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Archaeologists May Have Found Nero's Revolving Dining Hall in Rome
Interesting, but for the record, Invention & Technology Magazine is alive and well.
What Is Superman Ice Cream?
As a child growing up in Michigan, if I didn't order chocolate, it was ALWAYS either Blue Moon or Purple Cow. Meijer stores (back in the day it was called Meijer Thrifty Acres) used to have HUGE ice cream counters near the entrance, and I always shopped happily with blue or purple lips/clothing. It would be hard to name a flavor for either color. It was simply sweet and cold and creamy and, above all, PRETTY.
Unique to: San Francisco
I can think of no place more quintessentially San Francisco than Cafe Gratitude. www.cafegratitude.com
Check it out.
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Dinner Tonight: Warm Prosciutto, Fig, and Blue Cheese Salad
Posted by Blake Royer, February 26, 2009 at 4:00 PM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
We have one of those big electric roasters. It actuallly does a pretty good job, though the turkey doesn't get quite as brown as I would like so it often has to get thrown under the broiler at the last minute. The bird can cook in the garage, the laundry room -- someplace out of the way -- and the oven is freed up for all of the other items.
Archaeologists May Have Found Nero's Revolving Dining Hall in Rome
Interesting, but for the record, Invention & Technology Magazine is alive and well.
What Is Superman Ice Cream?
As a child growing up in Michigan, if I didn't order chocolate, it was ALWAYS either Blue Moon or Purple Cow. Meijer stores (back in the day it was called Meijer Thrifty Acres) used to have HUGE ice cream counters near the entrance, and I always shopped happily with blue or purple lips/clothing. It would be hard to name a flavor for either color. It was simply sweet and cold and creamy and, above all, PRETTY.
Unique to: San Francisco
I can think of no place more quintessentially San Francisco than Cafe Gratitude. www.cafegratitude.com
Check it out.
What’s Your Favorite Weird Snack Combo?
Toasted peanut butter and tomato sandwich. Surprisingly delicious.
Worst cooking experience ever?
I can only come up with two: putrefy and stupefy -- both of which could relate to food and cooking. What is the other one?
Worst cooking experience ever?
Wow, these are great stories. I have to share a cooking story that is now an official part of our family lore. It's my mother's cooking disaster -- not mine, and it involves the Easter ham -- a CANNED ham (ick). After it had been in the oven for 90 minutes or so, she mused to my father "I wonder how we are supposed to when the ham is done if it's in a can." He went into full-on FBI bomb squad mode, marching the family out to the snowy front lawn, extracting the ham-bomb from the oven and flinging it into the backyard. No one remembers if we ate the ham -- just the day my mother became an accidental terrorist.
Psycho Donuts Takes Doughnuts to the 'Next Demented Level' in California
my daughter and I are getting in the car and heading over there right now.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Blues
Make the Chicken Marbella from the Silver Palate Cookbook (it's all over the internet). I've never met ANYONE of ANY age who didn't like this, despite the odd ingredients. Instead of using cut up whole chicken, I use thighs with the skin removed. SO good.
Best Way to Keep a Stainless Steel Pan Stainless
I just read that you should spread a thick layer of ketchup on the pan, leave it for a few minutes and then wipe clean to reveal a shiny, stain-free pan. I have not yet tried it. It could be the work of the Ketchup Advisory Board.
What's Your Signature Snack for the Super Bowl?
hungrygrl7, Believe me, I am toying with the idea of paying WAY TOO MUCH for the black & gold smiley cookies -- a pittsburgh icon if ever there was one. I was visiting friends in the 'burgh mid-december and my husband and teenaged daughters gave me the death glare reminder to stop at Eat & Park for a dozen smileys on the way home. I think they were happier to see the cookies than they were to see me!
What's Your Signature Snack for the Super Bowl?
As a displaced Steelers fan now living in California, we'll be serving up some serious Pittsburgh fare: pierogies, kielbasa & sauerkraut and some good old Pennsylvania-dutch pretzels. If I can find Iron City beer here, we'll have to have at least a six-pack on hand, though Californians can only take so much Pittsburgh, I suspect...
Cream of Wheat: Way or No Way?
The VERY best way to enjoy Cream of Wheat is to make a slightly thicker than normal recipe, pour into a loaf pan, refrigerate overnight, then slice and panfry in butter and top with brown sugar, maple syrup, whatever you like. Mmmmmmm!
