gemm558’s Profile
Recent Comments
What Do You Put on Your Biscuit?
European butter and marmalade, or homemade jam if I have any around.
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
Lodge cast iron is still made in the USA. If you like the :"naked" black iron then Lodge is fantastic, for enameled there is no subsititute for Le Creuset, I won't buy anything made in China. Who knows what their manufacturing processes are like for their cast iron...I don't trust it though.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Has to be Maine baked beans, no shortcuts or substitutions, Yellow Eye beans and salt pork with the rest of the usual cast of characters. Deviled eggs are a close runner up.
See more comments by gemm558 ยป
Recent Posts
gemm558 hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
gemm558 hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
gemm558 hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
gemm558 hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
There is absolutely nothing better, it's one of my favorite things to do, browse around. It's a must. I bake alot, and love checking out the different regional flours. LOVE White Lily, can't find it here up north, southern markets are a lot of fun. I don't travel much abroad anymore - :-(, so can't attest to the goodies to be found there, I'm pretty much limited to down South and Canada! Still fun, though.
What Do You Put on Your Biscuit?
European butter and marmalade, or homemade jam if I have any around.
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
Lodge cast iron is still made in the USA. If you like the :"naked" black iron then Lodge is fantastic, for enameled there is no subsititute for Le Creuset, I won't buy anything made in China. Who knows what their manufacturing processes are like for their cast iron...I don't trust it though.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Has to be Maine baked beans, no shortcuts or substitutions, Yellow Eye beans and salt pork with the rest of the usual cast of characters. Deviled eggs are a close runner up.
What Do You Put on Your Biscuit?
I realize this is an old topic but I had to comment. Before I fell victim to a most unpleasant allergy to tomatoes I always enjoyed tomato gravy and biscuits. Now its butter and maple syrup. I also have to agree with many of ya'll....a good plain biscuit is its own type of heaven.
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
oh! farmer's markets are different. those are awesome to visit. my fav is the setup in ottawa, with streets and streets of things.
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
when i go visit my friends in europe, i'm always offering to do the grocery shopping. it's my favorite activity!
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
Just read your post. Arrived in Pensacola, Florida and within two hours I went grocery shopping. Tomorrow is day two and at least one more grocery store. Just fun to check out the shelves for local goodies and things I have not tried. Scored some White Lilly flour on my trip today.
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
everytime i travel, the first thing i do after dropping off my luggage at the hotel is going to the nearest convenience store or supermarket and buy a bagful of local snacks and confectioneries.
i miss japan and their conbinis. very much.
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
I sure check out as many stores as I can when traveling, it gives you the flavor of local life. If you ever get to Helsinki, Finland, check out a Stockmann. They carry everything from clothing, toys and sporting goods. As crazy as this sounds, they have gourmet food sections and a huge liquor department. All seem to be run 100% separately, so it doesent come off as the jack of all trades-master of none like Wal-Mart or Costco. All kinds of bulk foods and TONS of cool stuff I never saw before....
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
Wherever I travel, even to other states, I go to grocery stores. I find it fascinating. Obviously, I buy stuff, usually local brands or local specialties.
I also go to farmers markets when I travel. i.e. in Paris, France or other states.
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
For size alone, Woodman's in Madison, WI is worth a visit. Biggest beer and cheese selections anywhere. To go up and down each aisle would take a couple of days.
Jerry
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
Absolutely! Visiting foreign supermarkets and street markets is a big MUST when I'm traveling.
For a virtual look at some of Mexico's many food markets, look here: http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com. You'll find everything from the sublime to the what-the-heck-do-you-do-with-THIS items, plus cultural tidbits and off-the-beaten-track travel destinations.
Enjoy!
Mexico Cooks!
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
What a great "thread". I have a thing for grocery stores and pharmacies when travelling. We even got clean underwear at a Grocery store in Prague because it was nearing the end of our trip and we were tired of washing our underwear over and over in the sinks of Youth Hostels and just wanted a fresh pair or two. We also got great beer, some bread and cheese, and the equivalent (except a million times better) to a hostess type cake for dessert.
