fatcat’s Profile
Recent Comments
What to do with Roasted Beets
There are a few recipes out there for beet "carpaccio" (roasted beets sliced very thinly) done different ways. I made a version topped with a caper/chive/onion/egg/olive oil/S&P mixture that I really enjoyed. Link if you're curious. It was good over arugula but enjoyable on its own as well.
What to do with sesame seeds
FoodieSearching - do you have a good recipe for benne wafers? I've been experimenting but am not quite happy with mine yet...
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
Count me in the camp of those who like the mouth feel of the Blue Marble spoons. I'm also not a metal spoon lover; they do conduct too much cold sometimes, and sometimes I feel like I can kind of taste the metal and/or the soap used to wash them.
And knowing the spoons are from corn (along with their velvety feel) makes me want to attempt to eat them for some reason. (Yes, I know they're not edible like that.) I'll take that as a sign that I need to up my order from two mini-marbles to three!
See more comments by fatcat »
Recent Posts
fatcat hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
fatcat hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
fatcat hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
fatcat hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Video: Tabasco Singing Pepperoni Pizza Commercial
I do put hot sauce on leftover pizza eaten straight from the refrigerator. I'd go sriracha over tabasco for thickness and garlicky flavor. I just put some chipotle hot sauce on some leftover smoked mozz and mushroom pizza I made last night. Super yum.
What to do with Roasted Beets
There are a few recipes out there for beet "carpaccio" (roasted beets sliced very thinly) done different ways. I made a version topped with a caper/chive/onion/egg/olive oil/S&P mixture that I really enjoyed. Link if you're curious. It was good over arugula but enjoyable on its own as well.
What to do with sesame seeds
FoodieSearching - do you have a good recipe for benne wafers? I've been experimenting but am not quite happy with mine yet...
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
Count me in the camp of those who like the mouth feel of the Blue Marble spoons. I'm also not a metal spoon lover; they do conduct too much cold sometimes, and sometimes I feel like I can kind of taste the metal and/or the soap used to wash them.
And knowing the spoons are from corn (along with their velvety feel) makes me want to attempt to eat them for some reason. (Yes, I know they're not edible like that.) I'll take that as a sign that I need to up my order from two mini-marbles to three!
Gluten Free Cake Substitution?
I only attempted gluten-free baking once, following a recipe using cornstarch instead of flour. The results were surprisingly good - even the person with the gluten allergy was impressed.
This was the recipe - http://www.recipezaar.com/Gluten-Free-Strawberry-Shortcake-174106
(Note the "shortcakes" here are more like white cake than biscuity shortcakes.)
Sugar Rush: Strawberry Ice Cream from Blue Marble
I second both the vote for Blue Marble's strawberry and their green tea. A third suggestion (get three mini-marbles!) is the blackberry. So good, and I'm normally not into blackberry stuff but - it is really good. Less tart than the strawberry and super creamy.
I love this place so much that whenever I'm even remotely in the area I make a pilgrimage...
Potbelly Sandwich Works: Big Sandwiches for a Small Price
So funny to see this in my email. I was JUST (i.e., two minutes ago) fantasizing about quitting my job and opening a Potbelly near my Wall St. office. (Seriously, lunch options suck around here, I'm jealous of everyone who works in midtown.)
I, too, am a DC transplant and miss my vegetarian yum sandwiches. And the cookie on the (strawberry) milkshake straw - loved it!
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
I saw this on one of those overcaffeinated morning shows. The hosts were all laughing but all I could think about is how sad it was that the squirrel had to deal with that in the first place and how the video should be taken as a commentary on how much plastic we make and improperly dispose of.
Yogurt cups in particular have lately started to rub me the wrong way - especially since they are often not accepted for curbside recycling (I'm looking at you, NYC) and so many people eat yogurt almost daily.
I understand why people would find the vid humorous, but the sadness trumped the laughs for me.
Cookout Etiquette
Well, the responses to this thread have made obvious that there is no normal and people have different ideas of how things should be done. As someone who recently transitioned from "young and broke" to "30 and still broke" - my ideal situation is this:
- Host provides basics (meat, buns, a side, some drinks i.e., cheaper beers)
- Guests should always ask if they can bring anything, even if they think/know the host will say no.
- If the host does say no, it is still a good idea to bring a 6-pack or bottle of wine or something (for parties thrown by younger people) or a hostess gift (for parties thrown by older people)
- Hosts should be appreciative and almost deferential when accepting the offer of help. I'd have no problem bringing my own lawn chair as long as I were asked nicely (and as long as I actually had one!).
