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Looking to buy an omelette pan from the Potshop of Boston. Would a well seasoned natural sand finish cast aluminum pan have any advantages over the nonstick cast aluminum pan?

IIRC Julia Child made omelettes in nonstick pans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RThnq3...

May 10, 2013
jaykayen in Cookware

Huntington beach?

TK Burger if you are ok with casual. It's in the same vein as a fast food burger, but a good one.

May 08, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

"Sauterne" for mushroom sauce

Try marsala.

You can use any dry white wine for fondue, so that would work for your mushroom sauce, too... Dry vermouth goes off pretty quickly, so if you don't drink vermouth regularly, I wouldn't buy a bottle.

May 05, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

glomming off "over-rated luxury" food items!?! What "luxury" items have you never tasted but would like to?

Do it, it's not expensive. Delicious.

May 03, 2013
jaykayen in General Topics

Most overrated 'luxury food?

Brut champagne, I really don't enjoy it.

May 03, 2013
jaykayen in General Topics

Do ethnic markets discriminate?

I flirt with the fish/meat guys at 99 Ranch all the time. Grocery stores are ripe for innuendo.

May 03, 2013
jaykayen in Not About Food

Excellent Peruvian on Venice Boardwalk

They told me they're working on getting investors for another location, westside, that will have tables.

May 02, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

Do ethnic markets discriminate?

There are a lot of gringos and Mexicans in the Vietnamese groceries in Little Saigon. I don't think anybody cares.

I don't think that having signs in another language is discriminatory or rude.

May 02, 2013
jaykayen in Not About Food
1

Can you salt pork the same way you salt beef steak or a roast before cooking?

overnight is better than an hour.

May 01, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

Vietnamese Cuisine Cocktail Pairing

Nice, I like that.

May 01, 2013
jaykayen in Spirits

More on manners.

Dress code part is ridiculous. "wearing heels never hurts?" must be a man, because wearing heels and hurting go hand in hand.

Apr 30, 2013
jaykayen in Not About Food
2

Vietnamese Cuisine Cocktail Pairing

Rum punches.

But bo kho really would go better with a red wine, I'm thinking.

Apr 30, 2013
jaykayen in Spirits

Bistro glasses for wine

I, too, use thick French bistro glasses at home. Mostly just don't want to deal with washing the thinner, more fragile stemmed glasses.

Going out to restaurants, though, I prefer the finest glass they have.

Apr 30, 2013
jaykayen in Wine

Cast Iron Pan Too Hot?

If it sticks, then it hasn't seared enough. It will release when it dries up enough.

I, also, never use oil. Oil is better for cooking evenly and distributing heat, but I hate the spattering.

Apr 29, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

Cast Iron Pan Too Hot?

So turn the heat down.

Apr 29, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

Are we fat because we eat too much crap or just eat too much?

I'm not sure comparing the average person's weight to their postmenopausal grandmother's is really a good comparison. They were probably thin for most of their lives. Also the stereotype of your immigrant grandmother who is heavy set and thick around the middle is just that, a stereotype that recalls an idea of comfort, especially comfort food. My own Asian immigrant grandmother is overweight, but that is unusual. I see many aging/senior Vietnamese immigrants at work and most of them are not overweight.

I don't agree at all that the 21st century's standard for normal weight is on the thin side. In Little House on the Prarie, Pa could span Ma's waist with two hands, which I would say is a normal, healthy size.

Apr 27, 2013
jaykayen in General Topics

seeking less expensive party recipe recommendations

Pan pizzas on sheet trays?

Apr 27, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking
1

Where is Best Kung Pao Chicken in Orange County

In the same strip mall as Chef Chen is Chong Qing Mei Wei, really good Szechuan. They have a very popular fried cubed chicken. Diced chicken with, I think a cornstarch coating, fried, and then anointed with super spicy chilis, some sliced garlic, and plenty of MSG. I have never tried kung pao chicken there, but I know they make it.

Apr 26, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

Is it just me . . . ?

Is it a hardship to take two steps sideways?

Apr 24, 2013
jaykayen in Not About Food
1

For Once, Someone Got An L.A. Food Show Right: Bourdain's Parts Unknown Koreatown Episode

I think it was called Myung In.

Apr 23, 2013
jaykayen in Food Media & News

Best egg substitute in salad dressing?

xanthan gum

Apr 19, 2013
jaykayen in Vegetarian & Vegan

Excellent Peruvian on Venice Boardwalk

It is called El Huarique. 1301 Ocean Front Walk, #10.

It is serious cooking in a most unexpected place. You have to enter this hallway that is I guess a food court. Seating is counter/bar style, no tables. They've been open for only 3 months.

I ordered a ceviche, as a matter of course. Juicy mussels, octopus, white sea bass, and shrimp. The fish changes based on what's available at the market, you get the feeling it isn't presliced halibut strips that they defrost.

El jefe let my friend and I sample the red corn chicha, with cinnamon and other flavors. I never order sodas or sweet drinks, but this was so good we both got one.

Apr 18, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

Sushi Muraski in Santa Ana, has anyone been ? There was a nice little write up in the OC Register, I infrequently peruse this rag, but anyhow good for OC at least better than the dreadful Oshima ?

Panna cotta is delicious.

Apr 17, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

Help my California yogurt man-up

I'm in CA. Have found that nonfat milk sets very loosely. Full fat is best.

Apr 15, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

Chicken stroganoff - do you make any specific changes to a traditional beef recipe?

You can definitely use chicken. No need to make any changes.

Apr 11, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

Pistachio flavor - do I like it fake or just intense??

you can always grind your pistachios, infuse your milk base, and then strain out it out for a smooth texture.

Distilled pistachio aroma, is that the same thing as commercial extract? This is real, not fake pistachio flavor, but I would probably try this recipe before setting up my own still. http://modernistcuisine.com/recipes/p...

Apr 11, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

How Can I Make This Greek Yogurt Ice Cream Richer and More Complex?

This recipe, to me, calls for orange or lemon zest, fresh or candied.

Apr 11, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking

I'm suffering from chicken satay trauma

2 T soy +1 tsp fish sauces doesn't see like a horrible amount of salt for 8 oz meat. Can always use low sodium soy sauce?

Apr 10, 2013
jaykayen in Home Cooking
1

Jury Duty in Westminster - lunch options?

Huh. I work near there, I had no idea there was a courthouse.

Obviously there is a lot of Vietnamese food. Ha Noi Avenue for the turmeric dill catfish with bun. This dish is also popular at Canton Restaurant. Dim sum at Seafood Cove.

There is a Pakistani restaurant on Westminster Blvd named Usmania, recently reviewed in OCWeekly if you are interested.

For non Asian that's not a chain, you might have to go to Goldenwest Ave, there's Paul's Deli. I also like El Pico De Gallo for tacos or enchiladas. Don't get the ceviche, though.

Apr 09, 2013
jaykayen in Los Angeles Area

jarred salted shrimp =jarred thai shrimp paste?

Totally different.

You can just skip the salted shrimp if you don't have it.

Apr 09, 2013
jaykayen in General Topics