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zuchinni patties
These sound soooooooo good! This idea for a recipe reminds me of a crab/lobster/shrimp type of cake only substituting zucchini. YUM! I'd pair the zucchini cakes up with a bit of cool, creamy cucumber sauce on the side. Argh! My tummy is rumbling. I need lunch stat! :))
Time for a Drink: The Old Cuban
Paul, I'm not much of a hard-booze, fancy, shmancy drink type of drinker but that looks sooooo good and refreshing too! YUM! *drool*
I grow my own fresh mint and you've tempted me...oh the devil!
Meal Planning - Does anyone still do it?
JerzeeTomato, you are a food 'stocker-upper' after my own heart! I have a side-by-side fridge indoors as well as in my garage. I have a fully stocked pantry too! Costco is my wet-dream when I can get my hubby to drive me there [he HATES how much money I end up spending there ha-ha]! I think if we ever have a major disaster where either of us lives we'll be good to go...we'll just have to fight off our desperate, UNstocked up neighbors. ;)))
I've been spoiled lately with Albertson's and Safeway delivering my groceries but I try to just stick with canned good, bread etc. when ordering online groceries because trusting someone to pick my pork chops or head of cabbage is a little 'iffy'.
As to the topic... I think planning ahead a bit is a security/comfort thing for me...I like knowing precisely what I'm going to make for meals rather than last-minute quick thinking. I guess that makes me a bit of a slow, sluggish turtle but oh well... :))
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If you could create a hybrid fruit or vege what would it be?
Posted by cheffy, August 13, 2007 at 3:30 PM
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Do you cook for your pets?
Eh...once in a while I cook some chicken for my babies (I have 3 spoilt rotten boy cats).
My baby (youngest) is my favorite (I know, I know...Mommy's aren't supposed to have favorites...guilty as charged). My youngest loves to sleep on my back when I'm trying to sleep or he'll cuddle into my lap...sometimes I truly think that *he* thinks he OWNS *ME*. :)))
I mostly feed my babies 'Wellness' brand cat food because it's human grade food and after the whole pet food recall scare I FREAKED and I was so glad I had them on the Wellness stuff. I won't regale you of my youngest boy's traumas from eating dry food before I switched him to wet food...ugh!
Anyhoo, I think it's okay to once-in-a-while give a pet some human food treats but I wouldn't recommend it on the daily. I tried to get my youngest baby on a raw food diet and he shook his paw at it and refused to eat. -So, basically I'm stuck giving my babies the best commercial food I can find them.
BTW, my daughter is allergic to pet dander but I keep her room 'clean' and never let my cats in her room and she does fine...a pet will love you unconditionally, give you big, happy 'boo-boo' eyes that will melt your heart and they'll be your friend through thick-n-thin. :D
zuchinni patties
These sound soooooooo good! This idea for a recipe reminds me of a crab/lobster/shrimp type of cake only substituting zucchini. YUM! I'd pair the zucchini cakes up with a bit of cool, creamy cucumber sauce on the side. Argh! My tummy is rumbling. I need lunch stat! :))
Time for a Drink: The Old Cuban
Paul, I'm not much of a hard-booze, fancy, shmancy drink type of drinker but that looks sooooo good and refreshing too! YUM! *drool*
I grow my own fresh mint and you've tempted me...oh the devil!
Meal Planning - Does anyone still do it?
JerzeeTomato, you are a food 'stocker-upper' after my own heart! I have a side-by-side fridge indoors as well as in my garage. I have a fully stocked pantry too! Costco is my wet-dream when I can get my hubby to drive me there [he HATES how much money I end up spending there ha-ha]! I think if we ever have a major disaster where either of us lives we'll be good to go...we'll just have to fight off our desperate, UNstocked up neighbors. ;)))
I've been spoiled lately with Albertson's and Safeway delivering my groceries but I try to just stick with canned good, bread etc. when ordering online groceries because trusting someone to pick my pork chops or head of cabbage is a little 'iffy'.
As to the topic... I think planning ahead a bit is a security/comfort thing for me...I like knowing precisely what I'm going to make for meals rather than last-minute quick thinking. I guess that makes me a bit of a slow, sluggish turtle but oh well... :))
Trying to be an Ace of Cakes!
