merriman’s Profile
Recent Comments
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
There is so much great food out there, and every day is an adventure! So, it's difficult to have discipline to brown bag it. I'll bring leftovers if I have something good, but usually, I head out to hunt for thai, sushi or pizza.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I agree. This is interesting in the same way that spam (in a can) is interesting. Interesting does not equate to "good" in either case. Though "sacrilegious" doesn't fully describe this, it's the word that comes to mind when I think of consuming the product. Pizza is something you just don't mess with.
Challenge: Dinner Party for Picky Eaters
I am throwing a Super Bowl party and have the same thing to contend with (various food aversions). My plan is to serve food that can be layered. For instance, I will make vegan chili, beef brisket and bread bowls. I will have some cheese and sour cream available. From there, vegans can abstain from bread, vegetarians can eat the chili in the bowl with cheese, and the rest of us can mix in some brisket. I have a few other dishes as well to accommodate other needs, but I hope this sample helps some. Layers of food, like layers of winter clothes, really work well.
See more comments by merriman »
Recent Posts
merriman hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
merriman hasn't favorited a post yet.
Recent Polls
merriman hasn't answered any polls yet.
Recent Quizzes
merriman hasn't taken any quizzes yet.
Recent Comments | Response to Comments
What are you making for the super bowl?
Vegan Chili
Mesquite Flat Iron steaks, sliced thin (for nonVegans to put in chili)
Buffalo Wings (for nonBeef crowd)
Getting a 1/4 keg of Grizzly Peak Scottish Ale (Ann Arbor MI)
I found that it's good to have options; and to make sure food is easy to keep for 4 hours and easy to serve.
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
There is so much great food out there, and every day is an adventure! So, it's difficult to have discipline to brown bag it. I'll bring leftovers if I have something good, but usually, I head out to hunt for thai, sushi or pizza.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I agree. This is interesting in the same way that spam (in a can) is interesting. Interesting does not equate to "good" in either case. Though "sacrilegious" doesn't fully describe this, it's the word that comes to mind when I think of consuming the product. Pizza is something you just don't mess with.
Challenge: Dinner Party for Picky Eaters
I am throwing a Super Bowl party and have the same thing to contend with (various food aversions). My plan is to serve food that can be layered. For instance, I will make vegan chili, beef brisket and bread bowls. I will have some cheese and sour cream available. From there, vegans can abstain from bread, vegetarians can eat the chili in the bowl with cheese, and the rest of us can mix in some brisket. I have a few other dishes as well to accommodate other needs, but I hope this sample helps some. Layers of food, like layers of winter clothes, really work well.
What are you making for the super bowl?
Warm reuben dip with cocktail rye bread. Cheese and crackers. Maybe chicken wings.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
Does the word abomination come to mind? Then again this would fly in Nebraska or maybe North Dakota.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I'm glad there are "some" easy going people on this site. I very much enjoy posts like these. I don't get the chance to dream up these fun ways to make food, so I'm glad someone can do it. I'm a good chef. I can make food taste good. But I'm no food snob.
Wouldn't it be great if we left snobbery up to others in the world and be the ones who make good food, fun food, and enjoy eating it?
It's a pizza cone. Lighten up! It's fun!
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
Hey Adam!
Too cool. I'm going to write to Nir to try one too.
Deb
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
I typically grab snacks throughout the day since I don't usually get an hour free at work. On the rotation have been...
- greek yogurt with a touch of honey
- baby carrots/celery
- fuji apples
- string cheese
- clementines
I cook a medium/large batch of soup or stew at the beginning of the week, freeze 2 and then alternate with the previous week's soup for my main "meal" around noon-1pm. This week, it's chili with 2 types of beans, corn, peppers, onions, etc. Last week it was butternut squash soup with some yogurt pureed in for a bit of extra protein.
I also eat breakfast at work; I cook steel-cut oats with a bit of almond milk and dried cranberries in the crock pot over the weekend, freeze and bring to work.
the ziploc screw-top containers are a godsend. They don't leak, stack in the freezer fairly well and can stand up to the microwave.
What are you making for the super bowl?
I'm a guest, so I have to bring only one dish. I'm making The Pioneer Woman Cooks Jalapeno Poppers. They are awesome and simple. Slice jalepenos in half, seed, fill with cream cheese, wrap in bacon and stab with toothpicks. Cook in a got oven until done. Everyone loves these and they're the easiest thing in the world to make.
Hey mepolo, I guess Ree's fingers reach far and wide, huh?
What are you making for the super bowl?
