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What to do with spaghetti squash?
Not super healthy, but not too bad. Cut it in half, nuke it till done. Saute a bit of bacon, add squash strands and lots of parmesan. Yum!
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My mom's ancient Joy of Cooking when I got my first apartment in college.
Anthropomorphizing my new Mixer: am I alone?
My 6qt KA mixer (nickel color) is Ellie, which is short for Elephant.
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Chopped Cooked Chicken Uses? Something warm for a cool fall day
Posted by Bumblebutton, September 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Best apples for baking?
Cortlands are delicious and slow to brown once peeled. They were delicious in last week's apple pie.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
Not super healthy, but not too bad. Cut it in half, nuke it till done. Saute a bit of bacon, add squash strands and lots of parmesan. Yum!
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My mom's ancient Joy of Cooking when I got my first apartment in college.
Anthropomorphizing my new Mixer: am I alone?
My 6qt KA mixer (nickel color) is Ellie, which is short for Elephant.
Chopped Cooked Chicken Uses? Something warm for a cool fall day
Thank you for such great ideas, you are helping to unlock my brain freeze, for sure (keep them coming, too!). I really like the Thai basil chicken idea--finsbigfan--thanks so much for taking the time to post that. Mmmm.
Knife Storage
Ikea has a super cheap wall magnet that looks good, installs easily and holds up a small artillery at my house (and I have it mounted vertically!). I hated my old block--I couldn't clean it, took up too much space, and prematurely dulled my knives. I flipped the sharp edge over in the block for awhile--until it was clear that was dangerous to unsuspecting cooks visiting my kitchen!
Mark Bittman - Food Matters
Loose rules during the work/school week are good for us...meatless Monday, some sort of pasta on Tuesday, soup on Wednesday, chicken on Thursday, fish/beef/pork Friday. That way there is flexibility with recipes, but general rules to go by to guide planning and shopping.
too many bananas!
Freeze them peeled. When frozen, stick them in the blender with a little vanilla (and maybe a little sugar) and process until smooth. You'd swear by the texture you were eating ice cream. Might be good with a little peanut butter or chocolate drizzle on top.
No Soup For You - Favorite Soups!
Corn and bacon chowder--without cream, but with buttermilk drizzled into the bowl afterwards. Yum!
Cucumbers + Tomatoes = Gazpacho
Not sure of Ina's recipe, but sometimes I add worcestershire sauce and a squeeze of lemon, other times I add toasted cumin seeds and a bit of white wine vinegar. Mild onions and a big of green herb like cilantro or parsley. Always a big drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and usually a couple of shrimp on top.
having bad luck with brown rice
I've been using this method--which is easy and results in perfect rice. Plus, it IS nice to have a stash of already cooked rice in the freezer for when you want it with minimal effort and don't want to heat up the kitchen...
http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/2008/05/the-rice-cookin.html
first birthday party
For my son's first, we had asparagus panzanella. I followed this recipe, times four, http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/asparagus-panzanella?autonomy_kw=asparagus%20bread%20salad&rsc=header_3, and added some lovely shredded salami. The adults loved it, the toddlers picked at it, and my little guy ate his prescribed finger foods and topped it off with a big smear of birthday cake. Happy birthday wishes!!
What makes my cupcakes crack and sink?
Sinking cupcakes used to be a chronic problem for me. Turns out I was filling the cupcake tin too high with batter. Now I always end up with more cupcakes than the recipe dictates, but they are nicely shaped. Don't make my other mistake--in a hurry I loaded my oven with three muffin tins, and didn't leave adequate space between them (I think two were actually touching each other) --viola--burned cupcake bottoms--every last one.
Freezer Food Ideas For New Mother
Last night I threw a batch of pulled pork in the freezer. So easy to throw in the microwave and use to fill a kaiser roll. Use quart size freezer bags, press the contents fairly flat and you can break off as little or as much as needed.
Best of Trader Joe ?
Cannele, in the frozen dessert section. Haven't tried the chocolate yet but the regular far surpasses ones I have made at home, at significant cost and obsessive trial and error.
Threadless T-Shirt Giveaway: Lemon Aid
Lemons and lavender-steeped simple syrup!
Bad Kitchen Habits
Licking the spoon, and then stirring with it...
Raspberry Syrup Advice for Raspberry Lime Rickeys?
Thank you for your suggestions! I'm passing them along and I am sure they will be helpful!
Regional Fast Food Chains
Bojangles. Whenever we are driving down south we HAVE to get their fried chicken and sweet tea.
Better Vanilla Frosting?
I made some frosting with confectioner's sugar last week for a big cupcake project--twice in two days. I noticed that when I tasted the first batch, on the second day, the 'harshness' was gone--especially when compared with the freshly made batch. Maybe you should just make it the day before and cover it (no fridge) overnight, and then beat it up again just before you use it.
vacationing in Boston-Beacon Hill area
Neptune Oyster for sure!!
Sauce for Ravioli?
Butternut squash puree would be delicious with this--flavor it up with sauteed onions and maybe a little touch of cream and a bit of blue cheese and toasted walnuts.
9 yr old Niece's Birthday baking type gift what to buy?
At W-S they had teeny little silicone rolling pins and other baking stuff to match at Christmas. Try there--or online, too. Make sure you check the clearance items. My 8 year old LOVES this stuff! And there are lots of cookbooks for kids--look at jessicasbiscuit.com if you need an online resource.
