Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Ice Balls: Because Ice Cubes Have Too Much Surface Area

I'm pretty sure that the crescent shaped ones are used because they take up more space in the glass, leaving less room for liquor. Not sure who came up with them but my guess is that it was a tavern owner.

sloppy at 2:25PM on 05/08/08

I'm off to NYC..

I agree with the Tottono's/Coney Island rec but be aware that the Cyclones (Mets minor league team) season doesn't open for another month and a half. Also -- if you decide to take the trip to DiFara go in the late afternoon on a weekday or be prepared to stand in line for at least an hour.

sloppy at 3:12PM on 05/05/08

From Row to Dough: Pizza Farm Grows Almost All Pie Ingredients On Site

What is wrong with some people? I think this is pretty damn cool -- the family obviously cares about pizza (enough to build a brick oven) and the ingredients are as fresh as possible. It sounds like it would be a real pleasure to sit outside and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Yes, that one looks a little cheese heavy but no one is claiming that this is the next Bianco.

I never cease to be amazed by the odd things that get people worked up online.

sloppy at 2:55PM on 05/01/08

Cook the Book: Lidia's Italy

this is very basic but a crusty loaf of bread baked that day usually gets big raves. not sure if that really counts as cooking to impress...

sloppy at 3:36PM on 04/28/08

I can't eat ------ like I used to!

I used to wolf down pepperoncini as a snack all the time, either with feta cheese or just by themselves. Any more than one or two of them now and my stomach is a mess for the next 24 hours.

sloppy at 3:19PM on 04/28/08

French Fry Holder For Your Car

ccweb & bobcatsteph -- bring it to the haters!

seriously, people are assholes (i think that is supposed to be in a david cross voice but i'm not quite sure). i personally love there there are so many people willing to make decisions for me..it makes my life easier. i just wish i could figure out how to make them do my job for me while i sit back and sign the checks.

sloppy at 4:48PM on 04/25/08

Why Can't You Get a Good Slice Outside New York City? 'Wired' Magazine Says It's the Water

It's pretty clear that the premise is wrong. Trenton, New Haven, and Phoenix don't get their water from the Catskills.

sloppy at 2:11PM on 04/24/08

The Chronicle on A16 in San Francisco

I just watched that clip and I agree with Paulie, that looks like some damn fine pizza. I'll have to pick one up if I'm ever in SF.

sloppy at 4:29PM on 04/22/08

Fresh Artichokes

I usually mix lemon juice and butter somewhere around 2-1 lemon juice. You can cut the butter way back to make it healthier and it still tastes great. Mixing in a little salt helps too.

sloppy at 2:30PM on 04/22/08

Responses to Comments by sloppy

A Lesson for Omnivores: Vegetarian Myths, Debunked

What a great article. Thanks so much for posting this. I've been a vegetarian for most of my adult life. The aggressive distain of some meat-eaters frustrates and saddens me, but no more so than the presumption of moral superiority of some vegetarians. I'm with you, fascfoo.

baboo at 6:58PM on 05/11/08

A Lesson for Omnivores: Vegetarian Myths, Debunked

As many know, it's not that meat doesn't taste good, it's that it's FLESH. Some people are not into eating FLESH, considering it a revolting practice. Human flesh is supposedly divine when it's roasted up, why aren't we eating that? It's just exactly the same thing. Tastebuds are very easily entertained by flavor - all junk food being a case in point. And how then, can vegetarians not judge meat-eaters? Respect and unconditional love over-rides judgement among the educated.

june2 at 6:02PM on 05/11/08

A Lesson for Omnivores: Vegetarian Myths, Debunked

As Wunami's comment clearly illustrates, yes, this topic is still VERY relevant.

I'm an omnivore (tried the veggie thing for awhile - it didn't work out), and there are an unbelievable amount of meat eaters out there who think that the mere existence of vegetarianism as some sort personal affront to their way of life. It's annoying as all hell. There are meat-eaters who are fine with vegetarians and vice versa. The more middle ground there is, the more we can get rid of the assholes on the extreme ends of both groups.

fascfoo at 10:50AM on 05/11/08

A Lesson for Omnivores: Vegetarian Myths, Debunked

sloppy, unfortunately the *sshole comments are not abnormal. This is actually a very civilized discussion here with a lot of respect.

