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What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
@dhorst -- funny ..... you need to put a little sign on the knife rack .... i've had to put little signs up in my cabinets "do not put these in the microwave" pertaining to my grandmother's old fashioned soup bowls, they're probably 65-75 years old.... and i do use them everyday.
but if put into the wave, they might crack!
ah, what i'd like santa to bring me for xmas? i haven't thought that far ahead.... but maybe a good night's sleep for a change....
Mandatory Brunch Tip: Way or No Way?
i guess the establishment must have thought long and hard about adding on the gratuity -- probably because staff was getting stiffed..... so, it wouldn't bother me.... and like @johannabanana said above, if you have sub-par service, bring it up with the manager....
Finding Kvass & Eastern Euro foods in NJ/NY area
brighton beach, brooklyn -- tons of russian specialty markets.... spectacular! eastern european - there are lots of polish markets in greenpoint, brooklyn -- or ridgewood, (border of bklyn/queens) ....
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Recent Posts
need a gift certificate for a wedding in nyc.....
Posted by pooch, October 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM
cooking on top of a woodstove .... or inside one.
Posted by pooch, October 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM
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Serious Grape: A Mixed Case of Interesting Reds and Whites for Fall
Posted by Deb Harkness, August 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Is Artisanal, Handmade Food Always Better?
Posted by Ed Levine, March 30, 2009 at 8:00 AM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Xmas party food
sounds like you're getting the short end of the stick here, but i'm sure you're probably the more capable of the two... a blessing and a burden at the same time..... if things are just getting picked over in the beginning and then devoured at the end... why don't you ask people to bring appetizer pot luck items and then when the crowd is ready for the main meal serve one or two big somethings... like huge lasagnas and a few roasts that serve as the icing on the cake.... a huge pot of beef stew or chili.... or chicken cacciatorre...keep it simple though....
there's nothing worse than food standing out all night getting picked over...
but then again, if the crowd is feeling no pain -- would they even notice.
at that point - do whatever is most practical for you.
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
@dhorst -- funny ..... you need to put a little sign on the knife rack .... i've had to put little signs up in my cabinets "do not put these in the microwave" pertaining to my grandmother's old fashioned soup bowls, they're probably 65-75 years old.... and i do use them everyday.
but if put into the wave, they might crack!
ah, what i'd like santa to bring me for xmas? i haven't thought that far ahead.... but maybe a good night's sleep for a change....
Mandatory Brunch Tip: Way or No Way?
i guess the establishment must have thought long and hard about adding on the gratuity -- probably because staff was getting stiffed..... so, it wouldn't bother me.... and like @johannabanana said above, if you have sub-par service, bring it up with the manager....
Finding Kvass & Eastern Euro foods in NJ/NY area
brighton beach, brooklyn -- tons of russian specialty markets.... spectacular! eastern european - there are lots of polish markets in greenpoint, brooklyn -- or ridgewood, (border of bklyn/queens) ....
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
i use cream ... but coconut milk sounds good..... i love pumpkin pie!!! with a touch of orange rind .....
Food Nicknames
white castle hamburgers were always known as rectum rockets!
Split Pea Soup!
if you don't have a ham hock, fry up some bacon ..... i always like to throw some potatoes (or leftover mashed potatoes, too) in my pea soup. some people use hot dogs, also.
hey, don't send the guy out in that weather! good luck, hope you don't get too snowed in.
Cooking for a family who recently lost a member.
so tragic .... sorry..... i agree with @julie527 - i think everyone gets lasagna'd out .... a think the idea of roast pork, or roast chicken.... or even a small roast beef -- something that can be eaten as sandwiches also...
soup would be good, too.... i'm sure they are not going to be in the mood for much.... so it's got to be nutritious. and easy.
Freeze It!
old people love apple sauce and it freezes well..... i'd go with chicken soup, vegetable beef soup, veggie soup.... easy to heat stuff. if it's too much trouble they won't do it. i cook for my aunt who lives alone... i usually do lots of soups, stews and turkey burgers (individually wrapped)...and i throw in a couple of stray pieces of lasagna.... it's got to be easy for them.
@zucchini - i agree with the potato chunks in soup, they do get like cotton balls... good comparison!
Embarrassing food question. Need help with foods I love.
have you been tested for allergies? do you soak your beans before you cook them....? maybe try another doctor.... seems you have a problem... did he check for diverticulitis?
Would You Eat This Lobster?
no, let him go! put him back in the ocean and let him tell the other guys down there what beneficent creatures humans really are.... (yeah, right)
Persimmons...
