kalajo’s Profile
Recent Comments
Mixed Review: Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Mix
All this talk of Bob's Red Mill makes me homesick. Up until a year ago, I lived a mile from Bob's and could go in and buy most of their products in bulk, getting just what I needed at the moment
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
I like Cafe Ladro for the espresso drinks and Cafe Vita (Queen City Blend) for the beans to take home.
Bad dining experience?
I think I know where you're coming from fuuchan. I don't think you're "picky", but knowing good food, you expect it to taste a certain way when you're out dining. I think sometimes the restaurant just isn't capable of putting up a dish as we expect it and I'm not sure commenting to the wait staff about it would help. It's like when you ask someone to recommend a great restaurant and they advise a certain place, saying it's fabulous. You go there and realize it just isn't. Some people just don't have high food standards. Of course that sounds snobby, but as I consider myself a fairly decent cook and savvy diner, I guess that's just the way it is.
See more comments by kalajo »
Recent Posts
See more posts by kalajo »
Recent Favorites
kalajo hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
kalajo hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
kalajo hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Candied Pepitas and Cider Vinegar
Mixed Review: Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Vanilla Cake Mix
All this talk of Bob's Red Mill makes me homesick. Up until a year ago, I lived a mile from Bob's and could go in and buy most of their products in bulk, getting just what I needed at the moment
Where to find the best coffee in Seattle...
I like Cafe Ladro for the espresso drinks and Cafe Vita (Queen City Blend) for the beans to take home.
Bad dining experience?
I think I know where you're coming from fuuchan. I don't think you're "picky", but knowing good food, you expect it to taste a certain way when you're out dining. I think sometimes the restaurant just isn't capable of putting up a dish as we expect it and I'm not sure commenting to the wait staff about it would help. It's like when you ask someone to recommend a great restaurant and they advise a certain place, saying it's fabulous. You go there and realize it just isn't. Some people just don't have high food standards. Of course that sounds snobby, but as I consider myself a fairly decent cook and savvy diner, I guess that's just the way it is.
Cook the Book: 'New Classic Family Dinners'
When I was young (back in the 60s) Sunday dinner was either fried chicken or roast. Soooo good.
What's your spice aversion?
Fresh parsley. It just tastes so awful to me. I wish there was a good substitute. Any ideas?
Chris Kimball's NY Times Editorial
I think they are becoming a bit desperate at Cook's Illustrated. Yesterday I received a CI cookbook in the mail that I did not order. It came with an invoice and letter said I could send it back postage free if I didn't like it. They have my address because I'm one of those dummies who pays for access to the CI website. After CK's comments and then the cookbook issue, I'm about ready to call it quits with CI.
Cook the Book: 'The Craft of Baking'
Coconut Cake from almost anywhere
Cook the Book: 'Gourmet Today'
My received my first cookbook when I was around 7-8 years old back in the 60s (yes I'm old :), It was Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls. I can't tell you how many recipes I made from that book. My dad would eat my concotions all up like he loved them, even though some were probably downright nasty. I still have the book and look through it every once in a while. I love the English Muffin with Bacon, Tomato and Cheese recipe.
Grilling: Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Aleppo Pepper
oops...guess I should have read the comments first. Someone already posted the Penzey's idea. Guess I was excited about a recipe that uses Aleppo pepper :)
Grilling: Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Aleppo Pepper
If you want to pay the postage, you can get Aleppo pepper from Penzeys.com. That's where I found it when I wanted to make a Roasted Clams recipe.
Grilling: Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Aleppo Pepper
If you want to pay the postage, you can get Aleppo pepper from Penzeys.com. That's where I found it when I wanted to make a Roasted Clams recipe.
No-knead bread question???
The Cook's Illustrated version of the recipe has the bread rising on parchment paper in a round skillet and then picking up the parchment paper with the dough and putting the whole thing in the pot. Works great for me.
Cook the Book: '100 Best Vegetarian Recipes'
I found a recipe a while back from a local mushroom farm for Mushroom, Goat Cheese and Black Bean Fajitas. So SO good.
Cook the Book: '660 Curries' by Raghavan Iyer
I was a little late to the Indian cuisine party. My daughter wanted to go to an Indian restaurant for her birthday quite a few years ago. I had butter chicken and naan and couldn't believe what I had been missing out on for so many years.
What are you? Recipe Follower or Recipe Deviant
I am constantly trying new recipes and will usually follow the recipe as written the first time around unless there is an ingredient I don't particularly care for and then will sub with something else. After the first time, however, it's fair game.
