Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I have found the best place for beef jerky is here http://nationwidecandy.com/candy/items.asp?Cc=MEAT&Tp=&iTpStatus=1 They have most all the major types. I have now bought from them three times and am very satisfied. Does anyone else has have a favorite?

Scientists have proven that certain people possess the genetic predisposition to be able to taste cilantro in its true form. They say that the people who taste "soap" lack the taste buds that others possess. This may be true, but as a professional chef I have come to understand that it's more simple than that. I have made many meals that featured a good amount of cilantro, feeding people who hate the ingredient, and I didn't necessarily make them love it, but they enjoyed it and weren't bothered by it as much as they had been in the past.

Don't think of cilantro like other ingredients. Chicken, strawberries, pork, potato, etc. are very versatile ingredients that are easy to prepare. Cilantro is simply less versatile and requires advanced culinary techniques in order to harness great flavor. Cilantro, like hot chiles, is a very unique ingredient that, if not utilized correctly, can be overwhelming and unenjoyable on most palates. However, it can add a ton of flavor when used fresh in appropriate ratios, chopped properly so as to not bruise the leaves and release too much of the oils, and when it's incorporated with ingredients that naturally pair well, such as tomato, onion, chile, oil, salt, and avocado to name a few.

Try not to wash cilantro; if it is sandy, just wipe it off since water will wash away the natural flavor. However, this may be unavoidable in some supermarkets where it can be covered with dirt. Ninety percent of the plant is grown for its seed (coriander) and not for its leaves. I grow my own "Cilantro Santo" in my home and it's perfect. This variety is different from the rest in that it produces more leaves and better flavor. Another huge factor that can spoil the flavor of cilantro is the type of fertilizer used. Too much nitrogen will give an unpleasant taste to the herb. Too much humidity and heat in the growth stage will also damage the flavor. Hope this changed some of your minds.

P.S. - Mexican fare has closer ties to Carribean and Asian cuisine than it does with Indian.

Happy PB&J day!

I just found this site and am glad I found other people who can't stand her show. I have only seen a few episodes but from what I've seen it's all tripe. When she does finish something she says "Your family will LOVE this!" but doesn't even taste her own food!! Every other food show I watch (and I am addicted to Food Network) the cook always tastes their cooking. The ONLY thing I've seen her taste is her drinks!

I've looked at her recipes and I have never tried them because they look and sound disgusting and when a cook can't even stand by their cooking to even taste it and pretend they're not trying to vomit, then why should I bother giving them ratings?

Oh you foodies are cracking me up right now!!!

I thought I would share a site I just found, www.FoodNetworkHumor.com - they are new but they dislike Sandra Lee as much as we all do.

Last week --- what was she smoking with all of those hot air balloons?!

I also have no recommendations but I will hold good thoughts and prayers for all you that are hurting. I will agree with @lemons~~~anyone who has offered to "help" take them up on it. We all do care for the people who post here.

peach, mango and raspberry sorbet were winners for my husband as well

I'm in the same boat. One thing I've found is that cold foods taste better than hot (although soup is an exception--soups can be great, especially creamy ones.) I've found myself eating things I never would have dreamed of eating a few months ago---canned peaches and pears have been a lifesaver; I literally cried one night over my canned peaches because they actually tasted so good. American cheese singles (the kind wrapped in plastic!) have been a source of protein--most other cheeses taste sour (including my beloved Parmesean, its so frustrating.) Peanut butter, I eat it by the spoonful, also good for protein. Sandwiches of peanut butter, banana and honey on soft bread. (Soft, because on those really bad taste days, I also often have a scratchy throat and esophagus, everything seems like sandpaper going down.) Chocolate and rice pudding snack packs. Ice cold chocolate milk. On the really bad taste days, sweet things are the only things that taste bearable. I can't tell you how much food I've pushed aside after one bite--things that seem like they should taste good, but don't (fortunately hubby is around to clean up after me.)

I've also found that contrary to what one might expect, bland foods tastes the worst. Stronger, spicier stuff (if you can handle it) may taste better, may mask the "off" tastes. Mashed potatoes--I thought would be perfect, but noooo! Just keep experimenting and you'll find what works. Everyone is a bit different. Its horribly frustrating, I know, especially for "foodies" like us. But it will pass! (only one more treatment left for me, I can't wait to really enjoy my food again.)

I don't have cancer, but other progressive disorders and I take chemo medications Zofran, anti-nausea, and Procrit, red blood cell producer, injections. Neither affect my taste.

I also take a cancer medication called Megace, which stimulates my appetitite. And for those that mentioned pot, there are "pot pills" called Marinol that I know can be used for appetitie, nausea, and pain. You may want to ask your doctors if you have other options for medications.

I agree with the soup recommendations, saltines, and most often when I'm too nauseous for regular foods my mom makes me soft boiled eggs and toast that sustain me for quite some time. Also I drink carnation instant breakfasts daily to keep calories in.

I was quite ill a few weeks ago and lost taste and it was quite miserable, I kept trying to eat flavorful foods, but found that wasn't the way to go because they just tasted worse. All pop tasting flat is quite a bummer. I then stuck with bland foods and finally my taste came back and I felt better.

I am thinking of you and hoping you have better days.

Chemo nurse for many years. Lots of my patients had problems particularly with meat. One guy kpractically had his marriage break up because he insisted his wife had changed the way she cooked. This isn't just in your head; there are lots of reasons for it. We do know that chemo works better on people who are well nourished.

Please talk to your doctor and nurse if nausea is a problem; there are ltos of new meds that are much more effective than only a few years ago. Small bits of high-energy food is more effective than three big meals. I kept my mom going on tiny cups of hot chocolate and hot buttered toast, plus cream soups and grilled cheese sandwiches for a couple of weeks during the worst part of her appetite problems. We're here for you if you need us, but this is a time to call on all your friends. Those folks who say "Let me know if I can do something"? - call 'em up and ask them to bring a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey or something like that and explain you may only be able to take a spoonful or two but you'd like to try.

Wow I thought I was the only one, I just cant the fact that she gets all dressed up and put together to cook at home, it almost looks as if she didnt belong in the kitchen, and lets not forget how annoying the decorations are, who has time for all that, its supposed to be time saving, money saving concept but everything looks really expensive starting with the recipes, I want to make chicken stew for example why do I need to buy 5 different little packets of soup mix, french onion soup mix I mean its ridiculous I cant imagine what it all tastes like when its done... I like Giada De Laurentiis's style she looks nice put together but always in a casual way which makes it look more realistic.. Rachael Ray is also starting to look like she doesnt belong in the kitchen.. Anyway, bottomline is I cant stand to watch Sandra Lee for 2 minutes, sometimes I try to watch when a recipe sounds good but as soon as she starts with all those ingredients I have to change the channel...

Pretty much the best ever.

There are so many more types of jerky to try, too.

Ostrich jerky, pineapple jerky, even bacon jerky!

Check out http://www.Jerky.com . They have quite a bit.

I was just looking at the posts about topping toast with cream cheese. Add jam to that...yyum! The first time someone suggested eating a sandwich with cream cheese and jam, I thought they were crazy, but it's actually really good.