jillcooks's Profile
Americas Test Kitchen Online Cooking School (or, $500 for just ONE of several available courses. Are you kidding me???)
WHOA! where's the love for ATK? I think you all must be right about their marketing dept. as I have received cookbooks galore without being asked if I wanted them. I do enjoy the magazine, but have decided to buy it on the newsstand rather than wait for the subscription delivery. I have far too often bought it(thinking my subscription had run out) only to get it in the mail a week later. I kind of think if your a subscriber you should have yours BEFORE it shows up on the stand.
what are you canning this year?
Does anyone have a GREAT or even good recipe for RED WINE JELLY recipe,(specifically merlot) I have quite a bit leftover from a wedding where the servers opened it ahead...UGH! so needless to say there is a ticking clock on this request.
what are you canning this year?
I am going to confess something....please dont tell the USDA...but I use a steamer canner...SHOCKING!!!! (I know!) I have never had any issues with my pickles and I usually do a couple hundred(yes I have an illness) and the rare occcasin where they do no seal, I refridgerate and give away those first or keep for home use. I LOVE not having to boil gallons of water and heat up the house so much. Because I do some many at a time, the extra time soaking with the lime is actually helpful. Though the process takes 3 days in total when your doing that many, and my house smells like a vinegar barrel for a couple days,
what are you canning this year?
hmmm thank you for that clarification, I may have to try it, though I do love the results I get from pickling lime. I do run up my water bill quite a bit when I make my pickles, but if it aint broke.....
Canning time!
You have plenty of time to get around to the brussel sprouts as they really are not in season just yet, BUT dare I say it, Kroger's brand makes an excellent dilled Brussel Sprouts, till you get around to making your own. We dont have a Kroger's in our area, but when we travel south I pick them up. As for canning jars, canning has become a trendy thing around here lately.
Canning time!
Attending waaaaay too many weddings this July is cutting into my canning, HOWEVER! I just made LOTS of hot pepper jelly (its a favorite of my family) they practically drink it. I hope that when CT local peaches arrive, and ofcourse pickles, lots and lots of pickles. Have all you new canners screwed up my canning jar sources?!?!? Tag sales and old Italian ladies seem to be fresh out! Hoping to do Dilly Beans and dilled Brussel Sprouts when their season arrives.
what are you canning this year?
@lorxc ...DO try the "pickle crisp stuff" It DOES work, it is also known as pickling lime, it does add time to the work, and it does require alot of rinsing...ALOT!! but the results make it worth it.
recipe for Pork Bread
In the Huntington section of Trumbull CT there is a bakery that sells an delectable bread, they call "Pork Bread" my guess is it is Polish or Italian or Hungarian in origin(just a guess) I need a recipe for this charming bread, so I dont have to drive so far to have it. I look forward to any help on its origin, and how to make it.
NC Barbecue and Fried Chicken near I-95
THIS PLACE ROCKS! ....as you leave 95 headed north if you take a left you will be surrounded by TGI-whatever, and every other bland nasty corporate semi-fast food known to man. BUT if you head away from it you will find a place wher they dont take credit cards and they offer every wonderful kind of barbeque you might love. When I was there last its pork offerings were outstanding. Please try this place you will love it!
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Ralph's Barbecue
1400 Julian R Allsbrook Hwy, Weldon, NC 27890
Recent Norwalk Finds
Very good and very reasonably priced Mexican food in E. Norwalk, Atlantic Meat Market is a good stop, and yes their sandwiches are quite good!
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Tacos Mexico
82 Fort Point St, Norwalk, CT 06855
Top 5 Cheap Eats in Fairfield County?
They had a fire, the food was good and reasonable before, but the setting was...shall we say, less than ...It was like eating in your grandmothers kitchen, lighting and all. Now HOLY COW! nice dining room, great food, great prices, yes its a club...sign in, and your good to go! Oh yeah its on the water too, but if you go for dinner you may have a tough time seeing it.
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Ischoda Galley
138 Water St, Norwalk, CT 06854
New to Fairfield, CT from Manhattan - your favorite restaurants?
Odd, there are very few Norwalk restaurants listed. Expensive, with a great view and excellent fish Harborlights, If you want greek pizza East Avenue Pizza on Ft Point St, Italian pizza, no argument its Pepe's without exception. Need an excellent meal for a huge crowd? Norwalk Inn, I have had excellent luncheons and banquet style dinners there...I know I know, I was surprised too. The Chef (and he is an CIA trained chef) really takes pride in his stuff. Also just had an excellent meal at the Ischoda Club, yes its a club but yes your can come and eat, just sign in. Really great prices too. Also, Ambrosia gives you alot of bang for the buck...if you need to take the kids and Grandma out, you will not be disappointed. Someone above said that Mike's is run by an elderly couple...I think Mike would be depressed at that description...He can't be older than 55. But you will need reservations there, food is excellent but they only cook for reservations. Also if you are looking for a great bakery NY Bakery on Main St (next to Mikes) is the place for rye bread, hard rolls etc.
