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From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Hot Dogs, hamburgers and skewered chicken with a hoisin sauce all on the grill...German potato salad, baked beans, and of course watermelon...lots of watermelon.

Vlntchr at 2:29AM on 07/04/08

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Zen’s Kimchi Jjigae

When I make kimchi chigae, it turns into a refridgerator type of soup. I start with the base much like yours, except I don't use bacon (although I'm going to try that next time). After I add the water, I add in some dahshidah and some gochuchang, and some miso paste. Another staple that is usually found in kimchi chigae is tofu, and bean sprouts towards the end. If I'm making it for a complete meal, I'll add in some dumplings (mandu) and if it gets too spicy, imitation crab meat is nice. Another thing is bean thread noodles are really good in it and my most favorite way is a few minutes before serving, dump an entire can of tuna (water and all) and stir. That is really good! I have also found the longer it simmers on med/low heat, the better. I once had to make a large pot for a group of Korean women and I wouldn't have enough time in the morning, so I got out the crockpot, put all the ingredients in and let it simmer all night long on low. Those women were crazy for the soup. Using a crock pot was very different for them. The soup turned a light brown which I have been told means it's ready.

Vlntchr at 1:22AM on 06/05/08

From Serious Eats

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

We have a CHik-fil-A and a McDonald's right near us and I saw the Southern Style chicken sandwich and got it one day. I noticed it was trying to be like Chik-fil-A. I found it to be bland, hardly any seasoning, th epickle was overpowering, and no butter flavor. The chicken was a bit dry and greasy.

The next day I had to get a Chik-fil-A sandwich and it was so much better. The seasonings are more even. The thinner chicken makes for quicker cooking thus keeping it moist and the crust was quite nice. Subtle pickle flavor and much better butter flavoring and not at all greasy.

Not that I feed my children fast food, but my 16th mth old did not like the McDonald's, but loved the Chik-fil-A. Their chicken is much more tender and easier for him to chew.

I like their atmosphere much better. They always have people cleaning up and their play areas are much much cleaner then any McDonald's we've been in. I really like that they offer fruit cups with real fruit and not those strange mandarin orange segments that McD has.

And lastly, I prefer their "toys" over McD toys. McD toys usually end up broken and adding to the dump, Chik-fil-A toys are usually educational such as books which we still have and read! They had a Beatrix Potter series a little while back and we did get the entire series. My little one still loves them, they are small enough to fit in the purse and are great on outings.

Vlntchr at 1:36AM on 05/05/08

From Talk

Sunchang gochujang...korean red pepper paste.

I use gochuchang for all my korean dishes of course, but I throw it in anywhere else I can. It's good in chili to give it a deeper more robust taste. I really like to rub it on chicken or pork and grill. Or sometimes I'll thin it out with either water or oil and use it as a marinade for chicken and fish. Can be used as a sauce for dumplings, just add rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. I've even added it to tomato juice, I have been wondering how a bloody mary with gochuchang would be. Very good in meatloaf, speghetti sauce, stews and of course my most favorite way is plain on bulgogi with rice and lettuce.

Vlntchr at 2:14AM on 03/26/08

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Recent Comments | Response to Comments

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Hot Dogs, hamburgers and skewered chicken with a hoisin sauce all on the grill...German potato salad, baked beans, and of course watermelon...lots of watermelon.

Vlntchr at 2:29AM on 07/04/08

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Zen’s Kimchi Jjigae

When I make kimchi chigae, it turns into a refridgerator type of soup. I start with the base much like yours, except I don't use bacon (although I'm going to try that next time). After I add the water, I add in some dahshidah and some gochuchang, and some miso paste. Another staple that is usually found in kimchi chigae is tofu, and bean sprouts towards the end. If I'm making it for a complete meal, I'll add in some dumplings (mandu) and if it gets too spicy, imitation crab meat is nice. Another thing is bean thread noodles are really good in it and my most favorite way is a few minutes before serving, dump an entire can of tuna (water and all) and stir. That is really good! I have also found the longer it simmers on med/low heat, the better. I once had to make a large pot for a group of Korean women and I wouldn't have enough time in the morning, so I got out the crockpot, put all the ingredients in and let it simmer all night long on low. Those women were crazy for the soup. Using a crock pot was very different for them. The soup turned a light brown which I have been told means it's ready.