@dhorst - i loved your poem.....you're a romantic at heart -- i just knew it!
i've been seeing them in stores lately, i'll have to pick up a few....
Bad mood, bad food?
absolutely -- if you've ever read the book or seen the movie "like water for chocolate".... you'll see what a mood or an emotion can lend to your cooking..... be at peace while you work .... touch your food with love!
Cooking for one (person) ideas?
korokov! are you carrie bradshaw? (sex and the city) sounds like a great opportunity.... i'm sure in paris there will be no shortage of delicious
options .... i'd be picking up a baguette with some great cheeses or pate on my way home from work..... and savory tarts of some sort. i always like doing a great salad/soup for dinner or a really good grilled cheese ... with soup. or like you said a roasted chicken can be turned into so many things....
good luck, that's a big move.... i hope you make lots of friends and find lots of memories, just like the ones you found in nyc!
Should Bagel Shops Charge For Toasting?
true, a really good bagel shouldn't be toasted..... but when they developed the cinnamon raisin bagel -- all bets were called off. i know it's a favorite flavor of some .... but cinnamon raisin? after that -- i guess toasting a bagel was the next thing on the list to de-bagelize a bagel. it's like people asking for mayonaise on their proscuitto sandwich. but such is life!
Your Clever SE Name
this has been a most endearing thread .... i feel as if i've gotten to know you all a little better! :^) pooch!
Cook the Book: Baby Artichokes, Sicilian Style
oh boy ..... mmmm .... mmmm..... oh boy.....
Market Scene: Boston Farmers' Markets Open Until November
yep, rhinebeck farmer's market is open until the sunday before thanksgiving..... there's lots of stuff available..... rain or shine, baby!
hamburger contents?
i get freshly ground beef from our local slaughter house and i always eat it rare. i've been doing this for years and years and i've never gotten sick, because the place raises their own cattle, processes respectfully. they don't do thousands and thousands and thousands of animals a day.....
the reason the department of disgusting death & disrespectful handling wants you to cook your meat until it resembles a greasy old suede coat is because they want to cover their asses because they really don't care about what they're actually feeding the people. that is not an appetizing proposition.
Should Bagel Shops Charge For Toasting?
there's a laziness pandemic going on..... i'm amazed at how some people have gotten so laxed .... it's a lack of customer service.
like @french tart points out .... you pop the bagel in the toaster and then
wait on the next person. is that so hard?
Is Locavorism For Rich Folks Only?
if we support local food sources as much as possible - these sources will increase for more people to take part in. in my area we are now looking forward to winter markets which will avail us to winter squash, potatoes, apples, some farmer's are now doing greenhouses, so, lettuce, greens, sprouts .... if there is a need they will figure a way to provide. i think it's great. of course, if you want a pineapple in january, you can get them at your local supermarket.... it would be nice to have a choice to have more local products. so support your local growers and go the distance with them.
Why Fresh Eggs Are Harder to Peel
tell me about it..... it's tough when you've decided to make deviled eggs for company and you're frantically trying to peel the eggs.... i've sacrificed many millimeters of good white in the process.....
@lemonfair - ukrainian "psyanki" are beautiful .... i love the traditional designs they have, symbolic of many things. do you have a website? or photo's on-line?
Meat Master Can Tell Cow's Age, Gender, and Breed After One Bite
@sailordave you made me chuckle!
Your Clever SE Name
the name "pooch" is part of my last name -- but i also love pooches.
my dad was called pooch, my brother is called pooch and i always thought it was appropriate for me - given my love for our little four legged friends. that said, i guess pooch really isn't a foodie name .... though i do make homemade dogfood.... whenever i see your name@betteirene - always think it says "better-irene"! that's a plus!!!
Bad Host: Invited to dinner and asked to PAY! Would you?
your neighbor should remain a neighbor and not a dinner companion.
how tacky, selfish and rude. if he said, "hey you wanna order a pizza, dutch treat? - i'll supply the chair".... you might have known what you were walking into. but look what has happened -- his behavior is being illuminated and discussed by strangers. so what did he gain besides the lousy $13 bucks? a bad, bad rep. he's pathetic.
In Memory of The Silver Palate's Sheila Lukins
In case of hurricane, grab the cookbook.Chicken Marbella, Brie wrapped in Phyllo and Chocolate Hazelnut cake. All have become my friends all time favorites.Rest in Peace Sheila. You paved the way for all the others.
Would You Eat This Lobster?
What a great marketing opportunity. Keep the Big Boy Alive! Put this lobster on display and l make the best of it.