If you were to subscribe to one food magazine, it would be _____
Fine Cooking. The writing is solid and the recipes are always excellent!
Would it hurt me to eat the veggies used to make chicken soup?
I'm with simon. There is no way they could hurt you. They could harm your sensibilities, but they won't hurt you physically.
Oh crap, the dog ate the....
oh my gosh. I just noticed in the first post that the dog singled out the aspagagus on the crudite plate! What is it with dogs and asparagus? Must investigate.
Oh crap, the dog ate the....
Wow, these are some great tales (tails?). I have a few stories of our beloved dog's escapades, which I will condense briefly.
He has eaten many many items that were not proffered. These are the highlights.
He once drank a glass of Merlot without knocking over the stemware. I am still impressed.
During the same week, he drank a cup of coffee without spilling a drop.
While we entertained guests, he devoured an entire platter (3+ lbs) of chicken, lovingly marinated and grilled during a moment of inattention.
He has also eaten:
a cherry pie
a birthday cake
a large plate of blanched asparagus
Best places to visit in Napa Valley & Sonoma?
I second the recommendation for the Rutherford Grill. Had a fantastic meal there in a lovely setting -- even saw the Napa Valley Wine Train roll by at sunset.
Where to get good eats... Highway 1 Santa Cruz to San Francisco
We recently drove up from Palo Alto and spent a typical Northern California day at the beach at Half Moon Bay. Foggy, freezing, windy. But we made the drive and attempted to remain positive. When we left at dinnertime, we attempted to eat at Pasta Moon, a fancypants restaurant on the main street in HMB. They had a 90 minute (!) wait, however, and directed us to "It's Italia" -- what appeared to be a little pizzeria in a strip center about a block away. We felt a bit defeated, as we were looking for something more interesting than pizza, but we were cold and hungry and decided to go for it. Well, this place exemplifies why we foodies are so darn spoiled in the bay area. This little "pizzeria" had the most amazing menu, and a list of chalkboard specials that nearly made me weep. Wild boar osso buco with citrus risotto, an array of designer salads and one gorgeous entree after another being delivered to the tables around us. An excellent option as you head up the coast.
Paula Deen or Serious Eats Trying to Kill Us?
MUST. HAVE. DEEP. FRIED. BACON.
Gotta have this in!
Coffee (trader joe's organic) and 1% milk. I need 'em both to make my eponymous daily latte!
Best casual restaurants...
It's not a HUGE chain, but Bravo! Italian Cucina is tops on my list. We have relocated to the west coast, and Bravo! is the restaurant I miss the most.
Palo Alto Eats?
Hi Patty. My family and I just moved to Palo alto 2 years ago, and I think we have already eaten at more of the local restaurants than many of our friends who have been here much longer. Here are some of the favorites that come to mind:
Casual, Cheap and Quick:
Zao Noodle Bar on University. Their vermicelli noodle bowls are made with the highest quality ingredients and are absolutely delicious.
Tofu House -- authentic Korean. Zero ambience, brusque service, fabulous food.
Mediterranean Wraps on California Ave -- great middle eastern food.
Moderately Priced:
Palo Alto Sol on California Ave.--modern Cal-Mex cuisine
La Bodeguita del Medio--excellent cuban food, fun atmosphere, great cocktails
Fancier:
Evvia -- one of my definite favorites. Mediterranean cuisine with a California spin. Great service. Pretty restaurant.
Zbibbo -- I haven't been yet, but it comes highly recommended. High on my list.
Il Fornaio -- in the Garden Court Hotel downtown. It's a small chain, but it's very good.
Breakfast:
Don't miss the California Ave. Farmer's Market every Sunday a.m. year-round. You can eat lunch at one of the many wonderful food stands, or have a great brunch at Cafe Brioche or Joanie's (?) Cafe next door.
Not in Palo Alto but nearby favorites:
Xanh's Vietnamese Restaurant on Castro St. in Mountain View-- easily the hippest, coolest decor on the Peninsula, and the food is outstanding.
CasCal on Castro in Mountain View -- Great tapas, excellent cocktails, live entertainment on weekends.
Amber India on El Camino in Mountain View -- great Indian food.
