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Skythe's Profile

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Location: Michigan, United States

About: I'm a lactose-intolerant 20 year old in denial (I keep eating cheese and milk, despite their ill effects) who loves to cook. In the rest of my spare time, I like to draw, read, and design webpages.

Favorite foods: Tea, Chocolate, all things Pasta, Japanese Food, almost any fresh fruit, green peas

Last bite on earth: Spaghetti with my mom's homemade sauce, spinach, strawberry, and pecan salad, peas, and a big glass of milk.

The Ten Most Recent Posts By Skythe

From Talk

Help! My fridge is too small!

Posted by Skythe, June 17, 2008 at 11:25 AM

I need your help! I've moved to college campus for 8 weeks, and have run into a few problems. 1) because I'm temporary staff, I can't get any kind of meal plan, 2) I hardly have any kitchen utensils or tools (though I'm trying to find people who can lend me some) and don't want to buy many, if I can help it, 3) the fridge I have access to is tiny, and I have to share it.

So -- what healthy foods can I make that don't need any big appliances other than a stove or microwave, that don't need many refrigerated ingredients? Are there any such foods?

Desperately,
Skythe

11 Comments

From Talk

Hot Cocoa, anyone?

Posted by Skythe, April 10, 2008 at 7:10 PM

It is pouring rain here, and I crave hot cocoa -- and not the just add water variety. Anyone have a good recipe?

14 Comments

From Talk

Chili

Posted by Skythe, March 31, 2008 at 4:03 PM

I tried chili for this first time this Winter, and now I'm addicted to it. The problem is, I don't have a crock pot, or much time in the mornings (I'm a student).

Can anyone give me hints on chili that could be made in under two hours? Anyone have advice on the best chili-from-a-can? Please, help this chili-convert!

22 Comments

From Talk

Whip cream substitute?

Posted by Skythe, March 19, 2008 at 4:59 PM

I need help with a whipping cream/heavy cream substitute for this recipe.

Here's the catch: I'm lactose intolerant, and can't have milk unless it has been boiled. (Yogurt or cheeses are okay.)

Any suggestions?

11 Comments | Tagged: lactose intolerant, substitutions, suggestions, whipped cream

From Talk

Chicken Noodle Soup Fails! Advice?

Posted by Skythe, March 17, 2008 at 5:18 PM

I have tried at least 10 recipes for chicken noodle soup (or variations), and no matter what I do, the chicken turns out dry, dry, dry to the point where I don't want to finish it!

What I am doing wrong? Can some soup-guru set this apprentice on the right path?

10 Comments

From Talk

Scones and Parchment Paper

Posted by Skythe, February 25, 2008 at 7:16 PM

I've been contemplating the recipe found here for awhile. I was wondering if any eaters out there could tell me how crucial the parchment paper would be? Does anyone know if it has an effect on baked goods in general?

6 Comments | Tagged: scones

From Talk

Finding Agar-Agar (Without Spending an Arm and a Leg)

Posted by Skythe, January 26, 2008 at 9:00 PM

I've found a lot of recipes that call for Agar (or Agar-Agar -- I'm assuming they're the same thing?) but I can't find it for a reasonable price online. Anyone have any hints or suggestions?

8 Comments

The Ten Most Recent Comments By Skythe

From Talk

Tea!

I'm picky. The more good tea I try, the pickier I become. Lately, I enjoy a cup of Tetley's British Blend decaf in the morning. (Yes, I know -- decaf in the morning!)

I enjoy it by the potful throughout the afternoon -- be it looseleaf or bagged. I love it all -- from silver needle to green to herbal to spice. I drink them all with only a little sugar, as hot as I can stand them (though occasionally I prefer iced on a hot day).

I confess I haven't learned to like Rooibos or Chai. Something about them . . . And strangely, the Japanese barley tea (mugicha) has started to grow on me in the past few months.

Skythe at 2:30PM on 06/26/08

From Talk

Help! My fridge is too small!

I suppose I should clarify: I am not sharing a common fridge, but a university provided "MicroFridge." It has a small freezer, a slightly larger fridge, and a mediocre microwave on top. I'm sharing it with one other person; however, I arrived after she did, so she's got most of the space. I am working to move her from what I feel is "my half" of the thing, but even then, I won't have loads of room. It is against the rules for me to purchase/use an additional fridge. I'll see what I can do about a cooler.

I'll keep you posted as to how I manage. Thanks for your advice!

Skythe at 9:12AM on 06/18/08

From Talk

Your Typical Breakfast: Weekday and Weekend

When it's in season, I have grapefruit every morning. Depending on my mood, I'll have granola with yogurt, cold cereal (usually cheerios or bran chex), or oatmeal. If I can get it, I'll have a glass of orange juice with that. Sometimes, when I'm not in the mood for cereal, I'll have toast, or an egg-in-a-basket. And, every now and then, I'll indulge in little cocktail-type sausages with eggs.

Skythe at 2:29PM on 06/17/08

From Talk

Pre-packaged meals

I've eaten a lot of Mac and Cheese -- seriously. From homemade recipes to Kraft boxes, I've pretty much tried it all, and I have to Trader Joe's frozen mac and cheese is the best I have ever had.

Skythe at 4:09PM on 04/23/08

From Talk

Danger in the kitchen!

Just the other day I was cutting up potatoes . . . let's just say I "missed" the potato and hit my thumb. Lovely little deep cut there now.

I cannot count the number of times I've burned myself w/ hot water. . . usually trying to make macaroni. You'd think I would learn!

Skythe at 4:36PM on 04/07/08

From Talk

Is there life without a microwave?

