jnk's Profile
Mountainside--Low Key Lunch
Funny, I'm told that Dylan of "Dylans Public House" has left and become a partner in the restaurant in Hotel 304 hence Dylan's is now just "Public House".
Instant Read vs. Leave in Thermometer
Truthfully I use both, just not at the same time. When I'm smoking something or roasting something I'll leave a probe in using my Maverick thermometer. When I''m grilling pork chops or chicken or even a burger I'll use my Thermapen. Yes, I believe there's a need for having both.
I'm a newbie gardener in N.J. (7a, not a parkway exit but our zone)
Thank you all for your replies. Sorry for the delay in responding but you know how life sometimes gets in the way....This will be my 1st year of experimentation and I'll be using a lot of your information. I'll check in and let you know how things are going and I'm sure I'll have plenty more questions. Thank you all again.
Jersey Mike's -- Yays, Nays, and Best Subs
Even if the different meats, salads, cheeses were something special (which they're not), the bread is a notch above a Subway roll which is also not saying much. It's like going to McDonald's when you want a burger. If there's no where else to go for a burger, it's just okay, same thing with Jersey Mikes, if you want a sub and there's nowhere else to get one, it's okay but nothing to write home about.
When did fake crab meat become so ubiquitous? And why isn't anyone else complaining?
Purple, I was thinking the same thing about reading Sam's words.
I'm a newbie gardener in N.J. (7a, not a parkway exit but our zone)
and I want to have a vegetable/herb garden in a portion of my backyard. My 1st inclination is to build 3 frames, fill them with topsoil and grow everything in there. Next I'd like to know about starting from seed vs. buying my plants and herbs from the nursery. I'm getting the impression from everything that I'm reading here that I'm too late to start from seed (not unhappy about that)
but for the future, does it make a difference? Thanks in advance for your help.
What's your very most favorite PB&J combination?
Very simple; spoon, crunchy peanut butter, strawberry jam. No need for bread or anything else to muck up what i'm going after.
BBQ Pork Shoulder on my Weber
Remember, it's not the internal temp that tells you when the butt is done, rather it's how tender it is when you stick a probe into different spots. The probe should go in as if it were butter. Hope you enjoy.enjoyed the fruits of your labor.
What is the one item you always leave Costco with?
We also loved the "Sumatra" coffee, were disappointed whe it disappeared and it never reappeared in NJ. Went to "Charbucks" for a while. Wish they had another alternative.
BYO recommendations needed
We like "Next Door" rather than "Blu"
http://www.restaurantblu.com/nextdoor/
venting range to roof or exterior side?
Depending on the breeze, I'd say the chances are good. Our vent is through the wall and my son knows what's for dinner as he walks up the driveway. I also know when my next door neighbors are cooking steak and their vent is probably 40 feet from our house with bushes in between.
Your disappointing purchases from Costco
Once an onion gets that slimy feeling I just can't use it.
Chinese roast pork on garlic bread
Were this the 1960's, I would say "The Flagship Diner" in Briarwood Queens.
Buffalo Wings - Let's do Something Different
Cooling rack on a 1/2 sheet pan, wings, salt pepper, oven @400 for 60 minutes or so.Crispy and delicious. Sometimes less is more.
Hello experts, I need some advice for dinner Saturday night
We actually ended up going to Viet Ai in Florham Park. Turned out there were eight of us and it was a hoot. Was the food spectacular, no but it was good. Thanks all for your advice and I've written the offerings down for our next excursion. Thanks again.
Hello experts, I need some advice for dinner Saturday night
We're two couples that are looking for someplace different for dinner tomorrow night. Anything goes, limit is about $50/pp, would prefer byob and should be within 30 minutes of Scotch Plains (exit 135 GSP). 30 minutes can be 25-30 miles in any direction, just don't feel like crossing the river (Hudson that is). Thanks in advance or your advice, I'm really looking forward to the recommendations.
Cheeburger Cheeburger?
Strangest thing, we had a cheeburger cheeburger in our town, it closed, reopened and then went out of business again. Really not very good and they won't make your burger any type of rare.
Charlie Brown's - Reopening?!
The Charlie Brown's in Scotch Plains never closed though I think it probably should have. Nothing is quite as good as it used t be (except the beer and you can't mess that up). Their steaks have more fat and gristle on them, the crab cakes have way more filler than crab, the salad bar ingredients have suffered terribly....all in all, no reason to go there.
Memories of deep fried McDonald's Apple Pies
My vote is for the Tastykakes Dutch Apple Pie. The frosting is what makes it a killer!
Thermoworks Thermapen Open Box Sale!!!
In for the pink (easier to find in the drawer).
Range Hood vs OTR Microwave
I think you'll really appreciate the way this hood works. We've had ours for 6 yrs now and the biggest problem we've has is that one of the 4 halogen bulbs just burned out. Best of luck with it.
Range Hood vs OTR Microwave
We've got a 30 inch range but chose to get the 36 inch Venezia Zephyr vent. It wasg a combination of planning for the future (larger range) and I thought the physics involved would make for a better draw. We've had it now for 6 years and we've never had a problem with it (I'm sure I just jinxed it now). External venting is wonderful, just remember that it is an uninsulated hole in your house and if you live in a VERY cold climate....wel.... Here in NJ, no big deal.
Your disappointing purchases from Costco
What I usually do is peel the entire bag as soon as I get home, slice them, put them in a roasting pan and into the oven. Within a couple of hours I have 10 lbs (minus a couple 0f onions)of caramelized onions ready to use however/whenever needed. That's why I don't buy the sweet onions, they get too sweet.
Your disappointing purchases from Costco
Bags of yellow onions. I'm sure this appears somewhere on this thread but really, I have never bought a bag of onions where there hasn't been at least 2 of the onions that were rotten. Do they not sell quickly? Are their standards very low with their suppliers? I've mentioned it to the store managers an they write it down but truthfully it never changes. OK, I'm done now and I'll get off my soapbox.
vacuum sealers
I 2nd the opinion of the FoodSaver. I've had mine for 4 years now and have had no issues with it. Mine is probably less expensive than the "pro" model and was recently on sale from the FoodSaver folks for $89 including a few bags and accessories. Check their website because they run specials frequently.
baking racks for half-sheet pans?
As has been said earlier, you're best to take you 1/2 sheet pan to whichever store you'll buy the rack in. I think though that a 1/2 sheet pan might be too shallow for the fat that will come off of a whole turkey that's been butterflied.
I want to make proper "chopped liver". What is the best hand chopper to use?
It's in my drawer now, but my mom's wooden bowl cracked a few years ago.
I want to make proper "chopped liver". What is the best hand chopper to use?
I use a food processor and pulse it to get the proper texture (according to my family) but my mom used to use a cast iron and steel hand chopper like this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL-AND-RED-CAST-IRON-HANDLE-ONE-BLADE-HAND-FOOD-CHOPPER-VINTAGE-/260886488318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cbe0be4fe
You can still buy them for about $5.00 in some supermarkets.
