MelsDiner’s Profile

Recent Comments

From Talk

What is more of a 'deal breaker'--food or books?

Neither is a deal breaker for me.

Intolerance, snobbery, bigotry, narrowmindedness, lack of compassion, rigidity...all deal breakers.

From Serious Eats: New York

Sugar Rush: The Retro Ice Cream Man Cometh

Is he flexing in that one picture??? Maybe my eyes are seeing things. (No, it's not wishful thinking!)

@Karen, the ice cream patrons in the upper floors of Manhattan's buildings probably appreciate that he parks his truck. But yeah, the scene you described was definitely part of the charm of the ice cream man's arrival on the block. That, and seeing the kid next door drop his half-eaten ice cream bar on the ant-ridden sidewalk, pick it back up and proceed to devour it after the truck had departed the neighborhood. :)

From Recipes

Essentials: Floating Island

Robin, humidity could have been a factor in your meringue making endeavor, if Houston is as humid as I remember from two visits there.

From Recipes

Sunday Supper: Quick Beef Stew

I'm 40ish and my mom's been gone nearly half my life so I like to get out a "mom" recipe now and then to remember how good it felt to have one of her home-cooked meals. Some of her dishes remain unmatched all these years later (I'm still on the quest to replicate her potato salad, the best ever) and some dishes were probably tastier in memory than in actuality, but it always feels good to take my taste buds back in time by preparing something she used to make for me.

A nice tribute to your mom to post her recipe. :)

See more comments by MelsDiner »

Recent Posts

From Talk

Did I Miss the Haagen Dazs Preview Winners?

See more posts by MelsDiner »

Recent Favorites

MelsDiner hasn't favorited a post yet.

Recent Polls

MelsDiner hasn't answered any polls yet.

Recent Quizzes

MelsDiner hasn't taken any quizzes yet.

Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Talk

What is more of a 'deal breaker'--food or books?

Neither is a deal breaker for me.

Intolerance, snobbery, bigotry, narrowmindedness, lack of compassion, rigidity...all deal breakers.

From Serious Eats: New York

Sugar Rush: The Retro Ice Cream Man Cometh

Is he flexing in that one picture??? Maybe my eyes are seeing things. (No, it's not wishful thinking!)

@Karen, the ice cream patrons in the upper floors of Manhattan's buildings probably appreciate that he parks his truck. But yeah, the scene you described was definitely part of the charm of the ice cream man's arrival on the block. That, and seeing the kid next door drop his half-eaten ice cream bar on the ant-ridden sidewalk, pick it back up and proceed to devour it after the truck had departed the neighborhood. :)

From Recipes

Essentials: Floating Island

Robin, humidity could have been a factor in your meringue making endeavor, if Houston is as humid as I remember from two visits there.

From Recipes

Sunday Supper: Quick Beef Stew

I'm 40ish and my mom's been gone nearly half my life so I like to get out a "mom" recipe now and then to remember how good it felt to have one of her home-cooked meals. Some of her dishes remain unmatched all these years later (I'm still on the quest to replicate her potato salad, the best ever) and some dishes were probably tastier in memory than in actuality, but it always feels good to take my taste buds back in time by preparing something she used to make for me.

A nice tribute to your mom to post her recipe. :)

From Talk

Funny remarks you can re-use

@chiff0nade, looks like great minds think alike (your mom and my relatives).

From Talk

Smithsonian Sustainable Seafood Website

kjgibson, I was going to post the same website. They update their lists periodically so it's good to check back every few months and download the latest information. It's handy to have for your wallet or purse when you shop for seafood or dine out.

From Talk

What are you known for?

Christmas dessert packages. Tins, boxes, baskets, or whatever filled with all kinds of desserts: cheesecake, cake, brownies, bars, cookies, pie, cupcakes in assorted varieties and combinations. To borrow from Forrest Gump, they're like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get.

Kinda mundane, I know, but everybody looks forward to their goodies even if some protest about being on a diet.

From Talk

Funny remarks you can re-use

I just gave my husband a take-out suggestion and he said "Let's not and say we did," which my grandmother said a time or two.