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
a boyfriend to cook for...
Mandatory Brunch Tip: Way or No Way?
I don't know about that one. I waitressed for quite a while after I graduated from college (admittedly, not in NYC) and I found that most people were inclined to tip MORE than the 18% gratuity built into a check if you left them to do it themselves. But if you put the 18% in there, that's it - that's automatically your tip, for better or worse.
Shame on those brunchers who weren't leaving tips!
The Nasty Bits: Dashi-Simmered Eel
@Chichi- didn't see your question when you posted it..
I only get kimosui at an unagi restaurant (in Japan, when it comes to eels we leave it to the pros), but I believe it's just a basic clear soup (bonito flakes and kelp dashi, pale soy sauce, salt) with cleaned, boiled or broiled stomach added. "kimo" usually means liver but apparently in this case it's stomach. you'll need to clean it so it wouldn't have bitter/weird taste from the gallbladder and stomach contents.
Finding Kvass & Eastern Euro foods in NJ/NY area
Ditto what everyone else said: Brighton Beach. Lots of markets there, although the only one I've been to is M&I International Foods (some photos here), which I keep going to because I LOVE THEIR CARROT CAKE.
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
My 7-spice pumpkin pie = sugar, salt, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon. Add some pure vanilla extract as well.
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
Purists use double cream (whole milk reduced by half), but evaporated milk is a good choice too. Plain pumpkin pie is very boring. Experiment with some different crusts and amendments. I like a layered apple-pumpkin pie with fresh whipped vanilla cream and a nutty crust.
Finding Kvass & Eastern Euro foods in NJ/NY area
Brighton Beach is definitely your best bet - the easiest one stop shop for Russian food, both freshly made and packaged, is International Foods. If you want a sit down restaurant - cheap, hearty, total opposite of the trendy crowds of Veselka these days - try Cafe Glechik (also B. Beach).
The Nasty Bits: Dashi-Simmered Eel
AL, river eels are fantastic stir-fried w/ yellow chives. It's one of my favorites - a classic Shanghainese topping for noodles.
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
Pumpkin pie isn't a tradition in my family, so I can change it up however I want. But I generally prefer coconut milk.
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
This is a brilliant subject.
I have been sooo good this year, so I most definitely deserve a visit from Santa.
I would love a bright red Kitchen Aid stand mixer (I keep going on Amazon whilst I am at work and gazing at it adoringly. I'm in London and KitchenAids are way more expensive over here *sigh*)
A Magimix food processor - a nice big one.
Some Le Creuset cast iron pots (?dutch ovens?) in whatever colour he wished (although ideally something bright!)
Alternatively he could just drop off the winning EuroMillions lotto ticket and I can take care of buying it all for myself!
The Nasty Bits: Dashi-Simmered Eel
I hadn't had eels since I was a kid, but I do remember that the eels we bought were frozen, but yet still delicious, now I'm in a country that has eels in most of their water and rivers, looking forwad to catching some fresh eels and trying out the recipe, great post
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6wZQBh_Bg8
Cheese.
---
Ok. La Cruset anything, food processor, toaster oven, rice cooker....
then cheese. ;o)
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
My husband's great-grandmother's recipe (definitely now my go-to recipe) uses both evaporated milk and whole milk and way more spices than I've ever used in any other recipe. The result is rich and spicy--everyone who's tried it loves it.
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
I'm hoping for a 6 burner Weber Summit Grill in Black enamel.... But I won't hold my breath. LOL
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
Thanks for the good wishes. I am working on the dreams and will achieve them by next year. Hope all your wishes come true, too!
Xmas party food
You'll have to answer some questions if I'm gonna be the caterer. I assume that this gathering is set up like a cross between a cocktail party and a buffet, with people coming and going at different times, like an open house. Do you have ways to keep hot food hot and cold food cold? Or do you prefer all food to be served at room temp? If only half the attendees brings a potluck dish, where the heck do you find the space to put 50 dishes? Do you want menu ideas that invite everyone to seriously eat, or would you rather have foods that encourage people to seriously graze?
This was our #1 Christmas-party selection when I did catering. It's festively red, white or green, the only last-minute work is reheating, it's got something to satisfy any non-meat eaters in the group, and, unless you're Italian, it's not your usual Christmas fare.
Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo (grilled and chunked chicken breast, broccoli florets, fettuccine, all slightly underdone, mixed with a thinned alfredo sauce and refrigerated until an hour before serving--heat in a 350-degree oven until hot throughout).
Three or Four Cheese Lasagna, made the day before and heated in the same oven with the alfredo.