- Anyone with dietary restrictions should be willing to bring something they can eat (i.e., I'm vegetarian, and always will offer to bring the veg burgers because I don't want to pressure the host into fretting over a detail for just one person)
Here's what shouldn't happen:
-The host should never ask for food in the invite (unless you make it clear that it is a potluck)
- The host should never ask guests for money to cover expenses. (Unless you're young and you have a keg. I was always totally cool with throwing in a few dollars towards the community keg in my post-college years.)
And if you find yourself in a jam, it is of course okay to ask for help as long as you do it nicely "We're actually in a bit of a jam and would love it if you could bring a side to help round out the meal" and not "I need you to bring a side." Your guests would rather feel as though they were generous in helping as opposed to feeling as though they were required to bring something.
some help please with peanut butter cookies.
I second the call for refrigerating the dough. I'd stay away from the powdered sugar - I've never needed to use it in a baked cookie and generally avoid the stuff whenever possible. I'd go so far as to refrigerate twice - refrigerate the dough before forming it into balls, take it out and shape the cookies including the fork pressing, then refrigerate again so the cookies go into the oven cold. Make sure the butter you use in the first place is just softened and not melted. The reason for refrigerating the dough is to ensure the butter in the mixture stays in solid form for as long as possible, therefore keeping the cookie more "together" - before the butter melts into liquid and spreads the cookie out. If you start with runny butter to begin with (like if you microwaved it to expedite softening) then your cookie is more likely to spread out quickly.
Good luck. I love PB cookies! I'll eat your rejects ;)
Grilling: Pizza
Just had my first attempt at grilling pizza this past weekend. I went with the cookie sheet method and it worked wonderfully. I erred on the side of caution and was generous with the olive oil on both sides of the crust but had absolutely no sticking. Another advantage of the cookie sheet method is that flipping it is super easy - just pick up the sheet and dump the crust on the grill on the other side.
For the dough I used that 101 cookbooks recipe, but used about half whole wheat bread flour.
This weekend I'm going be courageous and go for grilling directly on the grate! Thanks for this post and the other helpful comments~
Dinner Tonight: Tortilla Espanola
@gtrine - the aioli wouldn't be terribly unauthentic. During my stay in Spain (León) the tortilla was often served with mayo on the side... Now I have to have them that way, and dress my leftover tortilla sandwiches with a bit of mayo, too.
I usually use José Andrés' recipe but am eager to give this one a try - must keep working towards tortilla perfection!
What's Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor
Start him with something smooth and related to his precious vanilla to ease the transition. Don't throw anything insanely chunky at him early on or else he'll just feel it is like toppings mixed into the same vanilla/chocolate ice cream rather than being an actual flavor himself. I second/third the vote for the Haagen Dazs dulce de leche. Also try to find some local brands using fresh/seasonal ingredients - that will help him understand that ice cream can really support many more flavors than just vanilla and chocolate.
Win Tickets to Blue Point Brewing Company's 10th Anniversary in Long Island
Flying Dog's Double Dog Double Pale Ale
Sugar Rush: Banana Whip at the Bent Spoon in Princeton, New Jersey
I'm sitting at my desk salivating over the thought of lavender mascarpone...
I love the Princeton features - give me something to do when I'm "going back"
coveting kitchenaid
I, too, joked about needing to get married so I could have one. I think I'm going to just buy myself one this year - cheaper than a wedding! Congrats! And good luck with the interview.
To eatinphila: Look on the KitchenAid website - they have some refurbished models for good prices. I'm thinking I might go that route. There are also some deals on eBay, including a seller who seems to deal exclusively in KitchenAid - not sure if he's affiliated with them or not.
Guilty Food Pleasures
Velveeta. Just for mac & cheese (and a few, well, many nibbles while I'm making it). Always blended with some other, more highfallutin cheeses. I hide it in the way back of my cheese drawer. I'd die if my friends saw it in there (though some of them view the individually wrapped cheese as an acceptable thing to eat, so I still feel better about my choice, but still...).
Oh yeah, and I'm having a hard time weaning myself off of bottled salad dressings, though I'm making progress. I'm off of the creamy ones totally, currently stuck on some "natural" brands' vinaigrette-ish or Asian-inspired dressings. I'll move on from the dressings eventually. But there will always be a soft, squishy-rubbery yellow place in my heart for that brick of Velveeta. *sings* "Processed cheese spreads are so much fun, so many natural cheeses all together in onnnnnne!"
