Kiwords’s Profile
Recent Comments
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
I think there can be a perfect-for-the-moment meal. So if you're cold and tired and lonely and you come home to a hearty chicken and rice soup, with crusty bread and your favorite face on the other side of the table, viewed through a perfumed steam...well, that's the perfect meal.
However, if I had to sit down to hot chicken soup tonight, I would simply wilt. Too hot. Tonight a meal all alone, something cool and light, probably would have fit the bill (can my children scream ANY LOUDER?).
But no one meal is ever going to fit all moods and weather and situations.
Home Grown and Dried Chiles--Frozen: How long are they good?
I would bet they're still fine. I just found some jalepeno that I'd roasted, chopped, and frozen in cubes last summer. Made awesome salsa yesterday.
Good eats in DENVER?
Oh, but I don't know if that would be too adventurous for your boyfriend. You could order your curry "spicy" and wonder aloud if he's man enough to eat it. But I don't suppose manipulation like that makes for the best dinner conversation.
See more comments by Kiwords »
Recent Posts
Kiwords hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
Kiwords hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
Kiwords hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
Kiwords hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
I find the outrage and disgust...odd. Why is it our business to judge what he does with his own money? @queenbleu, why should you detest the rich? He spent a lot on lunch - so what? At least he was more generous than he had to be with his server. Why all the anger? We have no way of knowing how he uses his money on a regular basis - nor is it our business. He might be just as lavish in his giving to charity for all we know.
Lighten up, people.
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
I think there can be a perfect-for-the-moment meal. So if you're cold and tired and lonely and you come home to a hearty chicken and rice soup, with crusty bread and your favorite face on the other side of the table, viewed through a perfumed steam...well, that's the perfect meal.
However, if I had to sit down to hot chicken soup tonight, I would simply wilt. Too hot. Tonight a meal all alone, something cool and light, probably would have fit the bill (can my children scream ANY LOUDER?).
But no one meal is ever going to fit all moods and weather and situations.
Home Grown and Dried Chiles--Frozen: How long are they good?
I would bet they're still fine. I just found some jalepeno that I'd roasted, chopped, and frozen in cubes last summer. Made awesome salsa yesterday.
Good eats in DENVER?
Oh, but I don't know if that would be too adventurous for your boyfriend. You could order your curry "spicy" and wonder aloud if he's man enough to eat it. But I don't suppose manipulation like that makes for the best dinner conversation.
Good eats in DENVER?
If you like Indian food, I'm partial to Star of India, on Parker Road, near Hampdon. The butter chicken with a basket of garlic naan...my mouth is watering...
So Proud!
One proud moment in my life was when my son had his 9th birthday and I asked him what he wanted for dinner. His response? Linguini and clams and artichokes as a side.
That's my boy!
Would you ever eat dog meat?
Personally, I wouldn't want to eat dog meat, but I have to say that I find it disturbing that there's more moral outrage at the idea of eating dog than of eating human flesh. Seriously, people?
How to Make Mini Ice Cream from Creamer Cups
You need heavy cream to make butter - half and half just won't cut it. Creamer ice cream is a fabulous idea, though.
Chick-fil-A
Love the nuggets - real chunks of chicken without the blanket of greasy breading - how can you not love that? Love the waffle fries. Love the lemonaid, which is made with real lemons, a fact you can be sure of because it occasionally tastes "off." That may be an odd thing to mention as a positive, but I find it oddly reassuring. How many fast food products can you buy that are natural enough to be perishable?
Their ice dream - sorry, ice "dream" - sucks, though.
I have to say, though, that I find it odd that people boycott them because their founders come from a relgious background. Seriously? You know you don't have to make a statement of faith to get your chicken. I promise.
Girl Scout Cookies - New Cookie - Dulce De Leche
I tried the dulce de leche cookies last week, and didn't care for them. The flavor was a little...off. It had a whiff of a chemical aftertaste. But I think the big disappointment was the texture. It's just a dry cookie with a drizzle of icing on top. I like the texture of dulce de leche almost as much as the flavor, so for the cookie to be totally missing out on any of that glorious lush texture...meh.
Le Creuset—already stained
Just a warning: anyone seen those Martha Stewart pans that are Le Creuset knockoffs? Save your money. I bought one about six months ago, and it's chipped all over the outside. It even left a two-inch long strip of red enamel on my burner the other day. Took me days to get it off the dang burner.
I am officially saving up for the real thing.
Your food related book favorites?
Comfort me with Apples, by the same author as Sapphire and Garlic, Ruth Reichl. And one of my old favorites, Pass the Polenta, by the aptly named Teresa Lust. Good food writing always gets me in the mood to cook. I must be very suggestable...hmm, maybe I should be reading more dieting sites...