DishDash on Murphy St. in Sunnyvale -- Really good, slightly unusual middle eastern fare
Well, that's a start. Welcome to Palo Alto!
Essentials: Feeding Your Friends (With Migas)
I can always count on the Chicken Marbella from the Silver Palate Cookbook to please the most varied of crowds. Despite its odd ingredients (prunes and green olives), it appeals to a broad range of palates. Add to that the fact that it can be made well ahead of time (even improves with time, according to the recipe), it makes a great company meal. Some rice to soak up the juices, maybe some crusty bread and a good green salad make for a great dinner that doesn't have the host bouncing off the walls in those moments before it's served.
Most 'fun' cookbook you have read or own?
Amy Sedaris' I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence. A brilliant blend of quirky humor, possible insanity and recipes (mostly Greek) presented in earnest. She is the anti-Martha.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
It's a really good thing that turkeys need to rest.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
I learned, after hosting 30-40 for dinner when I had little kids, that you cook most of it the day before. We had the best turkey and sides that year. So now I make my turkeys the day before , slice them and put them in a pan and pour in chicken broth to keep it moist. The sides are made and in serving casseroles the day before and just hit the oven when the appetizers come out. I use to spend the day in the kitchen while everyone else enjoyed themselve now I can relax and enjoy myself with everyone else and dinner is still great. Another benefit, my inlaws and mother want a good deal of leftovers to take home with them. I can make extra and have it already packaged for them without trying to get that done after dinner.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
We use a smoker to cook our turkey, so that frees up the oven. I also have an electric roasting pan that is very handy for keeping things warm or cooking the dressing.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
We have one of those countertop convection/rotisserie ovens that we use to keep the side dishes warm until serving - one of the best $80 investments I ever spent. Caveat: I am usually only making holiday dinners for two, so I use smaller casserole dishes. a standard 9 x 13 dish won't fit in this oven, unfortunately.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
For years we worked to find recipes that could be prepared the night before and then warmed, especially if that could be done in the microwave. We got a warming tray that was great for holding things on a buffet. We also instituted the soup course, which allows us to get some food into everyone while we finish up the rest of the meal. After about five yeqrs, we redid the kitchen in our old house and moved the old harvest gold electric range down to the basement specifically so that we could use it on Thanksgiving.
The ultimate solution was to move to a house with double ovens and a six burner cooktop. If we walked into a house that had only one oven, I walked out.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Not only do I have "just one" oven. My kitchen actually has less counter space than my work cubicle. Yet we still host a 12-15 person dinner. I find that for Thanksgiving the roaster is key and a crock pot or two help. We cook 2 - 12 pound birds. One in the oven timed to come out about a 45 minutes before dinner and one in the roaster. The oven bird is the "show bird" and the roaster bird is carved and served right away. Everything else (except the two veggie dishes) is cooked fully or partially the day before or the morning of and heated or finished dinner (even the mashed potatoes) and is put in oven dishes as soon as the turkey comes out and served right in the dish. I find this arrangement makes it a more social event.
Also our guests bring snacks, drinks, wine, bread, and desert.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
I use slow cookers, roasters, the oven, the grill....whatever is needed to complete or keep things warm.
One thing not mentioned although I'm sure several of you do it is that I par cook, then shock my vegeatables. Drain well and put in covered glass baking dishes or round casseroles and refrigerate. Before serving i add some butter or sauce and reheat in the microwave. Crispy toppings are added after heating and get a qucik run under the broiler.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
unless you are feeding the 7th army, cut the number of sides down and use crockpots for keeping things warm. Lets face it the protein is usually the star of the show, and for most, three or four sides is more than enough. who wants to feel like doing nothing but hibernating after dinner? concentrate on being with people you love, it's called THANKSgiving, not gorge to bursting. yes its nice to have options, but everyone deserves to enjoy the day, including the cook and dishwasher.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
All sides, including mashed potatoes, are done the day before and stored in disposable oven friendly casserole pans. The turkey is cooked on the day of and the sides are reheated in the oven while the turkey rests. It works perfectly.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
my mom uses a standalone roaster, and after heating up most of her large sides (mashed potatoes, green beens) puts them in chafing dishes and puts the smaller sides in the oven. Her chafing dishes use hot water, not sterno, so i think they work a lot longer (plus you dont get hot spots and burned undersides). She's amazing!Totally blind and makes the whole meal every year, turkey and 12 sides!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
grandma and uncle lives closeby, so we have a grill fired up, three ovens if needed, and an outdoor wok for those oh so necessary asian seafood dishes at holiday dinners. =] oh and its non stop cooking once it gets to an hour before dinner
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Do sides the day before, with the exception of mashed potatoes or rice and rolls which we do right before serving. Put the bird in EARLY so when it is done, it can rest and this is when you put in whatever sides you have for reheating. This is our strategy and it always works!