Dinner Tonight: West Indian Rice and Beans
This is making me hungry for rice and peas, which I haven't had in a while. But I can't keep staring at that picture - it is like a car wreck - just looks so wrong. Place me in the camp with those saying it shouldn't be soupy at all. All my family members who made it made a dry version, no soup or "risotto-like consistency" at all.
Also - use one scotch bonnet pepper (or habanero if scotch bonnet isn't available where you live) with a small hole poked in it instead of the chopped jalapeno. Remove the pepper prior to serving, lest your friends think it is okay to just eat the thing whole!
I'm also a fan of lots of thyme - I put a few stems of fresh thyme in mine and let the leaves cook off/down.
the best cookbook for beginners
Another vote for Bittman - I have the vegetarian one and love it. The aforementioned Alton Brown books are also good for younger people who are looking for serious information but a less serious presentation.
Go for Bittman/Brown now, Cookwise and Bakewise (just got this and love it) a year out, and McGee after she's said something about really loving to cook.
DIY Maple Syrup Smell, No Frutarom Factory Involved
On the off chance you've started a mass migration to Met Foods for these - the area of that store is pretty solidly Boerum Hill, iirc - 1-2 neighborhoods away from BK Heights. Can't mislead the maple followers!
Oh crap, the dog ate the....
Thanks all for the laugh at work!
This thread reminds me of a collection of similar stories I read about in the Washington Post a few years back around Christmas time - my favorite being the dachshund who ate a box of caffeine pills.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/21/AR2006122101366.html
Dinner Tonight: Lemony Chickpea Stir-Fry
This was really good. I ate mine over rice. I also just used one zucchini and the whole can of chick peas (because I wanted the chick peas to remain the featured item in the dish.
Go easy with the lemon juice, though - I used a citrus reamer for whatever reason and the dish got much too lemony. I used a bit of garlic and thyme then to rebalance the flavors. I'll make it again for sure.
I LOOOVE GUY FIERI
I think I'd like him better if he'd switch from uppers to downers.
Dinner Tonight: Pan De Elote (Mexican Pan Cornbread)
This was really good - very moist and a great texture. I think it could use a bit more salt and maybe even a tablespoon or so of sugar (if you're like me and like your cornbread a touch on the sweet side, and especially if your corn isn't of the sweet variety).
This might also need to be baked at something closer to 375 (or my oven's temp sensor is off, very possible). I say this because it didn't brown at all until I cranked the oven up a bit.
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
yeah, that's a ridiculous statement. who charges $5 extra for a cone? i don't think i've ever paid $5 total for ice cream even for a big sundae.
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
I very rarely get a cone...just don't care for the taste or texture of cones very much (not waffle cones or those cake cones either). Don't like 'em made with chocolate, don't like 'em dipped in chocolate, and don't like 'em with sprinkles. I prefer to get a bowl. And sometime's they'll charge an extra $5 for one (a flattened piece of dough is very rarely worth $5 to me).
Video: Tabasco Singing Pepperoni Pizza Commercial
I always prefer Franks or Melinda's.
Video: Tabasco Singing Pepperoni Pizza Commercial
I use a little Frank's from time to time, but the bigger secret is to use a little mustard, that's right mustard. Use whichever you really, really like, Grey Pooped-on, deli, hot or sweet, it depends on your personal taste. Then perhaps, add some thin tomato slices, a little red onion and a dash of hot sauce and you have created something extraordinary. It's not for everyone, but then what is? Still if it is your taste, particularly you generally ignored vegetarians, then you have found something special. Enjoy something different!
Video: Tabasco Singing Pepperoni Pizza Commercial
hot sauce on pizza is delicious (on occasion), but definitely NOT Tabasco. It tastes like spicy vinegar, but not like hot sauce. One time in college, one of my roommates finished my bottle of Franks and tried to hide this by pouring Tabasco in the empty bottle. Big mistake.
Video: Tabasco Singing Pepperoni Pizza Commercial
The day after I read this post I saw this commercial...
Texas Pete Chasing Pizza
Pretty funny. Why is the pizza so scared???
thanks,
forzapizza
the best cookbook for beginners
Well I just married 2 weeks ago and I bouth the book Taste of Home cookbook I love it. It gives you picture for every recipe and give you "how to" and "why". Every recipe that I have tryed has been great.