Italian Sausage links with roasted red peppers and onions in garlicky olive oil--cooked two days beforehand and reheated on the stovetop.
Fresh steamed and buttered green beans topped with sliced toasted almonds and finely chopped dried cranberries.
Broccoli and cauliflower florets and cherry tomatos coated with Italian dressing and served in a clear glass bowl.
Italian rolls or brat buns, split, for the Italian sausage.
Baguette slices drizzled with garlic olive oil, for the pasta.
Mini cherry cheesecakes and lime shortbread for dessert.
Xmas party food
Wow Cindy22 this makes me look at holiday cooking in a whole new light! my sympathies.
That said, I'd suggest a big vat (or more) of soups/stews/chilli -- anything you can toss in big stock pot or slow cooker and walk away from.
Or things you can bake that are big servers-- big sheet cakes, corn bread in a sheet cake pan, roast a corned beef or honey ham...
a giant salad with pre cut veggies (or ones that don't need to be cut -- baby carrots, snap peas, etc.)
Pasta with diced tomato, shredded basil (I cheat and cut almost everything like this with kitchen scissors to save time), mozzarella and balsamic vinegar
good luck! hope you are still able to enjoy yourself at this party!!
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
I like half and half or evaporated milk. I also like to play around with the crust--ginger snap or a cream cheese pastry crust. Sometimes I'll incorporate nuts into the crust also--depends on my mood and what's in the pantry.
The Milk in Pumpkin Pie Debate
Heavy cream, and if I can't find it in the store, half and half is the second choice. The taste and mouthfeel can't be beat. Evaporated milk, IMHO, has a chemical/tinny taste that even the spices in pumpkin pie can't hide.
I've been using this riff on the recipe on the back of the Libby's can for years, and I've gotten nothing but raves:
Use 1/3 cup dark brown sugar & 2/3 cup white sugar instead of all white
Use 1-1/2 cups heavy cream instead of evaporated milk (half & half is OK)
Double the spices, and heap the spoons a bit & add a teaspoon of nutmeg
Use 3 eggs instead of two
Add a teaspoon of vanilla
Xmas party food
arm1970, you are exactly right. I'm the better cook and organizer, and she is the better socialite. I'm kinda shy, so I get to meet all the people by being the kitchen person. They all pass through my area, and I collect all the wine and liquor gifts to stash. Ha! I'm not a good mingler, so it works out well. Everybody remembers me from year to year, too, which would never happen in real life, right? Great suggestions so far!
What are you asking Santa (or whomever) to bring you?
maybe a new kitchen would be nice. Delivered on the 25th of December, I could do that.
Finding Kvass & Eastern Euro foods in NJ/NY area
There's a great russian deli in central, NJ in Marlboro called Arbat Deli that has Kvass and lots of other russian delicatessens. Also a few doors down theres an amazing russian restaurant called Russian Dream.
Recent Posts
need a gift certificate for a wedding in nyc.....
Posted by pooch, October 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM
cooking on top of a woodstove .... or inside one.
Posted by pooch, October 14, 2009 at 9:39 AM
thinking back to 9/11 - a meal shared with friends.....
Posted by pooch, September 11, 2009 at 9:54 AM
why are so many people wheat (gluten) sensitive?
Posted by pooch, July 15, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Recent Favorites
Serious Grape: A Mixed Case of Interesting Reds and Whites for Fall
Posted by Deb Harkness, August 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Is Artisanal, Handmade Food Always Better?
Posted by Ed Levine, March 30, 2009 at 8:00 AM
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About pooch
Location: clermont ny
About: grew up during the best era of food in brooklyn, ny. former restaurant(s) owner, specialty food shop owner, now i do some cooking here and there. living a nice clean life in the country. love my chickens.
Favorite foods: salads with olive oil, lemon & salt - roasted chicken - really good cheeses,
pears. just to name a few.
Last bite on earth: the crystal in a piece of aged parmigianno or gruyere.
sounds like you're getting the short end of the stick here, but i'm sure you're probably the more capable of the two... a blessing and a burden at the same time..... if things are just getting picked over in the beginning and then devoured at the end... why don't you ask people to bring appetizer pot luck items and then when the crowd is ready for the main meal serve one or two big somethings... like huge lasagnas and a few roasts that serve as the icing on the cake.... a huge pot of beef stew or chili.... or chicken cacciatorre...keep it simple though....
there's nothing worse than food standing out all night getting picked over...
but then again, if the crowd is feeling no pain -- would they even notice.
at that point - do whatever is most practical for you.