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Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey

Acorn Squash Lasagna (14 yo daughter is a vegetarian.)

Lara_Nell at 3:57PM on 11/18/09

Cook the Book: 'Simple Fresh Southern'

I neeeeeeeed this book! My favorite side is roasted brussel sprouts with garlic, pancetta, fresh thyme and balsamic vinegar. Mmmm....I dream about them all year and can't WAIT until it gets cold enough for fresh sprouts to arrive at the store. Roast 'em until they're just starting to char a little around the edges. Heaven.

Lara_Nell at 4:15PM on 11/16/09

Buttermilk

I definitely second (third, fourth?) the votes for mashed potatoes, pancakes/waffles, red velvet cake, etc., but I made these doughnuts from SE the other day and they were AWESOME:
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2009/10/glazed-buttermilk-cake-doughnuts-recipe.html

Also, this chicken recipe (marinated in buttermilk) is outstanding:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Spicy-Oven-Fried-Chicken-103512

And a great homemade cilantro ranch dressing recipe:
http://www.feedyourkids.com/2008/07/taco_ring_rice_beans_and_salad.html
(scroll down for the dressing recipe)

Here's a GREAT recipe for french toast from Gourmet (boo, hoo!) magazine (seriously, SO easy and really startlingly good):
http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2008/11/buttermilk-french-toast

and a fabulous biscuit recipe:
http://www.feedyourkids.com/2007/01/easy-buttermilk-biscuitschicke.html

Lara_Nell at 1:15PM on 10/24/09

Austin TX food/wine gift delivery

Try Central Market. There are two locations - one on South Lamar and one on North Lamar. They are a gourmet, upscale version of the local mega grocery store, HEB.

Lara_Nell at 12:31PM on 10/23/09

Dinner near The Met

I know your dinner has already passed, but just in case anyone else is reading this, looking for similar advice, I recommend Telepan.

Lara_Nell at 11:21AM on 10/13/09

sexy food suggestions

Having some, ummm...experience in this area...and going back to the "grilled cheese" reference...some foods that go particular well with "grilled cheese" (especially if you are anticipating/hoping for grilled cheese) are:
almonds, apples, chocolate, avocado, cheese, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, peppermint and pineapple. Especially pineapple.

Things that do NOT go well with "grilled cheese" (should not be eaten before consuming a "grilled cheese") are:
asparagus, onion, garlic or curry

Just trust me on this and you'll enjoy MANY more grilled cheese sandwiches...

Lara_Nell at 12:14AM on 10/13/09

French in a Flash: Multigrain Spaghetti with Pistou Forestier

Made this for dinner last night and it was a HUGE hit with all four of us, including two kids. Fabulous and the house smelled AMAZING as it was cooking. Wonderful recipe and came together fabulously quickly for a weeknight. Hearty enough (with the prosciutto) for a meal, but would also be great (in small servings) for a first (pasta) course. Nom nom.

Lara_Nell at 10:13AM on 09/30/09

Favorite Camping Food / Recipes ?

This pork tenderloin recipe from Southern Living magazine (a long time ago) is the BEST camping dinner EVER:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=257454

I usually prepare the marinade and then freeze the tenderloin in a zip-top bag, in the marinade. Put the tenderloin in your ice chest (for car camping) and it will keep the other ingredients cool on your trip.

We usually prepare hot dogs the first night (since you've got to pitch your tent and get all set up and everything, you don't want to mess with complicated food) and then the pork the second night. By then it has thawed and is perfectly marinated. To cook: wrap it in foil and cook it in the coals of your campfire. Alternately, you can grill it. Delicious! The only downside? It's so good that you'll need to pack a bottle of red wine to go with it.

If there are leftovers, they are delicious (thinly sliced) in a sandwich the next day.

Lara_Nell at 8:20AM on 05/11/09

Baking with Dorie: Ricotta-Berry Muffins

I just made these and was a little worried at how thick the batter looked (not like most muffin batters I've made in the past), but they turned out crusty and buttery on top and tender and moist in the middle. They were delicious and perfect! I will absolutely make these again. I made two small modifications: I used lemon zest, instead of lime, because I only had lemons in the house and I sprinkled a tiny bit of coarse sanding sugar (about 1/4 tsp per muffin?) on top before baking to make them absolutely irresistible to my kiddos for breakfast this morning. I think that Dorie is right that the recipe is probably "play-aroundable," but I would only make minor ingredient adjustments or substitutions; I think the technique (mixing instructions, etc.) should probably be followed as precisely as possible. These are fabulous; you should make them RIGHT NOW.

Lara_Nell at 8:55AM on 05/04/09

Cook the Book: ''Wichcraft'

grilled comte, maybe with delicious mushrooms?

Lara_Nell at 8:41AM on 04/07/09

Cook the Book: Cucumbers in Black Rice Vinegar

Grace -
Can you give us some brand names for black rice vinegar or let us know what to look out for? I went to my town's (fairly large) Asian market and didn't find "black vinegar", although I did see lots of different brands of black vinegar, including one that listed rice as the second ingredient (after water.) Can you tell me what the difference between black vinegar and black rice vinegar? Is it vinegar that has been made with black rice? Thanks for your help!

Lara_Nell at 12:48PM on 04/05/09

French in a Flash: Crispy Salmon with Lentils du Puy and Two-Mustard Crème Fraîche

I made this for dinner tonight and it was OUTSTANDING. The sauce is VERY simple to make, but is delicious and the recipe is much simpler than it would seem, at first glance. If you have issues with farm-raised fish, then, by goodness, use whatever type of salmon you like. It's delicious.

Lara_Nell at 10:42PM on 04/03/09

French in a Flash: 80-Cent Citrus Corn-Muffin Madeleines with Raspberry Confiture

Sigh. Baking something in a Madeleine pan doesn't make it a Madeleine. While these might be tasty (and certainly frugal), a "Madeleine" without butter is unimaginable. I do, however, admire your resourcefulness.

Lara_Nell at 8:59PM on 04/02/09

Seriously Italian: Spaghetti All'Ubriaco

Sounds wonderful! I'm headed to Florence this summer and will track that restaurant down and will probably try to make this, as well, before I go. Looks and sounds fabulous!

Lara_Nell at 2:32PM on 04/02/09

Dinner Tonight: Roast Chicken with Spicy Hoisin Glaze

I totally feel your condiment pain. My bottle of fish sauce says "refrigerate after opening", but also says that "salt crystals may form," so it sounds like it might be a discretionary thing? This recipe looks divine and perfect justification for having all of those exotic little Asian bottles around.

Lara_Nell at 6:47PM on 03/20/09