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savecara's Profile

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Location: Queens, NY

About: I'm Italian, so an obsession with cooking is akin to breathing. New recipes, tips and tricks discussions, and help with cracking some tough culinary problems are always welcomed!

Favorite foods: Anything my mom cooks, sushi, anything grilled, things made at home that are usually purchased pre-made, peanut butter, VEGGIES, yogurt/sour cream, anything cooked FOR me!

Last bite on earth: possibly my grandparents' secret recipe chocolate cake

The Ten Most Recent Posts By savecara

From Talk

How to Cope with the NYC Rental Kitchen?

Posted by savecara, July 18, 2008 at 10:21 AM

Your wisdom is greatly requested, SEers!

I've lived (rented) in the NYC for a decade now but have struck it relatively lucky with decent kitchens/appliances for most of that time. Until now. Tomorrow I am moving into a beautiful, cheap apartment close to the train in a great neighborhood, top floor, sun-drenched, you name it. Then there's the kitchen.

It's not the size of the kitchen that perplexes me so much as the My-First-Appliances -- easily the smallest refrigerator and stove I have ever seen. The stove is the 20" Summit model with no hood and one rack, and I am losing sleep over wondering if I can fit a standard size cookie sheet in and close the oven door at the same time.

In this particular neighborhood, and given my desperate need to move and compromise with my boyfriend, it would have been silly to pass up an apartment like this. But since it is a rental and I can't really purchase new major appliances, I'm going to have to reach into the depths of my creative self to cope.

Have you had a similar compromise to make? How did you deal? What gadgets helped? What's your sage advice?

12 Comments

From Talk

What side dish to serve with lamb?

Posted by savecara, May 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM

I'm making a simple recipe for lamb shoulders - a rub of curry powder, s&p, browned, then baked for a few minutes.

In the past, I've prepared it with a side of smashed peas (peas, shallots, mint, lemon juice, etc), but I'm looking for something new and easy.

What do you eat with your lamb?

16 Comments

From Talk

Help keep my bread fresh!

Posted by savecara, May 22, 2008 at 11:23 AM

So about last November, I swore off commercially produced bread and started only making my own, suspicious of ingredients and in an effort to be more thrifty. It's been wonderful -- the smell of fresh bread baking is incentive enough. I make mostly bread for lunch sandwiches, a combo of wheat and white bread flour, agave nectar, olive oil, water, yeast, and salt. I usually enhance it with some ground flaxseed and vital gluten.

However, I've had a tricky problem. The reason I avoid store-bought bread is primarily because of preservatives, but darn, they do serve a purpose. I store my bread in a plastic Zip-loc bag once cooled, and it only seems to last for a couple of days, max.

Has anyone had any luck keeping bread fresh longer? A storage contraption or method that is exceptionally air-tight? A secret (natural) ingredient that gives you a few extra days with your lovingly made loaf?

14 Comments | Tagged: bread, freshness

From Talk

Breadmaking Secrets

Posted by savecara, March 18, 2008 at 10:57 AM

So I've recently become obsessed with baking my own bread -- I've been store-bought-free for three weeks. Naturally, there is still a lot of experimenting going on with types, flours, and those little tips and tricks of the trade.

What are your tricks and pieces of advice? And also, what's the best way to kick up the fiber content?

4 Comments

From Talk

Help Me Eat My Way Through Germany!

Posted by savecara, March 6, 2008 at 11:44 AM

I will need so much exercise after all the meats and beers. However, if you have any favorite spots in Berlin, Munich, Dresden, Nuremberg, or Salzburg (Austria), let me know so I can at least have a game plan.

Danke!

4 Comments | Tagged: Austria, Berlin, Dresden, Germany, Munich, Nuremberg, recommendations, Salzburg

From Talk

Menu Planning Challenge...Impressive, yet Kid-Friendly Dessert!

Posted by savecara, February 28, 2008 at 2:53 PM

This weekend I'll be visiting the fam. As has become the custom, I'll cook lunch on Sunday for three adults and four children, ages 6-17, who are somewhat picky eaters. On the menu are fancy grilled chicken burgers with all the fixings, roasted yam fries (some russet fries for the pickies) and a veggie/salad.

My challenge is a tasty, not-too-calorie-laden dessert that will wow the adults and satisfy the kids' palate, that also matches the "Burgers and Fries" theme. Any ideas?

18 Comments | Tagged: challenge, kids, lunch, picky eaters

From Talk

There Will Be Pesto...

Posted by savecara, February 22, 2008 at 12:34 PM

For days, and days, and days. I went overboard, thanks to a bunch of beautiful, fresh basil the size of Daniel Plainview's ego.

But what to do with it now? What do YOU brilliant and culinarily gifted people do with your pesto? What other manifestations do your large bunches of basil take? Bonus points for creativity and flourish!

15 Comments | Tagged: pesto, sauces

From Talk

Bread maker recommendations?

Posted by savecara, February 7, 2008 at 11:03 AM

Tired of paying $4/loaf for organic sandwich bread, I'd like to invest in a bread machine. I've never used one before, and there are so many on the market that I don't even know where to begin.

