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How To Save Money at Supermarkets
Everyone has great advice to follow! I:
1. never go to the market hungry (sometimes I buy a corndog at the deli on my way into the store - oops, should have added that to my "Guilty Food Pleasures" post)
2. use coupons - only use coupons for items that you really use on a regular basis (don't buy items that you normally wouldn't use just because you have a coupon)
3. I will stock up on specials and freeze (whole chickens, etc)
4. purchase local, homegrown produce in large quantities (tomatoes and make big batches of Marinara sauce to freeze; fruits that have a short local season and freeze, etc.)
Guilty Food Pleasures
Oh my goodness. After I hit "post a comment" I will feel either totally liberated or totally ashamed & will retreat to a corner to suck my thumb in a fetal position.
I still like:
1. vienna sausages
2. fried baloney sandwiches
3. kraft mac & cheese in the blue box (with lots of milk, like a soup).
and,
4. tator tots from Sonic.
the best cookbook for beginners
The Joy of Cooking may not be the most "user friendly" book but it is an excellent "text book type" book for the new cook to teach themselves.
I also agree that an subscription to Cook's Illustrated would be a great tool.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Cookout Etiquette
When we host an outdoor gathering, we pretty much plan on providing everything as far as food, a variety of drinks (alcoholic and non), as well as set ups for those who wish to bring their own alcohol. There always seem to be some who offer to bring a side, dessert, whatever and We oblige them thankfully.
I think it perfectly normal to ask people to bring chairs. So many have those pop - up ones that are inexpensive and easy to tote around anyway.
The main idea is to have a great time of fellowship and food; but if I had to set a rule...I am in agreement with kathyvegas that it is up to the host to initiate what type of gathering it will be. If you are not asked to bring anything, it would be nice to bring a small hostess gift.
How To Save Money at Supermarkets
Everyone has great advice to follow! I:
1. never go to the market hungry (sometimes I buy a corndog at the deli on my way into the store - oops, should have added that to my "Guilty Food Pleasures" post)
2. use coupons - only use coupons for items that you really use on a regular basis (don't buy items that you normally wouldn't use just because you have a coupon)
3. I will stock up on specials and freeze (whole chickens, etc)
4. purchase local, homegrown produce in large quantities (tomatoes and make big batches of Marinara sauce to freeze; fruits that have a short local season and freeze, etc.)
Guilty Food Pleasures
Oh my goodness. After I hit "post a comment" I will feel either totally liberated or totally ashamed & will retreat to a corner to suck my thumb in a fetal position.
I still like:
1. vienna sausages
2. fried baloney sandwiches
3. kraft mac & cheese in the blue box (with lots of milk, like a soup).
and,
4. tator tots from Sonic.
the best cookbook for beginners
The Joy of Cooking may not be the most "user friendly" book but it is an excellent "text book type" book for the new cook to teach themselves.
I also agree that an subscription to Cook's Illustrated would be a great tool.
$29.95 for America's Test Kitchen website?
I have subscribed to CI since the first issue and I refuse to pay more in order to access things online. I personally prefer my hard copies.
Le Creuset: Is it worth it?
Granted, I have not tried the other comperable brands (Mario Batali, etc) and probably won't bother because I love my LC. I have my set and I have my mother's set from the 50's and 60's and I will wager I'll be passing them down to my daughters and grandaughters. When something lasts as long as these and are as durable, I do not mind spending the money for them.
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
HA! I love it! I was always the "wierd kid" because I liked my Cream of Wheat and Maypo (do they still make this?) with butter, salt and pepper instead of the traditional sugar and milk!
Halloween Wines for Grown-Up Trick-or-Treating
gpg520, I concur! This time every year my husband and I run out to buy a case or two! We love it!
Top Ten Worst Halloween 'Candies'
salpico, I have to ditto you on the pillow case! No organe paper bag for me! I believe the 60's kids were the last to enjoy really fun, safe halloweens. The kids stayed out until at least 10:00 and the parents stayed home to pass out candy! Great fun memories! Now I see parents leaving work early so they can take their kids trick-or-treating and leave a bowl on the porch for "goblins" who visit their house.
Oh, and another ditto on those strawberry shaped hard candies. I think they were left over from Christmas!!