Baking cakes [from scratch] are my weak spot...I wish I could make better cakes but mine always seem way too dry and the texture...ugh (and yes, I even use cake flour rather than all purpose). If anyone has some nifty tips for baking cakes please share? -And, I hope I'm not hijacking this subject...I know cake frosting/fondant is the subject but I figured I'd sneak a wee request in regarding cake rather than creating a whole new thread. :)
Perfect PB&J? What's your preference?
Dee, I've never had PB and bacon together but I'll have to give it a shot. I think there are some Hors D'Oeuvre recipes which include said ingredients. If you've ever watched "Auntie Mame" [the older one], not the one with Lucille Ball in it...I had to laugh at the Snobby folks whom put tuna and peanut butter together...I mean...YUCK! But, I could brave bacon and PB...I really want to try some sliced apples, sharp cheddar and PB on a cracker or sandwich bread.
Meal Planning - Does anyone still do it?
I have one of those magnetic, dry-erase write boards I keep on my fridge (it also has a cork board bottom for tacking on coupons and notes etc.) I usually do try to plan meals because I need to remind myself to thaw out meat, use up veges (I always feel utterly guilty if I let veges go bad in the vege bin). I must admit I only usually plan 3-4 meals and then play it by ear the other days...especially in the Summer when I can get my hubby to barbecue. :D
What do cookbooks leave out?
BaHa,
I'm not sure if this counts [but, I'll give it my best shot].
-Something I figured out on my own [trial and error and whatnot] was to rise/raise[?] my bread in a covered 8-quart pan and put my pan in a sink full of warm water to help encourage my dough to rise a wee bit faster. Simply plopping dough in a bowl with a wet towel never did the trick for me. Perhaps many folks have success with the towel-covered-bowl method but that just never worked for me [hence, the reason I eventually improvised).:)
Can we all agree to stop using the words 'foodie'?
RE: Karen Resta
Your whole post had me rolling and giggling. I'm sooooooo glad I'm not the only one with a tincture of 'potty' mouth. :))
"Dick Headfoodie" brought tears to my eyes...OMgosh I'm still laughing so hard...
Uhm...honestly? I can't think up anything...oh wait...Funkie? [food junkie]? Eh...I give up. :))
Can we all agree to stop using the words 'foodie'?
Adam, I'm so guilty of using many of the aforementioned words you brought up...I feel like such a goofball but I honestly find a bit of hilarity in using words like 'foodie' or 'sammich'...to me anyway, there is something funny and humbling to use such nutty terms. Of course, my genius gran-gran [yeah I wrote gran-gran] was an English Major and schoolteacher and probably would be mortified to know I use such sloppy slang online. :))
I really don't find any harm in using a bit of 'current' slang but I'd never use it on anything I'm very serious about... -But, what can I say...sometimes I like to slip off my sneakers and take a break, smile and write something absolutely silly. ;))))))
What do you eat when the lights go out?
Jep, I always reach for a cold slice of pizza...your post as me cracking up out loud...my literally mopping up my eyes from laughing out loud. :)))))
What do you do with your ground meat?
Aww you guys have great ideas! Okay, I forgot to share something...yup...how to cook meatballs...I wish I could remember the particular episode on 'Food Channel' but this adorable, little old Italian lady INSISTED that you cook your meatballs right in the sauce (No pre-browing)... So, sure enough...I tried her method and my meatballs were so sooo sooooooo tender and delish! I'll NEVER pre-fry my meatballs every again...they are MAGIC stewed in the 'mater' sauce. :D
Can we all agree to stop using the words 'foodie'?
Tonguemaster? FlavorFreak? TasteBudTickler? I suppose I'm sounding a bit kinky now. Shhhhhh. I'm innocent until proven guilty! ;)))
Perfect PB&J? What's your preference?
Michigander:
I've also heard of peanut butter and cheese sandwiches...some people swear by them...weird? I haven't braved that idea yet.
I think I'd freak out if someone DARED to put bacon on my PB&J...I mean...that's just pushing my culinary limits. lol
Love & Light & Good eating,
Cheffy =0)
Perfect PB&J? What's your preference?
Michigander, you're a poster after my own heart. -Besides cereal I used to LIVE on PB and J sammies. :)))
Oh, g'ness gracious I love PB &J but I prefer Jam not Jelly (Strawberry being my favorite).
Okay, try this...you won't regret it (well, your taste buds won't but your heart might get a bit miffed so I'd limit eating this to only once a month so you don't have a full on coronary).
