Recent Comments

From Talk

Missing out for a lifetime thanks to one innocent mistake.

Two things
1) rare hamburgers--it's probably the only time I got sick when I was pregnant. And I like my beef RARE. To this day I eat my burgers well done (which might be why I don't like them all that much)
and
2) Kimchi. Never, never, never get sick with something spicy like this in your stomach. 'Nuff said.

From Talk

Is the physical cookbook here to stay?

Historically people don't get rid of something when something new comes along. The movies didn't get rid of radio, television didn't get rid of movies, computers have not caused TV's to disappear. These things have changed however in how we use them. So I'm saying, yes, physical cookbooks are here to stay. But in what form? That's the interesting question!

From Talk

What to make with Roquefort cheese for dinner?

My mother used to put blue cheese in the center of our burgers. Alternatively you can put a chunk on top of a nice piece of steak. There's always that lovely stand-by: spinach, blue cheese, bacon, mushrooms and red onion salad. (You can add pears instead of mushrooms if you choose).

From Talk

I was just thinking of SE talk

My pet peeve: people who feel like they have to give a joke answer to every question. It's annoying when you have a serious question and it deteriorates into a yuck yuck discussion. Humor is great and I love the truly funny comments but some people just try too hard.

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Recent Posts

From Talk

Dangerous Oven

From Talk

Musing on vanilla

From Talk

Balsamic Vinegar: How low will you go?

From Talk

Royal Breakfast

See more posts by smallblondemom »

Recent Favorites

smallblondemom hasn't favorited a post yet.

Recent Polls

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Butterfinger" to What's Your Favorite Peanutty/Peanut Butter Candy?

From Serious Eats: New York

smallblondemom answered "macaroni and cheese" to Which dishes are you sick of?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "I don't use a straw!" to Straight or bendy, that is the question.

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Cubed" to How Do You Like Your Ice?

Recent Quizzes

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 50% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Cranberries?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 44% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Pumpkins?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 77% correct on How Much Do You Know About Watermelons?

From Sweets

smallblondemom got 60% correct on What's Your Ice Cream IQ?

See more polls and quizzes by smallblondemom »

Recent Comments

From Talk

Missing out for a lifetime thanks to one innocent mistake.

Two things
1) rare hamburgers--it's probably the only time I got sick when I was pregnant. And I like my beef RARE. To this day I eat my burgers well done (which might be why I don't like them all that much)
and
2) Kimchi. Never, never, never get sick with something spicy like this in your stomach. 'Nuff said.

From Talk

Is the physical cookbook here to stay?

Historically people don't get rid of something when something new comes along. The movies didn't get rid of radio, television didn't get rid of movies, computers have not caused TV's to disappear. These things have changed however in how we use them. So I'm saying, yes, physical cookbooks are here to stay. But in what form? That's the interesting question!

From Talk

What to make with Roquefort cheese for dinner?

My mother used to put blue cheese in the center of our burgers. Alternatively you can put a chunk on top of a nice piece of steak. There's always that lovely stand-by: spinach, blue cheese, bacon, mushrooms and red onion salad. (You can add pears instead of mushrooms if you choose).

From Talk

I was just thinking of SE talk

My pet peeve: people who feel like they have to give a joke answer to every question. It's annoying when you have a serious question and it deteriorates into a yuck yuck discussion. Humor is great and I love the truly funny comments but some people just try too hard.

From Sweets

Taste Test: Supermarket Chocolate Ice Cream

A friend of mine who works at one of these ice cream makers once told me that they make the chocolate ice cream last because it doesn't matter if the machinery is completely clean from the last batch. Nuff said.

From Talk

Dangerous Oven

Thank you all and @Jim-Bob --that's exactly the information we have been looking for.

From Talk

For those of you who have worked with/served food...

I own a Bed & Breakfast and I have been having this rant to myself in the kitchen and am more than happy to share it with you:

We send them a letter before they arrive stating that we are happy to accomodate special diets, so why wait until you sit down for breakfast to tell me you don't eat eggs?

It's a B&B, part of the deal is that everyone eats the same thing--no, you don't get to ask for 'scrambled eggs' because you don't like something. We serve a variety of fresh fruits, and other dishes. I can come up with something on the fly but it is so much better if you give me a little notice.

The biggest pain is the person who "doesn't want to be a bother", so they sit in silence and don't eat. It makes me nuts! I WANT to serve you a good breakfast. Help me out here and let me know what you need!

