Anko's Profile
Spokane suggestions?
My husband's headed to Spokane for 2 weeks next month. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He's definitely an adventurous eater and likes all types of cuisines, but, having recently had surgery, milder ideas would be welcome as well. I found Chicken N' Mo and the deli in the de Leon Mexican market suggested in earlier posts--any other suggestions for the hungry guy?
Thai Garden in Olympia Mall
Sorry I'm so late to this, but I've got to second rcallner--Angel Thai is great! I can't wait to get back and try one of the curries, but I really loved the bamboo shoot stir-fry special I had for lunch there the other day. Mmmmmm...
What etiquette do you expect of your dinner guests?
I don't ask for much--enjoy yourselves and don't eat like a pack of starving wolverines. Nice extras? Don't salt/season the food until you've tried it (pet peeve) and do not quiz me on who else will be there and what's being served and then follow it up with how I should change the menu/company to best suit your tastes. My answer will be, "I'm so sorry you can't join us. Perhaps another time."
As for the flowers, I grew up in a Swedish neighborhood in a half-Swedish family. If you didn't arrive with flowers...well, unkind things were thought about your upbringing. The easy solution is to fill a vase with water and set it somewhere out of your way. If someone presents you with flowers, bung 'em in the water to keep them alive until you have time to deal with them. Or, if your still doing last minute prep, ask the bringer if they'd mind unwrapping them and putting them in the vase for you while thanking them profusely for their kindness, of course.
Portabella mushrooms? Help!
We get the "hamburger patty" sized ones, marinate them in a mix of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lots of dried tarragon, basil, summer savory, marjoram and thyme heated up together. Broil them stem-side up first and then, after you flip 'em, put a slice of Tillamook Pepper Jack on top. Toast your bread (we use kaiser rolls) and build your Portobello burger. Much tastier than a Garden Burger and a nice change from the standard hamburger.
peanut butter cookie question
I can't really tell you what combo would be "best"--that's kind of subjective. For me, personally, if there wasn't any salt listed and you're using PB with no salt, I'd throw a 1/4 t. in there just as a flavor enhancer. As to the soda, again, it depends: is there any other leavening agent? The recipe I use (an old one of my Mom's), produces a somewhat chewy cookie and contains 1/2 t. salt and 1t. baking soda dissolved in 1 T. of hot water. That's the only leavening. If I left it out, I'd have lovely peanut butter poker chips. ;) I should add that I use standard, supermarket PB which already contains salt and these don't wind up tasting salty.