PB & J RECIPE ala Angelina/Cheffy
Two pieces of white (preferably sour dough but any gushy white bread will do).
Some Rasberry Jam
Some Skippy peanut butter (I can't stand Jif, weird?...Skippy is prolly PURE junk food peanut butter but I don't eat it often enough to feel guilty).
Sweet cream butter -unsalted-
Directions:
Toast bread
Shmear some PB on one side
On your other toast shmear some butter and THEN the JAM or
jelly of choice
Smack your two slices together [naughty faces forward] and enjoy. :)
Side note:
I dunno what it is about mixing butter and peanut butter together in the same recipe but it's like heaven...
Photo of the Day: Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie Cut in Half
That's what! LOL
I seriously don't remember what my point was but obviously part of my original post got circumcised. bleh
I'm craving choco-chip cookies with walnuts too...! YUMMMMMMMMMyyyyy in my TUMMMMYYYYYYYYYyyy!
If I get fat I'm blaming it on y'all. ;))
how much food channel (hours) do you watch per week?
RE: emily20008
Good for you! -And you're being far too hard on yourself. I think the very fact we open up our minds and maws to opine validates us as living, breathing, thinking, EATING creatures.
I hope this blog goes big time, I really do! I feel so utterl fortunate to have found so many like-minded folks on this blog/site and it makes my heart all happy and filled up with love. -The general atmosphere of kindness here makes my eyes bright and my heart all plump with 'verklempitude'... I hope [dream, pray] we ALL learn a little bit from each other...I love to teach but I also LOVE TO BE TAUGHT...thank you wonderfull folks...I hope you know how much all of your posts and info and even innocent inquisitiveness means to me. Please smile for me...or at least a wee chuckle...a grin maybe? Oh c'mon! SMILE for cheffy! :)
______ is my favorite quick bread.
Jep, your subjects inspire and crack me up all at the same time...now THAT is a gift and I cherish you for that! :))
I LOVE quick bread...and you want me to choose? UGH! Okay, okay this is gonna sound 'corny' literally and figuratively (bwa-hahaha)...but I love me some good cornbread (use buttermilk and a can of cream corn for REALLY yummy cornbread).
My second place options would be biscuits and/or Scones.
-Muffins come in third...Gosh, I love me some fluffy, moist muffins... You know I learned how to make 'em REALLY moist and low-fat by doing one trick...but ya gotta ask me to give up my secret. ;)
Happy cooking and BIG grins,
Cheffy =00
Baking with Dorie: A Cobbler to Coo Over
RE: Dorie
Aha! I gotchya now! Call me crazy but what if you paired a buttermilk biscuit next to your lovely cobbler? -Or, I'd even up a notch and use a gorgeous, picture perfect slice of scone? I think it would pair up sooooooo nicely with your cobbler!
-Oh, and yes, you're absolutely right...my 'crumble' is not your typical cobbler fare...in fact I think my 'crust' is more of an 'apple brown betty' topping. Oh semantics! :)) I hope I didn't come off sounding like I was 'all that' and a bag O' cheetos... your recipe sounds divine and thank you so much for sharing. :D
Help! I am rice challenged
Wow! So many great rice recipes and I *totally* forgot about Jasmine rise. I must humbly bow and tip my hat to the posters whom shared some brown rice tips. I'f I'm lucky to have any success with brown rice I'll post my failures or hopefully 'success':)
Rainy day food?
Do tears in beer count? I didn't think so, dangit! :))
Rain on my roof makes me slightly sad and yet happy...weird.
Okay, okay -serious face on- Rainy day food, hmmm...yaknow...it sounds silly but 'Spinach, Cheesy Quiche' would do me good when I'm suffering a rainy day...and let's not forget to watch "Gone with the wind"...oh, humor me...there is nothing like GWTW and a cheesy dish... ;)
Cook the Book: 'Eat This!'