On the other hand, we also have people who give us a long list of "allergies" or "my husband doesn't eat XYZ" and then they get here and see the food and suddenly the allergy disappears!

And the number one irritant: the person who asks for the moon (Lactose intollerant, gluten-free, egg allergy, no white sugar) and gets it and never says thank you!

From Talk

Favorite Kitchen Appliance/Gadget

I was given a number of really large pots and bowls when I was married which I still use 32 years later. I love my stockpot, the huge crockery bowl for bread, the beautiful large tray--so often these are things which we think we won't need when just starting out but appreciate having!

From Talk

...squirted out of my nose.

I was talking in a restaurant and used my hands to make a gesture and smacked our waiter right in the balls.

From Talk

Secret recipes: yay or nay?

I think I may have told this story before but here goes: when I was younger, I had a wonderful carrot cake recipe which I refused to share with anyone as I was under the impression that it was somehow important that it be "my" recipe and no one else's. Then we moved and the notebook with the recipe was lost. I was able to replace all the others because I had shared them (or been given them by friends) but that particular cake was gone for good. And it served me right.

I can still make a pretty good carrot cake and it is the cake that was sold by the slice at my kids' school fair as so many people want it. But I will give that recipe to anyone who asks. It hasn't affected the sale value yet!

The person who said it isn't the recipe but the cook is exactly right. Two people can make the same recipe and the dishes will be just a little different. I know this from my own experience trying to make sure my assistant innkeeper serves the same food I do when I am not here.

So share the recipe folks!

From Sweets

Bake the Book: 'Whoopie Pies'

Up to now, the only whoopie (pie) I've ever had has been made by me and it was the best. I am sure I could make my best even better with this book! (-: !!!! And I know that smiley face is backward: my husband says I need to get my head on straight!

From Talk

Substitution for Marshmallow fluff?

I make my own marshmallow fluff for my whoopie pie filling (same recipe as yours!). It's dead easy, tastes so much better than the commercial stuff and you can freeze what you don't use for later.

From Talk

Do you like buffets...really?

Hate them for the most part--too much food with too little care and originality going into it. Geared toward pleasing most people without chancing anything. I don't want a plate piled high, I want a reasonable portion of well-prepared food. And I particularly dislike breakfast buffets as I am not a big breakfast eater. All I want is some fresh fruit, toast and a cup of tea.

From Talk

Musing on vanilla

In theory then, it shouldn't make any difference because the alcohol dissipates leaving the flavouring behind

From Talk

"Nothing to write home about"

"To be honest..." Why? Aren't you usually?

From Talk

Lemon Dessert Help

I use 2 limes and 1 lemon and add the grated rind from 1 lime and 1/2 lemon. It makes it slightly more citric and not so sticky sweet

From Talk

Foods I refuse to eat in the name of "health"

Anything pretending to be what it is not: tofu "meat", margarine, "creamer"
turkey bacon (Bleech!). Celebrate the flavor of the food. If you choose to be a vegetarian then don't spend your time looking for meat "substitutes". Enjoy the honest flavor of what you are eating.

From Talk

Hard-Core Cooking Projects

And then I just looked at Funghi Porcini's comment and realized that we posted the same thing at the same time!

From Talk

Hard-Core Cooking Projects

Cassoulet for Christmas Eve--three days in the making but soooo worth it!

From Talk

What atmosphere turns you on or off when you are dining out?

I don't mind children in child-friendly restaurants and a well behaved child in a good restaurant is nice to see. My reasoning being that, if it's a family restaurant than I should expect to see families. And God knows my kids acted up from time to time --I used to have to fly across the world with them. I always try to remember that THEY are the children not us.

The places I don't go back to are the ones where it is impossible to have a decent conversation because it's too loud. Doesn't matter if it's music, bad acoustics or the waiters chatting. I would like to hear my partners without straining. And my next to most uncomfortable place is one where it is soooooooooo quiet that a laugh seems out of place! Pretentious is bad, too informal is bad, too loud, too quiet...seems like extremes are the negatives for me!

From Serious Eats

This Week in Eating Out

Clue me in...what is that a picture of??????

From Sweets

Preserved: Strawberry Balsamic Thyme Jam

Try using balsamic vinegar and thyme in a blueberry pie--unbelievable!

From Talk

Most Beautiful Thing In Your Kitchen

The view of the sunset out the window, in the summer I can see children walking back from the beach, sunburnt, cool and tired. In the winter the rabbits and deer share the field in front of the house, and always in the background are the members of my family cooking, talking and laughing

From Talk

Jalfrezi curry...ever heard of it ???