I hate greens...HELP!
Thanks for all the great suggestions everyone! I just picked up my CSA and it has rainbow chard in it again so I need to get to work on some of your ideas.
Cook the Book: 'Canal House Cooking, Vol. 1'
Veggie dinner consisting of fresh green beans, vine-ripe tomatoes, cantaloupe and cornbread.
Weekend Cook and Tell: Picnic
This past week we headed up to Walter Dacon Winery in Shelton, WA for a little picnic on their patio. Bought a bottle of their fabulous Viognier and enjoyed Crab Rolls I made from Cooking Light (http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1197155) and brownies from a free mix I received from King Arthur.
best seattle eats?
Steelhead Diner right by Pike's Place Market...delicious!
Garlic Scapes
This vinaigrette is so good. It came from the farm where I get my CSA
Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette
Recipe By: Helsing Junction Farms
Serving Size: 6
1 garlic scape
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 to 3 tablespoons red wine or lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 big pinch salt
Very finely chop garlic scape into small pieces. Add to a jar with a tightly fitting lid along with remaining ingredients. Shake well.
NOTE : I chopped garlic scape in small food processor bowl, added remaining ingredients and processed for 1 minute.
Weekend Cook and Tell: Burgers
I made the hamburger buns from last week's NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/dining/011brex.html
If you have a stand mixer you will never buy a store bought bun again. They were that good and that easy.
Cook the Book: 'Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries & Shakes'
Mushroom and Swiss with a garlic butter on the bun. No other condiments or veggies.
Weekend Cook and Tell: Play Sommelier
Maryhill Winery (Washington State) makes a decent red blend, so I decided to try their Winemaker's White Blend. It was 8.99 at the local market. I had butter lettuce, herbs and onion from my CSA that I needed to use so found Pork Top Loin Roast With Asparagus, Spring Onion and Butter Lettuce below:
Both the wine and the dinner were pretty tasty.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Congrats to our winner gurizzy, and thanks to everyone who entered! The winner has been notified and the Contest Winners page has been updated.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Mmmmm. Pan roasted brussels sprouts with candied pepitas and cider vinegar!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Cornbread Stuffing Muffins with Ham and Sage, from 'Bon Appétit'. The recipe is just ho hum but the idea that every person maximizes their stuffing crispy bits due to the muffin tins is amazing.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
The Cranberry Relish with Orange and Ginger sounds great! I love cranberries with orange juice/zest. I've tried lots of variations, but never with ginger before.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
I could stick my whole face in the pumpkin pie brulee right now.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
The Pumpkin Cheesecake with Marshmallow-Sour Cream Topping and Gingersnap Crust from 'Bon Appétit' sounds like something that I'd need to be alone with in the shower..mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Honey brined and smoked turkey for me. I live on the seventh floor of an apartment house so I gave my brother a smoker for Christmas last year so he could smoke me some turkey.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Perfect mashed potatoes!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
The Pioneer Woman's Sweet Potatoes sound very tasty.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
I can't wait to try the apple stuffing!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
I'm in love with pumpkins this season. So naturally I would pick Pumpkin Pie Brulee. I love cracking the sugar on top!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Squash Spaetzle with Maple Glaze
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
the pumpkin cheesecake, and any combo of dessert and pumpkin
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Mark Bittman's braised and glazed brussels sprouts will be on our table this year
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Pumpkin pie brulee - I must try this!!!!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Ham in coca-cola!! i can make a soda exception in this case. mmmm
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
I like the Cook's Illustrated's Roasted Brined Turkey, but I'd substitute a Weber for the oven.
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Nice recipes......................Can I have the turkey?
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
The butternut squash apple cranberry bake looks so great and I have been trying to decide on a diff. recipe for my butternut squash!! THanks!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Sautéed Brussels Sprouts With Bacon -- hardly anyone in my family (except my dad and I) likes brussels sprouts, so maybe this is the year I can convert them!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Honey-brined and smoked turkey ......sounds AMAZING !
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
pumpkin cheesecake!!!!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
um...Ham in Coca-Cola. obviously!
Win a Free Organic D'Artagnan Turkey
Pumpkin cheesecake
Recent Posts
Recent Favorites
kalajo hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
kalajo hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
kalajo hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
About kalajo
Website: http://None
Location: Washington State
About: I'm a passionate foodie who loves to try new recipes.
Favorite foods: A crisp waffle, A good burger, A great steak, Walter Dacon Syrah
Last bite on earth: See above :) plus a big slice of coconut cake

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Candied Pepitas and Cider Vinegar