"Roman noodles" for ramen noodles.

From Talk

Funny remarks you can re-use

The Shrek remark made me laugh out loud!

I think there's a country song that says "we'll burn that bridge when we get there." A friend of mine used to play that song in her car all...the...time. I just googled the lyric and it's by Brooks & Dunn.

How about "Always the mermaid, never the bride"?

In the eating genre, family members of several generations like to say, "My eyes are bigger than my stomach."

From Serious Eats

Don't Mess With Mustard

The mayo was "egging" on the mustard.

From Talk

Do you love ripe melons? Which are your favorites?

Watermelon is my favorite, followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.

I grew up eating salt on watermelon, too. And...this is weird but we sometimes ate pepper on cantaloupe. I don't do that now though. Go ahead, say it: "EWWW!" :)

From Serious Eats

Arkansas: Stalking the Fried Dill Pickle

I first had fried pickle chips 30 years ago when I was a kid, when Sonic Drive-Ins were relegated to small towns. A few Sonic locations here and there had Pickle-O's and I was hooked from the first bite. They were eventually phased out as a regular menu item at those random Sonic locations and are now only available when the mother corporation decides that they should be a limited-time offering at all Sonics. That only happens every couple of years.

Fried pickles sound like a weird thing, but they're really good. Give them a try if you get the chance, whether at Sonic or otherwise.

From Serious Eats

Snapshots from Chile: Hot Dogs and Sandwiches at Rapa Nui

I've never run across green beans on a sandwich before, but now that you've brought it to my attention, I'm thinking "Why not?" I like my sandwiches loaded down with fresh stuff, so I'd give the beans a shot.

I like the reference to chopped pickles as "salsa americana."

From Recipes

Essentials: Fish Tacos

I have come to love fish tacos and like you, mine never quite come out the same way twice. I'll give these a try.

From Talk

starting a food blog ........

"Matt the Knife" is a good one. Nice going!

And that would be another good topic for a butcher's blog: knives.


From Serious Eats

Häagen-Dazs Flavor Preview Giveaway

Still no winners, huh? Ahhhh, did you guys eat all the ice cream and now there's no more to give away? Just kidding. :)

From Talk

Charcoal Grill or Gas Grill

I prefer charcoal over gas.

I like the sound of that Weber grill, kjgibson. I had a Weber kettle grill and used a chimney, etc. I wound up "donating" the Weber to a friend (i.e. I loaned it and it was never returned before the "friend" moved out of state) so I've been sans grill for a few summers. Sans that friend, too! LOL

From Serious Eats

In Videos: Gordon Ramsay on 'Live with Regis and Kelly'

I thought Gordon was oddly charming when compared to his HK persona. :)

From Serious Eats

Throwdown: Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald's Southern Style Chicken

I didn't know about this new McDonald's sandwich. If the sandwiches are comparable to one another in taste, then for me it would come down to price, so Chick-Fil-A is the winner. I don't know how many stand-alone Chick-Fil-A franchises are out there now, complete with drive-thru, but they've built two around here and it's a good thing. Chick-Fil-A was seldom on my radar before because they're mainly relegated to the mall food courts, places I seldom go.

By the way, they serve chicken for breakfast. The chicken/egg/cheese on whole grain bagel is pretty tasty. Chicken in the a.m....why not?

From Talk

Paula Deen's jewelry

I don't wear my rings while cooking. I barely remember to put them on when I leave home. As a result, people (neighbors, acquaintances, work associates, in-laws) pay undue attention to my left ring finger, probably wondering if I've forgotten my ring or if there's trouble in, um, paradise.

From Talk

starting a food blog ........

'The Butcher Block'

I think it's a great idea to provide money-saving tips, Matt.

For beginners who might be doing a search and wind up at your blog, having photos of different cuts of meat would be good. Explanations of which cuts are good for braising, roasting, stir-frying, etc. would be beneficial, too. Give a demonstration (photo or video) of how to cut up a whole chicken, how to butterfly shrimp, or how to prepare a turkey for roasting, etc. It's basic stuff, sure, but a lot of people out there have to start somewhere in learning these things and it might as well be your blog.

