I love Trader Joes

I know there is much Trader Joes love on this site - but I am constantly amazed by the good stuff they carry. Just today my sister was telling me about her recent discovery - sunflower seed butter. I've seen that on the shelves for a long time but have not tried - I'm thinking I will now. My recent discovery - their kimchee! Soooo good in fried rice!

I've learned about their orange chicken, tuna curry and new chocolate bars from this site. What else should I be on the look out for?

Kona, Hawaii - where to eat/what to bring back?

Later this week my husband and I are leaving for an 8 day stay in and around Kona and would love suggestons on where to eat. We are equal opportunity - we love dives, fine dining and pretty much everything in between. Also, I love to hit up grocery stores when we travel and look for stuff I can't get at home. Li hing mui is on the list - what else should I pick up that we can't get in the mainland? Thanks!

Help locating past article on Serious Eats

Many months ago there was an article posted about a man that had a dream to make pizza and applied for a managerial position at a pizza place and was turned down. He persevered and opened his own pizza place and now makes some serious pie. I believe he is/was a contributor as well. I'd really like to find that original article on him. I have a friend that is considering a mid life career change and thought he'd find this story inspirational.

Sorry if I am going about finding the article the wrong way.

Need dessert suggestions!

Christmas dinner is at my house tomorrow. I'm making a prime rib roast, red wine au jus, horseradish cream, truffled mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls. I was planning to make Ina Garten's lemon mousse for dessert (I have a bunch of meyer lemons) but my sister put the kabosh on that ides - she said it sounds "weird".

What dessert would be good with this menu? Does not need to be lemon flavored.

My latest food obsession...

When I find something new (at least to me!) that I like, I tend to go a bit overboard. Hummus, goat butter, truffle salt immediately come to mind - when I first discovered these, I had to eat them every couple of days or so until the novelty wore off. Now they are in rotation, but I don't feel the need to enjoy them all the time.

Earlier this week I discovered Trader Joe's roasted seaweed snacks. Good thing they are only 60 calories per package because I'm sure I've eaten at least 8 packages. So good! Way better than potato chips!

What's your current obsession?

Dried Fava Beans

I picked up a bag of these and am wondering what to do with them. I've looked high and low for recipes but they all seem to call for fresh favas. How should I use them?

Good eats in Charlotte, NC

My husband are going to Charlotte for a concert this weekend and would love some suggestions on good places to eat. BBQ is definitely on the agenda but we're open to suggestions for any type of good food/restaurants. We'll be there for a couple of days. Any suggestions?

Italian Beef Recipe Suggestions

I'd really like to make italian beef sandwiches for super bowl but have been unable to find a recipe. My initial plan for the meat is to marinate a new york strip roast in italian seasonings and then cook low and slow aka Kenji's prime rib recipe then slice ever so thinly. When time to serve, I'll warm up the beef in the jus - but I need some help figuring that part out. Any idea what goes in the sauce/jus on an italian beef sandwich?

Too late to mail order Portillos for Sunday eats...

Pork belly - side dish suggestions?

I've never made or eaten pork belly (not counting, of course, bacon) but I was intrigued when I saw it at the butcher shop and thought I'd give it a go. I settled on Dan Barber's recipe which calls for a three day cure (salt, sugar, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, cumin, coriander and fennel seeds) then a 7 hr braise in chicken stock and then finished in a hot pan.

My problem is that I have no idea what to serve with it. Since it will be fairly rich, a salad seems to be a good match. What else would be good with it?

Any suggestions?