I would use it for loaves of whole wheat sandwich bread, and occasionally some fruit/nut breads. Preferably something on the fast side, not too bulky, and does not easily overheat.

What do you use? Is there one that fits these specs? Thanks!

25 Comments | Tagged: bread maker, recommendations

From Talk

Shortcut Secrets...

Posted by savecara, January 29, 2008 at 9:32 AM

What are your secret (or, not so secret) shortcuts in cooking? Do you do everything from scratch except for that one little trick? What is it?

Mine is Annie Chun's Pad Thai sauce...no experimentation of my own with the million different possible ingredients has ever made home cooked pad thai taste so good.

I know you have them!

21 Comments | Tagged: cooking, technique

From Talk

Calling All At-Home Sushi Experts...

Posted by savecara, January 25, 2008 at 10:24 AM

Please tell me where and what you buy to make your sushi at home, and share your secret tricks. Fresh fish? Nori? Good crab stick? Rice tricks? Rolling technique? Special rolls? Veggie rolls?

My only attempt involved cheap ingredients that produced edible, nicely-rolled maki, but certainly not something I'd serve to guests, or even bother making again instead of ordering out. The nori was too chewy and salty, the crab stick was funky, and I had trouble perfecting the rice without a rice cooker.

S.O.S, people...Save Our Sushi!

7 Comments | Tagged: sushi

The Ten Most Recent Comments By savecara

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

@embolini9...isn't that better than walking around eating a Big Mac?

There's a distinct path from my gym to the Japanese grocery on 59th and 2nd to the train to go home...my boyfriend and I can often be found on the Queens-bound N train in the evening with gym bag in one hand and chopsticks in the other.

While I think that contextual manners should be observed say, at Mass or in the workplace, people gotta eat!

savecara at 4:04PM on 07/22/08

From Talk

PB&J or Grilled Cheese?

Dios mio, what kind of question is that?! How do you choose?

I guess PBJ, by a crumb. But only if it's on toasted, homemade honey wheat bread with seedless blackberry or apple jam, and natural (no sugar added) peanut butter. With an enormous glass of milk. Or in my case, Lactaid.

savecara at 1:40PM on 07/21/08

From Talk

Dining with kids

I'm going to be daring and put my own two sense in about this...with no offense to your friend, in my experience, kids eat what they are given for the most part and manners are learned. I don't have kids, but I did help raise a younger sibling and have seven nieces and nephews, not to mention having taught and tutored young kids for years.

My sister's kids favored liverwurst and muenster cheese sandwiches at age 3. I recently tutored twin 10-year-olds whose favorite foods are sashimi, sweet potatoes, and roasted kale. My nephews/nieces have always been able to be taken to just about any kind of dining establishment and practiced manners, but I've also worked with kids who came to summer school with cheetos-stained fingers first thing in the morning.

So while some kids are just naturally picky with foods, I think all kids can have at a palate that at least expands beyond chicken fingers and pizza, so long as the parents make a great effort to stretch them in that direction.

As for the video games at the table...that's just up to the parent. I'm a strong believer in not putting kids in situations that set them up for failure (such as taking an active six-year-old with you while you clothes shop all day), but when kids become used to habits like playing at the dinner table, it will be harder for them to do otherwise in more formal situations. It really comes back to what's allowed at home and the overall level of discipline.

savecara at 9:56AM on 07/21/08

From Talk

How to Cope with the NYC Rental Kitchen?

You guys are supportive, thanks. Am writing all these ideas in my notepad. I posted with the fear of sounding a little spoiled, I just love to cook and can get messy and ridiculous, so the thought of limited space has been a bit of a let-down. However, it sounds totally do-able, and maybe I'll just have to try to change some of my habits.

Love the island idea, too -- I have a 3-foot butcher block/rack/amazing lifesaver of a kitchen unit. Also, when did toaster ovens get so advanced?! I did a little googling after reading your suggestions, and I am shocked.

savecara at 4:04PM on 07/18/08

From Talk

Hot Weather Food Ideas

Couscous! The only heat comes from boiling the water, and the mix-in combos are endless.

I second the rotisserie chicken from the local place, shredded on top of spinach, juicy tomatoes, avocado slices, and dressed with a little evoo, red wine vinegar, and s&p.

savecara at 12:13PM on 07/18/08

From Serious Eats: New York

Is Your Starbucks Closing? Do You Care?

My only hope is that the silver cart guys reap the benefits! How can you go wrong with a fresh, strong 50 cent cup of coffee, made to order with a smile?

savecara at 10:34AM on 07/18/08

From Talk

The food at Carmine's in Times Square is...good....?

Carmines definitely has its place...I mean, what are the alternatives in Times Square -- Red Lobster and Olive Garden? The food is really good, the couple of times I was there the service was also really friendly and accommodating to groups, which can be a very special challenge in the city.

I certainly wouldn't go for a nice, quiet Saturday night out, but if I had a bunch of people coming into town and/or a picky group, it's a great place to go.