Bleu cheese garlic cheese ball w/onion crackers or Warm Gorgonzola-Ale dip w/homemade lavash - haven't decided yet - maybe both
Crudites and herb-sour cream dip
Salt & Pepper candied pecans
Chili-beer poached shrimp with fresh horseradish sauce (a must-have every year)
Many microbrews chosen from a vast selection in the beer fridge
Does anyone even have room for dessert? Peanut butter chocolate chunk brownies w/chocolate ganache
Hey merriman, thanks for the heads up on the Scotch ale at Grizzly. We haven't been there since Xmas and a scotch is one of my faves, especially on cask. We were actually at ABC last night and had the last of the Belgian Triple (it is now done), and found that Terminator is now done also. Jackhammer will be back and we saw a tank of HXL fermenting as well. Yay!
What are you making for the super bowl?
my S.O. and i dont watch football but i am going to make a big pot of Rhode Island clam chowder (clear broth) and since i'm feeling really naughty i may even try my hand at some clam fritters. (look out arteries.. here it comes!)
What are you making for the super bowl?
chiff0nade and Mrs. Bao... those recipes both sound AWESOME. Thanks everybody. I think I'm going to go nuts and make the bacon wrapped hot dogs, wings, the layered mexican dip, a veggie tray, and the desserts.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
yes, we have the technology to place then in to a vending platform. please contact me through our crispycones.com site
What are you making for the super bowl?
Definitely some Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Hillary
Chew on That
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I saw this over the summer in Israel in a lot of places but I never ventured in to try it. The ones there looked like they were sitting in the window all day and didnt look very appetizing. I will def. say its an AWESOME and BRILLIANT idea - is there any way to incorporate this into a vending system? If so, please get in touch with me!!!!
What are you making for the super bowl?
BF wanted to get a whole pig but all the places that are best for it are closed Sundays (relgious Hispanic population). Instead, I'm making pulled pork.
Also making this:
Layered Mexican Dip
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 lbs. Ground Chuck
Chili powder
Cumin
S&P
6 peppers (a mix of red bells and poblanos)
Black beans or refried beans
Salsa
Mexican shredded cheese blend
Sour cream
Cilantro
You will need: Large fry pan, Dutch Oven or large, clear, deep baking dish.
Heat olive oil in a fry pan and sauté the onion. Add the ground beef and brown it well. Drain off fat. Season beef with S&P, chili powder and cumin. Mix well and set aside.
Seed and de-rib peppers, then cut peppers into small dice. Toss together to mix colors (you may also add yellow peppers if you like.) Set peppers aside in a bowl.
You can either use black beans or refried beans in this dip but I generally use black beans. If using black beans: Rinse canned beans, and use them as is. Alternatively, you can puree half the beans, combine with the intact beans for a “mock” refried bean mixture. You may also use prepared refried beans. Set beans aside.
These ingredients can be prepped ahead up to this point.
To assemble, have cheese, salsa, cilantro and sour cream ready.
Preheat oven to 375(ish).
Spray a Dutch oven or deep baking dish with veggie spray. Spoon in half the meat mixture, spreading into an even layer. Spoon in half of the peppers (sprinkle with S&P), follow with half the bean mixture, then some of the cheese. Repeat with remaining meat, bean and pepper mixtures, and some more cheese. Bake in 375 oven until very hot and bubbling, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and add dollops of sour cream and salsa – garnish with cilantro.
Chiffy Notes: You can serve this with tortilla chips or warmed taco sized tortillas. If you want to kick up the heat, feel free to do so. I sometimes add canned green chiles as well. The temp can vary if you have other, more temperature critical foods in the oven. You’re only heating the ingredients through and melting the cheese.
What are you making for the super bowl?
A run to Blockbuster for a big stack of DVDs?
What are you making for the super bowl?
JerzeeTomato........I never tried a muffaletta (had to look it up).
Is it better than an Italian hoagie?
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I would like to thanks Adam for coming by following his curiosity; it's been 4 years of waiting for him.
As for the comments regarding the cones. We know that there are people who will always "resist" trying anything new in the name of tradition and purity; we know that some eat food only out of plates; the cones will initially not appeal for those.
Now, I don’t I see too many people protesting against Tuna salad in a pita, (this is far from being a traditional Middle Eastern dish), why? Because it taste good and it is convenient. So does with the cones. We are not here to eliminate or call “war” on the thin crust NYC pizza, we developed this product as an additional tasty and convenient method to carry the food YOU like on he go.
This is not about shoving bad food down someone stomach, the cone should be judged as a new vessel that will compliment any type of food, this is not about just pizza. Like Cosi and the flat bread, Chipotle and the tortilla and the deli with Panini, this is only about delivering your choice of food in a drip and mess free method.
The quality of what inside the cone is subjected to the standard of the vendor you order from, like with bagel, wraps or Panini it is about the product in (or between) the breads. Cone is bread.