In France I like Carrefour because that's where we shopped when we lived in Grenoble. In London, it is always Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer's (for some items), the farmer's markets, and Boots (for my pharmacy fetish).
Visiting supermarkets when traveling - doesn't everyone?
YES there is nothing better. I think I got this love of international grocery stores from my mom. Its one of the ways to truly understand a country. All the hanging jamon in Spain- drool! Local produce always excites me as well.
What Do You Put on Your Biscuit?
Hands down, my favorite is Molasses. But, not just molasses, but "fried" molasses. Atleast that's what we called it. It's actually just molasses warmed in a iron skillet with baking powder added. Makes the molasses light and fluffy. Yum, and soooo good on a biscuit.
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
Yes, that's true LC comes with the same care instructions: avoid high heat. I also saw some LC at Home Sense, Winners (same as Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc) here in Canada. All I'm trying to say is that if you buy your cast iron at a high end store (e.g. Crate & Barrel, Macy's, William & Sonoma) it doesn't necessarily mean it's of a higher quality. These discounted stores currently carry these same cast iron pots, LC, MB, etc and if you can have it a lower price why pay more?
I got my MB (made in Italy) from Costco at a good price and I know Costco carries good stuff. Everything I've got from there so far has been of great quality.
Shop around because in most cases you're paying for the name instead of the merchandise. Has it ever occured to anyone that some of these are probably manufactured in the same factories???
I saw one (can't recall the brand) which said their cast iron is lead, cadmium free. I inquired about the others like LC, MB and I was told they all are lead, cadmium free and that this is just a marketing ploy that the other uses. Perhaps it's true, perhaps it isn't. I'm doing more research on these claims.
Anyway, enjoy your various cast iron pots!
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
Le Creuset comes with the same instructions about avoiding high heat, and exhibits the same temporary darkening phenomenon when subjected to high heat.
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
I've never used Batali's line, but I believe the instructions about avoiding high heat have to do with discoloration of the enamel and not anything to do with chipping (at least in my experience). When using enameled cast iron to deep fry, the finish will turn darker up to the height of the oil--I guess the pigment can't stand up to that kind of energy. Kinda makes you wonder if the "fade" style of paint job on the Le Creuset is the way it is to combat any future discoloration.
Mario Batali cast iron cookware
Caphalon makes enameled cast iron dutch ovens. It's made in Toledo, OH. Actually won mine in a chili cook off. Nice prize! Haven't examined it but I don't think I have any chips yet.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:
bndraldy
bobfole
DuncanHusky
ElspethAdair
iWander
Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
green bean casserole
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Baked pasta of any kind, preferably with cheese, when chilly, cold pasta salad of of any non-mayonnaise-based kind when it's hot out (warm mayo = no good).
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Chicken and dumplings
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Cold/Potato Salad Warm/Beef Stew
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
My mom died when I was a kid, so church potlucks were one of the only ways I got good home cooking. My favorite thing to see at these events was a baked ziti dish. I never could get enough of that. The ladies that held these events were always happy to see my sister and I eating so much!
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
goulash...it's easy and a comfort food.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
We have lots of favorites here and they seem to change with the seasons. In season right now is chicken pot pies, with homemade apple pies. We live in apple country, so apples are in season right now, up here in the North Country.
Cook the Book: 'The Cook's Country Cookbook'
Very cheesy Macaroni & Cheese is a must!
Recent Posts
gemm558 hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
gemm558 hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
gemm558 hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
gemm558 hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
There is absolutely nothing better, it's one of my favorite things to do, browse around. It's a must. I bake alot, and love checking out the different regional flours. LOVE White Lily, can't find it here up north, southern markets are a lot of fun. I don't travel much abroad anymore - :-(, so can't attest to the goodies to be found there, I'm pretty much limited to down South and Canada! Still fun, though.