Serious Eats: Cathy's Profile

I've done this for years (although I like to cut through the backbone, using a cleaver and meat mallet). A rich mushroom/ricotta/parmesan mixture goes between the skin and the flesh, and I smoke the turkey at an average grill temperature of 350º.

Cathy at 4:57PM on 11/23/09

From Serious Eats: New York

Xie Xie: An Asian Sandwich Shop (What a Concept)

Oh man, I'm so embarrassed that I haven't been here yet. Angelo is a sweetheart and a seriously talented chef. Great photos, Robyn!

Cathy at 2:14PM on 09/17/09

From Recipes

Smoked Fish, Eggs, and Onions

Ideal proportions, Ed. I consider the eggs and salmon a delivery system for the caramelized onions.

Cathy at 4:08PM on 01/26/09

From Talk

absentminded kitchen disasters

@PerkyMac - That's terrifying! Nothing scarier than a house fire.

Cathy at 3:59PM on 01/07/09

From Talk

absentminded kitchen disasters

@PerkyMac, feel free to laugh. I did too, until it started to hurt. ;-}

I might as well admit why the collapsible bowl is my largest. I had a huge plastic mixing bowl that I parked in the oven one morning because I was too lazy to put it away properly. When I got home that night, I started prepping dinner and turned on the oven...

Do you know what a huge plastic bowl looks like when it's melted? (I'm lucky the oven wasn't ruined.) That really made me laugh.

Cathy at 7:42PM on 01/06/09

From Talk

absentminded kitchen disasters

I'm feeling better about my latest mishap too. Three weeks ago I made a pot of really fine stock, and grabbed my largest bowl in which to strain it. The bowl is one of those collapsible silicone numbers. (You see where this is going, right?) The edge of the stockpot clipped the rim of the bowl, which of course collapsed, flooding my right leg with boiling stock. I immediately flushed it with cold water, but still ended up with second degree burns from groin to ankle. I have a fairly high pain threshold but man, did this hurt.

It's healing well. The boy cat has finally stopped sniffing my boiled leg and wondering if it's dinner. But I'm still sad about losing that stock.

Cathy at 5:13PM on 01/06/09

From Talk

What to eat with one hand?

Soups, stews, pasta, meatloaf, stir fries...

Cathy at 4:38PM on 12/03/08

From Talk

Black Garlic?

Black garlic is aged for a month under heat, which ferments it and turns the flavor sweet and rich - although you can still tell it's garlic.

Cathy at 11:45AM on 11/26/08

From Talk

Special Birthday Cake - need ideas please

My favorite birthday cake is Rose Beranbaum's Chocolate Oblivion Truffle Torte. Incredibly easy and incredibly delicious!

Cathy at 1:22PM on 11/21/08

From Talk

Turkey Carving Ritual

I butterfly it before cooking which makes carving a breeze - even after a few glasses of wine.

Cathy at 11:53AM on 11/11/08

From Talk

Boring, Bland Chicken. Help!

Try brining the chicken breasts before cooking: dissolve 1/4 cup kosher salt in a quart of cool water, add the chicken and refrigerate for an hour or so. It won't add much sodium, and the chicken will be juicier and more flavorful.

Cathy at 4:36PM on 10/16/08

From Talk

What's the restaurant in Mad Men?

Andre Soltner, who is now a dean at the French Culinary Institute.

Lutece was our special occasion place for years. I miss it.

Cathy at 4:25PM on 09/11/08

From Talk

How to cook a boston butt?

I don't foil either because I think the bark is the best part. And I agree with Markbb about putting the butt on the smoker cold for greater smoke penetration.

Cathy at 5:34PM on 08/29/08

From Talk

Anyone been to Matsugen?

I've been once, for lunch, and thought the food was very very good, especially the inaka soba and the bakudan. Nothing made my eyes roll back in my head, but I was happy with the clean flavors and interesting textures. If your husband likes authentic Japanese I think he'd be pleased.

Cathy at 11:05AM on 08/27/08

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Shrimp Tacos with Pumpkin Seed Sauce

That looks perfect for a hot, humid August night!

Jicama is delicious cut into fat spears and sprinkled with lime juice, coarse salt and ground chipotle (or another hot red pepper). Nice as a chip alternative for salsa or guacamole too.

Cathy at 6:37PM on 08/01/08

From Serious Eats: New York

Market Scene: Tomatoes, Corn, and More at New York's Greenmarkets

Kernan had watermelon at the market on 77th & Columbus yesterday.

Blake, you didn't mention OKRA! Try Yuno's (my favorite), Cherry Lane and Berried Treasures.

Cathy at 4:26PM on 07/28/08

From Talk

What's your go-to dinner for one?

Roasted vegetables. In summer, that might be okra or cauliflower, or Delia Smith's oven-roasted ratatouille. In winter, squash, parsnips, carrots, cipollini and/or Jerusalem artichokes.

Cathy at 12:23PM on 07/25/08

From Talk