Vlntchr at 1:22AM on 06/05/08

From Serious Eats

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

We have a CHik-fil-A and a McDonald's right near us and I saw the Southern Style chicken sandwich and got it one day. I noticed it was trying to be like Chik-fil-A. I found it to be bland, hardly any seasoning, th epickle was overpowering, and no butter flavor. The chicken was a bit dry and greasy.

The next day I had to get a Chik-fil-A sandwich and it was so much better. The seasonings are more even. The thinner chicken makes for quicker cooking thus keeping it moist and the crust was quite nice. Subtle pickle flavor and much better butter flavoring and not at all greasy.

Not that I feed my children fast food, but my 16th mth old did not like the McDonald's, but loved the Chik-fil-A. Their chicken is much more tender and easier for him to chew.

I like their atmosphere much better. They always have people cleaning up and their play areas are much much cleaner then any McDonald's we've been in. I really like that they offer fruit cups with real fruit and not those strange mandarin orange segments that McD has.

And lastly, I prefer their "toys" over McD toys. McD toys usually end up broken and adding to the dump, Chik-fil-A toys are usually educational such as books which we still have and read! They had a Beatrix Potter series a little while back and we did get the entire series. My little one still loves them, they are small enough to fit in the purse and are great on outings.

Vlntchr at 1:36AM on 05/05/08

From Talk

Sunchang gochujang...korean red pepper paste.

I use gochuchang for all my korean dishes of course, but I throw it in anywhere else I can. It's good in chili to give it a deeper more robust taste. I really like to rub it on chicken or pork and grill. Or sometimes I'll thin it out with either water or oil and use it as a marinade for chicken and fish. Can be used as a sauce for dumplings, just add rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. I've even added it to tomato juice, I have been wondering how a bloody mary with gochuchang would be. Very good in meatloaf, speghetti sauce, stews and of course my most favorite way is plain on bulgogi with rice and lettuce.

Vlntchr at 2:14AM on 03/26/08

From Serious Eats

Candy Bar Identification Quiz

I don't even eat half of them, but I was able to get 18 out of 20!

Vlntchr at 10:23PM on 03/03/08

From Serious Eats

Junk Food Costs Less Than Fruits and Vegetables: Are We Surprised?

It's also hard to garden in the winter and doubly hard to maintain a garden if you work 24/7 to earn the meager salary.

When I first got married, this was a huge strain on us. We had very little income and so we did turn to fast easy and boxed and packaged stuff. It was cheaper. I remember once having enough and shouted back to the umpteenth person who blandly told me "These are your salad days.". We can't afford salad!

5 years later when I joined Weight Watchers to help shed the weight of the poundage gained by such a poor diet. Our food budget not just jumped, it tripled! I was then buying fresh everything, whole grains, lean cuts, etc.

Food that is issued from food banks is always non perishables which usually means boxed and prepackaged stuff so no fruits and veggies unless it is dried and cardboard The cost of food is rising, yet you hear of farmers not being able to farm. Small organic farms seem to be popping up, but their costs are high and so is the food.

Vlntchr at 10:27AM on 12/06/07

From Serious Eats

Unbelieveable! This Is Not Butter!

I sadly have to admit to buying some of these fake butters. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to. My little one is allergic to all dairy which includes butter. She would not be outdone by her parents slathering butter on everything that held still, she wanted her own butter and as a good mommy trying not to punish her for something she has no control over, I seeked out fake butter.

Serious eats should do a taste test on the fake butters. Even in the fake butter world, they are not equal and some do contain butter or some of it's elements. I have found the Parkey squeezeable is the only one that is pure oil with no butter or dairy ingredients.

