ginnyhw's Profile
Who has the best pizza in Berkshire County??
Is Timothy's in Lee still open? Had a decent greek style pizza there last fall.
What's for dinner? Part XXI
Old school stuff. NYT baked stuffed pork chops, Julia's potatoes au gratin and an green bean recipe from the sixties, fageolini trifillati I bought a winner dessert from a charity auction, another Julia recipe- apple and pear tarte tatin. Why would anyone want to go out on Valentine's Day eve? The wine has yet to be bought- probably a Pinot Noir. (Actually old school too- it was rediscovered in the 21st century).
Tuscan Grille
Ten twelve years ago it was a great restaurant but after the owner, Jimmy Burke, moved on to open other restaurants, it really went downhill. Former chef now owns LaMorra in Brookline. You might enjoy eating there. We do.
Five Favorite Places to Eat Among Frequent/Veteran CH Posters?
Neighborhood favorites are Petit Robert (Kenmore Sq), Tratoria Toscana and ESK.
Big night on the town is Grille 23 although we prefer the low key and lower prices in the hood.
Suggestions for restaurants in Provincetown in March
Fanizzi's is open and one of our favorites for dinner in the summer too.
http://www.fanizzisrestaurant.com/information.php
Freezing in Chicago: Need Comfort Food
Chicken pot pie is good. Roast the chicken in the oven first to warm up the kitchen. I confess to using a store bought pie crust but the filling is home made.
Food while watching the last regular season Pats game
We had a good time watching the 1pm game at Doyle's a few weeks ago. Best home fries in a long time plus it really has a nice crowd.
Vegetarian chili needed - excellent and with no fake meat
I would use a variety of beans, at least 3, to vary the texture. Say pinto, garbanzo and kidney, maybe some black beans too.
HELP! Time crunch+ shrimp allergy so what's best commerical vegetable stock?
I am a big fan of Imagine "no chicken" broth.
Help- heavy cream curdled
Thank-you so much. We were able to go with the milk and butter and it was fine!
Ginny
Help- heavy cream curdled
Our heavy cream for ganache is curdled (thanks trader joe) and I'm wondering if I can reduce 1/2 and 1/2. No convenience store has heavy cream- we have tried.
Your tried and true Cook's illustrated Best recipes.
Hi cinnamon girl,
I usually get 9 servings - it puffs up.
After posting it I decided to make it for tomorrow!
Who Trains Waiters? [Moved from the Boston board]
I was using myself as an example however as soon as the first plate is cleared the mood changes for the group still eating. What if an elderly relative or someone who had been served later than the other guests was still eating? Good manners include minor inconvenience.
Who Trains Waiters? [Moved from the Boston board]
Regarding point number 2. This is a huge issue with many people. The old school ruling is that it is extremely rude to remove plates etc until everyone at the table has finished the course. As the slowest eater in most groups I often will give up my plate before I am through eating because feel like I'm holding up the rest of the party. I've heard that waitstaff is mandated to follow the new standard but I don't like it.
Please Help! Dinner Tonight for 12!
I would do a semi home made meal, probably Italian, using refrigerated stuffed pasta, and a quick homemade sauce and the oven roasted vegetables, If you can purchase good Italian sausages you can roast them too and throw them in the sauce. Italian bread and a quick salad would round out the meal.
Crepes party strategy needed or can you pretend to be my husband?
This is back to the seventies for me. One of my best friends threw several crepes parties, with and without husbands. You definitely want to make the crepes in advance - they can take forever. She used to call me at midnight swearing about how long it was taking but then she would freeze them until the party. I remember 3 fillings. Mine was curried chicken with raisins and someone would make Julia's spinach filling. All our recipes came from MAFC then. And there would be a seafood filling also. People would assemble their own crepes and it was strictly buffet. I can't remember having a dessert crepe but they are easy. Start with lots of wine and crudites and maybe a cheese plate for dessert.
This is an easy party if you prep everything before.
