kavikat's Profile
Whole Foods cupcake recipe?
Recently had a vanilla cupcake from Whole Foods -- it was just what I like in a cake! Dense, moist, flavorful -- the frosting was not even needed. Does anyone know what type of cake it is? Or even better, have a recipe that will produce a cake with a similar texture? I've tried lots of cake recipes in the past but nothing I've made has ever been so dense and moist... Thanks!
Steel cut oats - rancid?
I used a brand new package of McCann's brand. The short-cut instructions said to half cook them this way and them leave them, covered, overnight. Now that I'm checking the box again, even the raw oats smell a little rancid.
I'm going to toss the box and go back to my Quaker Oaks -- never had a problem with them, just that I heard so much about steel-cut and wanted to taste what all the fuss was about! Thanks for your responses....
Steel cut oats - rancid?
Made steel cut oats for the first time. Used the overnight method -- brought water to a boil, turned off heat, added oats. This morning, added some milk and cooked for another 10 minutes or so. Added sugar -- and found the oats had a off flavor. I'd almost say they tasted slightly rancid -- like oil smells when it's too old. Is this possible? I checked the package (it was brand new and the plastic was sealed) and it hasn't expired. I've been eating/cooking Quaker oats for years and never noticed this taste/smell. Did I get a bad batch or do steel cut oats always smell this way?
Capers??? - moved from Home Cooking board
What, exactly, are capers? Growing up here in the USA, I frequently encounter them in restaurants (and love them!). However, having grown up in an Asian household, have never seen them in their "natural" state....
In the grocery store, some bottles say 'nonpareill' (excuse the spelling!) and other bottles don't. What's the difference? How do you know which to buy? Are bigger capers better or smaller ones? Imported better than produced in USA? HELP!!
thanks!
enchilada sauce
Does anyone have a good recipe for enchilada sauce? I have tried Emeril's sauce but found the consistency too thick and it just didn't taste that great either... Any suggestions would be appreciated!
I never eat _______ out because nobody makes it right but me.
I love my own steak too -- i marinade in teriyaki sauce, garlic powder, pepper or sliced fresh chilis, and sliced onions. This is how my mom always made it and nothing compares!
Good chinese in Huntington, LI?
Haven't been there in a while, but Jaiya Thai in Hicksville was always good (and they make it spicy!). We love Masala Wok, our favorites are the hakka noodles, chili chicken and cilantro chicken (I think that's what they call it). There's an appetizer I love but I can't remember the name -- basically drumsticks stuffed with crabmeat -- yummm!
Also try Dosa Hut -- south India vegetarian food that's very tasty and not overly greasy like a lot of the other places in the area...
Best Egg Recipes
I frequently had a Persian dish called 'kuku' at a friend's house while in college. I don't have a recipe but it consists of eggs and lots (I mean lots!) of chopped herbs. It was also served as part of a traditonal Persian New Years dinner consisting of kuku, rice with herbs and some sort of fish (i think it was whitefish, but I can't remember).
Who loves coffee milk?
I first tried it as a kid at a friend's house (late 70's). She would stir instant coffee and sugar in a glass of (cold) milk. I thought it was weird back then, but I love it now. I heat the milk in the microwave with the coffee and sugar (it would probably be even better if if brought to a boil in a pan, but I'm far too lazy to wash an extra pan!). Even my kids drink it as a 'treat' with their Saturday morning bagels...
Never heard of the syrups...
how to doctor up brownies from a box??
Start with the Ghiradelli brownie mix. I too prefer to bake from scratch but these are so good, I haven't made my own since I discovered these!
looking for a spinach bread bowl dip recipe?
If you have access to Costco, try the spinach dip they carry. I don't know the name but it's probably the same one at all stores. It is truly the best I've ever eaten. Everyone I know who has tried it feels the same way -- even my Aunt who caterers and is an incredible cook!
Your favorite 'Cake Bible' recipe?