Pancakes or Waffles & What Goes With Them?
Oh, my 13 year old son makes the most amazing waffles. They're multi-grain, I suppose, with some oatmeal and whole wheat flour in there, but they're light and airy and crispy and soft inside and vanilla scented and amazing. Everyone in the family eats theirs different. I prefer yogurt and blueberries on mine, drizzled with honey. 13 y.o. son eats his with strawberry jam and butter. 10 y.o. son eats his with butter and maple syrup. 7 y.o. son eats his with butter, pomegranate jelly, and maple syrup. My husband has butter, syrup, and a fried egg on top, with the yolk nice and runny so he can pour some syrup right in it for that sweet/salty combo.
The only down side is that life is too busy most days for that sort of a breakfast anymore. *sigh* I'm thinking we'll need to have waffles for dinner soon.
Use for gelatin?
Make marshmallows with the unflavored geletin! I made some peppermint ones at Christmas, and they were amazing (if I do say so myself). I ate so many that I had to winnow the list of people I had planned to give them to.
I used this recipe, and added a little peppermint extract and red food coloring.
http://www.cookingforengineers.com/recipe/106/Marshmallows
Will you succumb to Girl Scout Cookies?
Absolutely! Girl scout cookies are one of those foods that don't have to taste good compared to other foods (like your biscotti, @joyyy - yum), they only have to taste like they've always tasted. I've already ordered six boxes and I'm not sure that'll be enough.
Er...in my defense there are three growing boys in my house, one of whom is a food vaccuum of a 13 year old, and I'm 31.5 weeks pregnant. So we "need" lots of cookies.
What Would You Serve on Your Inauguration Luncheon?
And then I misspelled inauguration. SEE HOW BAD I'D BE?
What Would You Serve on Your Inauguration Luncheon?
For MY inauguration? Good lord, cyanide. For myself. I'd be an AWFUL president, and I'd hate the job.
Best of luck, President Obama - better you than me!
Baking vs. Cooking
I cook and bake a lot. Somehow, cooking seems like something I do for my family, to get a meal on the table. I enjoy it (made a lasagne tonight that I was particularly pleased with), but it's something I do for them. When I bake, even though my family eats that too, it's something I do for me. Baking - especially yeast breads - is so contemplative and intuitive. I don't have that approach to "real" recipes.
ps joyyy, if your orange bread didn't rise, my first suspicion would be your yeast - was it no good, or was your liquid too hot and killed it? That recipe sounds awesome, btw.
Grapefruit: Way or No Way?
OMG, way. I'm pregnant and grapefruit is my only big craving. I eat one every morning, first thing. No sugar, just a perfect, dripping ruby red grapefruit. And it's not ladylike at all. I DEVOUR the dang things. My kids just skirt around me, saying, "Uh, is it good, Mom?" and laughing a little nervously.
Grapefruit. I want one right now.
Coconut: Way or No Way?
I can take it or leave it, myself - although coconut milk in a gorgeous curry is something special. But as far as cookies, pies, cakes, etc? Meh.
However, my husband HATES coconut, and I find that I (perversely) am very drawn to coconut recipes just because I know they will be unappreciated.
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Edible Chocolate Box from Charles Chocolates
Um...chocolate.
Was this a trick question?
I don't like cookies made with _______!
Um...not sure I should admit this...but anise. Ick.
Any ideas for simple, healthy, make-ahead meals?
This isn't as inspired as some of these other suggestions, but my favorite food to prepare in advance of a busy week is beans and rice. I heat up a bowlful, add whatever cheese makes me happy, dollop sour cream and/or salsa, sprinkle with avocado...whatever makes today's bowl of beans and rice a meal.
Fabulous. And cheap.
Now that I know how to make ___ I will never buy it again.
Jam and jelly. Actually, I would probably stop making it (especially the pomegranate jelly - kind of a pain), except I foolishly gave it to my children, and now they won't eat pb&j without the "real stuff." *sigh*
Also salsa.
@ dbcurrie - the Muir Glen fire roasted diced tomatoes are a good substitute for decent fresh tomatoes.
And...um...crepes. The packages of crepes in the store kind of creep me out. Are they any good, or are they as flabby as they seem?
Has anyone made cheese at home?
I've made ricotta a few times, and always ended up standing there, eating soft, warm spoonfuls of it. Amazing - and so easy.
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
Wtf?! Are all Nello's dishes laced with gold??? I can't believe people are stupid enough to pay those ridiculously high prices...
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
This wasn't a meal; it was a money laundering operation.