Absolutely. Jalfrezi is a common curry in India. Most usually with chicken but it could certainly work with shrimp

From Talk

Do you feel like eating more when you watch cooking shows?

The only show I always seem to find myself eating and watching is the Biggest Loser--go figure!

See more comments by smallblondemom »

Recent Posts

From Talk

Dangerous Oven

From Talk

Musing on vanilla

From Talk

Balsamic Vinegar: How low will you go?

From Talk

Royal Breakfast

From Talk

I don't refrigerate...

From Talk

Vegan, gluten-free, yeast allergy, vegetarian--one meal for all

From Talk

Leftover Strawberries in sugar syrup

From Talk

Food Blogs-how do they work?

From Talk

Problem Loading Comments

From Talk

Thanks! But what do I do with it? (15 frozen Habaneros)

From Talk

Your favorite quiche filling?

From Talk

Anything but eggs!

From Talk

How many grinds of the pepper mill equal...?

From Talk

Twice Baked Cheese Souffle

From Talk

Pre-sliced ham. Why?

From Talk

Fennel Pollen

From Talk

Challenge: Six weeks with only a hot plate and a microwave

From Talk

Power of the Hood: Question for the Appliance Geeks!

From Talk

Soft'ees Donuts: why the apostrophe?

From Talk

Is cooking a really big turkey any different from a smaller one?

From Talk

Can't eat it anymore

From Talk

Can you brine a goose?

From Talk

Shipping Home-made cookies

From Talk

Vegan and Carnivores eating together

From Talk

Blueberries and Balsamic Vinegar in Pie?

See more posts by smallblondemom »

Recent Favorites

smallblondemom hasn't favorited a post yet.

Polls

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Butterfinger" to What's Your Favorite Peanutty/Peanut Butter Candy?

From Serious Eats: New York

smallblondemom answered "macaroni and cheese" to Which dishes are you sick of?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "I don't use a straw!" to Straight or bendy, that is the question.

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Cubed" to How Do You Like Your Ice?

From A Hamburger Today

smallblondemom answered "No, because I will force them to love burgers." to Your Sweetheart Doesn't Like Burgers—Dealbreaker?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Other" to What's Your Favorite Hummus Flavor?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Pointy Ears" to Which Part of the Chocolate Easter Bunny Do You Eat First?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Way" to Grocery store self-checkout lanes: way or no way?

From A Hamburger Today

smallblondemom answered "No preference" to Do You Like Secret Sauce on Your Burger?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Basically #2 but with a crunchy (usually from toasted breadcrumbs) layer on top." to How Do You Like Your Mac and Cheese?

From Talk

smallblondemom answered "Fruit combo" to How Do You Top Your Pancakes?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Snickers: Betty White Tackled" to Which of These Was Your Favorite?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Every last drop. Gone. Slurp. " to Do You Clean Your Plate?

From Talk

smallblondemom answered "Yes" to Do Beans Belong in Chili?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Soda" to What Do You Call Cola Drinks

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom answered "Foodgasm" to Which Food Term Bugs You the Most?

See more polls by smallblondemom »

Quizzes

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 50% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Cranberries?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 44% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Pumpkins?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 77% correct on How Much Do You Know About Watermelons?

From Sweets

smallblondemom got 60% correct on What's Your Ice Cream IQ?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 62% correct on How Much Do You Know About Passover Foods?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 62% correct on How Much Do You Know About Cheese?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 75% correct on How Much Do You Know About Food Preservation?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 28% correct on How Much Do You Know About Chocolate Chip Cookies?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 33% correct on How Much Do You Know About Condiments?

From Slice

smallblondemom got 50% correct on Slice Quiz No. 1

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 77% correct on How Much Do You Know About Chocolate?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 55% correct on How Much Do You Know About New Orleans Food Culture?

From Serious Eats

smallblondemom got 62% correct on How Much Do You Know About Vegan Substitutes?

See more quizzes by smallblondemom »

About smallblondemom

Website: http://blog.carolinabb.com

Location: smallblondemom

About: After 27 years overseas my husband and I moved back to the USA and bought a bed and breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina (www.carolinabb.com). It's the perfect job for me: I get to cook for a "big" family, garden and decorate, which I would do anyway!

Favorite foods: Seafood--any type, fresh peaches and tomatoes, cheese

Last bite on earth: Caviar and Blinis, The fish with beurre blanc I first ate in Paris, a green salad and a fruit pie