A lot of people don't ever talk to the butcher. Instead, they go to the meat counter at the local grocery and pick up the pre-cut, pre-packaged items without really thinking much about it. So...let people know how a butcher can customize meat purchases and what a customer can ask for.

Give information on how to pick out the best and freshest products and how to look for "bad" product.

If you're inclined to do so, show the journey of how a typical steak (for example) gets from the cow in the pasture to the consumer's plate. That might be too much information for a lot of people but it's interesting to others.

Give freshness guidelines...how long you can store meat products in the fridge and in the freezer along with the best ways to prepare meat for freezing.

And recipes are always great. Show us how a butcher cooks and tell us what you think are the biggest and most common mistakes that people make in cooking different cuts.

Good luck with your blog if you pursue it!

From Serious Eats

Wenarby's? Arbdy's? Arbendy's? Arby's Buys Wendy's for $2.3 Billion

Dave Thomas always reminded me of my dad. I was sad when Dave passed away and feel a little sad now for his family.

I wonder what changes this portends for Wendy's as far as menus, pricing, etc. It will be interesting to see what happens. The Frosty and the Jamocha shake will have to learn to peacefully co-exist as sister brands.

From Talk

The one thing I want to learn is (?)

I have a lot to learn so it was hard for me to pinpoint one thing in particular. So...based on my mood today, I would say I want to learn to make puff pastry. I read from all the experts that it is actually easy but haven't been able to bring myself to take the plunge. It is often either too humid or too warm/hot where I live and I don't currently have a lot of counter space or an island to roll up my sleeves and really spread everything out. (I'm envisioning the cat powdered with flour, twining around my legs!) I don't know who my chosen expert would be. As long as it's not Pepperidge Farm...LOL

Then again, I'd love to become a fantastic cake decorator. Have you looked at wedding cakes lately? Wow! They are works of art. It would be hard to choose one person to teach me but I do admire the cakes at Sweet Melissa's in NYC. To be a fly on the wall. Well, maybe not...potential health code violation plus untimely death at the hands of a fly swatter.

From Talk

Is chocolate creme pie really the #3 most popular pie?

Lemon meringue and key lime are numbers one and two on my list of favorite pies. Chocolate cream pie is pretty far down the list for me but it's my sister's favorite. Same family, different pie genes.

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

Oh, man, I thought I had blocked out my Gatorade Gum cravings!

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

I miss bbq munchos, planters cheeseballs (there is another brand available now in a large container that are good but...) and morton raspberry filled powdered donuts. Oh, those were the days.

From Serious Eats

Throwdown: Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald's Southern Style Chicken

it would have to be hands down to chick fil a. take into consideration the quality of their food as well as price point, flavor and texture. i've had both. i was Extremely disappointed with mcdonalds (as always really). i'm not one for take out and fast food however knowing that chick fil a hand batters each breast, fresh (Actually Fresh!) is a winner. i worked at a mcdonalds - it makes no sense how they are comparable - to me its a sad sad copy cat. oh, PS...mcdonald's "southern style" chicken on a biscuit is also a joke.

From Serious Eats

Throwdown: Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald's Southern Style Chicken

I really hate pickles on a chicken sandwich period, no matter who makes it! I always pick them off!

From Serious Eats

Throwdown: Chick-fil-A vs. McDonald's Southern Style Chicken

Chick-Fil-A definitely has the better sandwich but McDonald's is not a bad second if you can't get to CFA! McDonald's is open later and on Sundays!

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

does anyone else remember "Milkshake" candy bars. Tasted like a chocolate malt.Also a Japanese hard candy in a round red tin. We used to call it umeboshi candy.

From Talk

The Frugal Gourmet

I taped Jeff's holiday episodes (Thanksgiving/Christmas) along with many others and to this day I enjoy his enthusiasm and zest for life. I watch them to this day because he makes me smile! As for alleged transgression, I understand they are just that: alleged. I didn't know the man personally and I would venture to say from reading above that all but one had never met the man. I have to agree with kratos that a person is innocent until proven guilty and sensationalized media coverage shouldn't count as a jury of your peers. I pray he was innocent and paid his out of court settlement so that he and his family could have some peace. We will never know. I miss him but I have his chuckle, his Handel Watermusic theme song and his sign off to remember him by: "I bid you peace...bye bye!"