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
@Peensez: I guarantee you that Nello's didn't use $2-a-box pasta for the pasta specials.
I, too, am amused by all the outrage. A lot of people made a lot of money off this guy: isn't that a good thing?
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
2 chunks of parmesan: $28
Not having to tolerate the company of the poor: priceless
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
@Nathan Teager: Haha, this made me smile. You're right. Give us your poor, your tired...and the occasional hungry millionaire.
What A $47,221 Lunch Looks Like
Why is everyone mad. He added about $50,000 to the US's economy. Remember that he is from Russia and deals in rubles. Now his rubles have become dollars. Go USA!
purple potatoes?
I grew them this summer, and they are as easy to grow as any other potato. They are tasty and cheap!
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
Perfection, for me, tonight, was a doctored Dr. Oetker "Casa Di Mama" Ultimate pepperoni pizza! I fried a little bacon with green onion & mushroom, mixed in some capers, a little Parmesan, S & P, and added them to the boxed pizza with some thinly sliced fresh garden tomato & Spanish olive oil drizzled on top- it took me all of four minutes to prepare and the result was indeed wonderful. Hubby and I have been babysitting our three grandchildren all week, one is too young to take your eyes away for a second, another one is slightly high maintenence and is homesick and the third one wants to be boss of the other two - it has been a long and exhausting week and I did not have any left over energy to make a meal, thus the pizza - and, oh, the ice cold beer didn't hurt either! Indeed perfection is in the eyes of the beholder!
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
msbojangles888 I so agree. Do you have a 1800 number for this sort of light porn lol? I agree with the craving and getting the craving solved (for now) . I hate that "The perfect ...", if that person finds his/her perfect (fill in the blanks) whether at a restaurant or at home through trial and error and found it that is great, but it may not be everone elses "perfect".
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
Take a nice quality French bread, crusty enough that you knock and it makes that beautiful sound.
Slice it.
Mince some garlic. Appreciate the way the smell rises to your nose.
Dab quality, unsalted butter on each slice. Spread the garlic on that.
And lastly, grate some Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese on top of each slice.
Stick under heating element, to render butter melted and cheese to sink slightly into the the white crevices of the bread.
Eat. Observe perfection.
THE PERFECT DISH... DOES IT EXIST?!
The perfect dish? Of course there is. It's freshly picked, juicy watermelon from the farmer's market after a 15 mile run in the hot sun. It's al dente pasta served family style at a table with friends. It's a warm bowl of steel cut oats in front of the computer at night. If that's not perfection, then I don't care about perfection...I'll take my imperfect meals and enjoy them while the doubters search for their holy grail.
purple potatoes?
I would think it would be awesome to make little mini- potato gratins in ramekins - you and use the red, white and purple- I bet it would look really awesome once turned out onto a plate and topped with a bit of fresh herbs.
Home Grown and Dried Chiles--Frozen: How long are they good?
I keep the peppers I dried last year in the cupboard, and they are perfectly fine (and still very potent). I grind some in the mortar as needed. You actually didn't need to dry them if you put them in the freezer, or alternatively, you didn't need to freeze them if you dried them - by putting them in the freezer, you re-introduced moisture that you took time to get rid of by drying them.
But back to your question - I'm sure they'll be fine for quite a while, as long as you keep holding them in the freezer. And yes, when you dry them, the house smells absolutely fantastic!
Home Grown and Dried Chiles--Frozen: How long are they good?
hi d! use 'em up ... steep them in some sherry or vinegar and use them in marinades.... or your chili idea sounds just perfect. or some fra diavlo sauce.... then you can throw some shrimp into it on a nice steaming plate of linguini! yum. when your lips start burning -- it's just perfect!
Good eats in DENVER?
Try the Ethiopian food. Seriously. Denver has the biggest immigrant population outside of DC, and there are some amazing places. The best place in town is a little cinderblock shack on Colfax called, as far as I can tell, "Ethiopian Restaurant". It's across from East High School, with an Ethiopian flag painted on the side. They only take cash. Try the key wot or special tibs, they're about $10 and come with excellent sides and injera bread.
Any of Pete's restaurants. In addition to the University Cafe mentioned above, there's one across from Ethiopian Restaurant that makes huge, hearty, and cheap breakfasts- great Greek omelette with hash browns, and so big you won't be hungry for days, about $7. There's also a little Greek bakery next door called Omonia for cookies, breads, and desserts.
My favorite Mexican taqueria is Tacos Jalisco on W 38th. La Fogata is a local place with two or three locations that's also pretty good- try the homemade mole.
Finally, check out the Argentine pizzeria, Buenos Aires Pizzeria, www.bapizza.com. My fave is the San Isidro, with bacon, red peppers, and pineapple. They also have empanadas, salads, milanesa, etc. Do NOT miss their homemade gelato. It's amazing.
I miss Denver food so much. Have fun!!
Good eats in DENVER?
Parisi (really great upstairs lowcost italian) (parisidenver.com)
Trattoria Stella's in the Highlands - great seating outdoors and great specials, good for people watching - not to be confused with the coffee house...
Bang (modern southern - also in the Highlands) -need to go down the corridor to find it, the kitchen is on the street. (www.bangdenver.com)
Jerusalem (jerusalemrestaurant.com is great I agree, close to that is
Pete's University Cafe where they have monstrously good large Greek type home cooking (petesrestaurants.com)
close to Jerusalem is the original (tiny!) Chipotle and it is the best one even if it is chainified.
Enjoy Denver. I miss it. :)
Good eats in DENVER?
Head up to the Mountains on Hwy 70. Near Evergreen you'll find a a small town called 'El Rancho'. There is a restaurant there called 'El Rancho' - it's also the post office. Very nice, good diverse menu with a nice range of simple to the exotic. You can do a web search and read about. Very scenic place - been going there for over 30 years. That is everytime I go to Denver.
So Proud!
@smokey07 - I totally agree with that. I think kids have their own tastes and it's nature versus nurture that decides whether they end up picky eaters or not...I just finished reading Dirty Sugar Cookies by Ayun Halliday and it had a couple of great stories about this same subject
kudos to you foodiegal! looks like you have a kid with the beginnings of an adventurous appetite!
So Proud!
You have good cause to be proud!
I've given this subject a lot of thought because I have 3 grade-school age boys and it's interesting to hear what they eat in the homes of their friends. I wonder if most parents assume that kids will only eat chicken nuggets and Pop Tarts & therefore won't even try to serve them anything else. I've seen the same parents roll their eyes, calling the kids "picky eaters."
My 10 year old's friend eats dinner with us almost every night these days--he cautiously asks me what things are and then tries it all. He has scarfed down mass quantities of bruschetta or chicken curry or thai spring rolls & peanut sauce, much to his mothers amazement. I am not the most accomplished cook--but I do try hard to introduce new flavors on a regular basis to my kids. I don't want them to be afraid of seeing something new on their plate.
So Proud!
I'm so pleased to read about the kids. I would like to share my story here.
I began my journey into food world as a young teenager. Through the process, I have single handedly introduced my whole family to a myriad of wonderful flavors, ingredients, preparations, and the like. (You get the picture)
I grew up with my mother's cooking: classically American, but good. Raised on the coast--red beans and rice, gumbo; Americanized spaghetthi; etc,etc.. beef pot roast-- Her culinary exposure came later in life and has since included more interesting staples!
At any rate, the point I'm trying to make is that the wonderful love affair of which I am part with food was entirely due to my own cultivation. And subsequently, have shared the wealth of knowledge I've garnered with everyone in my family; I feed them everytime I'm home from school. Ps- I'm not quite twenty years old; one of those rarities of exceedingly mature conditions. And I have often thought of how my children (if blessed to have, much later in future) WILL be raised with beautiful foods and excellent nutrition-- therefore glad to have read this thread.
So Proud!
Love to hear that! Where did he come up with the garlic/feta duo? Is that something you typically eat? Or was he being inventive? My five year old just went through a pizza is boring phase, which was going to ruin my easy Friday dinner plans;
http://www.izzyeats.com/2009/02/pizza-night-is-not-for-everyone.html
I am happy to report that the phase seems to be short-lived. Pizza is coming back into favor. Though I doubt it will have feta on it. I don't even think they offer that at our pizzeria.
So Proud!
very nice! great when kids are food adventurers... i bet you have a long
road of other interesting "eats" ahead!
So Proud!
That's awesome, Foodiegal! Perhaps he needs to come to MY house to show my 6 year old that good, flavorful food will NOT kill him. :) Although I have to admit, he will eat my sushi.
So Proud!
That is pretty impressive! I'm not going to lie, I'm 23, and I'm still not completely won over by garlic.
Hillary
Chew on That
Recent Posts
Kiwords hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
Kiwords hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
Kiwords hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
Kiwords hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
I find the outrage and disgust...odd. Why is it our business to judge what he does with his own money? @queenbleu, why should you detest the rich? He spent a lot on lunch - so what? At least he was more generous than he had to be with his server. Why all the anger? We have no way of knowing how he uses his money on a regular basis - nor is it our business. He might be just as lavish in his giving to charity for all we know.
Lighten up, people.