I've only made the Chocolate Domingo cake so far, but it became my favorite chocolate cake on first bite! No frosting is needed, just decorate with a stencil and some powdered sugar.
Good Soup Cookbooks
I want to try my hand at making homemade soups this winter. Can you make some cookbook recommendations? I prefer rich, complex flavors -- light, brothy soups I can improvise! Thanks!
Good Italian Deli and Bakery in Nassau
Is Razzannos in Glen Cove the same as the Razzannos that used to be in Port Washington/Manorhaven? I still miss their salads (the chickpea was too die for and such great eggplant parm! I would make the trip to Glen Cove for it...
Recipes for fish using fresh lemongrass?
I was just given 3 stalks of fresh lemongrass by my neighbor. I would like to use it for dinner tonight. I was thinking of some sort of fish -- but not fried. Does anyone have a good recipe?
Thanks
spam recipes?
My uncle's wife is originally from the mountains of Tennessee -- she claims to have grown up talking just like Gomer Pyle (i know, i'm dating myself here!). Anyway, she used to fry thick slices of Spam in butter and make sandwiches on rolls spread with lots of Miracle Whip, lettuce and tomato. We loved it as kids!
Recipe for Persian dish called "adas pollo"?
My best friend in college was Persian and her mom is an excellent cook. I love eating at their house! Try the following website: http://personal.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/F.Mokhtarian/recipes/
Also, check out cookbooks by Najmieh Batmanglij -- my friend says her recipes are authentic. Just a hint -- you MUST use a good basmati rice when making Persian dishes. A good brand is Lal Quila (Red Fort) and can be found at Persian, Indian and Pakistani markets. Another good one is Golden Temple brand, but is it relatively expensive.
Tasty marinade for chicken on the grill...
Thanks for the suggestions! I decided to go with the Unbelievable Chicken Marinade. It's quited different from any marinade I've tried before so I really had no choice -- variety being the spice of life and all that! ;)
Easy Salmon Recipe for the oven?
I don't remember where I got this recipe but it's been getting rave reviews for several years now. Even my young children and many of their friends like it!
I do this for salmon fillets with the skin on. Place several rosemary sprigs in an oven dish. Place sliced red onion over the rosemary. Lay your salmon on this "bed", which should be about the size of your fish fillet. Cut about half-way to the skin into portion-size pieces. Season with s&p. Lay fresh rosemary sprigs into the cuts. Lay more sprigs crosswise to the cuts. Place peeled, thinly sliced fresh lemon on top of fish&rosemary. Drizzle lightly with olive oil (I usually skip this). If you like your salmon not quite done in the center, roast at 450 for about 15 min. If you like it cooked through, bake at 350 for about 20 min. I serve it with couscous made with chickpeas and raisins.
Tasty marinade for chicken on the grill...
Check the Epicurious website for the Vegetable Couscous Paella -- I up the amount
of garlic and skip the artichoke hearts.
The bean salad is a variation of something my sister-in-law makes. Here's my basic recipe: Drain and mix one can each of red kidney beans, chickpeas, and corn. Add to this the following veggies, all finely chopped: 3 stalks celery, 4 scallions, 1 large tomato, big handful of cilantro (leaves and stems), 1/2 red onion. Top with a dressing of: 4T olive oil, 3T regular vinegar, 1T balsamic vinegar, 1t pressed garlic, 1/2 t mustard powder, 1/2t sugar, juice of 1/2 a lemon and salt.
I like to make it a couple of hours before serving so that the flavors blend.
I don't know what's in the Costco spinach dip. I served it 2 years ago as part of my Thanksgiving Day apps and my Aunt who is an incredible cook and does private caterering wanted my "recipe" -- let me tell you she was shocked to find out it was store-bought (the only thing that was, as I believe in a 'from scratch' Thanksgiving!).
Soda in high end restaurant?
I don't like the taste of alcoholic beverages -- mixed drinks, wine, champange -- i just don't care for any of it. I order a regular soda if we're at a higher end restaurant and everyone else is drinkning. Otherwise, i usually just drink the water on the table (I don't care for Pelligrino and that ilk either!)
