grampart's Profile
Best soft serve I've ever had!
I agree that the Polar Cub has the best soft serve I've ever had and it's as good today as it was 50 years ago. One thing, it's on Rt. 22 in Whitehouse (Readington Twp.)
where to eat in Asheville
The Admiral is so good you should go there twice! Be sure to make reservations! Also agree on Early Girl and Tupelo Honey. Also, if the weather permits, drinks on the "veranda" at the Grove Park Inn can be very nice. Don't know about the food, though.
The Best Colombian Coffee on the cheap?
We drink Colombian Supremo exclusively, however since I roast and grind the beans myself, I pay $133.00 for 25 pounds from CoffeeBeanDirect.com. They also sell roasted beans in 5 pound bags. Check here: http://www.coffeebeandirect.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_57&products_id=89&osCsid=652377f61409a3dca496464f1268b75a
Pizza Toppings
On the one pictured, they stayed fairly soft. On a subsequent attempt, I finished off the pie under the broiler for less than a minute and they got some nice browning, but still not really crispy.
Pizza Toppings
White potato pizza - Mozz, thinly sliced blanched Red Bliss potatoes, black olives, a little fresh rosemary, and a sprinkling of grated parm.
Need help for really good meatballs.
10-12 eggs in your recipe? Are they poached or coddled? : > )
Need help for really good meatballs.
For my money, you can't beat the meatballs made from this recipe from Rao's in NYC.
http://therecipereader.com/meatballs-raos.htm
Kitchen Gadget you can not live without?
I deal with it every winter. For the most part when it's cold (under 45), I roast in the garage and, if needed, add time to the roasting cycle by pushing the "up" button until the beans are the right color. I only use Colombian Supremo and always go to a Full City ++ roast. If the temp is cool but it's windy, I roast on the front porch which is protected from the wind, but wait for that time of the day when the sun is shining directly on the roaster. The rest of the time (like you) I roast on the back patio. There have been a few times when we've had very cold temps, little or no sun, and pretty high winds. During these times, I go to the store and buy some wholebean coffee. This year it's been Peet's. I should mention that I'm retired and have enough free time on my hands to "do what I have to do".
Wellington - Duxelle issue
This is the recipe I've used for years and the result is always perfect. Note the amount of butter used. btw, it usually takes about 3-4 hours.
Duxelles (From the book Delights and Prejudices by James Beard)
Introduction
This is the answer to an all-purpose seasoning agent. Its flavor is irresistible. You will want to add it to everything you make. A little of this preparation added to eggs is delicious. It is an integral part of many sauces and may be used for a quick toasted sandwich or for hors d’oeuvre.
Steps
1.Chop 3 pounds mushrooms fairly fine. They do not have to be of the very top quality. You can use little ones and mixed sizes.
2.Melt ½ pound butter in a very heavy skillet and add the mushrooms. Stir them to blend with the butter and cook them over low heat, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms have thrown off all their liquid and have turned a very dark brown, almost black. It may be necessary to add additional butter, and care must be taken that they do not get crisp. They must remain soft.
3.Add salt and pepper to taste and spoon them into a jar or bowl for keeping.
Any Recommendations for a Pizza Stone Brand?
IMHO, Fibrament is the way to go. After 3 or 4 cheap stones cracked, I bought a Fibrament about 4 years ago and never had a single regret. Just as Weber is my rec when it comes to grills, spend a little more now and enjoy the product for many years after.
Can the Vitamix knead/mix dough? If not, a good entry-level mixer for pizza dough?
If you can find a used bread machine (with dough cycle) in a thrift store, you'd be set for a very small outlay of cash. I've been doing ALL my doughs (bread, pasta, and pizza) in one for years and would never do it any other way.
6 in 1 Tomatoes
FYI, they are only $16.50 online (shipping included) through the Escalon site for (6) 28 oz. cans. I've used nothing else for my pizza sauce for the last 5 years.
Kitchen Gadget you can not live without?
Without a doubt, my I-Roast2 coffee roaster. https://www.i-roast.com/asp/pro_01.asp
Pork Chops
If you really want to taste pork like it was before it became "the other white meat", try this.
http://www.heritagepork.com/berkshire_pork
What's the best digital food scale?
I've been using a MyWeigh for the last few years. It does everything I need it to do and was priced right at http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/my-weigh-ibalance-300.aspx
Fair amount of tip at a restaurant
If you think 15% is fair (and I'm in agreement with that) then tip 15% and screw everyone that says it should be more.
charlotte to charleston
A bit out of your way, but this place in Newberry SC (just north of Columbia off I26) is a very, very good place.
http://www.delamaters.com/
Comfort Food Mac & Cheese Recipe
This has become my go-to recipe for the last few years.
Patti Labelle's "OVER THE RAINBOW" MACARONI AND CHEESE
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 lb Elbow Macaroni
8 Tbsp (1 stick) plus 1 Tbsp Butter
1/2 Cup (2 ounces) Shredded Muenster Cheese (I substitute ButterKase)
1/2 Cup (2 ounces) Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup (2 ounces) Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Cup (2 ounces) Shredded Monterey Jack
2 Cups Half-And-Half
1 Cup (8 ounces) Velveeta , cut into small cubes
2 Large Eggs , lightly beaten
1/4 tsp Seasoned Salt
1/8 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.
2. Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.
3. In a small saucepan, melt eight tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.
4. Bake until it's bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.
Best Chocolate Milk
In Florida, without a doubt, Gustafson Farms chocolate milk is the best.
Pizza Stone Corn Meal Question
I've been using a SuperPeel for over 3 years and just recently received the extension kit. Works well, but the weight of this larger pie will really test your wrist strength. In my opinion, the pizzas that come out consistently the best are 14" and dresses with minimal toppings.
Popcorn Scallops
Could have been Calico scallops. We used to get them in Florida restaurants back in the 80's. Cheaper and not nearly as tasty as bay scallops.
http://www7.taosnet.com/platinum/data/species/scallopcalico.html
Gas barbecue for small family
The Weber Genesis is 60" wide. The Weber Spirit is 52" wide. Char Broil might be smaller, but there's no comparison in quality.
Best Grill Brush
This one is my favorite. Not available in W/S stores. If you order one, get an extra brush replacement (or 2) at the same time.
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/1926211/?catalogId=3&bnrid=3180501&cm_ven=Shopping&cm_cat=Froogle&cm_pla=default&cm_ite=default
Gas barbecue for small family
If you had to replace the flavor bars a couple of times in 5 years, there's something wrong with your "care and feeding" regimen.
Gas barbecue for small family
Weber Genesis in stainless with or without a side burner is definitely the way to go.