Vlntchr at 9:25PM on 11/19/07

From Talk

Do you hurt your stomach's feelings?

I eat spicy things. The spicier the better. If I'm really nauseous, I have been known to just squirt some sirachi sauce in a spoon and take it straight. My tummy feels better almost instantly.

Vlntchr at 9:02PM on 09/30/07

From Talk

If you could have any chef cook you dinner, who would it be?

I want Alton Brown to cook me dinner...I would learn something, have wonderful conversations, and have great food!

Vlntchr at 8:56PM on 09/30/07

From Serious Eats

Alton Brown on 'The Next Iron Chef'

I loved the drive by interview with AB. I have watched him from the beginning, I have his cookbooks, I even have his autograph and a wonderful picture of him with my very chunky daughter when she was about 9 months old. I waited in line for 3 hours with a 9month old baby just to get a signed copy of his cookbook and a picture!

What I want to see now from AB is him competing against an iron chef! I would love to see a battle between AB and Mario.

Vlntchr at 8:51PM on 09/30/07

From Serious Eats

Morimoto's Cookbook Can Be Yours This Weekend

Of the original series, Chen Kenichi was my favorite. He always made my favorite dish MaPo Tofu.

Of the American version, Mario Batali. I love his attitude and his creativity.

Vlntchr at 12:28AM on 09/16/07

From Serious Eats

How Do You Eat Your Bagel?

My personal take...if the bagel is within 1 hour of being freshly made, then no toasting necessary. But if older then one hour, then toast away.

My favorite bagel is a fresh, still warm onion or garlic bagel with ham and sprouts and a smear of spicy mustard.

My second favorite is a any kind of cheese bagel lightly toasted with cream cheese and , chives, and smoked salmon.

Okay, I'm hungry now...off to the bagel store!

Vlntchr at 2:23PM on 09/13/07

From Talk

What can't you cook?

I can't cook a proper turkey. Chicken, no prob. Cornish Hen , no prob, any other poultry, no prob, just not turkey....dunno. Maybe because it is just so darn big and the breast is so darn HUGE!

I can cook anything else.

Vlntchr at 1:33AM on 09/11/07

From Serious Eats

We're Giving Away a Truly Great Steak This Weekend

The best steak I have every had was at Ruth's Chris.A family friend gave us a gift card, otherwise, we would never have been able to afford to go. I had the Filet Mignon with shrimp and my husband had the regular Filet Mignon. It was buttery, and tender and oh so good. Other then that, the only other steaks we get is the occasional celebration (usually our anniversary-next year is our 10th!) at Outback Steakhouse. We like to get the Porterhouse. It's okay, and tastes okay, but not super duper wonderful licking the plate afterwards type of experience.

Vlntchr at 10:50AM on 09/08/07

From Serious Eats

How Do You Eat Your Bagel?

I come from Brooklyn, where one of my fondest childhood memories is the daily walk I took with my father and uncle to the neighborhood bagel bakery (in Boro Park).

I now live in California, after living 20 years in Massachusetts. I have never been able to find a Brooklyn-style bagel, and I wonder if they still exist.

My childhood bagels were hard and chewy, there was no way to make a sandwich from them. I ate them radially, schmearing the exposed end with cream cheese and eating my way around.

At the company cafeteria today, everyone was talking about bagels, and all but one person laughed at me for eating bagels the way I did. The one person who concurred with me, was a Bulgarian. He was a true Bagel maven.

YakovBenLazer at 11:59PM on 11/13/09

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.

hotwheels02 at 8:07PM on 09/12/09

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!

jlew911 at 5:53PM on 09/11/09

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!

jlew911 at 5:52PM on 09/11/09

From Serious Eats

Unbelieveable! This Is Not Butter!

dizastress and yi: omg, me too! in a silent (S-I-L-E-N-T) office area and here I am giggling at the thought of lookalike cats staring each other down from across the street....oh, geez. i've gotta step outside to let this laugh out or i may just implode!