You aren't spending half the day slaving over a hot oven and stove and this can free you up for other things like setting the table or just relaxing! Dessert is easy too because you can heat this while you are eating.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Funny I just got an email from my friends, first time hosting Thanksgiving at their apt, to bring appetizers that don't require cooking or heating. Potato salad it is.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
A $30 roasting oven from Costco, and the bird cooks on the porch!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
there's another great thread on here about how to use crockpots effectively for thanksgiving. i'm going to try to do my stuffing and glazed sweet potatoes in 2 crockpots. And yes, mashed potatoes are very easy to reheat during the 15-30 minutes that the turkey should rest.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Oh my god Osomtaic hahaha! Freudian indeed.
I like some of the input and would like to keep hearing suggestions. I'm trying to do a better job than last year with the oven space.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Grill as a 2nd oven!!!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Very poorly. I have friends and family who have two ovens and have NEVER even used but one. I would love to have two!!!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Do what my grandma did...serve it as it's ready. Sometimes things are cold. Cold/room temp turkey is nice and hot with hot gravy or cranberry sauce. In other words focus on hot sides I you haven't te space and time the turkey well as aformentioned and you'll have those 20 or so minutes it stays hot. ;)
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Days in advance (well, today), I sit down and work out a battle plan. With military precision I work out exactly what's going to be where when (and how hot it'll be).
If I remember rightly, last year I even managed to schedule "glasses of wine" for myself, interspersed throughout the cooking period!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Last year was my big thanksgiving with family in my house. I had started prepping everything from prebaking the rolls to the dressing and sides several days before. I also have only one fridge, so I had plenty of coolers packed with ice sitting on my screened porch in 35*F weather. When time came to cook the turkey went in first then 1 hour before the turkey was done the potatoes were started, and everything came out of coolers and fridge to be warmed in the oven on three racks, after the turkey came out to rest. We also did a roast of beef on low heat on the gas grill. Years before when I lived closer to my parents and we always held holiday dinners at their house. I would roast the turkey in my house then bring it over after it came out. Again plan your menu and timing prior to the big day.
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Deep fry the turkey. We've done it for years, and it frees up the oven for everything else. :)
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
Stackem up! If you are reheating or simply keeping warm, then by all means stack the cookie sheets on the jelly roll pans and the jelly roll pans on the roasting dishes. Sometimes I use cooling racks to keep bottoms from crushing the food. 2 baking dishes on one layer horizontally, and 2 turned vertically on top. Its all cozy and warm. I also like the spot between the burners on the stove top.
Osomatic and salpico both sound like they know their way around a holiday feast!
How Do You Survive with One Oven on Thanksgiving?
I only feed 3 turkey (my MIL is vegetarian so I make all the sides veggie friendly) I do a whole bone in turkey breast in the crockpot so the oven is totally free for everything else. It's amazing!
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Dinner Tonight: Warm Prosciutto, Fig, and Blue Cheese Salad
Posted by Blake Royer, February 26, 2009 at 4:00 PM
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About latteaday
Location: Palo Alto
About: Love to eat, love to cook, and venture out of my comfort zone as much as possible. I enjoy reading and writing about food almost as much as I do cooking it or eating it. Is that strange? Probably not to this audience...
Favorite foods: Vietnamese, Mediterranean, "real" frozen yogurt, fresh California cuisine, Indian, really good hamburgers (even mediocre ones, to tell you the truth). I am always looking for that "perfect" salad.
Last bite on earth:
We have one of those big electric roasters. It actuallly does a pretty good job, though the turkey doesn't get quite as brown as I would like so it often has to get thrown under the broiler at the last minute. The bird can cook in the garage, the laundry room -- someplace out of the way -- and the oven is freed up for all of the other items.