The South Asian cultures have no problem with people not drinking alcohol with meals.
Tasty marinade for chicken on the grill...
I'm have a bbq on Sunday for about 20 adults (the 16 kids will have pizza as part of the birthday party beforehand and will probably just nibble on the bbq stuff).
There'll be 3 different Indian (i.e. spicy) apps, spinach dip (Costco's is to die for!), a bean/corn/onion/cilantro salad, a green salad, couscous paella, hamburgers, veggie burgers and grilled chicken.
Can anyone suggest a really tasty marinade for the chicken? I'm thinking legs and thighs as they tend not to dry out the way breast meat can --my hubby is manning the grill and he's not a cook... I don't want it to be spicy but it does have to be very tasty. My guests range from my Friday's loving neighbors (don't eat anything overly spicy), a few Indian vegetarians, and several real foodies!
Vietnamese cookbooks
Epicurious has Mai Pham's reciepe for Grilled Five-Spice Chicken on it's website. It's a staple at my house -- even my kids love it!
Long Island Chowder
Marty's Seafood in Huntington Village used to have the most amazing LI Clam Chowder. The lady who made that soup left years ago (6-7 years ago) but I still can't get that chowder out of my head and I've never had anything like it since...
Does anyone have a recipe? From what I was told, it was a cross between Manhattan and New England clam chowders. Big chunks of potatoes, lots of clams, no obvious tomatoes, very lightly creamy (not heavy like NE style)...
Want Le Creuset, have no $$, alternatives???
I have 2 Mario Batali cast iron/enameled pots -- a dutch oven and a saucier. I've been very happy with both. They are less $ than the LC. I picked both of them up at Fortunoff.
I used AMEX points to purchase Fortunoff gift cards to pay for them -- hence no money out of pocket...
Want Le Creuset, have no $$, alternatives???
I recently bought my second Mario Batali -- a risotto/saucier. I've had the dutch oven for almost a year now. It was much less $$ than the Le Creusat. The quality looks very good and I've been very happy with both my pots. I don't know what sizes are available but it may be worth checking out.
I used my AMEX points to get Fortunoff gift cards to pay each time -- so there was no money out of pocket...
Do you ever eat what other people expect you to eat? Order something just to make a good impression on your dining companions?
With friends and family, I order a soup or salad, an app instead of an an entre and desert w/coffee. I love to eat but have a small appetite and am not fond of leftovers...
Back when I was dating, I ordered the same way...I never saw the point in making an false impression. When I was younger, I would order a drink if everyone else did (even though I've never cared for alcholic beverages), now I usually just get water or soda (although I get ribbed for this all the time).
If it's business or strangers, I order an entre. I'll get a salad only if others are getting salads/apps. Same rule for coffee and/desert. It's not so much to make a good impression and as it is to not be seen a 'difficult'.
Cheap ethnic food in the DC area?
I grew up in NoVa and whenever I visit, I must have the kabobs and rice at Moby Dicks. Definately my favorite Persian kabobs in the DC metro area... There are several locations in the MD/VA/DC area -- I remember the original one was in Bethesda...
Lunch near Prospect Park Zoo
We're 4 adults and 4 kids heading to the zoo tomorrow. We'd like to find some good food nearby in a kid- friendly (8 to 1 1/2 yrs old) place.
Chicken nuggets/mac&cheese are NOT required as our kids eat real food. Also, no fast food please... Thanks!
Vegetarian friendly for large group
On a Thursday night in May a group of us want to have dinner in Manhattan. There will be 10 of us of which 3 are vegetarians(Indian - so dairy and eggs are ok). Any recommendations? Anything but Indian would be great. I would love to have Ethopian (but it has to be good -- I used to live in DC so am a bit spoiled!) Asian or middle-Eastern would work too but I'm open to anything!
Also, any suggestions for after dinner to hang out for drinks/dessert perhaps with live music or just some good people watching? Thanks!
