mdzehnder's Profile
PEPPER GRINDERS
shezmu--this might be something to conisder.
http://kuhnrikon.com/products/tools/tools.php3?id=235
It comes with a series of interchangeable inserts that hold different spices. When you want to grind something different you just remove one container and replace it with another. The inserts themselves remain filled at all times so its just a quick swap.
This is also a ceramic grinder and Kuhn Rikon is excellent quality.
Grape Seed Oil Question
The use of the term, "shortening" in the name would seem to indicate to me that it's not an oil at all, but a solid. Am I wrong?
Grape Seed Oil Question
I'm looking to purchase some grape seed oil to use for high temperature applications and for when I don't want to use my good olive oil. My local supermarket carries the Grapeola brand (bottle looks like this http://www.amazon.com/Kusha-Grapeola-Grape-Liter-Bottle/dp/B001EO5YNO) at a fairly reasonable price.
My question is, does anyone know anything about how this brand is produced? I prefer to purchase expeller-pressed whenever possible when it comes to oils. The bottle doesn't say anything, and I can't find anything online. Anyone know anything about it?
Thanks!
Thanksgiving soup?
Thanks! I have a bulb of fennel floating around in the icebox, so this sounds like a perfect excuse to buy some Pernod.
KC Donuts: Donut King, John’s Space Age Donut Shop and LaMar’s
Melanie,
You MUST try Oz's Maq House. My wife and I recently did a "doughnut tour" of five different doughnut places in and around KC (including Donut King and John's Space Age), and Oz's was the clear winner. The "old fashioned" (cake with glaze) was incredible, as was the regular cake. A very close second was Fluffy Fresh Donuts. The day we were there they had an apple sauce doughnut that was magnificent.
KC: Pancakes
The best pancakes I've had in KC weren't in KC proper, but in Overland Park, at The Urban Table. The pancakes themselves were excellent, but the best part for me was the syrup, which was real maple and infused with orange marmalade for a delicious combination. I've gotten to the point where I almost never order pancakes out because all anyone ever has is the fake corn syrup "maple syrup," which is disgusting, pointless and ruins a great pancake. This place doesn't make that mistake. Their waffles are excellent also, and come with a choice of different infused maple syrups, my favorite of which is bacon--praline.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Paper towels are not completely banned, but I do try to limit the use of them as much as possible. Like rewok below, draining bacon after cooking is one of the uses for paper towels for which I've not come up with an acceptable substitute, as is wiping oil onto my cast iron pans to season them after use. Since paper towels are compostable, however, using them doesn't bug me nearly as much as does the plastic issue.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that? I'm going to combine this suggestion with the woven ratan/bamboo one mentioned above and see what I can find out!
Lower end Scotch tastes
That's exactly it. I Don't mind rough edges in and of themselves--I actually enjoy the rough quality of a bourbon--that's just not what I'm after when I drink scotch. I see no reason to pay $25, $30, or $40 for a bottle of scotch when I can get a bottle of Old Overholt, which I enjoy as much as if not more than the 10 and 12 year scotches, for $12. When I drink scotch I'm going for that aged, complex smoothness, and I'm willing to pay more to get it.
Squash Blossoms in KC?
That sounds incredible. I sadly mostly missed strawberry season this year but this is definitely going on my rotation for next season. Thanks for sharing!
Lower end Scotch tastes
@ncyankee101--thanks for the suggestions. If I see those in the store I may give them a shot. My problem now is I've been finding more and more that I just don't seem to enjoy anything aged less than 15 yrs. Even scotches I enjoy in their 15 or 18 yr versions--such as McCallans, Glenlivet or Glenfidditch--I don't enjoy in the 12 or 10 yr variations. The rough edges are just too much for me--I'd rather switch to a good Bourbon or rye than to drop below 15 yrs in an aged scotch. I will, however, try your suggestions, and perhaps they will convince me otherwise.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
This debate could go on forever, but to put it briefly, I've not taken any shortcuts. I've carefully thought through my options, and decided that a "no plastic" credo is a good place to START in terms of reaching those goals. Certainly doesn't excuse me from continuing to make nuanced and careful decisions about what options I choose beyond that (I'm not employing an, "as long as its not plastic anything goes" mentality), but after consideration I've decided that "no plastic" is a good jumping--off point. As to whether steel is less energy intensive, I think it has the potential to be. Yes it requires energy to recycle it, and even to initially refine and produce it, but those energies could potentially come from renewable sources. Plastic will always, unavoidably, be based on fossil fuels for its production. Additionally, you'll notice in my OP that my first choice would be ceramic, not stainless.