Cook the Book: 'Summer on a Plate'
My Aunt Penny opened the doors to the wonders of cooking, when I was 14. I spent a month with her helping her with her newborn twins and during that time she tutored me in the kitchen and taught me all sorts of recipes; some of which I still use today. The day I went back home she gave me a three-ring binder so that I counld insert recipes that I collected from newspapers, magazines, etc. I was bitten by the culinary bug!
Flavor: What We Thought We Knew Is Wrong
JerseyWarren, I agree with you whole heartedly. That is one of the reasons that I tend to enjoy our meals cooked at home, from scratch.
Classic Cookbooks: Barley Casserole
I simply adore barley and it put a smile on my face to see this recipe. I have used this for years. For a period, several years ago, I was putting barley in everything! My father-in-law was staying a spell with us and had to politely ask me if I would make his food without the barley. He was a prisoner in a German POW camp during the end of WWII and turns out that was all he ate for over 18 months. He hasn't been able to eat it since.
Dancing Shoes
In Gear: Hacking Mason Jars
I use these for so many things, I make sure I keep a box each of the Wide Mouth quart, pint and 8 oz in my pantry. I store my different salts in them, dressings, marinara for freezing, canning jams & jellies, storage in my shop in the garage..just about everything!
The other weekend I even used the large metal rings as molding forms for a recipe!
Cook the Book: Cowgirl Cuisine
My father was the real cook in the house, but mom had a couple of specialties like her lentil soup she made every New Year's Day (along with the black-eyed peas, of course!). But, one that I really remember (because it reminds me of how she would always make the best with what we had), was a time when my dad had been without a job for awhile and money was very tight. She took a couple of can's of spam, whole. She scored it and studded it with cloves, then basted with her brown sugar/mustard/honey sauce and baked it. Just like she would do when we could afford a real ham!! All of us kids loved it! It was like eating mini hams.
Where is the best place to get BBQ in Dallas/Forth Worth?
It is worth the drive to Springtown, Texas to Woody Creek BBQ. Absolutely the best chopped beef sandwich I have ever had.
A little closer to the city: Railhead BBQ and Cousins, both in Fort Worth. In Dallas, I have always liked, Sammy's BBQ on Leonard Street (uptown)
Good eating to you!!
A conundrum with dates
Have not read all the comments so I don't know if this has been mentioned. The way I love to use dates for cocktail parties is:
Whole, pitted dates
Whole, blanched almonds
good quality, thick sliced hickory bacon
Your amounts will depend on how many appetizers you want to make. You will need equal amounts of dates and almonds. Each slice of bacon will be sliced into thirds, so figure how many slices of bacon you will need.
- toast whole, blanched almonds on a baking sheet until brown in a 350° oven.
- Stuff each date with toasted almond.
- Wrap each date with a third slice of bacon and secure with toothpick.
- Bake dates on cookie sheet in a 350° oven until bacon is crisped.
These are, surprisingly, just as tasty at room temp as they are hot out of the oven; well not AS good as hot out of the oven, but still tasty!
One Trick Pony Restaurants
Lobster. Mmmm, I could even eat it for breakfast!
Top Ten Worst Halloween 'Candies'
I disagree about a lot of the candy items mentioned here.
I, for one, LOVE the fun-sized (or mini, if you prefer) candies. It's a tiny bit of something insanely tasty, enough to give pleasure without causing tummy pains. When I was a young'un and I went trick-or-treating, one house gave out mini Clark bars. Yum-o-delish! I polished those off first.
I think the chewy peanut butter kisses taste absolutely divine.
Candy corn, I think is plenty of tasty, as are the candy pumpkins made of candy-corn base. Think little dollops of hardened cake-frosting.
As for apples and raisins, those I didn't mind in the least.
However, some items, I do agree about.
Toothbrushes -- a boring reminder
Religious pamphlets -- disappointing and WEIRD to boot.
Packages of "normal" food -- oh, for crying in Manhattan, what kid wants to receive a can of baked beans or a box of oat bran in his little plastic jack-o-lantern.