I have no doubt that in 2 years from now the cones will be one of your choices at the deli or you favorite eatery and you will be able to order your eggs and ham in a wrap, Panini, bagel, pita, hero or a CONE.
And no, there is no ammonia in the crust, the dough is made from the same ingredients your pizza is made of. I'm a chef not a food scientist I've been working on this for the last 5 years to ensure the quality of this product.
The cones bake to perfection in any type oven (and are served out of one). What makes them special is that they COULD be warmed in a micro without losing their crispiness due to the method they were baked at the bakery.
I hope this will ease your mind regarding Adams nose and his general health following his cone tasting.
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
My options were leftovers from dinner (usually needed a microwave to reheat), turkey, ham, tuna or egg salad sandwiches, delivery (I wasn't allowed to leave the site), or salad which needed some of the above to hold me until dinner. Truthfully, it was usually a tavern ham and swiss cheese sandwich on pumpernickel bread. Forgot to add, I worked in a sample home (selling new homes) and I was also not permitted to have foods with odors, so some items had to stay in my car and I had to eat them outside with the door open to hear the phone and a place to stash if anyone came.
What are you making for the super bowl?
For starters we'll be having some dips...although I haven't decided between a cold onion dip or hot onion dip....and possibly a fondue. During half time we're having quesadillas - thank you Ree @ Pioneerwomancooks...for the great make your own quesadilla idea! I'll also be making wings, with homemade blue cheese dip & veggies of course.
My guests will be bringing dessert.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
While it looks like the sushi that is wrapped in plastic and shaped into a cone (temaki) that you find at convenience stores, it makes eating sushi while walking a lot easier. Not sure if the same can be said for pizza.
I don't like pizza, but I think I'd try it just to try it....although I'm the type of person that always ends up with ice cream dripping off the sides and eventually the bottom of my cone. :(
Kudos to the guy who had a dream, the initiative, and the guts to do it!
What are you making for the super bowl?
JerzeeTomato -- can i come to your house for the superbowl?
every year since i moved to scotland i've tried to stay up and watch the game. and every year i'm asleep on the sofa before the 1st quarter's even over! still, i make nachos and chocolate cake and yeah, we dig into it before the game even starts.
this year, there's a scotland vs. france 6 nations rugby match on during the day. i've invited our friends ian (scottish) and julie (french) over for braised lamb shanks and chocolate cake. we'll see if i'm still hungry when the game starts at 11 pm!
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
One of my favorite lunch salads is tabouleh: it's fresh, filling and low in fat and calories. I'll usually pair it with some prosciutto and whole wheat crackers, fresh cheese or some baked chicken. The only drawback is that my whole offie is often filled with the smell of green onions. I love 'em in my tabouleh, but they're kinda unprofessional!
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I remember these pizza cones in Japan too. They are sold in the bottom of a second rate department store in the Ginza. THe cones are frozen and pass through a conveyer type oven with a lighted window after being filled with your choice of toppings.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
hmmm... someone who's more learned in kitchen science could probably answer this, but I'm wondering if there's baker's ammonia in the pizza cone -- so it stays crisp despite the sauce?
Do you brown bag it for lunch?
I don't currently work, but I do make my other halfs lunches. When I do go out to work, I'd do exactly the same for me. I usually wrap them in a bit of clear wrap and he takes them to work in his laptop bag.
I make whole wheat flour tortillas (from scratch), fill them with salad and a variety of fillings including feta cheese and walnut, houmous, proscuitto, imported italian salami, canadian bacon, chilli and garlic prawns etc. And on other days, he takes a plastic bowl (tupperware variety) with him with home made soup and home made bread rolls.
Pizza in a Cone: Crispycones
I don't particularily care for microwaved food, but come on, who doesn't love melted cheese in a crispy crust? If you say no, you can't eat dairy or you are a liar. Either way, it makes you someone who shouldn't be trusted.
It reminds me of a fast food version of "the dome" that gets made at a joint here. All the toppings are put in a ceramic bowl and crust over the top for baking. When it's done it gets turned out. Perfect deep dish every time, nothing burnt, no raw dough, just cheesy saucey greatness.
Recent Posts
merriman hasn't written a post yet.
Recent Favorites
merriman hasn't favorited a post yet.
Polls
merriman hasn't answered any polls yet.
Quizzes
merriman hasn't taken any quizzes yet.

Vegan Chili
Mesquite Flat Iron steaks, sliced thin (for nonVegans to put in chili)
Buffalo Wings (for nonBeef crowd)
Getting a 1/4 keg of Grizzly Peak Scottish Ale (Ann Arbor MI)
I found that it's good to have options; and to make sure food is easy to keep for 4 hours and easy to serve.