katiepie's Profile
Do You Use a Toaster Oven?
I know... I can't believe it, lol!
Yes, I did get one... hubby and I moved to California two years ago and we don't have central air and the kitchen gets HOT in the summer. I bought a cheap one at Macy's... the Bella Cucina. I imagine it was inexpensive for a reason... it takes forever to heat up, and cooks pretty unevenly. I use it to reheat pizza, toast, melt cheese, etc. Someday I would like to get a better one... this thread is a good starting point! Thanks for asking... I can't believe this thread lives on! Awesome.
New Trader Joe's yea/nay thread
Just tried the buttermilk biscuits... they were heavenly! On to the popovers next...
New Trader Joe's yea/nay thread
Happy heads up! TJ's has two new items to try: buttermilk biscuits in the refridgerated section, and popovers in the frozen section. I picked up both today... can't wait to try them! The cashier said both were brand new...
Trader Joe's - "prepared" foods
I love the cornmeal crust pizza... I get at least one a week.
I also love the frozen chicken Quesadillas... they taste homemade!
Trader Joe's Puff Pastry... a Seasonal Item
For the past month or so, TJ's has been out of their puff pastry. I asked someone today if it was discontinued, and was told it is a seasonal item. Really?? In case anyone is curious, it should be back sometime in the fall.
When I think seasonal, I think "in season." Hmmm....
New Trader Joe's yea/nay thread
The Hagan Daas Honey Bee vanilla ice cream is beyond phenomenal. I went to get more this weekend and they were either sold out or it's no longer being produced... I think it was a short-term item. :(
I tried the frozen avocado halves too, and I agree... they are fine in a pinch.
I don't really like the white wheat bread... it tastes okay, but the texture is weird and it falls apart easily.
I love the Shepard's bread!
A deer wanders into Whole Foods . . .
He passed all of the gorgeous, fresh produce and went to the bakery? Sounds like an American deer to me, lol.
Do any major chains actually *cook* (not just microwave)?
I remember a friend of mine's brother got a job as a cook at Chili's his freshman year at college. It was the first job he ever had. I recall thinking, "how can he get a cooking job at a restaurant with no experience??"
This was about ten years ago, before I really knew anything about food. Lol!
New Trader Joe's items [old]
I live in LA county and the manager of our TJ's said we weren't getting the beef hash, either... :(
Yays and nays from Trader Joe's, lately [OLD]
I really like those, too... the Trek Mix Bars and the dried Bartlett pears are my go to snack foods.
Yays and nays from Trader Joe's, lately [OLD]
I love, love, LOVE the bagged organic popcorn with olive oil... so addicting!
Le Pain Quotidien
This is by far my favorite chain. The food is always fresh and delicious. The portions are perfect. The desserts are amazing. I've tried at least six different things off of the menu and have loved every single one of them. The chocolate bars are wonderful. They make a very good cappuccino. Most of what's available is organic. It's always one of my top choices when I go out to eat, and I can be picky.
Anyone else out there feelin' the love for Le Pain Quotidien?
Dunkin Donuts coffee: still sux.
For me, what makes their coffee taste really good is the use of light cream. I even started buying it for home. Now that I've moved to the west coast, I can't get light cream anywhere. I really, really miss it. *sniff*
YouTube's 93 year old Clara..Great Depression Cooking
This brought tears to my eyes, thinking of my grandma cooking in the kitchen... thanks for sharing.
Frozen chocolate croissants @ TJ's?
They have plain mini ones... they are fantastic.
Trader Joes Sliced Parmesan Cheese...
Meow! ;)
Thanks for doing that... yes, lets spread the word! It's addicting... my meat-and-potatoes husband keeps asking me what else we can use it for, lol.
Trader Joes Sliced Parmesan Cheese...
It's sliced.... if you pick some up, let me know what you think!
Trader Joes Sliced Parmesan Cheese...
... is like crack.
When I first saw it I felt there was something inherently wrong about it, but I was also intrigued. It was pretty inexpensive, so I bought some. Ever since then, I've been finding excuses to use it in everything... including nachos. I can't believe myself.
Anyone else try it?
Great Sunday restaurant in the I.E.
One of my favorite restaurants is Viva Madrid! in Claremont. It's a Tapas bar, although they also have main entrees. The food is fabulous and it's fun to share. The atmosphere is very festive. I love it!
www.vivamadrid.com
What's Up With My Oven?
I moved to southern California in July. Until recently, I've been using my toaster oven to bake stuff (it's been too hot to turn on the oven.) For the past three weeks, however, I've been using my oven, and it's baking things waaay faster than it should be. I have an oven thermometer and it seems to be working correctly. Luckily I've been using my nose to let me know when something is done, because I don't trust the usual time limits.
I was wondering if it was an altitude thing. I really don't think it is, as I live 30 miles east of Los Angeles in a valley. I also was wondering if it was my gas stove... I had an electric one in the past, so maybe there's a difference there? I'm just at a loss... I don't mind guessing when my food is done, but it's been a little challenging when I'm trying out a new recipe.
Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
High Tea?
It's a bit pricey, but I adore Paris In a Cup in Orange. It's darling and the food is delicious:
http://www.parisinacup.com/
Dessert Ideas for a Sweet-Hater
My husband isn't much of a sweet eater either, but he loves cheesecake, carrot cake and key lime pie.
Claremont Village- hot chocolate & ice cream
Burt and Rocky's does have hot chocolate... I've never tried it, though.
Their ice cream is fantastic, and they have all sorts of candy and other delights that kids love.
There's a pizza parlor near the diner that is kid-friendly as well...
Gypsy Sweethearts (Ogunquit), Latitudes (New Castle) & Nancy's Place (North Hampton) - WOW!!
I love Gypsy Sweethearts... the food is great and the atmosphere is cozy and romantic. The upstairs bar is really nice, too...
Report on Ogunquit
Nice report... I wish my husband liked sushi.
My favorite Ogunquit restaurant... and one that doesn't get mentioned here often... is Gypsy Sweethearts. We've had consistently good food and service there, and the ambiance is wonderful. Last year we made the mistake of going to MC Perkins Cove for our anniversary... we had never been before, and went because of the glowing reviews. We thought it was mediocre as well, and the space was too open and loud for a romantic dinner (although the view was spectacular.) I highly recommend Gypsy Sweethearts to anyone who's never tried it... both the restaurant and bar upstairs are consistently great.
Spain-themed Gift
I just started a new job and my co-workers are throwing my boss a birthday party. I just met him, and he's a really nice guy. He and his wife just got back from a two week trip to Spain, which he really enjoyed. Since I don't know him very well, I was thinking of picking him up something food-related from Spain, like a good cheese, meat or wine (although I don't know if he drinks, so I don't know how comfortable I am with that. Any suggestions?
Ask Aida--Why so quiet?
It seems to be geared towards a mainstream audience that doesn't know much about cooking (surprise, surprise)... I had high hopes as well, but probably won't be tuning in again.
What are your favorite products at Trader Joes?
chicken mango sausages
Middle East flatbread
pita chips
all-natural peanut butter
Greek yogurt... yum!
Dinner at Shelburne Farms- Shelburne, VT
My husband and I had dinner last night at the Inn at Shelburne Farms for our anniversary. It was a gorgeous night and we had an early reservation.
We started off the evening by ordering glasses of wine and walking around the garden. The roses were in full bloom and it was really beautiful.
When it was time to be seated, we were given a choice of sitting inside or outside. It was a little buggy and there were several tables already taken outside, so we chose to eat in the dining room. We were given a lovely table in the back where we could both face the outside and see the lake.
Our server was very friendly, professional and attentive, and I ordered the fried oysters as an appetizer (my husband didn't want an appetizer.) Before it arrived, we were brought a free "shot" of warm soup made with vegetables from the garden. It was absolutely delicious and a lovely decadent surprise. Afterwards, we were brought a sampling of baby vegetables from the garden served with sweet butter... they were really amazing and my husband and I were very smiley, giddy and happy!
Before my oysters came out, another couple were brought into the dining room and seated right next to us (the whole rest of the dining room was empty.) I've worked in restaurants in the past, and this...to me... is a real no-no. It was early enough in the evening to seat them elsewhere, and they obviously felt uncomfortable (as did my husband and I.) When their server arrived, they asked to be seated at another table.
The server gave them two choices... a table outside or the OTHER table next to us! They chose the table inside next to us apprehensively, but you could tell they were not happy. Quite honestly, it was a little weird and it felt strange having the only other people in the restaurant so close to us on our anniversary. We didn't complain though, as we had been there for a while and didn't want to make a scene. As a side note, we were there for over two hours and people didn't start filtering into the dining room until we were getting ready to order dessert. When we left, there were still numerous tables available for couples.
My oysters were served with a chili mayo on a bed of salt (unedible) and the presentation was beautiful. They oysters were perfectly fried and the mayo had just the right amount of spice. My husband doesn't like oysters and didn't want to share, so I was the happiest girl alive at that point (lol!)
For dinner, both my husband and I ordered the grass fed beef with parmesan fries and creamed spinach. To be honest, it was a little disappointing. There was a lot... a mean a lot... of fat on both cuts of meat, and it was incredibly salty. I wouldn't say it was a bad meal, but we were both a little bummed. Everything was cooked perfectly, but the salt and the fat were a little too much for us.
Finally, we ordered strawberry shortcake to share for dessert. It was absolutely perfect... the strawberries were at the peak of freshness, the biscuit was soft and buttery, and the whipped cream was perfectly sweetened. We were practically licking the bowl when we were finished!
Overall, we had a mixed experience... sitting so close to another couple in an empty dining room was a bit uncomfortable, and our main meals were a bit disappointing. But the free farm samples, appetizer, dessert and service were absolutely blissful... and I mean blissful.
Okay, TonyO... I know you're heading there on Wednesday. Let me know what you think when you return!
Katiepie