From Talk

The Frugal Gourmet

Well since this thread seems dead I need to state my view. Everybody who has declared this man guilty of the allegations are really clueless. I guess innocent until proven guilty is just a saying anymore. If you have without a doubt proof then post it. Everybody should realize that everybody who accused the man of such a crime might have a bigger motive ($$$). Since he settled out of court well I guess that makes him guilty, got into a fender bender with some guy and it was not my fault my insurance company settled out of court with the guy guess that makes me guilty. Jeff thanks for all of your culinary wisdom and may you be at the table of good food.

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

It's pop. Done. Unless it's a brand name.

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

Growing up in northern NY (not up state) it was soft drinks. Here in central NY ('cuse) it's soda.

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

@cybercita--that made me laugh out loud!

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

I lived in southern california my whole life and always referred to it as soda but after moving to Ohio ant age 23 I am getting sucked into calling it pop...

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

Soda. The stuff I don't drink.

Coke is only for Coca Cola and Cocaine.

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

i come from berkeley, where we called coca cola "the black waters of imperialism."

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

pop. and im curious... i live in the pittsburgh area, where we say pop, and pepsi has billboards every where just saying "pop". Where those of yousay soda, do they have "soda" billboards? every time i see one i wonder...

From Talk

Soda, cola, pop, coke, etc.?

I live in california. Have lived here nearly all my life, and have always refered to it as coke no matter what I am drinking. I live in Riverside, CA but have also lived in San Diego, CA growing up and we called it the same in both places. Not sure who calls it soda sounds strange. But my cousins come down from Virginia and they call it Pop. Thought they were talking about those little pop rock candies the first time they asked for a pop. lol.

From Recipes

Essentials: Fish Tacos

I agree with rosezilla that cilantro and lime is a must in a recipe like this and is what makes these fish tacos so delicious.

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

I think it was Keebler used to make these fudge sandwich cookies in a box. They were like a coco flavor with a fudge creme center. the were just called fudge sandwich cookies. Haven't been able to find them since the early nineties. The were great.Also miss the cheez balls in a can.

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

I loved lemon coolers too, and also pecan sandies. I also miss rice honeys cereal - they also had a really cool cowboy bee mascot on the package and in the commercials.

From Talk

What childhood food do you wish they still made?

OK, Marathon Bars were the bomb, especially frozen. Does anyone remember a chocolate bar called Chocolite. It was alll chocolate, but had a lot of air bubbles on the inside. How about actual Gatorade Gum? I do remember the bacon chips, they were small bacon shaped crisps. Does anybody remember Doritos Sour Cream and Onion?

From Talk

The Frugal Gourmet

I remember watching the Frugal Gourmet with my grandfather all the time when I was little. It's sad to know what was going on behind the scenes, but I'll always remember both fondly.

From Talk

The Frugal Gourmet

Much as I hate to date myself (yes, I know, nobody else will...), I grew up watching not Mr. Smith the Frugal, but Mr. Kerr the Galloping. TV chefs that style themselves "The...Gourmet" seem to get comeuppance in the fullness of time. Still, I learned quite a bit from each in their season, and identify more strongly with Kerr's weakness than Smith's.

From Talk

The Frugal Gourmet

Along with Julia child, his show was one of the first cooking shows that I watched. As a kid, although I loved Julia I also found his food and his techniques much easier to understand. I don't know much about the allegations, but I hope they aren't true.

Recent Posts

From Talk

Did I Miss the Haagen Dazs Preview Winners?

Recent Favorites

MelsDiner hasn't favorited a post yet.

Polls

MelsDiner hasn't answered any polls yet.

Quizzes

MelsDiner hasn't taken any quizzes yet.

About MelsDiner

Website:

Location:

About:

Favorite foods:

Last bite on earth: