Recent Comments

From Talk

Olive Garden

We go to Olive Garden a couple times a month. The service has always been excellent. We go when we want a lot of fresh salad and pretty good soup for a good price. The only other place to get unlimited soup and salad in the Twin Cities would be a buffet.

smile at 8:57PM on 10/28/11

From Talk

Broccoli overload

Broccoli Mash-

Steam or boil in shallow water until the broccoli is really soft. Saute it with a little oil and garlic. Mash it with a big fork and add some salt.

It's simple and delicious side that has been in my family forever. I like to eat it with rice, but we normally have it with whatever Italian dish we cook.

smile at 1:41PM on 10/26/11

From Talk

Olive Garden

I've asked this question somewhere else before. The answer I got was that the soups and pasta sauces are all made that day from scratch, but only an employee who is certified to make them can do so.

smile at 9:43PM on 10/24/11

From Talk

What do you get at Subway?

@ajmill- I agree. Don't know why this thread went where it did...


Thanks for ruining my thread people!

smile at 7:47AM on 09/30/11

See more comments by smile »

Recent Posts

From Talk

What do you get at Subway?

Posted by smile, September 27, 2011 at 10:53 PM

From Talk

If you've ever worked at a chain restaurant/ fast food place...

Posted by smile, May 21, 2011 at 12:44 PM

From Talk

Cooking a fresh turkey

Posted by smile, October 10, 2010 at 10:03 PM

From Talk

A couple veganizes the entire Betty Crocker cookbook!

Posted by smile, May 15, 2010 at 11:02 AM

See more posts by smile »

Recent Favorites

smile hasn't favorited a post yet.

Recent Polls

From Serious Eats: New York

smile answered "Yes! " to Do You Like Panettone?

Poll posted by The Serious Eats Team, December 21, 2010 at 11:15 AM

From Serious Eats: New York

smile answered "I prefer well-prepared coffee, but can do with generic stuff in a pinch." to How Picky Are You About Coffee?

Poll posted by The Serious Eats Team, November 30, 2010 at 11:15 AM

From Serious Eats

smile answered "Reese's Peanut Butter Cups" to What's Your Favorite Peanutty/Peanut Butter Candy?

Poll posted by Lee Zalben, October 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM

From Serious Eats

smile answered "Yes" to Do You Buy Store Brands More Often Than Name Brands?

Poll posted by Erin Zimmer, September 8, 2010 at 8:00 PM

Recent Quizzes

From Serious Eats

smile got 100% correct on How Much Do You Know About Regional Sandwiches?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, May 17, 2010 at 11:30 AM

From Sweets

smile got 80% correct on What's Your Ice Cream IQ?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, April 19, 2010 at 7:00 PM

From Serious Eats

smile got 80% correct on How Much Do You Know About Food TV and Its Personalities?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, April 26, 2010 at 1:45 PM

See more polls and quizzes by smile »

Recent Comments

From Talk

Olive Garden

We go to Olive Garden a couple times a month. The service has always been excellent. We go when we want a lot of fresh salad and pretty good soup for a good price. The only other place to get unlimited soup and salad in the Twin Cities would be a buffet.

smile at 8:57PM on 10/28/11

From Talk

Broccoli overload

Broccoli Mash-

Steam or boil in shallow water until the broccoli is really soft. Saute it with a little oil and garlic. Mash it with a big fork and add some salt.

It's simple and delicious side that has been in my family forever. I like to eat it with rice, but we normally have it with whatever Italian dish we cook.

smile at 1:41PM on 10/26/11

From Talk

Olive Garden

I've asked this question somewhere else before. The answer I got was that the soups and pasta sauces are all made that day from scratch, but only an employee who is certified to make them can do so.

smile at 9:43PM on 10/24/11

From Talk

What do you get at Subway?

@ajmill- I agree. Don't know why this thread went where it did...


Thanks for ruining my thread people!

smile at 7:47AM on 09/30/11

From Talk

What do you get at Subway?

I get different things depending on the mood I'm in.

If I'm disgusted by most food, I get the Veggie Delight on wheat with all the vegetables, salt, pepper, oil and vinegar. American cheese and not toasted.

If I want something classic, I get the Italian on white with 1/2 the meat with lettuce, tomato, yellow pepper and Italian dressing. Also American cheese. Not toasted.

If I'm feeling nostalgic, I get the Cold-cut Combo on white with 1/2 the meat (that I rearrange when I get the sandwich), lettuce, tomato, olives, salt, pepper and mayo. American cheese. Not toasted.

If I'm in the mood for something warm, I'll get the Meatball on white, toasted, with provolone, tomato and parm.

smile at 10:58PM on 09/27/11

From Talk

Best source for mail-order baked goods?

Zingermans!

smile at 11:32PM on 09/08/11

From Talk

Mine is Better Than Yours

Guacamole

smile at 9:50PM on 09/07/11

From Talk

What is the worst pizza you have ever eaten?

Carbone's in Minnesota.

smile at 11:26PM on 08/14/11

From Talk

How do you take your coffee?

Black at home, black and iced at a coffee shop, a bit of cream at the other place.

smile at 10:40AM on 07/27/11

From Serious Eats

SE Staff Picks: What's Your Favorite Taco Filling?

beef and cheese!

smile at 2:09PM on 07/26/11

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Korean Japchae (Noodles with Spinach, Carrot, and Beef)

An old grandmother taught me how to make japchae in Korea. It's a little different from this recipe, but I'm sure its still delicious.

smile at 9:27PM on 07/18/11

From Serious Eats

Snapshots from Sweden: Roaming Around a Swedish Supermarket

Cool pictures. Thanks for sharing.

smile at 10:12PM on 07/17/11

From Talk

Kitchen Gardeners: Whatcha got so far?

Two strong dill plants and few red tomatoes. My other stuff (peppers, cucumbers, green onions) aren't quite ready to harvest yet.

smile at 3:21PM on 07/13/11

From Talk

Do you like buffets...really?

I only ate Todai in Korea and it was pretty amazing. I loved getting the steamed buns. Delicious.

Want to go back.

smile at 4:39PM on 07/04/11

From Talk

Do you like buffets...really?

@Yo, sounds like Todai.

smile at 1:36PM on 07/04/11

From Talk

Do you like buffets...really?

I like them, but buffets are tricky because if you go when it is crowded, there is always some kid touching everything, some old lady sifting for the "best" pieces and someone hogging the crab-- but at least the food is constantly getting made and it is fresher. When you go when it is not crowded, then you risk eating old food.

smile at 12:14PM on 07/04/11

From Talk

I can't believe I didn't try this before !!!!

Ground poultry. I like chicken burgers now!

smile at 10:30AM on 07/03/11

From Talk

The $3 Big Mac (sort of) mini meal

I believe they had a promotion like 10 years ago selling a "Little Mac" (single patty and a top and bottom bun). I hadn't thought of making it up on my own though. Good idea!

smile at 10:29AM on 07/03/11

From Talk

Volunteered to bake for a Great American Bake Sale. Help!!

Lemon Blossoms. The recipe is on the Food Network website-- Paula Deen's. They're the most delicious cakes ever and they are very pretty. Very easy to make and keep well too.

smile at 10:24AM on 06/12/11

From Talk

If you've ever worked at a chain restaurant/ fast food place...

I'd probably have a lot of fun at Taco Bell-- probably since most of the times I eat there the food is so poorly put together that I don't want to go back. But I always do.

smile at 8:51PM on 05/21/11

From Talk

What Makes Sushi Good

I find that temperature is a big factor for me with good sushi. I really don't like it when the rice is just cooked and still hot.

smile at 1:23PM on 04/16/11

From Talk

Side dish to an Easter dinner for a beginner cook?

Pineapple Souffle-- sounds difficult but it's actually very easy. It's a sweet side dish with white bread, canned pineapple and eggs that goes really good with ham.

You can go to www.allrecipes.com and look for the actual recipe there.

smile at 9:09PM on 04/10/11

From Talk

Anybody out there still enjoy an after dinner smoke?

I really enjoy having a smoke after I eat, especially when I have wine too. I don't do it often for the normal reasons though.

smile at 8:28PM on 03/26/11

From Talk

Dungeness or King

Dungeness is my favorite! I can't get enough crab. Ever.

smile at 7:50PM on 03/24/11

From Recipes

Cook the Book: Grandma Stevens's Coconut Cake

It looks delicious and beautiful! I've gotta make this!

smile at 7:41PM on 03/24/11

See more comments by smile »

Recent Posts

From Talk

What do you get at Subway?