"Burrito World" in Cali...yep...it exists and it's scary. Be sure to take a big ol' dose of beano with that 'un! :))
It's Like KFC, But Not
RE: Robyn
Your post made me have to clean my LCD screen! I laughed out loud so har my ribs hurt and my daughter seriously considered dialing 911. ROTFL :)))
You're right on the moula...for some reason, greasy, crispy extrra crispy [for the matter] is pure food pornification. I think breading and frying ANYTHING is pretty much heaven...bad for the heart if you do it on the regular but dayummmm that's some good eats! :D
Favorite Drink
Okay, I'm so pedestrian, trailer trash, far from 'high brow' and when it comes to drink (I just can't handle hard booze)...so I'm gonna shyly admit I'm a 'bud light' drinker. OMG I wanna cower in a corner now! Stop laughing at me already! Oh please be gentle with me? I'm such a po-dunk gal at heart. ;))
Baking with Dorie: A Cobbler to Coo Over
I hope I'm not sounding too picky but this cobbler looks absolutely SOUPY! YUCK! I love making cobblers and my trick is to thicken up the 'fruit mix' with some corn starch...I actually pre-cook my 'apples, berries, whatever' in a pan with some butter and corn starch and THEN add them in a pan with some crumble topping.
BTW, this picture is not all that bad (soupy consistency aside)...I'd have added a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and a mint leaf to finish the photo proper like. ;)
Perfect PB&J? What's your preference?
Old skool, yo. I can't imagine why people would want to gourmetify something so classic and delicious as-is!
White or Sara Lee soft wheat bread
Creamy PB, any brand
Grape/Seedless raspberry JELLY (jam no... too thick.)
Cut diagonal with a tall cold glass of chocolate milk.
Fantasy kitchen? What's yours?
Hi! I'm working on my kitchen right now, and running out of ideas. I purchased 48" dual Wolf range, 36" Subzero all fridge, 36" Subzero all freezer, Wolf microwave drawer and warming drawer. And everything was planned out perfectly, until I decided I had to have Wolf integrated fryer and grill (15" each) but now I don't know where I'm going to put them... The only place I still have some space is my island, but how will that look? I'm not sure... The cabinets are white, island is dark, and a dish rack is also dark, to match the island. The island is 5 feet wide and 8 feet long. I can always make it longer if needed. But how will those integrated modules look in the island? HELP!!!
How do you describe taste of mussels?
I love clams. Today at a very reputable fish house in Key Largo I ordered Mussels. I thought they were mealy in texture, no ocean flavor & quite frankly odd. Is mealy in texture normal? I have also heard of Prince Edward Mussels & seen them on a menu at Bone Fish Grill,, I suspect I should have tried those first.
How do you grill when you don't have a grill?
Add my "NO" to the George Foreman grill. It's okay for some hotdogs, but definitely no good for steaks. I don't even want to tell you about the grey, steamed NY sirloin that was ruined by the GF grill...it's just too painful.
Anywho, my experiences with the indoor, stove top, grill pans, like you see used on the FN, produce copious amounts of smoke. Good grill marks, good color and flavor, but lots of smoke. The advice above to finish cooking in the oven is smart, but handling a hot grill pan doesn't sound like fun. So if you have a poor vent/hood, I would skip it and go to the park with a little Smokey Joe or mini-Weber.
How do you grill when you don't have a grill?
I'll use my George Foreman for fajita chicken, but that's basically it. I wouldn't put red meat on it, definitely not hot enough and you miss that smoky flavor and charring! I'm in a similar situation, and have been grilled food-free so far this summer :( except for occasional visits to the parents'. Maybe I'll have to invest in one of those grill pans, except I have a stupid electric stove, will it work okay?
How do you grill when you don't have a grill?
Go to a park where grills are available to all.
How do you grill when you don't have a grill?
So, essentially, if you're into the *flavor* of grilling, e.g., kiawe, mesquite, charcoal, versus form, you're SOL w/o an outdoor grill or hibachi. :(
How do you grill when you don't have a grill?
love love the Delonghi indoor healthy grill... I bought the one with the glass cover though, to retain moisture (avoid the smoke alarm) and cook faster. I did a lot of research first... glad i bought it. Paid $79 Amazon or Macys.
how much food channel (hours) do you watch per week?
I enjoy Food Network! I AM SO GLAD THAT THEY FINALLY PUT AFRICAN AMERICANS ON THERE TO SHARE SOME RECIPES THAT I CAN RELATE TO. I am not interested in panini or vinaigrette....give me soul food & my family is happy!! I am glad that they are more diverse now & I will watch them even more now, since I will be getting recipes that my whole family are used to & will be able to enjoy! THANX FOOD NETWORK...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!
