My father wants one of those probe digital roasting thermometers like the one I have (a Polder from about 7 years ago that I've hardly used because I have a rotisserie that I love).

Anyway, he and I both subscribe to the magazine, and we both noticed they did a semi-publicized test of these thermometers, and did the "for the full results please visit our website..."... yeah, for $34.95.

I've done a little research on the probes myself but the results are mixed on the Polder's on amazon.

Does anyone have a membership that would help me by telling me what the results were, like which one was top rated? I don't want to give him a shoddy product.

He wants a probe one, so you can save your breath and fabulous typing skills recommending the ThermaPen, as that's not what he wants. ;-)

Thanks for any information you have.

:)

I just got an email about this auction (copied and pasted below my personal comments), sponsored by Gourmet Magazine, which benefits the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund of South Africa.

Might be a nice Christmas gift for the foodie in your life, or yourself, cause we could all use a little something special once in a while. ;-)

I went to a "Chinese Auction" once with my ex-sister in law, got all caught up in a few things I wanted and a bidding war ensued and ended up paying more than they were worth...I HATE TO LOSE!!

"Join celebrity chef Mario Batali and Michael Stipe for an auction of custom lunchboxes designed by celebrities from the entertainment, fashion, music, art, and culinary worlds —all to benefit hunger relief. Do your part by bidding on your very own lunchbox, or purchase tickets today to the exclusive kick-off party on December 11, in New York City, hosted by Gourmet in conjunction with the Food Bank For New York City and The Lunchbox Fund!

Bid on your favorite custom-designed lunchbox by Mario Batali, Beastie Boys, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Salman Rushdie, Cameron Diaz, the cast of Gossip Girl, Rachael Ray, Eva Mendes, Mike Myers, Ellen Page, Michael Stipe, Liv Tyler, Diane Von Furstenberg, and many others--plus, Gourmet's Ruth Reichl and Sara Moulton.

Auction starts December 12, 2008, at 12:00 a.m. EST, and ends on December 18, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Each lunchbox is numbered and signed; no two are alike"

if anyone is interested in tickets, or more information:

Celebrity Lunchbox Auction

Does anyone know of a bakery/grocery store (can also be in Brooklyn if that also will get me what I want) that makes/sells salt-rising bread?

I've got such a craving for it, but it's all but fallen off the radar these days. I ordered some from a company online but it was pretty much in the beginning stale stage when I got it.

Please help *makes pouty face*

I've never made onion rings at home cause I don't like to fry, but I recently saw a recipe (I think it was linked on here) for Onion Strings that called for soaking the thin onions in buttermilk for about an hour.

I want to make them as part of dinner tomorrow and I won't have a lot of time for prep because of a late afternoon meeting, so I wanted to cut the onions tonight and just soak them overnight to save time.

Can anyone tell me what happens if they soak longer? Like...say... overnight?

We're planning a quick (last minute) day trip down to Cape May tomorrow, with hopes of seeing some whales on a 3-hour tour (if the boat is called the S.S. Minnow, I ain't gettin my ass on it).

Anyway, we've never been down there and I'm just wondering if any of you have enjoyed any casual dining enough to recommend a good place for an early dinner? We'll be fresh off the boat (around 4:00), wild hair, tender sun kissed flesh, sweaty salt smell, so obviously we're not looking for a romantic candlelit dinner for 2.

I'm interested in a place with a nice view, that's sit down, with the AC cranked and some nice cold drinks preferably the fun kind. ;)

I'm not big on seafood, so it's got to be a place that has a variety of fare.

:)

she asks as she notices a GLARING error in her last reply to a message...

I'm talkin' "real" carbonara, where the only ingredients are pancetta, eggs and parmesan cheese. (and a little pepper and pasta water). Just want to know if it's worth it to try to substitute for real raw eggs?

I just renovated my kitchen, now having twice the counter/cabinet space I can finally put out a few of my appliances. I remembered there are appliance covers out there in the world and wondered if people still do this or is it more of an old-fashioned thing?

I found a website that custom makes them, they have a wide range of patterns and size choices, and even have a pattern of corks, that looks nice and would fit in nicely with my grape/wine theme in my kitchen and dining room.

Just wondered if anyone still uses them, or will I be trying to fashionably revive a dead horse by using them?

Potato salad is mine, for some reason, I can't make potato salad to save my life! Which pains me, as I love potatoes, and I love potato salad, I'm just unable to produce edible results. : (