Serving a similar function, I have to plug Havana Central I believe on 46th. I recently had a party of 12 there with no problem -- service was great, drinks were strong, and I thought the food was really excellent relative to the price and location. Lively atmosphere, too. Including drinks, tax, and tip, the bill for 12 people came in under $400. Also picky-eater friendly.

savecara at 10:28AM on 07/18/08

From Talk

falafel mix

Yes, your water ratio is a little high. One mix that I buy from the international supermarket in my hood recommends 1 part water to three parts mix, and rest for a half hour before forming into patties and cook how you want. Averse to frying anything, I actually cooked them on a George Foreman, and for homemade falafel, I was happy with the results.

Good luck!

savecara at 10:11AM on 07/18/08

From Talk

Dining pre-Dark Knight in Midtown, NYC

Kodama Sushi, 45th between 8th and 9th on the north side of the street. Awesome sushi, maki, and reasonable beers and saki if you want to get a little sauced beforehand. I have some fish allergies and have never had one problem getting stuffed on the vegetarian maki selection. Good, quick service too.

savecara at 9:25AM on 07/17/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'The Food Life'

Fairway Red Hook! Cheap, over-the-top selection and quality, and socially conscious to boot. No trip to Fairway is complete without a sandwich from the counter and some quality boat-watching time.

savecara at 3:48PM on 07/15/08

Responses to Comments by savecara

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

I've eaten lunches in bathrooms--especially when I was a student and spent hours in a tiny library where it was impossible to find a place (besides the bathroom) to nosh and work where you weren't in view of a librarian who would kick you out for eating. (And I wouldn't blame them a bit.)

I've eaten in research laboratories where food was verboten but long hours were required and no break room was provided. (God only knows what kinds of nasties I consumed with my Clif Bars and coffee.)

I once, as a kid, ate a burger and fries in my parents' pickup truck while the boxed ashes of my grandfather's remains slid around on the dashboard. (We were on the way to the cemetery that was his final resting place.)

In Japan, I did eat and drink in cemeteries during cherry blossom viewing season, but living in Japan meant never, never, never eating or drinking while walking down the street or on trains or on any public transport. Ever. Not even candy bars. Not even coffee. Even chewing gum was highly suspect.

Tokyorosa at 3:17AM on 07/24/08

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

Let me preface this by saying: Don't judge me.

I was a poor college student, out of my parents house for the first time. I was working and going to school, I was editor-in-chief of two campus publications, I was taking more units than neccessary and I always seemed to be too busy and entirely sleep deprived.

As editor-in-chief, if you left the newsroom, they would find you. They would hunt you down and drag you back into the newsroom to edit and make calls and fact check and blah blah blah. It was like you weren't allowed to breathe, but there was this unspoken rule that if you said, "I'm going to the restroom," people would just chill out and leave you alone and not come searching for you. On more than one occassion I'd run like hell, grab Subway, and eat my sandwich in the women's restroom, sitting on the floor, propping myself up against the wall next to the sinks.

In my defense, they were new, freakishly clean bathrooms.

PumpkinBear at 11:55PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

@orangeobsession:
My sister just told me about an incident at her church- her pastor was just readying to enter with the lectors, eucharistic ministers, etc, the organist was just opening up with the processional hymn, when the priest glanced to his right to see a man sitting in the back row, a few feet away, tucking into his bag of McDonald's breakfast plus a huge takeout cup of coffee. He was not a homeless man, either- the priest recognized him as a parishioner.

He said nothing at the time, but did vent at a later mass that just when he thought he'd seen everything, this was a new one!

moibec at 6:23PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

PB&J or Grilled Cheese?

Grilled cheese without a doubt. I could definitely live without peanut butter and jelly in sandwich form. Peanut butter and jelly as separate items? No, but defiitely in sandwich form. I seriously love grilled cheese.

Schnauzer_Mama at 5:24PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

PB&J or Grilled Cheese?

Peanut Butter no jelly ever. I like it on whole wheat toast with fake bacon bits or crumbled potato chips. I eat it for breakfast, lunch or late night snack.

eatorama at 5:18PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

PB&J or Grilled Cheese?

Grilled cheese FOR SURE!

hungrychristel at 3:13PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

In junior high school, I saw another girl eating a candy bar in the bathroom. 'Nuff said!

robincat at 2:47PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

A friend and I had gone to a specialty cheese shop one day before going to see a movie, and we smuggled in some runny goats milk cheese and some specialty crackers. The cheese was so pungent when we took it out of the packaging it was in, that someone in the theater kept looking around wondering what the smell was. I finally decided to throw the cheese out because I felt it was rude to ruin someone else's movie experience because my cheese stinks.

Tasty Morsel at 12:49PM on 07/23/08

From Talk

Out-of-context eating

I've been reading this thread and wondering why I couldn't post any. Seems like I've seen it happen so many times, but the closest I could remember was watching my brother eat Chinese takeout while driving. A standard, mind you.

renzata at 11:31AM on 07/23/08

From Talk

PB&J or Grilled Cheese?

Grilled Cheese!

However, I love peanuts, and also enjoy peanut butter, especially the 'chunky' variety, but I'm not a big fan of jelly.

FastFoodCritic at 10:46AM on 07/23/08