Also, dont be so hard on Rachel Ray....she is not a chef & it just shows how food network is not so fast to judge others, they accepted her & the audience saw themselves in her & that is how she has became so famous. She IS goofy, but that just reminds me that she is human! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK RACHEL!! JUST (PLEASE) get rid of the goofy laugh....she laughs at LEAST 4 times a show & it is beginning to DRIVE US CRAZY!! lol
Annoying food habits...
My boyfriend drives me INSANE when he eats! He holds his silverware like a freakin shovel! I'm dying to say something to him about it, but don't want to his feelings. It's actually embarrising whe we go out to a nice resturant, all dressed up and here comes the shoveling...agggghhhh
Annoying food habits...
I really hate it when I've spent hours preparing a meal and my husband and other family members eat it so quickly that you have to wonder.....did they really even taste it?
I also hate it when people mix their food. Ok.....when I was a child I mixed my food, but it really is annoying when you have spent a lot of time preparing a meal with great flavor and someone mixes each bite! My suggestion.....make things easier for them and just put it in a blender before serving :)
The Future of the Jewish Deli
Reading about all these delis is making me hungry. But for me delis are about something more than food: they're about nostalgia. Normally, I find all nostalgia corrosive and to be avoided, but nostalia for the deli is irresistable and not all that bad for you--like a pastrami sandwich once every other month: it won't kill you. So, to indulge... Ed's recent musings about delis past reminded me of the Strathmore Deli on Northern Blvd (I think) in Manhasset on Long Island. My parents liked it because they knew the owner who had worked (or partly owned?) the Turnpike Deli in Forrest Hills (which was a GREAT deli). The owner (I wish I could remember his name) was married to the woman who worked the cash register. There were numbers on her arms. "From the camps," my parents informed me quietly. At the time, it didn't seem out-of-the-ordinary for me to meet a Holocaust survivor. This was the Sixties and WWII was more recent history for my teenage self than the War in Vietnam is for today's young people. ...These are odd images to indulge when discussing delis, but my memories do point to the uniquely Jewish (and perhaps vanishing) sense of community one felt in a local deli when I was growing up. Everything felt famliar and family-like...in the good and bad sense of those phrases. I loved the food, of course, but the experience of going to the deli, was about much more than food. But honestly, I could go on for hours (or paragraphs)...so intense are the memories evoked by Ed's piece.
The Future of the Jewish Deli
As all the old, modest buildings are replaced with shining towers and the people who have been here for generations and who defined this place are priced out of their neighborhoods, pretty soon there will be nothing left of the NY we know.
Those "modest" buildings replace other buildings and the people who have been here for generations replaced other people who had been there for generations.
People who lament for economic hardship and crime to preserve some silly ideal, that very likely never existed, are just as bad, if not worse, than the "white elites" who "prey" on the culture. You'd rather people suffer so you can enjoy some kitsch culture.
The Future of the Jewish Deli
If you want good rye bread go to:
Moishe's
It is on Second Avenue and 6th Street.
It makes real Jewish Rye.
And it is Kosher as opposed to the fake delis (like Arties, Sarge's, Stage, Carnegie, Katz) that people keep talking about. People who think Carnegie and Katz's are real deli probably also think that a McDonald's bacon and egg bagel is a real bagel.
The Future of the Jewish Deli
Why isn't Sables Smoked Salmon included in the list of appetizing stores? The place is awesome.
1489 2nd Ave
New York, NY 10075
(212) 249-6177
The Serious Eats Sushi Roll
The best place for sushi along the central coast of California is Akaoni in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is wonderful! This is a sushi bar in the classic Japanese style. The chef, Shinichi Yamada, was trained the traditional way in Japan and creates wonderful, delicious dishes with amazing skill. He buys his fish daily and never serves anything that isn't fresh. Beautifully prepared, I find the sushi and sashimi to be excellent. Shinichi’s sashimi presentations are something to see, especially the spanish mackerel.
He just recently got a some matsutake mushrooms from Big Sur and served them either in a delicious broth (served in a teapot) or as matsutake and uni tempura. Unfortunately, this mushroom is only available for one month out of the year. But this is an example of the love and dedication he puts into his food.
NW Mission and 6th
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921
Phone: (831) 620-1516
Admitting success? Easy! Admitting failures? Not so much.
I made an eggplant stew as a new vegetarian. Turned out a dreadful shade of purple. Who knew you were supposed to peel it?
Most adventurous meals?
Reindeer in Sweden. As a sandwich. It was pretty good, but I couldn't help feeling a little sorry for Donner or Blitzen, or whoever.