And Gordon Ramsey is well known for his disdain of vegetarians (as is Bourdain) and has taken great pleasure in tricking vegetarians into consuming animal products. What I don't get is he donates money for the domestic abuse as his mother was battered but doesn't understand how disrespectful, controlling, deceptive and abusive his own actions are.

But GR is hardly the only one. There's tales all over the net of meat eaters taking glee over having put one over on vegetarians. And then there are the ones who write into advice columns for help on how to turn their girlfriends to meat and ideas on how to sneak meat in so she'll find out how much she really does like it.

Other advice column questions regard how selfish brides are who would even consider not serving meat for their guests and the evil vegan bosses who will be throwing an office party that won't have meat in the spread which can possibly be anything but a nightmare and are they still obligated to go...?

Heck, there was even the Miss Manners question from the couple who were so upset to find out via the church gossip the couple whose company they so enjoyed a few weeks prior were ::whisper, whisper:: VEGANS! Which meant they'd been tricked into eating vegan cake and they don't like soy!

Sieseye at 12:42PM on 05/10/08

A Lesson for Omnivores: Vegetarian Myths, Debunked

I don't eat beef, lamb or pork but I do eat chicken, turkey and fish. I have my own reasons for my eating choices and I never expect anyone to understand them nor do I ever judge anyone else for eating those animals. My immediate family took some time to "get it" but when I visit they always have a chicken or fish option which I appreciate. I am also appreciative when others make an effort to do the same but I would never expect anyone to go out of their way and am happy to eat sides when the main course doesn't appeal. What I'm trying to say is that no matter what anyone chooses to eat, a mutual respect is always the best way to go.

amosbkln at 3:15PM on 05/09/08

Vegetarians: What dish could (briefly) turn you back to meat?

I am a vegetarian for a lot of reasons, so I no longer eat meat at all. For the first year or two, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas, I would miss it, but now I don't "crave" any sort of animal protein.

Okay, maybe ONE THING still gets to me --- the smell of pancetta sauteeing in a pan, but even then, the smell has to be enough, because as much as I'd love a taste, I won't take one. Really. I swear. Honest and truly.

Brownie at 9:25AM on 05/09/08

Vegetarians: What dish could (briefly) turn you back to meat?

A NY Strip steak, lovingly cooked to medium rare or less, is a thing of beauty.
That, and anything you shove in front of me when I've been drinking. I get the booze munchies. Usually it's hot wings that get past my veggie filter in this state.
Strange that my meat concessions should be some of the bloodiest/boniest options, instead of something barely meat-seeming like a burger or chicken nuggets.
(Vegetarian for objections to the meat industry. So actually that farm-raised, ethically treated, happy cow that becomes my steak at a fancy steak place is fine with me.)

veggiesattva at 1:29AM on 05/09/08

Vegetarians: What dish could (briefly) turn you back to meat?

while I often classify myself as a vegetarian because its simply easier to do so, I enjoy eating meat when I do. I have given in to temptation with my mom's bbq pulled pork many times. She always makes it specially for me, because she loves meat, loves to tell me she loves meat, and loves cooking meat knowing the family 'vegetarian' will eat it.

allistew at 1:13AM on 05/09/08

A List of Regional Pizza Styles

I moved away from Pittsburgh the Bay Area (where there is plenty of good pizza) and i STILL crave Aiello's!!!! Pittsburgh pies do have a unique taste- its the sweeter sauce.

Ohio Valley pizza certainly deserves its own category- its pretty unique.

If you want true Ohio Valley Pizza, you have to go to the Firehouse in Ambridge, PA on Merchant street. Only open on the weekends, the business is run by firemen to support the firehouse (we're talking real social capital here). Its not my favorite (really dougy crust) but its certainly an experience.

Another experience would be Tony R's pizza in Sewickley on Nevin Ave. A tiny pizzaria run by Tony (who does all the deliveries himself) and his two sons.

katie123 at 2:03PM on 05/07/08