Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Is 'Eat Pray Love' a Foodie Movie?

@JacobEstes: right on!

emmab at 1:18AM on 08/16/10

Seriously Asian: Bitter Melon

Another Japan-dweller here: I can attest that goya is absolutely delicious in champuru. I've tried to eat it on its own, stir-fried, at Chinese restaurants in the States, but somehow that just didn't work for me. However, I think the pork and eggs (or tofu, etc.) in champuru really help balance out the bitter flavor and make it palatable. Nay, delicious!

emmab at 11:01PM on 07/04/10

Cook the Book: The Perfect Finish

Given that Michelle's involvement in the anti-childhood obesity movement, I think a seasonal, fruit-based dessert would be appropriate.

Apricots poached in white wine and thyme (from the garden, of course), browned-butter almond shortbread, and lightly whipped farm-fresh cream with just a hint of vanilla and sugar.

(PS: I worked on this book but still have not had a chance to make most of the recipes from it!)

emmab at 8:37PM on 06/29/10

Sunday Brunch: Brown Sugar Breakfast Cakelets

Rather, eilonwy.

emmab at 10:32PM on 06/13/10

Sunday Brunch: Brown Sugar Breakfast Cakelets

And I'm with pthom & elilonwy. These are pretty over-the-top! While they do look scrumptious, I wouldn't call them breakfast.

emmab at 10:31PM on 06/13/10

Brooklyn Chinatown Recs

Thanks so much for the recs! Looking forward to trying them.

emmab at 11:58AM on 03/22/10

Cook the Book: 'How to Roast a Lamb'

Lamb braised in warm Indian spices with yogurt.

emmab at 11:15PM on 11/10/09

Cook the Book: 'Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies'

Success: homemade brioche, using my KitchenAid stand mixer for the very first time.
Disaster: a 6-loaf bread recipe made with inactive yeast. It yielded 6 leaden bricks.

emmab at 9:31AM on 07/14/09

Tokyo for 10 Days

New Castle curry house!!!! http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyorestaurantsarchive349/326/contents.html

emmab at 8:13AM on 07/14/09

Chicago: Best Food Neighborhoods?

Funny, I just moved home to Brooklyn after going to school in Chicago... Totally agree with the above poster. A lot of the swankier neighbs' in Chicago are really only good for overpriced brunches and the like. The grocery stores in neighborhoods like Devon, Little Saigon/Argyle Street, Pilsen, etc. may be more limited in some senses (in that they cater to a particular ethnic group), but the ingredients they carry will also help you expand your palate!

That being said, I have to give props to Chatham: if you want ready access to incredible, fresh donuts (Dat Donut), awesome fried chicken and biscuits (Army and Lou's), and vegan soul food (Soul Vegetarian East), this neighborhood's got you covered!

emmab at 11:57PM on 07/08/09

Miso...Beyond soup

Mix with unsalted butter, slather on fresh steamed or grilled corn.
Mix with tahini and use as a sandwich spread.
Use as a dip for cucumbers (as you would with PB + carrots).
Make vegetables simmered in miso: simmer squash, green beans, eggplants (or whatever) in equal parts sugar, mirin, water + a little dashi, then finish with miso to taste, a little sake, sprinkle with sesame seeds.

emmab at 10:56AM on 06/27/09

French in a Flash: Purple Potato-Crusted Trout a la Francaise

What a gorgeous dish! Those parsley leaves look just like emerald earrings, and they are practically luminescent against the backdrop of the purple potatoes. Great post, as usual!

emmab at 11:39PM on 05/21/09

Cook the Book: Eugenia Bone's 'Well-Preserved'

Pickles of all sorts! I just recently returned from a trip to Japan and was amazed by the variety of pickles there.

emmab at 3:02PM on 05/18/09

Cook the Book: 'Urban Italian'

Pasta with bacon, corn, tomatoes, and hot red pepper flakes. Yum!

emmab at 11:17PM on 03/30/09

Cook the Book: 'Beyond the Great Wall'

The previous comment has reminded me of when I first went to Denmark at age five to visit some distant relatives. What little I remember of that trip centers on the food. One night for dinner we had several kinds of salmon roe, which I could not get enough of. Granted, I had no idea what it was - I called it "bubblies" and just happily munched away, letting the salty little eggs pop in my mouth. It was a wonderful introduction to the country's cuisine.

emmab at 3:45PM on 03/16/09

Cheesecake dilemma!

As per JT's comment, cook it less and definitely let it sit in the oven afterwards (door open or closed). If you do this + water bath + cover with foil, I should think you'd be fine.

Here is an excellent recipe + video tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AumOKePD1YQ&feature=channel_page

emmab at 12:36PM on 03/16/09

Baked

Yep, B61 is the way to go. Or, if the weather is nice, just ride your bike!

emmab at 8:46PM on 03/12/09

Cook the Book: 'Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating'

Thanks to Bittman's influence (as well as that of other food writers and chefs), I've tried to take more of an ingredient-driven approach to my cooking. Now, I'm much more capable of improvising a weeknight meal and crafting my diet around what vegetables are in season (or on sale!)

emmab at 5:27PM on 03/09/09

Cook the Book: 'Kneadlessly Simple'

My grandmother's recipe for orange bread - a slightly sweet white loaf that's perfect for Christmas morning.

emmab at 4:27PM on 03/04/09

Savory Dried Fig Applications

Roasted potatoes with figs and thyme! Perfect side dish for chicken. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/dining/193srex.html

emmab at 2:41AM on 02/23/09

How do you make your fave brownies?

I also recommend Katherine Hepburn's recipe. Also Nick Malgieri's "Supernatural brownies" are great. Extremely rich, though a little sweet for my taste. Last time I made 'em, I threw in a very finely chopped (almost mashed) fresh habanero pepper. Recipe here: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/dining/111brex.html

emmab at 8:50PM on 02/22/09

French in a Flash: Chilean Sea Bass with Bouillabaisse Broth

Just a note: red snapper, monkfish, and halibut are not necessarily good choices, either. Go here for more info: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/SeafoodWatch/web/sfw_regional.aspx

emmab at 2:54AM on 02/17/09

When Costco hands you lemons...

I think I gave you a bad link. Here 'tis again: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-with-Roasted-Lemon-and-Rosemary-Sauce-104857

emmab at 2:48AM on 02/17/09