Serious Eats Reader Survey
Any survey that asks for my income sends me to the exit.
Serious Eats Reader Survey
jellybean: Sorry you are having problems accessing the survey! See if clicking on this link takes you to the survey.
Elaine: There's a "previous" button at the bottom of the page, clicking on that will take you to the beginning of the survey.
Serious Eats Reader Survey
I want to participate in the survey but it starts on page 3, #17....I can't get it to go back to page 1 #1.
Serious Eats Reader Survey
I can't seem to get there. Everytime I click on the link directing me to survey, I end up on the lemonade story.
Meal Planning - Does anyone still do it?
I shop once each week, in theory on Saturdays, and make my llist over the course of the week as we run out of things or I have an "inspired" thought about what sounds good/fun/interesting to make the next week. I generally plan three or four meals per week and we eat leftovers or make sandwiches or salads the rest of the week. Also, I attempt to cook seasonally and locally, at least with regard to produce.
I'm a bit more flexible with meats because I just can't afford the boutique meat markets, even though we only cook meals with meat about once a week in summer and twice each week in winter. I grew up on a working cattle and sheep ranch and we grew our own poultry and goats as well, so I know good meat when I see it. I've found a big box grocer, Food Max for those with one near them, that sells choice meat and that's worked out well.
I've been trying to convince my son to take up salmon fishing, though. Living in an agricultural area, we won't eat bottom feeders (catfish) or any fish that don't migrate because agricultural fertilizers and pesticides run off into streams and rivers.
Meal Planning - Does anyone still do it?
I'm a big time planner. Usually I pick out recipes for 5 nights of the week (the other two we go out or eat leftovers) and make a grocery list Saturday morning and then grocery shop that afternoon (don't even get me started on my elaborately organized grocery lists). Then I make my "menu" for the week--weighing what needs to be cooked/will go bad fastest and go from there. Since my husband and I work full-time and I get home a couple of hours before him (and I am the cook in the family, he's the cleaner), it's a great comfort to come home in the evening and know both what I'm making, how much preparation is involved, and that I have all of the ingredients. As far as what recipes I choose, it's usually a mix of old favorites, things that have caught my eye in magazines, and one from a cookbook I'm working through. Sometimes when I'm feeling really uncreative I'll pick all 5 recipes from that month's Cooking Light or Gourmet.
Recent Posts
If you could create a hybrid fruit or vege what would it be?
Posted by cheffy, August 13, 2007 at 3:30 PM
Describe your fine dining nightmare and your fine dining dream
Posted by cheffy, August 13, 2007 at 2:25 PM
If you're a good cook...what person or experience inspired you?
Posted by cheffy, August 12, 2007 at 10:27 AM
See no sizzle, smell no sizzle, taste no sizzle?
Posted by cheffy, August 5, 2007 at 10:54 PM
Who inspired you the most regarding food and cooking?
Posted by cheffy, August 5, 2007 at 5:58 AM
Admitting success? Easy! Admitting failures? Not so much.
Posted by cheffy, August 4, 2007 at 6:15 PM
Caution: Some soft drinks may seriously harm your health
Posted by cheffy, August 2, 2007 at 2:09 AM
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Eh...once in a while I cook some chicken for my babies (I have 3 spoilt rotten boy cats).
My baby (youngest) is my favorite (I know, I know...Mommy's aren't supposed to have favorites...guilty as charged). My youngest loves to sleep on my back when I'm trying to sleep or he'll cuddle into my lap...sometimes I truly think that *he* thinks he OWNS *ME*. :)))
I mostly feed my babies 'Wellness' brand cat food because it's human grade food and after the whole pet food recall scare I FREAKED and I was so glad I had them on the Wellness stuff. I won't regale you of my youngest boy's traumas from eating dry food before I switched him to wet food...ugh!
Anyhoo, I think it's okay to once-in-a-while give a pet some human food treats but I wouldn't recommend it on the daily. I tried to get my youngest baby on a raw food diet and he shook his paw at it and refused to eat. -So, basically I'm stuck giving my babies the best commercial food I can find them.
BTW, my daughter is allergic to pet dander but I keep her room 'clean' and never let my cats in her room and she does fine...a pet will love you unconditionally, give you big, happy 'boo-boo' eyes that will melt your heart and they'll be your friend through thick-n-thin. :D