I couldn't agree more with Whataburger! Their taquitos or honey chicken biscuits are the perfect late night snack.
Another great one from Texas that I love is Taco Bueno. They're big in Dallas, but slowly moving their way south. Every thing I've tried there tastes fresh and delicious.
Thanks for all the great ideas!
@heddylamar The recipe I made produced about 4 cups for the 6 of us.
good question. I work in local kitchen store and I get this a lot. If you're just starting out, you can get by with a few pans. Like someone already mentioned, TJ Max and Marshalls are a great place to start your collection if you don't want to spend a ton, just look for deals on quality pieces. Here are my recommendations, but also think about what you cook, or what you will cook. There are no steadfast rules, it's all about how you think you'll use it.
-If you just want to buy a set, look for American Kitchen. It retails for $199, is made in America, and has a nice variety of brushed stainless and nonstick pots pans. (From memory, I think this includes 8" nonstick, 10" nonstick, 3 qt saute, 1-2 qt sauce pan, 3-4 qt sauce, 6 qt stock, and lids. My boyfriend has the set, and I love them using them. They heat evenly, and clean up really well. The biggest difference between these and high end All-Clad is, there is just aluminum core in the base of the pan, versus an aluminum core running through the entire construction. The only thing I would add to this set is a 12" Lodge cast iron skillet, which is great for frying, a big batch of cornbread, ect.
If you are going to put together a collection piece by piece, here's my list for must have pots:
-10" nonstick skillet
-12" cast iron skillet
-3 qt stainless saute pan
-2 qt stainless sauce pan
-4 qt stainless sauce pan
-5-6 qt dutch oven
-8-12 qt stock pot
Hope this helps!
La Boca is great for tapas and one of my favorite restaurants in Santa fe, but it's small and romantic, probably not for kids. Harry's or Bobcate Bite are iconic restaurants, a few minutes outside of town that are great family-friendly options. If you're looking for brunch, try Chocolate Maven bakery and cafe which is an obscure warehouse, but it's cute once inside, and they have a nice menu. They also have a window where you can watch them bake pastries every day of the week. Your kids will enjoy watching. Hope this helps!
Lately, its' all about bruschetta in my kitchen. I grill the bread in my skillet with butter, rub it with garlic while it's still warm, then top with yellow and red teardrops marinated in balsamic and olive oil. And, of course basil.
Well the way you described them @donnacarpentier, yes cake balls do sound gross. Must not have gone very far with your google search though because there are plenty of foodies out there baking cake balls from scratch the right way. The Holy Cacao Trailer and Austin Cake Balls are two local companies here in Austin that bake pretty outstanding balls.
Where is both?!?! I split I/2 and 1/2 with someone. Both with cheese
Okra
Why does the pineapple have to be canned?
One the Hudson's on the Bend Cookbooks (published a few years ago) describes a beer cooler method similar to this one. Chef Jeff Blank suggests submerging a vacuum sealed grilled or smoked piece of meat in heated oil stored in a beer cooler. He describes it as the best method for pre-cooking and storing meat because like sous vide, the oil keeps the meat at a constant temperature, which prevents overcooking.
I love, love food souvenirs. I just brought back candied violets, salted caramels, and lots of chocolates from Paris!
machellebelle: Thanks for the tip. After I started doing more research, I realized the dinner could include other Asian cultures. I love Vietnemese and Koren bbq so that'll be a nice addition.
Didn't mean to offend anyone with the "god awful commercialized vday" line. I am in a relationship, as well as most of the friends I'm inviting, but I hate how restaurants can over charge on a holiday that was created by greeting card companies. I'm all for romance, flowers, and spending time with someone special, but I'd rather it be on a random day, when it's not forced. I am including hearts in my Lunar New Year dinner though!
My worst burn happened while I was draining pasta. My 12 qt pot of boiling water slipped off the sink as I was tipping it, and I poured some water onto my thigh. I immediately stripped off my pants, and a large section of skin melted off with them. I ran cold water over it, wrapped it in ice, and finished dinner. After my mom saw my wound a week later, she forced me to the doctor. Apparently, it was a third degree. I have a nice scar to show for it now.
I found my favorite foodie spot while visting the city last March. In Greenwich Village, my friend and I stumbled upon Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, a vintage cookbook store where you can find all the classics and a great collection of Junior League books (my favorite.)
