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Should Fast Food Chains Give Kids Toys?
Just another example of the government trying to run our lives. It is terrible that personal responsibility is a thing of the past, society today has become weak and reliant on the system and it seems that we are only sinking further into this whole. I personally think parents should be the ones doing the parenting. And I do agree that children have a significant impact in family decisions i.e. where to dine, HOWEVER, if your kids are making the decisions day in and day out, you are not fit to be a parent. America needs to remember why our country was founded and demand the freedoms this country is supposedly based on, even if it is so trivial as to give away toys with a happy meal.
Slip-n-Slide Food
I was thinking of a completely different approach that fits the slip and slide theme, foods like white castle and taco bell may work ;) lol, sorry I couldn't help myself!!
Dear Whole Foods,
It funny to hear people complain about high prices yet, they seem to be the ones demanding fair trade, organic, living wage produce! If thats really what you want then yes a single apple will cost $3. Thats why I love low prices, it allows me to use my salary to donate to charities of my choosing, and yes I am aware of the slavery type conditions of some produce workers and that is not what I am advocating. But at the same time, some of these new fangled hippie ideals are simply impractical, and their consequences are the outrageous prices of "Whole paycheck" or wherever hippies shop these days.
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
As a young male, I think it can't hurt to add more food! I would try grilled ham steaks brushed with a little dijon mustard and some roasted vegetables, as you suggested, on the side. Oh and if I was the boy in question, I would already be won over by your thoughtfulness to create a meal of my favorites! I wish you the best of luck!
P.S. I tried, but couldn't resist, the best dessert you could offer would be simple, just plain whipped cream, served in the form of a bikini!!!
Should Fast Food Chains Give Kids Toys?
Just another example of the government trying to run our lives. It is terrible that personal responsibility is a thing of the past, society today has become weak and reliant on the system and it seems that we are only sinking further into this whole. I personally think parents should be the ones doing the parenting. And I do agree that children have a significant impact in family decisions i.e. where to dine, HOWEVER, if your kids are making the decisions day in and day out, you are not fit to be a parent. America needs to remember why our country was founded and demand the freedoms this country is supposedly based on, even if it is so trivial as to give away toys with a happy meal.
Slip-n-Slide Food
I was thinking of a completely different approach that fits the slip and slide theme, foods like white castle and taco bell may work ;) lol, sorry I couldn't help myself!!
Dear Whole Foods,
It funny to hear people complain about high prices yet, they seem to be the ones demanding fair trade, organic, living wage produce! If thats really what you want then yes a single apple will cost $3. Thats why I love low prices, it allows me to use my salary to donate to charities of my choosing, and yes I am aware of the slavery type conditions of some produce workers and that is not what I am advocating. But at the same time, some of these new fangled hippie ideals are simply impractical, and their consequences are the outrageous prices of "Whole paycheck" or wherever hippies shop these days.
Emotional Eating: Strange Cravings when you're ANGRY!
I don't eat when Im angry, Ill drink or go crack some skulls, my appetite just disappears with anger, and the drink has to be citron vodka on the rocks, or a strong vodka with a splash of club soda, or sometimes a smoke which is odd because I'm not a smoker!
Leftover steak?
I love leftover steak diced small in a frittata with corn, a little milk, and a lot of black pepper
Chipotle Redesigns Logo
I dont like their new logo at all, but nonetheless I will still eat there. And I think their comparison to McDonalds or any of the such is unwarranted. Everything is cooked fresh and seems to be of at least decent quality. I have never had a bad meal at Chipotle but I also do not go in expecting the same meal i experienced in Merida while traveling the Yucatan penninsula. Life is all about relativity so when I want Mexican in Seacaucus NJ for less than $10 bucks and within five minutes on a Wednesday afternoon, it fits the bill
Cornish Hen - Internal Temperature?
Yep same as chicken, and be wary on some of the higher numbers you read. Some people are crazy, food doesnt need to be dry and tasteless just to be safe. And once you get used to it, you can usually tell by touch.
Where is a great place to eat in Philly?
Well other than the obvious Cheese steak (please try both Jim's and Geno's) you should try Amada, which was already mentioned. Its a little pricey but do the higher level tasting menu, it is worth the money and a truly great meal. Budakan for Asian fusion, it blows away both the NYC and Atlantic city locations. And lastly Capital grille, its your typcial high end steakhouse with more comfort food and a small philly twist. I was in Philly for four years for college and it has really evolved into a foodie city in the past few years. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the city of brotherly love!
P.S .Oh and if you want Italian almost anywhere in south Philly is amazing, but Dante and Luigi's is one of my favorites.