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
This is absolutely hysterical. The people getting so "sad" about this need some perspective: it's a squirrel, and the guy helped him out.
How can you not see the humor?! My goodness, if this happened to a person it would be funny, but that doesn't mean that you enjoy the suffering. It's haha funny, not I would wish it upon him so that I can watch it, funny.
And oh yeah, we might not be the only animals, but we are the most important. This IS serious EATS right? We eat animals here, don't we?
Potbelly Sandwich Works: Big Sandwiches for a Small Price
I love this place and so sad that there are none in North Jersey where I have moved.....was in Philly the other day and planned a stop on the way home....got the tuna, no cheese, pickles - L&T and HOT PEPPERS.....also bought 2 jars of the peppers to bring home. A few weeks ago I had to eat with a co-worker at a Quizno's and made them toast the tuna with no cheese and they asked 3 times and even had the manager come to verify what I had requested. Sadly that wasn't even close to having a Potbelly sandwich. After I ate the other day, I regretted not getting the large - I contemplated ordering a 2nd regular but thought the staff might think I have an eating disorder - the only disorder is that I don't have a Potbelly near me!
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
I definitely think that metal spoons are the way to go and this blog, (or at least the comment section), has inspired me to carry my own utensils when I go out. (Easy for a girl since we have purses!) And I have a friend who has a metal issue with wooden spoons. It's not exactly a phobia, but he gets serious hee-bee-jee-bees when someone, anyone uses a wooden spoon!
Down with plastic!!! I can't wait to go yard sale-ing this weekend to find some cool utensils!!!
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
Redfish,
A couple thousand plastic spoons X all the people on earth WILL destroy the planet.
Do Biodegradable Spoons Ruin the Ice Cream Experience?
Holey, Moley... I didn't even know there was such a thing as spoons made from corn. Boy, those Iowa farmers sure know how to promote a product!!! ;^)-
'Course I don't go out much for ice cream... freeze it myself in that place I keep the frozen veggies and ice cubes in. Doing triple duty with the freezer compartment and tastes great... AND I know what ingredients are in it. (I do remember vaguely how the wooden spoon made the flavor of the ice cream taste different... way back then... in my rapidly receding youth. (sigh)
Gluten Free Cake Substitution?
Hey Everyone, thanks for responding to my inquiry! I ended up finding gluten free baking mix and gluten free bakig powder at whole foods, and substituted them 1-1 into the recipe. Everyone LOVED the cake, and the gluten free birthday girl was a very happy camper! I wrote up the process and the differences that i saw with the gluten free flour:
Gluten-Free Lemon Pistachio Crunch Cake
Thanks again for the help!
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
It's actually NOT funny. Many animals (skunks especially) die every year from this. Yoplait claimed they were going to redesign their cups several years ago, but it hasn't happened. Boycott yoplait until they change their cup design.
What to do with cilantro stems?
Agree with all of the above. Here's a Cilantra Tamarind Sauce recipe that I use my stems in and then toss with soba noodles.
Potbelly Sandwich Works: Big Sandwiches for a Small Price
By far, the best Potbelly sandwich is a meatball with hot peppers, mushrooms, lettuce and tomato. I've tried everything on and off their menu (ask about the secret sandwiches) and it's the one I always come back to. I'm mildly concerned about moving away, because what will I eat when I need a hot sandwich fix?
Potbelly Sandwich Works: Big Sandwiches for a Small Price
THANK YOU! I had been avoiding Potbelly for years - thinking it would be too heavy/bready. After reading the article and comments, headed immediately to the nearest Potbelly and had the Italian (no lettuce ... warm lettuce gives me the heebies) and adored the hot peppers and chocolate malt. Going back tomorrow for a salad.
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
If that squirrel is anything like me, it's trying to lick every last bit of yogurt out of that cup! I usually stick to Oikos yogurt, or TJ's greek yogurt, but if I'm a little broke and I see Yoplait on sale I'll buy some. I'm reminded EVERY TIME how much I hate the shape of those damned cups. They seem to PREVENT you from eating all your yogurt.
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
I sincerely hope whoever taped this, did in fact help that poor squirrel. Imagine how terrified he must have been.
REMEMBER cut up those six pack rings before you throw them away and do the same with the yogurt containers. If you can't do it right then, then take them home and do it there. It takes less than a minute to cut up the rings and slice yogurt containers.
We're not the only animals that share this planet, we just act like we are.
