applejuice's Profile
griddle for electric cooktop?
Anything in enamelled cast iron will work. Also some raw cast iron comes with an enamelled bottom (bodum wok). I have a Le Creuset griddle and I love it. I also have a half grill half griddle pan in non - stick by Chef's Designs it has a smooth bottom that is safe for glass cooktops. I would however not recommend the half and half go for a straight griddle.
Le Creuset Griddle - does it need to be seasoned?
R.S.V.P Enduarance. I think it is put out by Danica.
Le Creuset Griddle - does it need to be seasoned?
I think they are made R.S.V.P Endurance. They are called Non-stick scrubber. You can get them at Amazon.com but I got mine from the kitchen store down the street.
Enjoy your Creuset. I love mine so much if I pass them down to the grandkids I would probably have to buy new ones unless I just put them in the will :)
Le Creuset Griddle - does it need to be seasoned?
I have a Le Creuset Griddle pan and was told by the sales rep to my store that it is indeed enamelled but with black enamel. No seasoning required but it does require the same care as the regular enamel.
To clean the griddle I use just warm soapy water with a special scratchy sponge made for non stick surfaces because it is very gentle.
My Creuset instructions say to heat before adding oil.I have always done that and have had no problems.
Bamix Gastro 200 anybody have any opinions
Hi,
I have fallen in love with the Bamix Gastro 200 stick blender. I am wanting opinions from anyone who has used one. It is currently on sale for $50 off so I am just itching to go our and get it.
Thanks
What do Chowhounds do for a living (besides eat of course)?
I have a degree in Micro Biology,however, I am an Organic Food Wholesaler.Previously I have run an outdoor fruit business and I was a wholesaler of Fair Trade Organic coffee. In a few months however I will be a mommy who is hell bent on giving baby a good culinary upbringing.
Why are chains so big with younger people?
To Duluth? I love Duluth but I agree they need more non chain restos. We lived 4 hours north of there for 25 years we never ate at chains unless we were tolling into town at 1 am after riding our bikes 300 km to get there.
Duluth has so many great non chains
India Palace
Amazing Grace
That Mexican Place
This really great chinese food place that looks totally divey but is great
I say no to more chains in Duluth and I don't even live there.
Best and Worst Cooking Shows
I like both of Michael Smith's shows Chef at Large and Chef at Home. Chef at Home is definitely my favourite I just love watching him walk around his great kitchen with his fabulous pantry and he just throws impromptu meals together.
I also like Christine Cushing.Some of her recipies aren't the greatest but I like her stage presence.
Before this post I thought I was in the minority as a Rachel Ray disliker but I now see that I was oh so very wrong.
Too Much Mint
If you want to plant mint in the ground if you live in an area where it won't overwinter in a pot.... drill a fewholes in the bottom of a rubbermaid container for drainage, plant the mint in the container and plant the container in the ground leaving a 1-2 in lip above ground.
Pregnant and Craving Carbonara
Thanks for all the tips guys. I chose to take the plunge and have the carbonara. I made sure that the egg was good and hot before I ate it and everything was just fine. Now that craving has passed and is being replaced with the insatiable craving for potatoes
Pregnant and Craving Carbonara
Hey fellow chow hounds.
I have a problem. I am pregnant and I want carbonara. So I was wondering do the eggs get cooked enough to be "safe". I would appreciate any feed back and also if anyone has any egg free recipes that would quench my craving.
Le Creuset missing a handle
The new matte black creuset sold in Canada has stainless steel handels. The shop I used to work at sold them seperatly.
halibut question [moved from Manhattan board]
Not an expert but the halibut I bought yesterday was pinky and white, very firm and no fishy smell.
Tasted great with a toasted walnut herb crust.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
MAC has a similar product in the sharpening section on their website.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
http://www.macknife.ca/lowband/sharpeners.html
as requested
I don't know if it is the best way but it is certainly the easiest way.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
I will look for a link. MAC actually distributes this particular Fiskars and the packaging of the sharpener has the MAC logo on it.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
MAC actually recommends the Fiskars and it is distributed in Canada by them. I have had mine for a year now and no problems.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
Ack! Not back and forth! Pull the knife through the sharpener, never push it. I pull it through about 4 or 5 times. 20 to 30 seems excessive. I position the sharpener so the long end is in my left hand and I pull the knife through with my right.