Oxymorons
haha the chilled gazpacho story is funny, It just reminds me that we are not the rest of the world!
Yet Another Food Blog: help me name it
Oh and PS it also doesn't help its the one and only post hsppzz has ever made, so yeah I agree kinda of spammish.
Yet Another Food Blog: help me name it
I can agree and see the taboo here, If someone came into your restaurant and said "hey I want to open a restaurant" and started asking questions and polling your customers I could see the anger! Especially if they plan in operating in direct competition! But as was said, this is a public forum and all are entitled to their opinion, so those who have no issue please continue. And to the new entrepreneur I offer only the best of luck! its a tough world out there!
Food Network's New Offerings
HAHAHA I was dying when I read about "What WOuld Brian Boitano make?" it reminds me of the south park song "what would brian boitano do?" I wonder if he will be fighting grizzly bears on the show. That was hysterical!
$10 gift card to Sur La Table
Nothing, $10 at sur la table wont buy anything, everything there is awesome and I love window shopping but it's so damn expensive. Maybe you can get a keychain and a piece of gum.
It's A Texture Thing....
Texture doest bother me unless its paired with a bad smell, either alone I can deal with, but together uughh! For example oysters, unagi, or anything like that is fine, as are stinky things like cheeses or some exotic fruits, but something like breadfruit would kill me. As do metallic smelling things like brains! So I guess my answer is no, texture alone doesn't really bother me.
HELP! BF is extremely picky...
I love you guys, and I am amazed more and more everyday about how genuine and caring the members of SE are, more importantly I really believe that we all share a similar way of thinking, not just about food but the fact that we are so loyal to this site and are always ready to lend a hand to each other. Whether its figuring out what to bring to you're bosses pot luck or what the next step in life should be. I would come to you guys before I approached my family or friends in many situations. I don't know if its the anonymous factor of the format or the fact that we share with each other several times a day.
I have become so disenfranchised with my friends and the drudge of everyday life after college, its a tough transition! But a few times everyday I come on SE for 10-15 minutes and I am able to forget about everything except the delectable savoriness of fresh game or the salty goodness of our favorite topic (bacon). And today the way you guys reached out to me, it really touched me. It may just be karma or sheer good luck but having people, even being online friends, seeming to care is exactly what I needed. This may be a little TMI so I am sorry but Its been a tough day and i needed a format to vent. If I had a blog I would have went there, but alas, no blog. So SE thanks for being there, and thanks for being my friends!!!
HELP! BF is extremely picky...
Dump him and date me;
22yr old Male
Accounting and Intl Business degrees from Villanova
5'9" and very athletic
Dark hair and dark eyes
Employed as a Corporate Account Rep for a Wine and Liquor Distribution Company
I enjoy cooking, working out, the beach, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with my family
I am a hopless romantic and more importanly I enjoy all foods and will eat anything you were to serve me!
where to go wine tasting
If youre lookin for something a little different how about the NY finger lakes. It is an often overlooked wine producing region and makes some great wines, another choice would be the Niagra region of Canada. I have been to both and there are a ton of small boutique wineries and plenty of small intimate bed and breakfast to stay in as well. Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Need help picking a US foodie travel destination!
This is easy, as another young single male, I can easily recommend Las Vegas! Not only are their countless great celebrity restaurants and all the classic old Vegas digs, but theres also plenty of nightlife as well as young single ladies!!! Only one thing to remember, what happens in Vegas happens in Vegas...
what do YOU substitute to make something healthier?
When I make chicken or tuna salad I substitute half of the mayo with whole grain mustard, you get the same consistency, a lot less fat, and a whole lot more flavor!
Big Daddy's House vs Will Work For Food?
I think they are both absolutely terrible shows, neither of them is fit to host 30 minutes of my life
Worst Sandwich You've Ever Had
@seikel...so your mom had a hydroponic garden? hmm, the most common reason that I know those are used for is quite illegal. Maybe her "state" while she made the sandwich is why it wasnt the greatest, also did your sandwiches often included funions, peanut butter, chocolate, and honey? I think I have finally solved the problem!
Uses for Fried Eggs
One of my absolute favorite ways to eat a fried egg is to toast day old italian bread slices, then rub them with a piece of raw garlic. You take the "garlic bread" and ladle on some extra thick tomato sauce, then top it with a fried egg, parmesan cheese, and lots of black pepper!!! Its great for a leftover type breakfast and is even hearty enough for a lunch. I like mine with the egg fried firm but Im sure its just as good with a runny egg. Oh and Giada does a version of this on her show, but its common in a lot of italian households with school aged kids.