Video: Squirrel Gets Head Stuck in Yogurt Cup
its cruel......Try some thing like that on yourself!!!!
Cookout Etiquette
Wow, I can't believe the date of the original thread and I just signed on to this today! @fatcat is right-it's all relative and I also agree that @hefloats should not be called names and diminished for wondering and asking advice (what is it about this site????).
As it seems this is a very subjective issue. Chairs-my potluck at Christmas has me begging for them ( have 12 and need more for my 25-30 friends-aren't lucky to have so many-friends, that is). I would have a hard time asking for everyone to bring everything from the plates to the ice and then their own main, but that is my age and my income bracket.
However, I would imagine if there are people that never contribute or host and always have their hands out that I would separate myself from them. It is always better to have people think of you as a doer/contributer than as a taker. It is hard to be a giver and never have someone to reciprocate. Toxic relationships and hard feelings. I am lucky that when I have a dinner party or bbq that someone will appreciate that and I will be invited to their homes and have an opportunity to bring my side/beer/wine/chair. I hear you @ tdl1501.
I think that as time passes you will find out who really wants your company at their events and not just your chair. It may take some time to find those people who truly cherish you. Until that time try to be open to as much as you can...serendipity.
Cookout Etiquette
I beg to differ with myself. "Waifs" are a special case. These are folks who've been laid off, newly divorced, family lives overseas. These are the people who grace our homes year after year on holidays and impromptu brunches/dinners. We have one friend for Christmas for years and she always brings bones and used tennis balls for our dog, as well as wine and other goodies.
Cookout Etiquette
We're in a fully-furnished townhome on a short-term basis and left 99% of our stuff in storage 1,500 miles away. If we have a few neighbors over to get to know them better, I've no problem asking them to bring chairs. Normally, I might ask a few close friends for chairs/tables but I prefer small gatherings.
I also prefer to plan the menu and do the prep, cooking and cleanup myself. If there's a great dessert cook coming who wants to bring something, whatever it is will certainly trump my vanilla ice cream with fresh fruit. If I don't know someone well and they offer, I might ask them to bring a salad. Most people show up with something, flowers or a bottle of wine.
One thing I believe is rude is to require each guest to bring their entire meal. Then it truly is a bunch of strangers getting together to use a grill. Where's MY chicken? I need to cook MY veggie burger before any meat is placed on the grill! Ask if your guests have any food allergies. If you've vegeterians add a main or make sure your veggie sides are substantial.
Anyone under two years of age should ask his/her parents to bring the perfect meal for the little darling. As for college and just post-grad, I don't see the harm in budgeting for burgers, dogs, buns and sides, throw in a keg and pay for some of it but perhaps ask guests for $5 per person or so to cut down on the damage. They'll be happy for the party!
That said these are guests entering into a "social contract." If I make a four-course Tuscan meal for eight guests and no-one reciprocates by inviting my husband and I over/out to dinner in six months, those folks aren't on another guest list, period. I don't care if they brought a bottle of Chianti.
some help please with peanut butter cookies.
I make the flourless ones without baking powder or soda. I use 1 cup PB, 1 cup superfine granulated sugar, 1 egg and a tsp vanilla. They are softer that way.
some help please with peanut butter cookies.
Well thank you all for all the tips. I made a batch today and refrigerated them and it made the world of difference! I didn't use any powdered sugar (I thought I had some - but no) But the fridge thing did the trick.
I really like the idea of the double fridge - roll and squish and then into the fridge again - I'll try that tomorrow - I make them at my coffee shop so preparing them and then cooking later would be great for me.
I also will try the flour less one tomorrow as well - I bake a few other gluten-free treats and think a peanut butter cookie to these will be fabulous.
Also I have already learned my lesson about the natural peanut butter thing - I tried to use some with really poor results.
Recent Posts
fatcat hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
fatcat hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
fatcat hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
fatcat hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
About fatcat
Website: http://commonplacekitchen.blogspot.com
Location: Brooklyn
About:
Favorite foods: Avocado, basil, tofu, NY pizza, eggs, polenta, mushrooms, asparagus, anything remotely resembling Mexican, Indian, cheese, donuts
Last bite on earth:
I do put hot sauce on leftover pizza eaten straight from the refrigerator. I'd go sriracha over tabasco for thickness and garlicky flavor. I just put some chipotle hot sauce on some leftover smoked mozz and mushroom pizza I made last night. Super yum.