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The Ten Most Recent Posts By Lilla

From Talk

Gone but not forgotten

What formerly available foods do you wish were still available? Off the top of my head, here are 2 of mine: Morton's mini doughnuts (oh, lawsy), and Ideal chocolate peanut bars (this may not be the full/correct name)--how I miss thee!

From Talk

Marinating from a frozen state...does anybody do this?

I'm talking about taking a piece of meat (in this case a pork tenderloin) from the freezer, putting it in a marinade, and letting it thaw while marinating in the fridge. Any reason not to do this?

From Talk

Bacon--thick or thin?

Am I the only one who likes thin-cut bacon? Thicker bacon just gets tough, instead of crisp (how I like it)

From Talk

Where's everybody from?

It would be helpful to know, especially since prices, stores, brands, etc. are not necessarily nationally available/consistent

(Lilla--from SW Va.)

The Ten Most Recent Comments By Lilla

From Talk

How do you tip?

What I wonder is what is the appropriate amount to tip if you're at a buffet place, and all the waiter does is basically bring your drink order. I do always tip them, but 20 percent seems like a lot for very little work on their part...what do others do?

From Talk

Who has the BEST cooking show on TV and why?

Am I the only person on the planet that finds Alton Brown annoying as all get-out? I feel so alone...

From Talk

Cloth or Paper?

Like Kerosena, I use paper towels exclusively for napkins. I basically don't use them for anything else, with a very few exceptions. I use a sponge for counter cleanup, etc.

From Talk

Shedding Some Skin (Garlic that is)

Get a 'Nonion'--or just a piece of stainless steel and rub it on your hands under running water--it works pretty good at removing garlic/onion odor from the hands.

From Talk

Facebook and SE crowd

I'm there (here?) and just joined SE's facebook group as well. Pteety much the only time I remember to go to Facebook is when I've got a Scrabulous game going, though ;)

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Open-Faced Egg Salad And Watercress Sandwich

Love egg salad. I like it really finely chopped/mashed with capers and tarragon (and mayo, of course).

From Recipes

Sunday Brunch: Johnny Apple's Crazy Creamy, Crazy Good Scrambled Eggs

Anybody else ever do the double boiler slow (really slow) method of scrambling eggs? Even if I don't use a double boiler, I prefer scrambled eggs cooked as slowly as possible--the result is almost a custard...

From Talk

Fondue Night!

Instead of a traditional salad, why not a wide variety of crudite. You could make a bagna cauda so that guests could dip in either

From Talk

Pizza cheese

I second using gruyere. It's good stuff

From A Hamburger Today

Paula Deen Is Trying to Kill Us, Part 4: Bacon, Doughnut, Egg Burger

Hmm. I could go with various combos of *some* of the elements:
Bacon, hamburger, egg
Doughnut, egg, bacon
Egg, bacon
Doughnut, bacon
Bacon, hamburger
...just not all together.

Responses to Comments by Lilla

From Talk

How do you tip?

I have to agree that 15% is the "standard" that I've been taught. I use 20% because it's easy to calculate, and then work from there (lower or higher).

I think it's ridiculous that our society has been taken hostage by tipping, where one is made to feel like a lump of sh!t for not "paying a compliment" with the "right" $$ amount. It's a TIP not a SERVICE FEE. The waitstaff should earn a regular wage, instead of earning below federal minimum wages. I doubt restaurants lowered prices when this took affect too.

From Talk

How do you tip?

My husband has been in the family restaurant (no booze) management biz for 38 years, so I thought he'd have a pretty good idea what people tip in reality. 15% seems to be standard unless the server goes above and beyond which happens frequently. Then tippage goes up to 20-25%. "Regulars" usually leave the same amount regardless of their check total, but that amount well exceeds 20%. People who order the breakfast buffet or salad bar tip lower, generally 10%. He stresses that it is essential to notify management of bad service, poor food, etc. These problems can be quickly fixed so the next diner has a more positive experience.