Making Chicken Salad and Seafood Salad healthier.
When making chicken or tuna salad, i usually add equal parts mayo and spicy brown mustard. You still get the creamyness of the mayo but the mustard adds a nice tang while still helping the salad bind. The other benefit is that the mustard has no fat!! This essentially halves the amount of fat in your salad and makes it much more interesting!!
Time for a Drink: Agavoni
This is what Im talking about, I have worked in the liquor industry for 10 years in nearly all facets. I love the fact that you recomend a brand but by recomending a brand that 99.9% of the country can not find in their liquor store you do noone a service. After reading this and becoming a little frustrated I did some research and found that both Tapatio tequila and Carpano Antico vermouth can not be purchased in the state (NJ) through a liquor store. The only way to get these products would be through the internet from another state, which is ILLEGAL in NJ. Upon further research these brands are not available in NY, PA, or DE either!!! So how about we stop trying to impress everyone with brands that only you seem to be able to find and recomend something that people can possibly find! Recomendations like this only anger retailers and frustrate customers, but in a sick twisted way I guess it makes you feel special to get one of the 200 bottles or so produced yearly of some specialty liquor imported only for food and drink editors/bloggers/what ever you are!!!
Fellow SE'ers sorry for the rant, this is just a hot button issue for me..
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
There is a restaurant that makes AWESOME mac and cheese _ the Clarkston Union in Clarkston, MI and they add ham chunks to the mac.
It makes it a whole meal... then pair with a salad and you are set.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I'd go with steak. I have yet to meet a man who doesn't appreciate a good steak. A rare (or however he likes it done) t-bone with a side of mac and cheese? And don't forget the beer! (Bonus if you can find out his favorite beforehand...otherwise maybe a stout?) Boys like comfort food...doesn't get much more comforting than that!
And as far as dessert, supposedly vanilla and especially cinnamon is an aphrodisiac for men. Apple pie (with plenty of cinnamon) a la mode? Cinnamon buns with some vanilla ice cream on the side?
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
@maemae - oh good - then you might have time after all to make that apple pie! (Use yellow delicious apples...)
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
fried cod, mac and cheese and pickled beets...my friday go to old catholic upbringing meal forever....
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Wow, thanks for all of the advice!!! This was so helpful. The dinner didn't end up happening yesterday, but hopefully next weekend. I will let you all know how it goes!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I like the idea of steamed veggies, like broccoli. Spinach cooked or raw would be great as well as raw tomato salad. Ham is always good as well as fried chicken.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
We always had bacon and peas with mac and cheese when I was a kid. Honestly, that Martha recipe is so rich and wonderful and filling that I could make a meal of just it (and it costs $30 to make) but last time I had it with frozen fruit salad and a honeybaked ham.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
oh shoot...i'm definitely too late for all that advice. i hope it went well then!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
also, def do a salad or simple broccoli like you've mentioned. keep the salad simple (my boy loves his ceasar). or, with him not being very into vegetables - it says a lot that i've won him over on green beans. i get fresh beans, cut the ends off, blanch them in hot water (do no cook through mushy), and then saute them in olive oil or canola oil with salt pepper and garlic powder (i make fresh garlic oil myself - it's an extra step...just rough chop a lot of garlic and let sit in some warm oil for about 15 min or so. remove the garlic and then saute the green beans until just turning brown. fresh garlic would burn and turn bitter if you were to leave it in the pan with the green beans since you are cooking on a med to med-high heat).
i've won my boy over with my cooking - he's even bought a huge new set of cookware for me to use at his little apartment instead of his cheap stuff he's had before!
good luck!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
actually, i really really like chicken cutlets (or just half and pound out chicken breasts), coated in italian bread crumbs (similar to the topping on homemade mac and cheese) and sauteed crispy. my boyfriend Loves it with his mac and cheese. you get meat and a bit of crunch with the pasta. and its super quick while the mac and cheese is finishing off in the oven.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I'm a little late to the party on this one but I'd vote for ham and some sort of dark green veg.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I vote chicken fingers and fruit.
