Serious Eats: Arjun's Profile

The Crisper Whisperer: Two Mollys' Cream-Braised Brussels Sprouts

I love this recipe. It is impossible to make enough.

I usually add a leek or a shallot and skip the lemon juice.

Veggie lasagna recipes

As people have mentioned, lasagne is incredibly versatile. It's a good way to clean out the fridge.

A few suggestions for fillings: butternut squash, spinach pureed with bechamel, mushrooms, roasted summer vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers), sundried tomato... In the spring, a pea or fava bean puree would be great too!

Arjun at 4:40PM on 11/13/09

From Talk

Vegetable Steamer

I agree with everyone that cheap is the way to go. My colander just happens to fit in my pot, so I use that.

Also, for some things, you don't even need a steamer. I like to stand up asparagus on their tough ends in an inch of water and steam them that way. When they're done, just cut off the ends. You can also steam corn standing up.

Arjun at 1:32PM on 10/09/09

From Talk

Friday's chicken. Okay or toss?

I roast a chicken every Sunday and eat chicken sandwiches for lunch all week. You're fine.

Arjun at 4:18PM on 10/08/09

From Slice

Emilia's Pizzeria in Berkeley Opens to the Public; Hours, Offerings Limited for Now

Just got back from my first visit. This is some solid pizza. Won't stay a secret for long...

Arjun at 9:52PM on 10/01/09

From Slice

Pizza on Etsy: Ridiculous 1980s Deadstock Pizza-Themed Sweater Dress

Wow, that's, um, tasteful.

Deadstock is one of my favorite words.

Arjun at 9:51PM on 10/01/09

From Talk

How do you make make edamame?

This might sound weird, but I love to put it into boxed mac and cheese.

I've also used in place of fava beans in a super-easy Mediterranean prep: fill a pot with edamame, chopped red bell pepper, cilantro, a bit of coriander seed, salt, a glug or two of olive oil, and just enough water to barely cover. Cook loosely covered on the stove until everything's tender. If you want to get fancy, you can strain at this point and reduce the sauce, or you can just eat as is. Sometimes I add some corn for color.

Arjun at 8:42PM on 09/24/09

From Talk

How do you plan your meals for the week?

I go to the farmer's market once a week and pick up whatever is in season and looking good at the moment, along with a few staples like salad greens and fruit.

During the day, while I'm at work, I start thinking about the night's meal and usually have a plan by the time I'm on my way home. I try to use whatever vegetables I picked up on the weekend along with the occasional piece of protein that I'll buy fresh that day. I live alone and I usually make enough for two days.

As part of this plan, I try to make sure I'm well stocked with dry goods: pasta, lentils, dried mushrooms, canned tomatoes, etc.

Arjun at 7:45PM on 09/14/09

From Talk

Barcelona and Costa Brava - Need food recommendations

Barcelona is a great city for eating. Remember, however, they eat late over there. Lunch starts at around 2pm, dinner around 10pm!

For cheap, you cannot beat La Boqueria, which is a great outdoor market and destination in its own right. Inside there are a handful of food stalls serving fairly simple, but market-driven cuisine. And you can get a cup of cava at 9 in the morning! My favorite is Bar Pinotxo, which is close to the entrance. Look for this guy, he'll take care of you.

Also, Tapac 24 is great tapas place and Quimet i Quimet is a lot of fun too and one of the few places to over rose cava. Almost everything comes out of a can over there, but they take their cans quite seriously in Spain. Have fun!

Finally, if you want to splurge, I highly recommend Gresca. I had perhaps the best lunch of my life there.

Arjun at 7:11PM on 09/04/09

From Talk

Any 'yall cooking with lard?

I use bacon fat all the time, mostly just to fry things in, although its best use may well be in quiche crust.

Arjun at 7:04PM on 08/12/09

From A Hamburger Today

Pastrami Burgers: Are They Seriously Delicious?

Top's in Pasadena makes a seriously awesome pastrami burger. The dog I used to live with would go crazy as soon as I walked in the door with it.

Arjun at 8:50PM on 07/29/09

From Talk

I need your go-to tofu curry recipe!

I do what Cassaendra does with a couple caveats.

1. I fry up my tofu first until it's brown and crispy. Then remove the tofu, pour off most of the oil and start the curry.

2. Try and get thick coconut milk, or coconut cream. If you do this, then you can add it first (before the curry paste) and use it to cook in.

2a. Make sure you get curry paste, not curry sauce. Mae Ploy is the best!

3. I would only add thai basil at the very,very end. You can also add mint.

Arjun at 8:47PM on 07/20/09

From Talk

Foodie Spots in San Fran

Bi-Rite Creamery!

http://biritecreamery.com/

Arjun at 5:25PM on 07/17/09

From Talk

Fresh oregano from our sad garden

I love fresh oregano! Yes, you could dry it, but then it wouldn't be fresh anymore. :)

Anyway, the fresh stuff is a lot sweeter and milder than dried, closer to marjoram. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, they're just different. Like you, I have a bunch of it from my small container garden, so I use it a lot. You can mix it with softened butter and smear it on a roast chicken, use it in salad dressing, pound it with some olive oil and rub it on a pork chop, add to summer vegetable stir-fries...

Arjun at 2:12PM on 07/10/09

From Photograzing

First Tomato

Correct link is http://subnaught.org/cgi/blog/food/tomato

Arjun at 4:19PM on 06/15/09

From Talk

Fresh Garbanzo Beans

Nithya, there's a lot of good ideas on the blog, thanks for the link!

Arjun at 4:45PM on 06/10/09

From Talk

Are All Parties Potlucks Now?

I see where you're coming from Bunnee, but here's how it works in my little circle. My friends and I love to eat and we love to cook. Sure, one weekend I'll host and one weekend someone else will host, but at the end of the day we're all cooking, we're all eating, we're all happy.

Arjun at 3:15PM on 06/08/09

From Serious Eats