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From Talk

$300 budget for dinner for 3! What should I make??

I love everyone's ideas! They're good ones.

For me, I'd go with this plan:

-if you have the time, shop online. find great cuts of meat and/or seafood and find a great dessert while you're at it.

-if online is not an option, i'd go to your Stop-n-Shop and find out when the best day is to shop for the freshest ingredients. Find out when they get their meat, produce delivery.

-if this isn't an option because you have a lack of time, i'd talk to some of your friends about ideas. find your friend that is a great cook. enlist his/her help. likely your friend will have good ideas about where to get what, etc.

-and, since you have extra money, buy the best pantry items (good olive oil, spices, etc.).

-lastly, HAVE FUN!

From Talk

Using Kefir-Your ideas?

I love Kefir. I use it to make smoothies.

From Talk

Best independent burger in NYC?

-Shake Shack is great. I think there is too much garlic in the meat, but that's me.
-I also like PJ Clarks (UES).
-People say the Corner Bistro in the W. Village is the spot.
-I eat regularly at Burger in Chelsea and think it's pretty good. I think their turkey burgers are better than their regular beef burgers. And to whomever likes their veggie burgers, FYI: they use Dr. Preger's frozen patties. So, if you like them, you can buy them yourself too.
-My favorite burger joint is Dumont Burger on Bedford in Williamsburg.

From Talk

Trader Joe's Coffee

What's your coffee process? Also, which TJ beans do you buy?

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Favorite "Healthy" and casual Restaurant

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Mac n' Cheese: Tips?

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From Talk

$300 budget for dinner for 3! What should I make??

I love everyone's ideas! They're good ones.

For me, I'd go with this plan:

-if you have the time, shop online. find great cuts of meat and/or seafood and find a great dessert while you're at it.

-if online is not an option, i'd go to your Stop-n-Shop and find out when the best day is to shop for the freshest ingredients. Find out when they get their meat, produce delivery.

-if this isn't an option because you have a lack of time, i'd talk to some of your friends about ideas. find your friend that is a great cook. enlist his/her help. likely your friend will have good ideas about where to get what, etc.

-and, since you have extra money, buy the best pantry items (good olive oil, spices, etc.).

-lastly, HAVE FUN!

From Talk

Using Kefir-Your ideas?

I love Kefir. I use it to make smoothies.

From Talk

Best independent burger in NYC?

-Shake Shack is great. I think there is too much garlic in the meat, but that's me.
-I also like PJ Clarks (UES).
-People say the Corner Bistro in the W. Village is the spot.
-I eat regularly at Burger in Chelsea and think it's pretty good. I think their turkey burgers are better than their regular beef burgers. And to whomever likes their veggie burgers, FYI: they use Dr. Preger's frozen patties. So, if you like them, you can buy them yourself too.
-My favorite burger joint is Dumont Burger on Bedford in Williamsburg.

From Talk

Trader Joe's Coffee

What's your coffee process? Also, which TJ beans do you buy?

From Slice

Why Can't You Get a Good Slice Outside New York City? 'Wired' Magazine Says It's the Water

I'm a born and raised Californian. I've lived in SF Bay Area and Los Angeles. I am a lover of pizza as well as baked items (cookies, breads, etc.). To me, New York City's food tastes better than CA. I've always thought it's the water. The bread, bagels, pizza, cookies, etc. tastes better here. Call me crazy!

From Serious Eats: New York

The Tuna Salad of My Dreams

Olives in Soho on Prince (btw Wooster & Greene St) makes a tuna sandy with Grilled Yellowfin Tuna (served with watercress and tomato on seven grain bread). I have to admit it needs seasoning, but if you want to be "healthy" it's a great way to go. My favorite addiction there is their Italian Hero. You won't go wrong with that sandwich.

From Serious Eats: New York

Top Manhattan Slices by Neighborhood

I haven't scoured the city for the best slice, however, I have a fine palette for pizza.

These are my picks (in no particular order):

Fornino
187 Bedford Ave (off L Bedford Stop)
Brooklyn, NY 11211-2946
Phone: (718) 384-6004
-brick oven pizza with modern topping choices (e.g. truffle oil)


Grimaldi's (over Brooklyn Bridge)
http://www.grimaldis.com/brooklyn.htm
-brick oven pizza - classic New York pizza eating experience


Totono's in Coney Island
1524 Neptune Ave.
Brooklyn, NY
718.372.8606
-brick oven pizza - in fun coney island setting


From Serious Eats: New York

A Williamsburg Food Adventure with my Brother

too bad i missed this posting.

i live in the burg and would have told you to check out:

Diner
85 Broadway, beneath W-burg Bridge
(great food for the prices especially if you're a manhattanite)

Fornino
187 Bedford Ave.,
(excellent brick oven pizza. for me, it's my main stay when i just can't get out to Totonno's)

Fortunato Bros
289 Manhattan Ave.,
(for old skool italian bakery style cookie and espresso)

From Talk

Mac n' Cheese: Tips?

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your feedback!

From Talk

Mac n' Cheese: Tips?

My first try was using the Barefoot Contessa's recipe:

Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi (see Note)
1 quart milk
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)
8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

###

I axed the tomatoes and I baked it in a enamel, white baking dish. I baked at 375 for 30-40 min.

My second try, I used the same recipe, but baked for less amount of time.

And, for my third I used 1 1/2 quart of cream (not milk). It didn't come out dry, but it just didn't have the nice creamy, cheese sauce.

From Talk

HUGE cinnamon roll?

I wish I could tell you: "I've done it and this is how you do it", but I can't. Maybe someone will come to your rescue soon. My thought is this: I don't see why you can't take the 8in cake pan and make a giant one in there. You usually make individuals in there. My friend makes the cinnamon roll recipe in the Julia Child with Jacque Pepin book and he does it in his bread machine. Also, maybe Williams Sonoma or Sur La Table will have an excellent mix. Good luck!

From Talk

Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer - Ideas for first dish to make

I simply love it's ability to make fresh whip cream on auto-pilot. Have fun!

From Serious Eats: New York

Why do most birthday cakes suck?

I agree with Ed. Most birthday cakes are tasteless cavity traps. I like the red velvet cupcakes from Amy's bakery. I haven't tried the cake version, but I'm sure it has to be the same recipe. For the Red Velvet cupcake she uses a whip cream for the top (not icing), and her cupcake is moist. For me, it's all about moist cake and a not too sweet frosting.

From Serious Eats: New York

The Best Bagel in New York City

If you're ever in Williamsburgh, my vote - hands down - is:
Bagel Store
(718) 218-7244
247 Bedford Ave

Bagel Store
(718) 782-5856
754 Metropolitan Ave

They have a nice crust on the bottom and they are chewy. To me, they are the real deal.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Food Giveaway: Russ & Daughters

plain bagel, schmear of cream cheese, capers and some top shelf lox.

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From Talk

Favorite "Healthy" and casual Restaurant

From Talk

Mac n' Cheese: Tips?

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About Decca

Website:

Location: Brooklyn

About: I'm a video editor. I'm passionate about cooking and food in general.

Favorite foods: Family style and comfort foods with a healthy twist.

Last bite on earth: Fried chicken, potato salad and rice balls (it's a childhood favorite meal).