Posted by smile, September 27, 2011 at 10:53 PM

From Talk

If you've ever worked at a chain restaurant/ fast food place...

Posted by smile, May 21, 2011 at 12:44 PM

From Talk

Cooking a fresh turkey

Posted by smile, October 10, 2010 at 10:03 PM

From Talk

A couple veganizes the entire Betty Crocker cookbook!

Posted by smile, May 15, 2010 at 11:02 AM

From Talk

Moldy feta

Posted by smile, December 7, 2009 at 2:55 PM

From Talk

Minnesota Pizza

Posted by smile, November 21, 2009 at 6:52 PM

From Talk

Donut shops in Twin Cities

Posted by smile, August 25, 2009 at 1:33 PM

From Talk

What Time Is Brunch?

Posted by smile, January 23, 2009 at 10:29 PM

From Talk

How long can I keep homemade soup?

Posted by smile, December 16, 2008 at 9:48 PM

From Talk

Need some help registering for my wedding.

Posted by smile, December 2, 2008 at 8:45 AM

From Talk

How have you suprised yourself in the kitchen?

Posted by smile, November 27, 2008 at 9:52 PM

From Talk

How can I make stuffing without an oven?

Posted by smile, November 24, 2008 at 1:52 AM

From Talk

Minneapolis

Posted by smile, September 21, 2008 at 9:57 PM

From Talk

Looks bad but tastes great!

Posted by smile, September 1, 2008 at 12:19 AM

From Talk

Fake chicken

Posted by smile, July 27, 2008 at 9:17 AM

From Talk

Culinary school graduates--

Posted by smile, June 29, 2008 at 5:38 AM

From Talk

Interesting lecture that all foodies should watch!

Posted by smile, June 22, 2008 at 10:41 PM

From Talk

What's the chintziest food that you love to eat?

Posted by smile, May 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM

See more posts by smile »

Recent Favorites

smile hasn't favorited a post yet.

Polls

From Serious Eats: New York

smile answered "Yes! " to Do You Like Panettone?

Poll posted by The Serious Eats Team, December 21, 2010 at 11:15 AM

From Serious Eats: New York

smile answered "I prefer well-prepared coffee, but can do with generic stuff in a pinch." to How Picky Are You About Coffee?

Poll posted by The Serious Eats Team, November 30, 2010 at 11:15 AM

From Serious Eats

smile answered "Reese's Peanut Butter Cups" to What's Your Favorite Peanutty/Peanut Butter Candy?

Poll posted by Lee Zalben, October 20, 2010 at 7:00 PM

From Serious Eats

smile answered "Yes" to Do You Buy Store Brands More Often Than Name Brands?

Poll posted by Erin Zimmer, September 8, 2010 at 8:00 PM

From Serious Eats: New York

smile answered "Anytime the restaurant wants: It has to protect its employees" to When Is an Automatic Gratuity Acceptable?

Poll posted by The Serious Eats Team, May 18, 2010 at 11:00 AM

From Talk

smile answered "Occasionally" to Ever drink milk from the carton when no one's looking?

Poll posted by Adam Kuban, January 11, 2010 at 7:00 AM

See more polls by smile »

Quizzes

From Serious Eats

smile got 100% correct on How Much Do You Know About Regional Sandwiches?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, May 17, 2010 at 11:30 AM

From Sweets

smile got 80% correct on What's Your Ice Cream IQ?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, April 19, 2010 at 7:00 PM

From Serious Eats

smile got 80% correct on How Much Do You Know About Food TV and Its Personalities?

Quiz posted by Katie Quinn, April 26, 2010 at 1:45 PM

See more quizzes by smile »

About smile

Website:

Location: Minneapolis

About: I love to cook and eat. Or just cook. Or just eat. Preferably both.

Favorite foods: I eat and enjoy everything except-- things smothered in BBQ sauce, most pork dishes, offal, extreme seafood, cream soda, the floating tomatoes in vegetable soup and strawberry ice cream most of the time.

Last bite on earth: Probably a fattouce salad with rice pilaf or a cheeseburger with pickles, a steamed bun and a thin beef patty. Or a Chicago dog.