One time I received cough drops -- and not the Ludens or Pine Bros or Smith Bros or F&Fs, which are tasty and could pass as hard candy (as can the Ricolas). These were nasty little green pellets that were -- and tasted like -- MEDICATION. Like I said, for crying in Manhattan! For crying in Manhattan, Chicago, and San Francisco
Oh well. At least I didn't get a ROCK
Top Ten Worst Halloween 'Candies'
If I didn't live in an apartment building with no kids in it I'd be giving out and full sized candy bar AND a red bull to every kid. HAHAHA!!! HALLOWEEN IS FOR KIDS! SUCK IT PARENTS!
the best cookbook for beginners
Well I just married 2 weeks ago and I bouth the book Taste of Home cookbook I love it. It gives you picture for every recipe and give you "how to" and "why". Every recipe that I have tryed has been great.
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
I just found this Blog. Great ideas. I would skip the meats, bacon, regular sour cream, etc. since I am trying to lower my cholesterol. Thanks.
Cookout Etiquette
Wow, I can't believe the date of the original thread and I just signed on to this today! @fatcat is right-it's all relative and I also agree that @hefloats should not be called names and diminished for wondering and asking advice (what is it about this site????).
As it seems this is a very subjective issue. Chairs-my potluck at Christmas has me begging for them ( have 12 and need more for my 25-30 friends-aren't lucky to have so many-friends, that is). I would have a hard time asking for everyone to bring everything from the plates to the ice and then their own main, but that is my age and my income bracket.
However, I would imagine if there are people that never contribute or host and always have their hands out that I would separate myself from them. It is always better to have people think of you as a doer/contributer than as a taker. It is hard to be a giver and never have someone to reciprocate. Toxic relationships and hard feelings. I am lucky that when I have a dinner party or bbq that someone will appreciate that and I will be invited to their homes and have an opportunity to bring my side/beer/wine/chair. I hear you @ tdl1501.
I think that as time passes you will find out who really wants your company at their events and not just your chair. It may take some time to find those people who truly cherish you. Until that time try to be open to as much as you can...serendipity.
Cookout Etiquette
I beg to differ with myself. "Waifs" are a special case. These are folks who've been laid off, newly divorced, family lives overseas. These are the people who grace our homes year after year on holidays and impromptu brunches/dinners. We have one friend for Christmas for years and she always brings bones and used tennis balls for our dog, as well as wine and other goodies.
Cookout Etiquette
We're in a fully-furnished townhome on a short-term basis and left 99% of our stuff in storage 1,500 miles away. If we have a few neighbors over to get to know them better, I've no problem asking them to bring chairs. Normally, I might ask a few close friends for chairs/tables but I prefer small gatherings.
I also prefer to plan the menu and do the prep, cooking and cleanup myself. If there's a great dessert cook coming who wants to bring something, whatever it is will certainly trump my vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit. If I don't know someone well and they offer, I might ask them to bring a salad. Most people show up with something, flowers or a bottle of wine.
One thing I believe is rude is to require each guest to bring their entire meal. Then it truly is a bunch of strangers getting together to use a grill. Where's MY chicken? I need to cook MY veggie burger before any meat is placed on the grill! Ask if your guests have any food allergies. If you've vegeterians add a main or make sure your veggie sides are substantial.
Anyone under two years of age should ask his/her parents to bring the perfect meal for the little darling. As for college and just post-grad, I don't see the harm in budgeting for burgers, dogs, buns and sides, throw in a keg and pay for some of it but perhaps ask guests for $5 per person or so to cut down on the damage. They'll be happy for the party!
That said these are guests entering into a "social contract." If I make a four-course Tuscan meal for eight guests and no-one reciprocates by inviting my husband and I over/out to dinner in six months, those folks aren't on another guest list, period. I don't care if they brought a bottle of Chianti.
Cookout Etiquette
Come and hang out events – The host / hostess should ask you to bring a dish and tell you what they plan to provide (you guys have school loans to pay for). Again the host / hostess takes the lead. If it’s just word of mouth among friends and the host / hostess likes the surprise of the whole thing then whatever people bring don’t bring is fine. But because they have made this a free for all then the host should at lease provide the framework drink, main dish, snack and a dessert and enough for a serving for each guest. In these times in this situation I still think it would be nice for the guest to ask if they can bring something. Then host / hostess is not burdened with the whole meal and if they are your friend then you should offer anyway.
I suspect the reason for all of the misunderstanding and hurt feelings is because the host / hostess is not defining the event for their guests.
A little communication goes a long way.
Cookout Etiquette
Well, the responses to this thread have made obvious that there is no normal and people have different ideas of how things should be done. As someone who recently transitioned from "young and broke" to "30 and still broke" - my ideal situation is this:
- Host provides basics (meat, buns, a side, some drinks i.e., cheaper beers)
- Guests should always ask if they can bring anything, even if they think/know the host will say no.