Chewla at 1:12PM on 06/04/09

From Serious Eats

Alton Brown on 'The Next Iron Chef'

I DO watch HBO and enjoy it very much--as I enjoy FN and I think the point is, we don't expect Alton to use the F-word because he is always seems so articulate--"oh, bother" rather than what most of us would say--it's kind of like hearing your parents say the F-word--you don't expect it so it's kind of funny. And it's just a word.

Donnamarie at 11:48PM on 05/04/09

From Serious Eats

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

As a person who's been eating both McDonalds and Chick-Fil-A my entire life, the winner hands-down is Chick-Fil-A. There is no other fast food chain I can think of that has great customer service, fresh food, and amazing taste. Chick-Fil-A takes a fresh boneless breast of chicken (on site), seasons it to perfection, breads it, and finally pressure cooks it in 100%peanut oil. On the other hand, McDonalds has pre-breaded frozen chunks of meat arrive on a truck in bulk and throws it into a common deep fryer (which many other things are cooked in).

I was pretty shocked when I heard a commericial for the McDonalds version where a female remarks "I'd like to find the man who found this chicken and shake his hand". The man is Truett Cathy, my friend. The founder of Chick-Fil-A.

To me, the decision is simple.

pintessential at 8:45AM on 09/25/08

From Serious Eats

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

It is healthier. I remember my store quite a few months back having a health sheet up and it was ranked first with the healthiest sandwiches and salads. My other job KFC was ranked second.

redsfan22002 at 1:15PM on 09/13/08

From Serious Eats

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

Whoever said that CFA marinates their CFA sandwiches in pickle juice then you're wrong. I work at a chick-fil-a here in Cincinnati Ohio and I've worked in the back a lot of times and they have never marinated them in pickle juice. I think Mcd's does that b/c the last sandwich I had without the pickles tasted just like pickles only and the last few sandwiches I've had from there were all bland.

redsfan22002 at 1:11PM on 09/13/08

From Serious Eats

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

No comparison between the taste.

Chick-Fil-A uses a better breast of chicken, which is bigger, more flavor, and some added crispyness.

Good effort by McDonald's, though. They should add american cheese and bacon and then you'll have a sandwich.

Consiglieri at 3:12PM on 08/08/08

From Serious Eats

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

Don't forget about differences is service and cleanliness.
Chick fil a has much better service in general. There are a few bad stores for chick fil a compared to a few good stores by McDonalds. You also don't feel like you're going to get a disease in the bathrooms. The sweet tea at Chick-Fil-A is always fresh and the same everywhere.
Overall, unless its Sunday, go to Chick-fil-a. Even if its 30 miles farther than McDonalds.

sedimenjerry at 10:56PM on 08/05/08

From Serious Eats

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

I love Chicken, I love Both

RAGthaman at 12:17PM on 07/24/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

We did burgers and dogs, but all the sides were with a Mexican flair, as we were with my brother-in-law's family. Beans, rice, Nana's wonderful squash dish with corn and cotija cheese, Papa's homegrown corn on the cob with lime and chile, fresh salsa and guacamole, and my contribution: bacon-wrapped chicken cubes, dredged in a mixture of brown sugar, cayenne and chili powder and baked @400 for 12 minutes...spicy, caramelized goodness.

rosezilla at 1:49PM on 07/05/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Ribeye steaks, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob, all off the grill. Gonna get started in an hour or so. (I'm in California - so there!)

minstrel at 7:16PM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Wasn't planned but...I ended up eating 2 1/2 pieces of sweet breads from a local Mexican panaderia, followed by a fresh bagel. :) Very patriotic, no? haha...I crave turkey too for some reason.

