Serious Eats: valerie's Profile

Does anyone love their toaster oven? Looking for the best one.

When our B&D died after about 20 years, we replaced it with a Krups. It's fine for toast, but I use it even more as an oven than a toaster. It is very spacious inside. It has 2 racks, though I rarely use both at the same time. Heats up way faster than my electric oven so the Krups is especially great for heating up food for my kids when they want something in a hurry.

valerie at 6:21PM on 09/07/10

From Serious Eats: New York

Poll: Do You Like Small Plates?

When I go out with just my husband, I'm kind of okay with it. But I don't really care for it with a group. Nobody ever wants to take control and do the ordering and I find that it becomes a group of people with no decisions being made. And nobody knows how much food to order. Maybe I'm crazy but I find it stressful! I don't like family style places either.

valerie at 1:02PM on 08/17/10

From Serious Eats

Cook the Book: 'The Frankies Spuntino Kitchen Companion & Cooking Manual'

Eggplant Parmesan.

valerie at 2:10PM on 06/18/10

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Monte Cristo

Love Monte Cristos, but I grew up on Long Island and also have always had them open faced and served with syrup. Never powdered sugar or preserves, and never, ever had one with mustard.

valerie at 5:47PM on 05/10/10

From Talk

Chili sauce? Do you use it?

I use it to make my short ribs and my brisket (which morphed from that short rib recipe). I also use it for meatballs, the ones with cranberry sauce and chili sauce.

valerie at 2:00PM on 02/02/10

From Serious Eats

'Gourmet' Magazine: 1941–2009

For anyone feeling bad about letting their subscriptions expire, that's not the problem. It's the advertising $$$ that makes the money for a magazine, not the subscriptions, and lately there is not that much money being spent by advertisers in any (well, most) magazines.

valerie at 7:37PM on 10/05/09

From Serious Eats

Are You a Night Baker?

Not as much of a night baker (save for the occasional muffins, banana bread or pancakes that I freeze for my kids) but definitely a night cook. I make some of my best meatballs, meatloaf and various other dishes after 9:00. As stated above...kids are sleeping, husband is in his office playing video games, tv is on to what I want to watch and I have the whole kitchen to myself...

valerie at 9:33PM on 09/29/09

From Recipes

Serious Heat: Fruit Salsa: Love 'em or Hate 'em?

I thought I hated fruit salsas until I made mango salsa for the first time several years ago. I couldn't imagine mango with green onions and olive oil, etc. Then I tasted it and I became a believer! I am making a boatload of it for my July 4th party this year.

valerie at 6:11PM on 07/01/09

From Talk

Serious Passover Eats

I made this Apple-Matzoh Kugel last year for the 1st time and it was fantastic! Definitely making it again this year.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Apple-Matzoh-Kugel-104862

And even though my sister is always in charge of desserts, my husband and I have been making these Martha Stewart macaroons for years. They are so good and they freeze really well, so they can be made ahead of time. We double the recipe. They go quickly!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/chocolate-chunk-macaroons

valerie at 1:35PM on 03/26/09

From Serious Eats