- If the host does say no, it is still a good idea to bring a 6-pack or bottle of wine or something (for parties thrown by younger people) or a hostess gift (for parties thrown by older people)
- Hosts should be appreciative and almost deferential when accepting the offer of help. I'd have no problem bringing my own lawn chair as long as I were asked nicely (and as long as I actually had one!).
- Anyone with dietary restrictions should be willing to bring something they can eat (i.e., I'm vegetarian, and always will offer to bring the veg burgers because I don't want to pressure the host into fretting over a detail for just one person)
Here's what shouldn't happen:
-The host should never ask for food in the invite (unless you make it clear that it is a potluck)
- The host should never ask guests for money to cover expenses. (Unless you're young and you have a keg. I was always totally cool with throwing in a few dollars towards the community keg in my post-college years.)
And if you find yourself in a jam, it is of course okay to ask for help as long as you do it nicely "We're actually in a bit of a jam and would love it if you could bring a side to help round out the meal" and not "I need you to bring a side." Your guests would rather feel as though they were generous in helping as opposed to feeling as though they were required to bring something.
Cookout Etiquette
WHEN I BBQ, I DON'T REALLY CARE IF SOMEONE BRINGS SOMETHING IT'S UP TO THEM. NO PROBLEM
Cookout Etiquette
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BRING SOMETHING. I SAY BRING IT. IT DOESN'T HURT ANYONE IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BRING SOMETHING ELSE TO EAT OR DRINK. THE MORE THE MERRIER I SAY. IT'S JUST NICER TO HELP OUT. BUT ALOT OF PEOPLE DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO ASK IF IT'S OK TO BRING SOMETHING BUT COME AN EAT AND DRINK EVERYTHING THEY CAN. AND SOMETIMES WHEN IT'S TIME TO GO BUY SOMEMORE STUFF, SOME PEOPLE STEP UP TO HELP WHILE OTHERS JUST SIT BACK AN DO NOTING. IT FIGURES
Cookout Etiquette
I only have small parties - about 10 people max - but my rule is to provide everything. If someone ends up asking "what to bring?", I cross that item off my list. But I never expect or require my guests to bring something unless they volunteer.
Cookout Etiquette
We lived in L.A. from 1975 til 1987. My wife and I formed an over 35, co-ed softball league. (4 teams) and got a field from the park commission every Friday night and we played 2 games every Friday. We formed some great friendships and had many, many parties. Many of the parties were at our house (we had a pool and a bumper pool table in the garage). Everyone brought what they wanted to drink and a dish of some kind. These get-to-gethers would just happen on the spur of the moment. These were some of the best of times. Dave
Cookout Etiquette
well, i don't have much more to add except it's obvious that expectations vary. and as someone said previously as long as those expectations are communicated then you can make the choice to participate or not. but one thing i have noticed having lived all over the country is that there are regional differences. having grown up in the midwest, i just expected to always bring something to a party. while on the east coast i don't think i ever attended a potluck, even when in college. the only thing we brought was booze! the point is there isn't a "normal" way to host a party, just what you and your friends are comfortable with! and have fun, that's what get-togethers are for!!
Cookout Etiquette
When I entertain I try to provide everything necessary for everyone to have a good time. Since I'm the host, I plan the menu and I don't want someone to bring something that may not "go" with what I'm already preparing. Some of my friends are pretty lousy cooks, and heaven forbid they bring something nasty that my other friends will think I made. I definitely don't want to tell people that they need to bring something specific, which I think is just rude. It's my party and I was brought up to think that whomever did the inviting paid the bill, so to speak.
If people insist on bringing something, I tell them to bring some beer or wine that they like to drink.
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
I just tried this for the first time but I made it with chicken broth, minced onions, black beans and topped with sour cream....mmmm mmmm good
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
I couldn't believe when I found this article....I've been doing this for years and just posted a savory oatmeal recipe: http://tinyurl.com/mybypg.
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
Oh my goodness. All I can say is...I can't believe I never thought of making oatmeal savory! I mean, I like it with fruit and such, but...I also know that it's good with even just a little butter. My brain never got past the "put more than butter on it" line. I can't wait to try some of the ideas you all have thrown out there. And I'm going to search for more savory recipes with oatmeal!!!
