Serious Eats: mainegirl's Profile

Cook the Book: 'The Essential New York Times Cookbook'

I tend to rotate through cookbooks. Currently, In the Kitchen with A Good Appetite by Melissa Clark is getting a lot of mileage in my kitchen.

mainegirl at 1:18PM on 01/03/11

From Talk

I'm addicted to Peanut Butter! Anyone else a Food Addict?

@seriousb, are you kidding? *Only* a "a single jar of peanut butter"? I certainly have gone through phases when I liked to eat the same thing, but a whole jar of peanut butter every day? That's something like 3,000 calories worth of peanut butter.

@mn21485, are you eating anything else? I'd try taking a break from p-butter altogether.

mainegirl at 4:07PM on 12/01/10

From Talk

Pomegranate Molasses...

I use it in this recipe for Mahummara from Wednesday Chef:
http://www.thewednesdaychef.com/the_wednesday_chef/2008/07/muhammara.html

mainegirl at 2:27PM on 10/14/10

From Talk

Cucumber Overload

@Rozenjoze - Yes, I am in Maine! Thanks for the link to your cucumber discussion - I had missed it.

@VerySmallAnna - Good suggestion! I actually just made some cucumber-melon juice. mmm

Thanks for the other great suggestions. After reading the gazpacho recommendations, I found a recipe for a cold cucumber-yogurt soup that I will try out tonight.

I work from home, so no co-workers to pass them off to, but I may be knocking on some neighbors doors this afternoon.

mainegirl at 2:40PM on 08/03/10

From Talk

Saturday or Sunday lunch in Portland Maine

I'd recommend (in addition to the Sapporo, Flatbread and Green Elephant recs above) el Rayo Taqueria on York Street. So, so good. Norm's East End Grill is good for barbecue. And Local 188 on Congress St is another favorite.

mainegirl at 8:07PM on 05/31/10

From Talk

Leftover mashed potato ideas?

Wow, so many great suggestions! Now they're two-day-old leftover potatoes, but I think I'll try the mashed potato quesadillas tonight since it is Cinco de Mayo. We'll probably have enough for something else too...pastelón..pancakes...so many good ideas. Thanks!

mainegirl at 10:37AM on 05/05/10

From Serious Eats

The Best Bagels in Maine? They're at 158 Pickett Street Cafe

@jbuttitta~ there's no way Bagel Central even compares. their bagels are too soft and sweet...

mainegirl at 5:45PM on 04/21/10

From Talk

How to cook a steak.

Thanks for the advice...definitely wouldn't have known to let it rest at room temp first. (Also, I looked again, and it's probably a little over an inch thick. I do believe it's grass fed.)

mainegirl at 2:38PM on 04/05/10

From Talk

Spring Parsnip Recipes, Please

hmm, looks like the link didn't work: http://sproutedkitchen.com/?p=918

mainegirl at 8:49AM on 03/18/10

From Talk

Spring Parsnip Recipes, Please

Also, just found this recipe for Roasted Parmesan Parsnips

mainegirl at 8:48AM on 03/18/10

From Talk

Spring Parsnip Recipes, Please

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone! Deciding between a parsnip-and-apple soup or one of the mashes/purees above to try first.

@cajunnan- I never would have thought to make a parsnip cake, sounds amazing!

mainegirl at 8:46AM on 03/18/10

From Talk

Quinoa for Passover

I tried this recipe from Food52 for quinoa and kale pilaf recently: link

mainegirl at 12:57PM on 03/03/10

From Talk

Dinner theme: Childhood Classics for Grown Ups!?

Going with the milk and cookies idea...
homemade Oreos (http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/05/my-kingdom-for-a-glass-of-milk/) or homemade fig newtons (http://wednesdaychef.typepad.com/the_wednesday_chef/2008/02/sherry-yards-fi.html) - so good!

or

homemade Hostess cake (http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/02/homemade-devil-dog-ding-dong-or-hostess-cake/)

*you'll have to copy and paste the links - sorry!*

mainegirl at 3:10PM on 03/02/10

From Serious Eats

Leftovers: The Day's Stray Links

typo above: desserts should be deserts. so glad desserts aren't going to be banned!

mainegirl at 6:49PM on 02/24/10

From Talk

Le Creuset: Which to get- round or oval, 5 qt or higher?

I have a round 5.5 quart (Caribbean blue) one and it's the most used item in our kitchen. It's the perfect size for everyday cooking, I think. I wouldn't go any smaller.

mainegirl at 12:25PM on 02/19/10

From Talk

Haunting your cupboard: that fancy ingredient you only used once

Pomegranate molasses. I bought a bottle for a Muhammara recipe (yum), but haven't used it since. Any ideas?

(Also, smoked paprika is one of my favorite spices. So good on roasted tomatoes, in lentil soup and in tomato-y fish stew.)

mainegirl at 4:03PM on 02/10/10

From Serious Eats

DVD Giveaway: Food, Inc.

My husband and I frequent our local farmer's market in the summer and fall, and we also try to can/freeze and grow at least some of our own food, with the small amount of land and space that we have to work with. We also only eat meats produced locally (which really cuts down our meat consumption), and buy eggs from a local farmer.

mainegirl at 1:47PM on 01/04/10

From Talk

Is dating a picky eater a dealbreaker for anyone?!

I think if you were really crazy about this person, his food habits wouldn't bother you as much. And, vice-versa, he would make an attempt to be more adventurous.

My husband was a picky eater when we first started dating. Over time, he's broadened his horizons food-wise, and I save the things he really won't eat to savor when I'm having a meal without him. A good compromise, I think.

mainegirl at 5:38PM on 11/17/09

From Talk

Kiss the Cook!! What's for dinner Thursday Oct. 29th?

spinach quiche (smitten kitchen recipe) with a side of roasted delicata squash, and a few squares of sea salted chocolate for dessert.

mainegirl at 11:02AM on 10/30/09

From Recipes

Serious Chocolate: Rice Krispie Spider Treats

hmm, I don't think the recipe matches the photo here. Cute though...

mainegirl at 12:59PM on 10/28/09

From Talk

Chris Kimball's NY Times Editorial

@HeartofGlass, I think you're missing the point. It's not that blogs are "bad" or "vile", it's that there is such a glut of mediocre blogs out there that its completely uninspiring. I don't think it's "anti-blog snobbery". There are some great food blogs, but just because someone can write a food blog doesn't make them an expert on food and cooking. And yes, there are many bad cookbooks out there, but it's much easier to write a blog than a cookbook, which makes so so blogs even more prevalent.

mainegirl at 1:08PM on 10/15/09

From Talk

Chris Kimball's NY Times Editorial

Honestly, I think Chris Kimball makes some good points. Sorry folks. The internet is swimming with food bloggers making the same recipes (not even their own recipes, for the most part) over and over and over again. Aside from a few standouts, most of these blogs are mediocre at best. Anyone can start a blog, a fact that is painfully obvious if you take a look at most food blogs out there. I think experience and expertise should be valued.

Also, gossiping "about what Kimball is like in real life" is just obnoxious.

mainegirl at 5:40PM on 10/14/09

From Talk