Your tried and true Cook's illustrated Best recipes.
I found this on line and have made it for our family and for 60 people at a brunch
http://www.bakerbites.com/breakfast-strata-with-spinach-/
Breakfast Strata with Spinach & Gruyere
This is one of my all-time favorites. From Cook's Illustrated "For Christmas Morning" -- it is rich, but if you only eat it every now and then I don't think it's so bad.
*
8-10 slices of supermarket French Bread (1/2 inch thick) or Italian bread
*
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
*
4 medium shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup)
*
1 pkg frozen chopped spinach (10 oz) thawed and squeezed dry
*
table salt
*
ground black pepper
*
1/2 cup medium dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
*
6 oz Gruyere cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups)
*
6 large eggs
*
1 3/4 cups half-and-half
1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 225 degrees. Arrange bread in single layer on large baking sheet and bake until dry and crisp, about 40 minutes, turning slives over halfway through drying time. (alternatively, leave slices out overnight to dry) When cooled, butter slices on one side with 2 tablespoon butter; set aside.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Saute shallots until fragrant and translucent; about 3 minutes; add spinach and salt and pepper to taste and cook stirring occasionally, until spinach and shallots are combined, about 2 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl, set aside. Add wine to skillet, increase heat to medium high and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup, 2-3 minutes; set aside.
3. Butter 8 inch square baking dish with remaining 1 tablespoon butter; arrange half the buttered bread slices, buttered side up, in single layer in dish. Sprinkle half of spinach mixture, then 1/2 cup grated cheese evenly over bread slices. Arrange remaining bread slices in single layer over cheese; sprinkle remaining spinach mixture and another 1/2 cup cheese evenly over bread. Whisk eggs in medium bowl until combined; whisk in reduced wine, half and half, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread layers; cover surface flush with plastic wrap, weigh down (I used 2 One lb boxes of brown or powdered sugar, laid side by side over plastic covered surface) and refrigerate overnight.
4. Remove dish from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 20 minutes. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Uncover strata and sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly over surface. Bake until both edges and center are puffed and edges have pulled away slightly from sides of dish. (50-55 minutes -- or 60 minutes if you've doubled the recipe). Cool on wire rack 5 minutes, serve.
Roast beast: bang for the buck?
Thanks for doing all the leg work for me. Next time I'll wear my glasses. :)
What do you make for breakfast on Christmas morning?
I always did Grands too and then last year I bought frozen cinnamon buns at Ikea and they were awful. Don't mess with tradition!
Roast beast: bang for the buck?
Have you actually been to Costco and seen these prices? I was there last weekend and didn't write actual prices down but they were 1/2 to 1/3 of what you are quoting.
The problem with Costco is availability not price. They run out and no reservations.
kid friend in (or near) Kenmore?
Eastern Standard is kid friendly - may even have a kids menu. They have grilled cheese and burgers.
Preparing for cocktail party
How about Bullshots ... I saw this recipe on line but we used to make these drinks using Beefamato - a tomato juice and beef broth cocktail juice. All I see now in the stores is Clamato Juice.
* 8 cupsBeef Broth (regular, Lower Sodium or Certified Organic)
* 4 cups (32 fl. oz.) V8® 100% Vegetable Juice
* 1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
* 1 cup (8 fl. oz.) vodka
Serve hot or cold.
Side dishes for Christmas Ham?
Love the idea of the corn casserole- would you post this recipe? sounds like a great vegetarian option too!
Cheap Thanksgiving dinner place around Boston?
Most diner like places in Brookline are closed but there is a free dinner at the United Parish Church in Coolidge Corner. It's not just for the less fortunate but also for singles and newcomers.
http://www.unitedparishbrookline.org/
Just Curious - Turkey Prices Paid
A frozen Kosher Hen Turkey (Empire) at the Stop and Shop in Brookline went for $3.29 a pound. The ad promised 1.99 a pound with the card, but I was shocked at the full price.