Worst Sandwich You've Ever Had
Last month, at the recommendation of Boston-area foodies, I sought out and attempted to eat a banh-mi with gristle. Actually I think it was Vietnamese Head Cheese, but to me, it was jellied gristle, and needed to be flossed out of my teeth. I tried to wash that nasty sandwich out of my mouth with a bite of the steamed pork bun my husband was enjoying (filled with PINK ground pork)--even more disgusting. I will NEVER attempt to eat a banh mi (or steamed pork buns) again--no matter what the purported filling.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
At school one day for family meal we got eggplant parm with spaghetti squash on the side. Most people didn't care for the squash because they hadn't had it before I guess but I thought it was an awesome way to serve it. I'm actually awaiting a package from my parents with spaghetti squash from their garden in it so I'll have to get creative. I think a pesto will do the trick, I have a TON of leaves to harvest from my basil plant.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
MMMM - love spaghetti squash. Cut it in half, place it cut side down on a baking sheet (I line mine with foil and lightly oil foil), roast at 400ºF for about an hour. Pull out shreds with a fork, add a couple of hunks of unsalted butter, salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg, and dive in. YUM. I may just have to make that tonight!
@Garvey - I love your idea, definitely have to try that! Do you need any flour or breadcrumbs in there, or does it hold together with just the egg and onion?
Best apples for baking?
I have to say red delicious is mediocre in taste. it does have a good crisp feel for a food to wake you up though. fresh apples are scientifically shown to wake you up. so 2 uses - pictures and a pick-me-up. macs, while chemically doing the same thing, miss the crunch that instantly energizes.
Best apples for baking?
McIntosh has always been my go-to pie apple in the fall, but that's just me.
@BetterIrene - Great info! So the Red Delicious name was just a marketing ploy - I'd always wondered why they were not so delicious...
@lemonfair - Congratulations on your new blog! I always enjoy visiting Vermont and your blog offers a nice window into a lovely state. Your friend's poem is beautiful. I have the same feeling this time of year - to get as much as we can from the harvest.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
That bacon-parm version sounds good, sort of like carbonara. I just might try it tonight. I grew spaghetti squash that was described as being enough for one or two servings, which is perfect for us because my daughter-in-law and I are the only ones who eat it. Bacon might be just the thing to push the guys over the edge to try it.
We usually do butter-olive oil-garlic-Kosher salt-pepper-red pepper.
Best apples for baking?
I've made an apple pie and crisp recently, and I used Fuji apples. They worked great, keeping their shape very well. I decided to go w/ that since they are sweeter and I can cut back on other sugar as a result.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
Do what I do, I don't like spaghetti squash, so I don't eat it. Problem solved.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
chop up some sweet potato and roast. Make a brown sugar glaze and toss cooked sweet potato in that.
Saute up the spaghetti squash with some cherry tomatos and chopped spinach.
Easy and simple dish that can be eaten by itself or with chicken or steak.
What to do with spaghetti squash?
After cooking, let cool. Then combine the shreds with beaten eggs and onions (and/or other veggies) and fry up as patties. You can go ten different ways with that...
What to do with spaghetti squash?
Stay away from the red sauce. I second all the other ideas - spaghetti squash is great!
What to do with spaghetti squash?
cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, lay it cut side down in a shallow baking dish with some water (no more than a half inch) and bake for 40 minutes at 350, until it's done, just poke a fork in it.
I love it with pasta sauce but at home we usually eat it as a side dish with butter and lots of cracked black pepper. So tasty!
What to do with spaghetti squash?
I usually poke it 5 or 6 times, nuke it till it's done. cut in half, discard seeds, serve as another veggie with butter, salt & pepper. I love the bacon/parmesan version, sounds great!
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
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Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
I received The Joy of cooking as a wedding present. garrettsambo@aol.com
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
my first cookbook was one i got from school...it was with all the students favorite recipes...
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
It was a Strawberry Shortcake cookbook that had recipes for sandwiches and other easy recipes.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
it's actually kind of sad. My freshman year of college I worked at the corporate HQ of Fanny Farmer candy shops and for our Xmas bonus we all got a copy of the new Fanny Farmer cookbook ..... so my first cookbook was the Fanny Farmer cookbook.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
Better Homes And Gardens, but I grew up with my mom's Betty Crocker cookbook.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My first cookbook was Betty Crocker's. It had all the basics and I still own it today.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
A collection of recipes that my mom made based on my observations
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My first cookbook was one from our church. I know, not top quality. I rarely turn to cookbooks as a new cook because of the vast information on the internet. I would enjoy having a few cookbooks in my collection, though.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My Mother in Law got me a 5 ingredient cookbook that had horrible recipes which basically combined 5 canned foods into one dish meals. Revolting.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
mom's ratty old Joy of Cooking!
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
The first cookbook that I ever received was a book of photocopied recipes my grandfather made for me of all the traditional Italian recipes that my great grandma used to make for her family. There are some wonderful recipes in there too. From homemade tortellini, to antipasto that has to sit jarred for a year before you can eat it (to let the flavors meld).
The sad bit is that I rarely use it because so many of the recipes are so labor intensive and large.
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My now-husband bought me the New York Cookbook when I started college, which turned me on to so many of my favorites today!
Recent Posts
Chopped Cooked Chicken Uses? Something warm for a cool fall day
Posted by Bumblebutton, September 10, 2009 at 9:21 AM
Raspberry Syrup Advice for Raspberry Lime Rickeys?
Posted by Bumblebutton, June 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Recent Favorites
Forget Iowa, Heaven Is the All Candy Expo in Chicago
Posted by Daniel Zemans, June 1, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Raspberry Syrup Advice for Raspberry Lime Rickeys?
Posted by Bumblebutton, June 1, 2009 at 10:52 AM
Cook the Book: Root Beer Bundt Cake
Posted by Michele Humes, November 28, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Schlow Now, Ground Cow: A Radius Burger Walk-Through
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Cortlands are delicious and slow to brown once peeled. They were delicious in last week's apple pie.