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East Avenue Pizza
84 Fort Point St, Norwalk, CT 06855
Stew Leonards...an ongoing debate
Stews serves a purpose, it provides great revenue for Norwalk(thank you Stew) and some really good stuff, but some exceptionally overpriced stuff. Fresh fish, they move alot of it so it always appears fresh. Their produce is overpriced BIG TIME!, and the new maze at the Norwalk store makes me want to buy an automatic weapon. Their pizza dough is excellent, and it makes me sad because I dont want to like it. Their lost leaders on butter, and filet, and Bounty paper towel, make it worth the stop. If your from Norwalk and go on a weekend you get what you deserve.....rammed ankles and pissy surly New Yorkers who are pissed your there. Their fresh Mozzarella is excellent and their fresh herbs are exactly that, fresh. NEVER EVER go on a holiday weekend...im not kidding.
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New Yorker Restaurant
RR 44, Millerton, NY 12546
Best Mexican w/ killer taco's in Fairfield County?
Tacos Mexico in East Norwalk on Fort Point Street, Im not a HUGE mexican fan, but my husband and stepson are(relocated Texans) and they rave. I enjoy their food more than most others in the area, and it is reasonable....as it SHOULD be....fer cryin out loud what is the mark up on beans!??!?!?!?!?
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Tacos Mexico
82 Fort Point St, Norwalk, CT 06855
New at canning... Air bubbles?
Dont throw it away stick it in your refridgerator, or if you made quite a jam or jelly try the freezer. Dont waste it!
Worst pizza in Fairfield County?
oooh, while it would be so easy to just name the chain delivery places, that is institutionalized badness, we just recently tried a local, and were quite amazed at just how crappy it was. Pappas in E. Norwalk, just horrible, so bad it was shocking. Also Tom E Toes in Wilton, while their panini's are not bad and if you go in to the restaurant and order something other than the pizza you should be fine HOWEVER...the pizza was just, barely edible, the crust, was as flavorless as corrugated, come to think of it, properly seasoned cardboard would taste better than this stuff they call pizza.
Great Burger, cheap drinks E. Norwalk
Try the Pastime Club on Seaview Avenue...open for dinner on Thurs, Friday and Saturdays, Lunch Tues through Sunday. Its changed operators a couple times but you cannot beat the burgers, and they just put ribs on as an App. really really excellent. Beware though, you must sign in, you dont need to be a member but you must sign in. That involves going through the bar, which is a nice little local place, but since its a club, they allow smoking.
There is no smoking in the dining room though, and you cannot beat the view(its on the Norwalk Harbor) or the prices.
Dinner for 3 of us with drinks runs about $40 , ok so my 10 year old isnt much of a drinker, but you get the idea. Dont expect fancy, but expect to be pleasantly surprised.
Why does my pizza stone stink?
I have pizza stones that I use quite often, but the only time I get a smell is when something I am baking falls off the stone. that being said to affirm the prior writer, I was never instructed to "season" my stones. I cannot imagine why it would be necessary.
Dont give up! they are great, I would take them back to crate and barrel and tell them about the problem,,,maybe you can get another one...try it withou the seasoning routine.
Sam's vs Costco
Costco is NOT cheaper, they have great produce and nice meat, but they do not have a great selection of food, and you cannot depend on consistency with what they stock. I am also a Sam's club member but it is not as convenient as Costco for me. For an example. The pedestrian boneless skinless chicken breast, $2.89 per lb at Costco,
1.99 a pound at my local market. I would stick with Sams if price is your main concern.
co-ed baby shower menu -- am I missing anything?
where is the "dude-food"? except for the roast beef sandwiches. Maybe all your guys are some form of 'metrosexuals"(is that still going on?) But you have GOT TO GIVE THE MEN SOME FOOD THEY CAN CALL THEIR OWN!!! I am sorry i didnt mean to yell.
But really showers suck, and till recently we didnt make men attend them or witness childbirth, I personally think the childbirth thing is actually a good idea, but showers! please, Ladies...Are we really that pissed off at them? Foodswise, (only) I think it would make a great chick outing...but I am a broad, so I like that type of food.
ANY good Chinese in CT?
Village Gourmet, in the Cranberry section of Norwalk, I know of others who are equally "fussy" and they recomend it highly. I too enjoy their food, I just cannot say I am all that fussy when it comes to Chinese.