His servers' number 1 pet peeve: People who's tip consists of a scrap of paper tucked under a coffee cup giving religious advice. These religious conventioneers often fill the entire restaurant at once and need instant service so they can get back to their venue. Servers literally have nothing to show for several hours of work. Please know he's not knocking any religion or affiliation, but these folks need to remind themselves that they are no better or worse than any other patron in the restaurant who leaves a monetary tip.

From A Hamburger Today

Paula Deen Is Trying to Kill Us, Part 4: Bacon, Doughnut, Egg Burger

Its funny reading all these comments especially the ANTI-Paula Deen's throughout these threads. Makes me wonder if they are so "disgusted" by Paula. Why in the sam hill are they watching it? Let alone posting that she's killing us. If your that worried that watching her show will make you put on the weight. Then get off your butt and go for a walk or stay in your recliner eating your chips while drinking your soda and flip the T.V. to another station. Besides it isn't Paula Dean's Everyday Foods, It's Paula's Party. I haven't ever been to any parties that don't have more than one sinful appetizer or dish. Even then no one, well almost no one is gonna be sitting at any party devouring all of the sinful goodies at once. Though there is always someone that doesn't know what moderation is, most have common sense .Also, as many said they had altered her recipes to suit they're family. So lay off her she's just havin' a party. I'll step off my soap box now... lol

From Talk

How do you tip?

I seem to have made some people very self-righteous on the subject of "only" tipping 15% as a struggling college student. Allow me to clarify:

-First, I always thought 15% WAS the standard, not 20. Surprisingly, that's not the consensus here, but it's the one I was brought up with and that people I know abide by.

-Second...to get a bit prickly own my own, I HAVE NO KITCHEN. Yes, there's the disgusting, ingredient and equipment-free, mold-growing-in-the-sponges, crusty goo all over the counter, communal kitchen in my dorm, but, really? I can't cook often, so it's not as if I have my own well-stocked kitchen to retreat to for a good meal. In fact, also with the paucity of grocery stores around in college (convenience stores: 2, expensive Whole Foods: 1), buying ingredients AND equipment to cook can often be MORE expensive. I eat out very sparingly (I'm talking about maybe 3 times a semester here) and I don't tip generously, but I tip the amount I've been brought up thinking is the standard. Yes, it would be cheaper to eat "rice and beans at home", but I'm not at home and I don't have a rice cooker or a (clean) pot.

There. Rant off my chest.

From Talk

How do you tip?

My husband and I have both worked in restaurants, out front and in the back. Therefore we know that it is no picnic by any means. We never forget the tip. Ordinarily for good service we tip about 30%. Let's face it, it takes a lot to do your job knowing that without these tips you only make $2.13 an hour.

I have a friend who believes that wait staff shouldn't get tips, that their hourly should be upped significantly. To a point, I agree with that. $2.13 an hour is demeaning.

From A Hamburger Today

Paula Deen Is Trying to Kill Us, Part 4: Bacon, Doughnut, Egg Burger

Oh. And I had deep fried cheesecake at Montana's a month ago....mmmm. Loosen up people!

From A Hamburger Today

Paula Deen Is Trying to Kill Us, Part 4: Bacon, Doughnut, Egg Burger

mmmmm...Looks good. I would eat it. (and no, I am NOT fat). I wish poeple would stop feeling guilty or bad about one of the pleasures in life...FOOD! Its not what I would eat every day, but maybe once in awhile, just for the fun of it. I imagine it would be a lot like McGriddles...mmmm. McGriddle. I think I will have one tomorrow, I haven't had one in 8 or 9 months or so...

From Required Eating

How Do We Save Starbucks?

ChristineB Wrote:

4) You pay for internet at home. Why shouldn't you pay for it at a coffee shop?

-----

Because I don't pay $5 for a cup of coffee at home... that's why.

From Required Eating

Game Over for Mario at the Food Network

SOOO sad to hear he is done
I really enjoyed his show

From Talk

How do you tip?

I have to agree with the rule being if you cant afford the tip dont go. there have been times during the lean years we could have swung the meal but would have had to leave a short tip. we didnt go, and ended up feeling much better about a cheap meal at home. Waiters and Waitresses Work damn hard for their money and deserve not only a decent tip but some respect!