Finally, however, there's more involved than just sustainability. While that's an important goal for me, I'm not a fanatic--even I have not figured out a workable alternative for ziploc bags and the plastic lids to my glass leftover containers. When it comes right down to it, I simply don't LIKE plastic--it makes me sad. I love a good vintage--retro feel in my apt as a whole but especially in my kitchen, so anything that can be wood, metal, glass or ceramic--materials that in my mind actually have some character--over plastic is going to be.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Gio--do you turn the colander upside-down before you shake it, or shake it right-side up? I've tried a similar technique before and can never seem to get it to work properly. I don't know if its the size or shape of the holes in my colander or what the problem is, but there always seems to still be a good bit of water standing in the inside of the colander when I'm finished shaking...
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. As I feared there don't seem to be any options available. I've looked into getting one of the old French-style ones before but haven't yet done it. I'll probably either do that or go with the cloth bag method.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Do you mind letting me know what brand the one you own is (or, if you've stopped using it, maybe you just want to sell it to me? :-)
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
I'm trying, as a matter of principle, to avoid plastics, period--not simply contact with them. Plastic is a non-renewable, energy-intensive, fossil fuel based product, and therefore something I prefer to avoid if at all possible.
Seeking a Salad Spinner that Isn't Plastic
Despite how much I despise one-use type gadgets in working in the kitchen, my wife has finally convinced me (or just insisted for long enough) that its time for us to invest in a salad spinner. As much as I hate gadgetry, however, I also hate buying things made out of plastic. I've managed to find a Rosle brand salad spinner that is stainless steel, and am looking for suggestions on other options.
Does anyone know where I can purchase a salad spinner made out of something other than plastic? Price is not an issue. When we were putting together our wedding registry I seem to recall finding one that was ceramic, but now I can't locate it anymore.
Any suggestions welcome!
cowering in fear
I would definitely fall for this. I don't care about the bathroom medicine cabinet, but I have an absolute weakness for snooping through other people's kitchens. Anytime I house-sit or pet-sit for friends the first thing I always do is go through the kitchen and pantry to see what sorts of foodstuffs and cooking implements they keep on hand. Probably bad, but I just find it irresistibly fascinating.
if you could only go to one place in Kansas City for BBQ, where would it be?
Oh I'm definitely not saying there aren't other factors involved in the Texas vs. KC barbeque question. I'm just saying that its always been my perception that there's a sauce vs. meat dichotomy, and TX tends to fall more on the meat side of that dichotomy, and KC tends to fall more on the sauce size. I'm sure there's much more complexity to it.
if you could only go to one place in Kansas City for BBQ, where would it be?
Like I said, that's just been my experience. People I've talked to about Texas BBQ, and the Texas BBQ I've had, seem more interested in the meat itself--sauces are ok, but not really the point, and sometimes even a hindrance. In KC its seems more like the meat is a good and important foundation, but a good sauce is just as, if not slightly more, important.
if you could only go to one place in Kansas City for BBQ, where would it be?
Texas--and to some extent NC--barbeque is more about the meat. KC barbeque, in my experience, tends to be more about the sauce.
if you could only go to one place in Kansas City for BBQ, where would it be?
Are you by any chance from Texas?
Squash Blossoms in KC?
Agreed--a trip to the city market is never wasted. Always something interesting to discover, and its fun to just wander around and take everything in. Mind sharing your ricotta mousse recipe? I too am not typically a dessert eater or maker, but I love in season strawberries and that sounds delicious.
Craft Cocktail Recomendations in Kansas City
Thanks to you both! I'd heard other good things about Justus Drugstore, but nothing specifically about their bar. Thanks for the link.
Craft Cocktail Recomendations in Kansas City
I'm looking for a bar or restaurant recommendation in KC for a place that does really high quality craft cocktails. I'm talking on the level of The Gibson in DC, PX in Alexandria VA, Drink in Boston, Jeffrey Morgenthaler in Portland, that sort of thing. The kind of places that make their own bitters and tonic. Anyone know if there's anything even close to this anywhere in KC? KCK or KC MO are both fine.
Thanks!
What to do with a bunch of limes and lemons?
Gin and tonics consumed in very large numbers.
How do you use Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce?
I just bought a bottle of the stuff (http://www.huyfong.com/frames/index.htm) and I'm not entirely sure what to do with it. I have a few ideas, but would love any suggestions people can offer. Thanks!
Are you a brand slave?
Only Coke, only "Mexican" coke (or Kosher--i.e. real sugar, not HFCS), and only from a glass bottle (preferably--I'll take a can if its absolutely all I can get, NEVER a plastic bottle). Of course, I only drink soda 3 or 4 times a year, so I can afford to be persnickety.