The state sandwich of Texas would have to be a sliced or chopped brisket sandwich on white bread topped with pickles, onions, and good BBQ sauce.
Here are my Santa Fe suggestions. I lived there for a year, and made it my business to know where good food was served.
Chocolate Maven: I used to work there. I love their carrot cake cupcakes, chocolate croissants, and they offer a tasty brunch on the weekends.
La Boca: A Spanish tapas restaurant by James Campbell that's to die for! I actually got engaged here, and even though that didn't last, I'm still thinking about the meal.
Clafoutis: A great French bakery that offers delicious lunch options.
Harry's Roadhouse: A classic joint on the outskirts of town that serves up good food and rotates specials.
Bobcat Bite: Also a bit out of Santa Fe, but they make a mean burger. Has often made some of the top national burger lists, but if you don't feel like making the trip. I was a sucker for Blake's Lottaburger.
For more suggestions, check out the SF Reporter. I really respect their food writers' opinions.
The first date restaurant choice could definitely make or break the date for me. I don't expect fine dining or an extravagant evening; a P. Terry's hamburger and a round of putt putt at the byob Peter Pan would put be over the moon. However, if my date chose to take me to a national chain like Friday's, I would be extremely disappointed because of their lack of creativity and thoughtfulness. It's not that I outlaw chains, but they're only appropriate for a date when you've seeing each other for a while, you're hung over, and are both comfortable dining incognito.
I only made it through 30 seconds; I couldn't take it anymore.
@ mr. guy: your girlfriend is hilarious.
This makes me very happy.
I'm surprised Cooking for Real wasn't mentioned in his memo. It's ranks high on the terrible scale, right up there with Sandra Lee's show. I do however enjoy Ace of Cakes; I find their laid-back attitude amusing, but it's the only entertaining cake show.
I ate chicken McNugget Happy Meals the duration of my childhood (before they promised all white meat), played with the cheap toys inside, and have never been overweight. Maybe instead of spending money on taking away the harmless junk, this official should focus funds on starting physical programs or nutrition classes for children and families.
My North America choice is a 5 day food tour of the Pacific Northwest that includes Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland. My abroad pick is a serious food binge in Morocco.
Lard Lad Donuts, Homer's donut of choice.
jrmanor & veggieout: Bananarchy, a frozen banana stand, just opened in Austin. Your Arrested Development dreams are coming true.
water balloons = genius
For Superbowl Sunday, I made a huge batch of caramelized onion dip, but due to snack overload, our group only ate about half. Does anyone have any ideas/recipes to repurpose it so it's not wasted? I can't eat chips and dip for dinner every night this week.
I've decided to host a Chinese New Year's dinner party on February 14th, instead of celebrating god awful commercialized Valentine's Day. It's the year of the tiger! Who's joining me?
I'm definitely cooking dumplings, but I'd love to hear others ideas for my budget friendly get-together! What would you make for a family style Chinese feast?
I'll be visiting Chicago for the first time this Wednesday, and will be staying with a friend until Sunday. I intend to take a grand food tour of the town so I would love suggestions for must eats and foodie spots that I can't miss. Most importantly, where can I eat the best pizza and hot dogs in town?
My friends are hosting a summer slip-n-slide party, and I'd like to bring a potluck dish that matches the theme. I've already decided I'm bringing vodka soaked pineapple, but I need something to balance out the booze. Any ideas?
We're throwing a crawfish boil for a friend's birthday this weekend. Do ya'll have any suggestions for cheap side dishes we can add to the menu, besides the obligatory corn and potatoes?
Newflower Farmers Market (sibling of Sunflower Farmers Market) opened in Austin about a month ago. I finally took the trip down south to check this place out. I had heard it was similar to Trader Joe's, so naturally I was excited.
When I lived in Santa Fe for a year, I depended on Trader Joe's for cheeses, meats, breads, yummy dips, and (actually tasty) frozen dinner options. However, Newflower did not live up to these expectations today. I was disappointed with their selections of frozen and prepared foods. Not to mention, I didn't find any great bargains compared to my neighborhood HEB.
Have any of you Serious Eaters had luck with Newflower or Sunflower Farmers Market? What have been some of your best buys and favorite products of theirs?
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I recently saw Bobby Dean at a book signing here in Austin. He will be a food correspondent on the show, and according to him, the show will not focus primarily on food. It will be similar to The View, minus the heavy political talk.