Pammeh at 4:41PM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Making dinner for my husband and myself: baby back ribs, baked beans, corn bread, cole slaw, and mint-fudge ice cream sandwiches (with homemade mint ice cream courtesy of a David Lebovitz recipe, and double chocolate cookies). I have some sangria soaking in the fridge as well.

culinaryrabbit at 2:28PM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Neighbors are bringing over some grilled chicken. I'm making a bunch of different, simple salads and go-withs.

I'm a horrible baker but I'm also making a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. It's just about the last thing I would want to eat on a hot July day but it was requested of me, what can I do?

TastyNewEngland at 12:39PM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

I'm going off of Martha Stewart's recipe for lamb kofta (found on this site), subbing in ground turkey and making it into burgers. For dessert, a simple lemon chess pie recipe I got on Epicurious.

stumbler02 at 12:27PM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

American living in Canada here, also nursing an upset stomach, so no bbq today. But I do want something fun for dinner. Maybe burgers and potato salad if I can drag my sorry tush to the store.

wellred at 10:43AM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Yesterday (the 3rd) when everyone arrived, we had the traditional North Carolina Beach dinner: steamed shrimp, caprese salad (tomatoes and basil picked from our garden), fresh corn on the cob (husband ate three ears!) and your choice of key lime or blueberry pie. Tonight it will be the elsewhere discussed butterflied BBQ leg of lamb, green salad, new potato salad and chocolate lave cake on the roof as we watch the fireworks in three counties!

smallblondemom at 10:09AM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Having the flu or similar, I'm doing nothing but sleeping this 4th punctuated with sips of water.

What I'd love to have? Watermelon, huli huli chicken, bulgogi, laulau, rice, and Hawaiian-style macaroni salad (no onions).

Cassaendra at 9:27AM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

Marinated grilled steaks (olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy, worcestershire, lemon, dry mustard, garlic) , sauteed zucchini & squash and 4**** chocolate ice cream a la Maida Heater

djzouke at 8:45AM on 07/04/08

From Talk

what are you planning to eat for the fourth of july?

We are having ribs, chicken, sausage, potato salad, mac salad, string bean salad, snickerdoodles, limoncello torte, fresh pineapple and chocolate dipped strawberries.
Sometime over the weekend we will pop into MD and grab some crabs.
Wow is MD represented here.

JerzeeTomato at 3:44AM on 07/04/08

From Serious Eats

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

I've eaten the sandwich for Breakfast & lunch at McDonald's. It is tasty, if you like the flavor of pickle juice. It was very consistent in browning & texture, but I will tell you I don't like condiments & the one thing I didn't like was the taste of PICKLES!!!

Today, my dad took my daughter to McDonald's, not one close to me & raved about this sandwich. They ordered them to be made to order. When my daughter got it, she said it tasted like it had something on it. My dad looked it over & wasn't happy that she was complaining, it had nothing on it. She told me when she got home it tasted like pickles. I thought maybe they prepped it with pickles & pulled them off when they made one ordered without condiments. Like I said, the breakfast one tasted like the juice as well. I decided to blog & this site came up when I mentioned pickle juice. Does anyone work at McD's that can confirm this. It actually really caused an argument.

weisemb at 6:53PM on 06/30/08

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Zen’s Kimchi Jjigae

Sounds good, need help with the kimchi part before I can get to the yummy soup part. Love soup, and learned it can make a great breakfast. A fav is doggy-bag pho bo from Viet restaurant night before. ;-) (we drain off noodles for separate storage as they disintegrate fairly quickly.)

Back to this interesting kimchi soup. Could someone recommend some commercial brands of kimchi they've tried and know is good? When I go to Asian markets, am comfronted with many choices and don't know where to start, knowing all commercial offerings are not equal. While I might not can find your recommendations in my area, it's worth a shot. And/or could you point me to a simple (please) recipe to make kimchi, one which doesn't involve burying a jar for weeks (if I had a yard, we could talk about burying jars of kimchi). I've had kimchi I loved and some I didn't, but only in restaurants.

vbohanz at 10:03AM on 06/09/08

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