicken sandwich and either ignore the bun or ask them to serve it without the bread, with a few greens.
Subway does salads. You can start with a plate of lettuce, add your selected meats and cheese and all of the typical sandwich veggie toppings.
Ruby Tuesdays has many chicken and steak options on the menu that aren't sandwiches or pasta based. A good choice for a low carb "fast food" meal.
Chicken Noodle Soup for a crowd -make ahead adaptations
As long as you keep the noodles out, the entire soup should work when made ahead. I wouldn't roast the carrots. It will give it a different taste than if they are just simmered. You may be surprised at the intense sweetness.
Consider serving the soup by putting room temp, cooked noodles in the bowl, then spooning hot soup on top of them. This will avoid the mush issue and will also ensure that each serving is appropriately "noodled"
What sides should I serve with my leg of lamb?
Rice with mint and feta. My family has been making this rice recipe for years and we often serve it with lamb. It's super simple but amazingly delicious. We tend to let the onion caramelize slightly over low heat rather than just making it translucent. If the rice finishes a little early, just leave it covered and wait until just before serving to stir in the feta and mint. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Feta-and-Mint-Rice-2023
For veg, grilled asparagus works nicely, or a light spinach salad with something a little fruity and crunchy.
Where can I find Nueske's Bacon?
I get it at CM all the time and have never had a problem finding the proper meat-to-fat ratio. It's yummy stuff!
We call them Gypsy Eggs. What do you call them?
I had the recipe in my first children's cookbook. It was called "Toad in a hole" there, so that's what I've always called it. My SO's family called it "dropped egg on toast"
Room temperature hors d'œuvre ideas
Pate would be a great option. There is a wide variety available now. You could do a traditional and a veggie or seafood one.
White bean crostini
artichoke dip
Assorted olives
sliced salami
A middle east platter? Stuffed grape leaves, hummus, tabbouleh, feta
Hors d'oeuvres ideas for friends with dietary restrictions?
Are these the only 2 guests, or just 2 picky eaters in a larger group?
Mail-order barbecue?
Rudy's in Texas is exceptionally good brisket. They recently added mailorder shipping. http://www.rudys.com/ ... and for a more more Rudy's temptation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7HGJ-py3aQ
Good food and arrogant SOB restaurant owner - which trumps?
The Pastrami Nazi! I would try to think of his personality defect as simply unfortunate, learn to expect it, laugh it off and enjoy my pastrami.
calories in Pho
Certain types of traditional Pho can include deliberately fatty cuts of beef (and lots of it). There is also a type of pho where the broth is deliberately "extra fatty".
It wouldn't surprise me that some bowls of pho could be over 1,000 calories, but I doubt they all are.
Pancetta substitutions for new non-pork eater
Turkey bacon is worth a shot. For soups, also consider making a stock from smoked turkey legs or necks. In the U.S., many markets have these available as a substitute for ham hocks.
Of course, it's not the same as pancetta (which is non-smokey), but it could be a "different but good" option.
Is it possible to make low-fat appetizers that are satisfying and tasty?
I've made a recipe for crab stuffed cucumber cups that is low fat and delish. It contains pickled ginger (sushi ginger). http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Crab-Stuffed-Cucumbers-157
Pinwheels would work. Spread a large tortilla/wrap with low fat boursin (or similar), a layer of sliced turkey, a row of roasted red peppers, a row of steamed asparagus. Roll it up tight, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Slice into "wheels" just before serving. Very pretty and great for party nibbling. Can be made the day before.
Asian chicken lettuce wraps are another idea. Also, frozen Asian dumplings/gyoza. The veggie and shrimp varieties can be light, but do some label comparison. Some contain a lot of fat, some don't.
If you're up for a brief bit of cooking during the party, consider making mussels in white wine and garlic.
Smelly roux?
Canola oil goes rancid much sooner than many other vegetable oils. Open the bottle and smell it. It should have a very faint, very neutral odor. If it smells strong, or like old wood furniture, then toss it. You'll have to buy fresh oil and start over :(
Help me round out my menu
I think you want something green, light, a little bit crunchy, and with a flavor that pops with "higher tones"
Broiled asparagus would be great with this. Broiled with a little olive oil and a touch of garlic. With a spritz of fresh lemon juice and fresh Parmesan shavings before serving. It's fine to serve them room temperature. If you can grill them, that works too.
Another idea would be sauteed, garlicky green beans. Ideally hericot vert, left whole and slightly crunchy. Everything else is a little bit soft, so a bit of crunch would be a nice contrast. Tarragon might be an excellent herb for the green beans with this menu.
If you're really ambitious, start with a plated, classic spinach salad ... but still have a green veggie for the main course.
Catering Recommendations for Dallas
My office holiday party has used Blue Mesa catering for several years. They always do an excellent job. It is a small regional chain of upscale, "gourmet" southwestern cuisine.
We have always done one of the more traditional "seasonal menus". This year it was a variation on their Holiday Celebration Buffet. I don't have experience with their more "small bite" catering menus (though it's all great at the restaurant). They also provide dish service. http://www.bluemesagrill.com/catering
Home Fries
I think regional food is becoming less regional in general. Possibly due to the preponderance of food infotainment shows (foodfotainment?). In Texas, it's common to see both home fries and grits on the menu.
Idea for a main meat dish - but must freeze well
I think the pork roast would probably get dry and overcooked if it were frozen and reheated. Have you considered marinading a few pork tenderloins and just popping them in the oven? They should be cooked in 40 minutes or so, depending on size. In the end, it could be the easiest option and would be light and tasty next to the heavier lasagna. I'd do a marinade with rosemary, minced garlic, a little balsamic, olive oil, crushed red pepper (optional), S & P.
Tex Mex Christmas Eve
It's not exactly Tex Mex, but Blue Mesa might be open. It's a small chain, upscale southwestern cuisine and popular. A lot of Tex-Mex type stuff on the menu but slightly less traditional. There's a location in at 121 and the tollway (Plano/Frisco border).
Christmas Dinner Restaurant Suggestion
When I lived in the North East I had a lot of Jewish friends and they all went to Chinese restaurants on Christmas day, since they were usually the only ones open. I don't have any specific suggestions in mind, but it seems like a good option to investigate.