Whatever you do, don't bend over backward. Guys like it if they have to work for you, not the other way around ;)
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Most important MaeMae--Tell us how it went!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
How about some lamb chops, you know, lollipop style? Just a lil' dijion, rosemary, etc., and you've got a perfect protein to go with martha's crack n' cheese. Maybe served on a bed of arugula? Pricey, yes, but impressive. And homemade cheesecake for dessert.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
i've always heard people rave about martha's version, but i've never had it myself.
i find that mac n' cheese generally tends to be pretty salty though, which is why i shy away from pairing it with ham. however, i love the above suggestion for using dijon mustard. you could also go for a honey ham and make a sweet glaze (packed brown sugar/ginger ale or brown sugar/pineapple juice/maraschino cherry juice) to offset the saltiness.
definitely make some greens: the bundles of beans tied with bacon sound too marvelous for words-as does roasted broccoli (that's what i grew up eating w/mn'c)
personally, i like taking boneless chicken, dipping it in some egg, then coating it in a combination of homemade italian style breadcrumbs & panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch) and just frying it up in a little olive oil. then serve it with lots of fresh lemon squeezed on top.
as for dessert, i wouldn't do something super creamy necessarily, since the mac n' cheese is so heavy on dairy already...maybe you could do an iced coffee granita-it's pretty easy, if you have the time to allow it to freeze-there are tons of recipes online to pick from-just google it. but that might be a nice, light, refreshing way to finish off the meal?
go get him, girl!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I hope this guy has the good sense to see that good bad or indifferent, side, no side or pot roast, ham, steak, combo--he's got a good thing going with a potential partner who wants to cook for him.
Rachel Ray is wrong wrong wrong about a lot of things, but I love it when she says that even if something you cook for friends, family or dates turns out to be a spectacular disaster, they will appreciate the sentiment, even as they reach for the phone to call for a pizza. Do as Julia Child did, present everything as though it came out exactly as intended. Whatever decision you make about the mac and cheese, don't apologize for it!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I love this thread! Let's hope after all these suggestions your guy isn't a teetotaling vegetarian.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
The only thing you need with mac n cheese is a couple of cold beers.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I'd go with a mustard glazed ham slice and salad or corn on the cob. For desert--how's about a chocolate brownie with a scoop of icecream. He can take some of the leftover brownies home and think of you when he has a brownie snack attack.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Since mac & cheese is kind of heavy, you might want to go with fresh greens - like a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. If you want to add man-stomach-friendly protein, you could go with chicken wings (grilled or oven roasted). And serve it family style - if he thinks of mac & cheese as a main dish, he can bulid his plate that way.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Dietetically speaking, you'd want to serve it as a side with a vegetables and a lean protein as the main. I mention this because if you do win him over, you will likely be cooking many more meals for him and you can use this opportunity to demonstrate how well-nourished he would be with you. Roasted chicken sounds tasty and nutritious, and the asparagus sounds great for the veggie. Or a tomato salad (chopped fresh grape tomatoes, basil and a dash of olive oil) would compliment the mac and cheese.
Let us know how it turns out!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Do you know if mac and cheese was served in his family as the main or as a side? I had an experience years ago where I made a mac and cheese for a guy I was seeing at the time (because he professed it was a favorite) and served it with steak. I thought it should have been a home run. Turns out he thought it was weird because his mom always served the mac and cheese as the main with just a salad! Oh well. Live and learn!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I too forgot to include desert. How about chocolate pudding, not that instant stuff from a box, but a nice dark chocolate pot o' creme. Serve this in a martini glass or some wonderfully interesting goblet. There must be a big spoonful of whipped cream on the top. YUM!
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
I suggest the mac and cheese as the main course accompanied by green beans. Not just any green beans, but these little pencils of goodness are grouped into bundles of 4 or 5 green beans that are tied together with a strip of bacon and then roasted or grilled until the bacon is crispy. My family goes crazy for these bundles. I have also done this with asparagus. I got the recipe from Paula Dean, I think.... Whatever, it is fabulous, and it is to be eaten with your fingers. For your purposes this finger food might be attractive to a boy friend.
What Should I Make to Accompany Mac and Cheese
Whoops - didn't mean to skip dessert. I'd advise homey and comfortable - peanut butter cookies, (preferably homemade) or brownies with ice cream. Apple pie is always good, too - still kind of warm from the oven...mmm. (and also preferably homemade, if you have the time.)
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About twoojoe
Location: Ocean County NJ
About: 22 year old male, recent college graduate. I work in the wine and liquor industry as a National Account Sales Rep.
Favorite foods: Italian, Chinese, and Thai foods
Last bite on earth: Rigatoni with broccoli Rabe, fresh mozzarella, and spicy sausage
As a young male, I think it can't hurt to add more food! I would try grilled ham steaks brushed with a little dijon mustard and some roasted vegetables, as you suggested, on the side. Oh and if I was the boy in question, I would already be won over by your thoughtfulness to create a meal of my favorites! I wish you the best of luck!
P.S. I tried, but couldn't resist, the best dessert you could offer would be simple, just plain whipped cream, served in the form of a bikini!!!