Guilty Food Pleasures
In public I have a reputation of being a health-conscious eater with sophisticated tastes. But in private, I'm actually a crap-eating junkie. Here's my list of sinful indulgences:
Chef Boyardee's Beefaroni with mozzarella
Kraft's powdered cheddar cheese
Ikea's Swedish Meatballs
Campbell's Condensed Mushroom Soup mixed with rice (I like to refer to it as a poor man's mushroom risotto, lol)
Hungry Man's Salisbury Steak dinner
McDonald's Sausage McGriddle, Big Mac, fries, and chocolate/vanilla soft serve ice cream
Burger King's deep fried apple pies
KFC's Original Fried Chicken, potato and macaroni salads, and honey roasted chicken (I first tasted it back in the 90s during a trip to Saratoga Springs. OMG, it was the best chicken from a fast food place ever. Are these still available in the U.S.???)
Jell-O Pudding
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookies
any Pizza Hut pizza (love the greasy crust!)
Red Lobster (all the ones in Montreal closed over 20 years ago. I miss those garlic cheese biscuits!)
canned sardines with French's mustard
canned liver pate spread with Miracle Whip on white bread
Cherry Coke
and a Canadian product: McCain's Triple Chill desserts
http://www.mccain.ca/framework/builder.aspx?page=SubCategory&lang=en&partition=1&category=3&category1=5029&selected=5029&marker=CMF_LEVEL_TWO_MARKER:Category;
God, I feel like such a fraud...
Mark Bittman's Savory Oatmeal with Scallions and Soy Sauce
My brother makes something similar to this (except he adds fish sauce) and swears it tastes arroz caldo, a Filipino soup.
How To Save Money at Supermarkets
@Chew on That: your reasoning is applicable only if health issues are your only concern; but that is only one of the reasons I buy organic. Concern for the environment is another--and bananas are one of the worst offenders in terms of pesticide use. Yeah maybe its not absorbed into the fruit but the runoff is sure absorbed into the groundwater and ecosystem! I can't afford to buy strictly organic all the time, but I definitely try to buy organic as much as possible--not only for my health but the health of the planet.
As for coupons...I find that 99% of coupons are for highly processed convenience foods and therefore not of much use. I do try to use coupons as much as I can, but it seems I never save more than a dollar or two each shopping trip. Mostly on things like paper goods and cleaning stuff. I've taken to going directly to the manufacturer's website to see if they offer a coupon, if I know a particular item is on my shopping list. For instance Seventh Generation usually has a coupon or two on their site that you can print.
Guilty Food Pleasures
Spam and I use MSG sometimes when I cook.
How To Save Money at Supermarkets
@nezrite regarding the shrink pots: I've thought EXACTLY the same thing! lol! I also always wondered about the mashed potatoe flakes... who are these people?! LOL!
How To Save Money at Supermarkets
For New Yorkers: If you live in Manhattan, go to the closest borough. I find really cheap stuff in Astoria when I visit my sis-in-law. I cut coupons from my mom's paper upstate, because they get better offers up there for some reason. I also bring an extra bag or make room in my bag whenever I go somewhere. Queens, upstate and even Long Island are cheaper. If I'm there, I always make sure someone gets me to their local stores to stock up on whatever I can carry. Oh, and Trader Joes has really good frozen seafood for cheap that stay frozen for a 50 block bus ride!
How To Save Money at Supermarkets
I am pretty "green" conscious when it comes to buying my groceries. The food I buy has to be packaged in material that will not harm the environment. This has sometimes been difficult for me to do, however I have learned by reading "> "The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget " by Josh Dorfman of a lot of great inexpensive "green" products.
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When we host an outdoor gathering, we pretty much plan on providing everything as far as food, a variety of drinks (alcoholic and non), as well as set ups for those who wish to bring their own alcohol. There always seem to be some who offer to bring a side, dessert, whatever and We oblige them thankfully.
I think it perfectly normal to ask people to bring chairs. So many have those pop - up ones that are inexpensive and easy to tote around anyway.
The main idea is to have a great time of fellowship and food; but if I had to set a rule...I am in agreement with kathyvegas that it is up to the host to initiate what type of gathering it will be. If you are not asked to bring anything, it would be nice to bring a small hostess gift.