How do I know. The MAC rep told me so.
Found a good alternative to Glen Muir in Canada
Utopia just came out in Feb with a Fire Roasted version of their Organic Toms ! Yay
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
Congrats on the MAC. I bought the Fiskars ceramic sharpener instead of the stick because I am clumsy and I would drop a ceramic stick on the ground for sure. I used about once a month when I first bought the knife last year and now i use it about once a week. Careful though. I loved my santoku so much that I hated even touching my old Henkel and when it came time for me to quit my job at the kitchen store I worked at I used half of my last pay check to get a nice MAC chefs knife. I love the edge on them.
Info on Santoku knife [moved from Ontario board]
I love my MAC. I love the way it is weighted and how it feels in my hand. That is why I chose it. I would choose a knife primarily on good steel and then on how it feels in your hand. I would however not buy a Japanese knife from a German company it just seems wrong. If you go with MAC remember to only use a ceramic "steel" and if you go with Shun remember that it is folded steel and that when it needs professional sharpening it needs someone who knows Shun or they will ruin your knife.
Products from Specialty/Fancy/Health food Stores that are Worth every Penny?
Should've moved to Ottawa instead. I came from culinary wasteland to culinary paradise. I don't know what I'll do with out my cheese shops and the like when I have to move.
By the way. I splurge on French mustard with crushed chardonnay grapes and violets in it. So good in dressings and on a procuitto and basil sanwich.
Purchasing Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
The glass lid would be a deal breaker for me. Oven baked risottos and other oven roasted covered dishes need the heavy cast iron lid. I think the glass lid would rattle around and not give the same results as a cast iron lid. I would also make sure that the glass lids are replaceable. I have glass lids on my stainless pots and can't wait to get rid of them.
Purchasing Cast Iron Dutch Ovens
If you don't want to spend the $ on Creuset I would stay away from enameled cast iron and go with regular cast iron. I have 2 creuset and they are well worth the investment. Friends and colleagues have gone with lower end ones and have had problems, especially with Chinese made enameled cast iron. Another problem they encountered was getting warranty work done when the enamel bubbled or the pot developed a crack. Most of them ended up buying Creuset in the end therefore not saving any money.
Don't forget that Homesense often gets discounts by buying defective items and by also agreeing not to return defective items to the company. They buy the lot as it. That being said you can get some great deals there.
I love espresso, and I'm poor
At $199 CDN the Breville Cafe Roma has worked perfectly for my Father. Nice crema and a good steaming wand. I would go for that and save the money you aren't spending on Starbucks and buy a Silvia or a La Pavoni piston in a few years. Trust me it is doable.
KitchenAid: Is the Pro 6 too much mixer for me?
I don't know if it still comes in this size but 3 years ago I got a Pro in 5 qt. Perfection. Perfect for large jobs and small. I got it on sale with a free extra bowl. All the benefits of the pro mode; with a smaller size bowl.
I love it so much I named it. BIG RED
Having groceries delivered
I have been having my Organic veg, milk and butter delivered weekly. I love it but as spring time approached I crave roaming the markets. I say it is perfect for winter time as I haven't had to scrounge for high quality ingredients. I just plan dinner around them. I also like that the milk comes in bottles.
This summer I think I will sign up for a micro and regular greens delivery from a local CSA but grow and or shop for anything else.
As for other groceries. I get most of mine through work because I work for a organic dry goods wholesaler. It is pretty convenient.
Where can I find the best Shawarma in Ottawa?
Alissar Kabob house on St. Laurent. Not close to downtown at all but I would go back just for the food. The service is pretty interesting too. Best service I have ever had at a Shawarma place. Alissar himself is very nice guy and obviously takes a lot of pride in his work.
What to serve with macaroni and cheese
a nice glass of "Dog House" cabernet. Pretty uncomplicated wine goes great with good old greasy pizza and will proably do the same for Mac n Cheese
what is the most useless gadget in your kitchen
I am pretty proud of myself that I worked in a kitchen store for a year and came out relatively unscathed in the kitchen gadget dept. I became a no gadget girl pretty quickly. I could not live without my chefs knife, microplane or pepper grinder. That being said I say that my food mill rarely gets used and I have the most useless stick blender on the planet. Cookie cutters are another thing that rarely get used around here but I keep them around because Mom gave them to me when I moved out and they have good memories attached.