If I can ever manage to remember to take out the meat (or other frozen item) I want for dinner in the morning, then I could get by without my microwave. But I'm far too forgetful right now. :)

Skythe at 12:17AM on 04/01/08

From Talk

Chili

You are all amazing! Thanks for giving me ways (so many yummy recipes to try!) to combat my chili cravings!

Skythe at 11:49PM on 03/31/08

From Talk

Whip cream substitute?

Thanks for your hints. I ended up using soy milk in a bechamel-esque attempt. It didn't work quite as well as I had hoped. I think I'll try it again, with another option, in a few days. (It was still pretty good.)

Thanks again!

Skythe at 6:19PM on 03/19/08

From Talk

Asking for "odd" amounts

I don't think it should make a difference, but it does seem a bit precise. I'm very curious as to how you discovered you eat exactly 9/10 of a pound, though!

Skythe at 6:36PM on 03/17/08

From Talk

Chicken Noodle Soup Fails! Advice?

You're so right. White meat it was. I'll be sure to report on what happens with the next batch!

Thanks, all!

Skythe at 6:28PM on 03/17/08

Responses to Comments by Skythe

From Talk

Tea!

I only drink hot tea when I'm sick and I like it black. If I have a sore throat, I might add lemon and honey, but have to throw it out if it tastes at all sweet. I try lots of different teas and tea bags. Honest Tea is pretty good and I love the name!

I drink iced tea all year long.and always add sugar and lemon, sometimes oranges, too. Luzianne is my preference, but if I can't find it, Salada is fine. To cut back on sugar, I also make Boston Iced Tea. Just tea with cranberry juice and orange slices.

PerkyMac at 9:01PM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

pg tips for me! with plenty of milk and sugar.

for a change i like lapsang souchong or a tisane brewed from fresh mint leaves.

plain old lipton is pretty good, too.

cybercita at 8:49PM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

I only drink iced tea. no sugar or sugar substitute. Just lemon.

I drink about half a gallon of green tea every three days.

I like Luzianne tea, too.

I don't drink diet sodas. I think of Ice tea as my diet drink.

eatorama at 7:38PM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

@philosophotarian - You're not the only tea snob here! My mom gets frustrated with me when I refer to her Twinings as "slumming it." I travel with my own tea pot and tea leaves.

Right now, I've been going through a huge Darjeeling kick. Sometimes, I'll drink it straight, but I've been mostly enjoying it as Indian chai with whole milk and a little cardamom (not to be confused with masala chai, which is the whole gamut of spices).

I like mostly black teas - the smoky Lapsang, the assertive Assam, the delicate Yunnan. I admit to enjoying Earl Gray every now and again - but, please! only from someone who knows what they're doing and can balance out the flavors properly. Good Earl Gray shouldn't taste exclusively like bergamot.

My favorite tea, however, are the lovely post-fermented teas. Pu-erh has long been my tea of choice - what other tea could give coffee a run for its money? One of these days, I'd like to buy a brick of 30-year-old raw pu-erh, just to see what it tastes like after aging.

jenilowrance at 3:34PM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

content with my tea-snobbery, too, vegemite!
cassaendra - check out all the posts that mention bagged tea

and only whole beans for me too... when i became a barista i learned to drink - and love - coffee almost as much as i do tea...

philosophotarian at 10:01AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

Loose tea leaves all the way! I have banned the bag at home and at work. There's something really nice about pouring tea from a pot.
Darjeeling for me please, preferably single estate SGTFOP grade leaves. No milk or sugar, just tea.
Yes, I am a tea snob, and quite content with that thank you very much.

vegemite at 2:17AM on 06/27/08

From Talk

Tea!

Oh, I assumed everyone here was talking about loose tea. That's all I have at work and home. Just like coffee, I'm sure the majority of us here only buy whole beans. Yes?

Cassaendra at 11:58PM on 06/26/08

From Talk

Tea!

i'm surprised - not very many tea snobs here!
i have a difficult time drinking bagged tea. I like full, long, unbroken loose tea leaves. Brewed in a pot till strong.

In the morning, a malty Assam with a touch of sugar and a splash of milk. It is full-bodied, rich and is as bracing as good coffee.
If I'm drinking by the pot-ful, a pu-erh. No sugar or cream! It is as dark as coffee, earthy, smooth.
For a treat, a super-low tannin black tea, like chocolate on the tongue but with tea's natural sweetness (a Yunnan or even a Keemun are good for that too. Keemun is almost wine-y in scent and flavor)
Or a roasty, smooth oolong in the afternoon, low in caffeine and able to withstand many infusions, yielding slightly different flavors every time ...
mmm. tea.

philosophotarian at 11:37PM on 06/26/08

From Talk

Tea!

Very fussy about my tea. I like a twinings english breakfast (imported from the UK, the american stuff with the tag is not the same) and it has to be brewed nice and long, and then with milk and sugar. I sometimes like earl grey in the afternoon.

jennywenny at 6:07PM on 06/26/08

From Talk

Tea!

Love Iced Tea! My mom always made it fresh and would ice it. Man, nothing better. :) She would make an extra pitcher if she knew my friends were coming over.

Won't pass up an Arnie Palmer (50/50 iced tea/lemonade) either. Quite refreshing-esp on HOT days like today.

Hot Tea-if I have it English Tea first and foremost. I aways have Bigelow Fresh Peach (REALLY good). If Black Tea is what I need, I like Tazo Black Tea. LOVE Chai Tea-esp from Dunkin Donuts (better than Starbucks to me). Green Tea can't be ignored either.

CAN NOT STAND Earl Grey Tea. It is the absolute worst. Second runner up-Mint Hot Tea. Mint has NO BUSINESS being in hot tea.

Butrflygirly at 3:23PM on 06/26/08