I'm sure this topic has come up, but what's your favorite kitchen or food smell?
I have some garlic and anchovies simmering on the stove right now and man, my neighbors in the building probably think I have "company" over because I can't stop myself from saying things like "God DAYUM.." every couple of minutes. The smell is ridiculous; I love it.
So what's your favorite?

Finally succeeded in my weird obsession to make Cheetos infused pasta. Decided to go eggless on this one, I wanted to taste the Cheetos as much as possible; eggs would only get in the way here.
They actually really do taste more like Cheetos than I thought, but the fact that they are hot and in pasta form (fusilli in this case), the taste reminds me of blue box mac-n-cheese. Surprisingly good. As a "test", I cooked them straight-up, with a bit of pecorino and black pepper.
But I'm open to any other ideas or suggestions you all might have for next time I make them (I made quite a bit; they're drying right now).
(I have a couple pictures if anyone's interested).

No recipe, no food talk...just sending out a "Happy Mother's Day" to all the mothers and/or grandmothers on here. Hope it's a good one for you. Let them spoil you..I'll be spoiling mine tomorrow; going home (first time in a year) and cooking up big feast.

I saw these little packages (pun intended) of chocolate cake balls/truffles (whatever they're called) at the front counter in a gas station today. They were called "Sweet Ballz". Is it me or is that just a little too straight forward..in a bad way.
"Hey, can I have one of your 'sweet ballz'?"
So they spelled it with a "z". Does that make it innocent and hip or something?

I couldn't help but laugh out loud, but there was nobody around to share the moment with (the lady at the register was a biii...not nice person).

We discussed the "fried egg on everything" trend in the other post. And as mentioned, we've gone through several ingredient trends in the past; sun-dried tomatoes, truffle-oil, bacon, foie gras, fried/poached egg, etc.

You guys/ladies have any predictions on what the next ingredient trend might be? Or what you *hope* is the next trend?

How much of a "stickler" are you about food presentation and plating? I know we "eat with our eyes" (as they say), but I find sometimes people focus way too much on the presentation of a dish rather than the actual taste and execution of the food. I know food slopped and splattered on a plate can be unappealing, but what's wrong with just putting the food on the plate without worrying *so much* about color and height and negative and positive space...? Yes, I appreciate it when the time is taken, but if it's not, I don't count it out and just conclude that the dish was "unsuccessful". I have, plenty of times, had a dish that was plated with a lot of care and attention to detail, but the actual food fell short. So it's not everything to me.
How about you guys (and ladies)? Do you judge a dish but it's "cover"? Or let the food "speak for itself"?

I had a pretty good one last night at work about the importance of finishing the cooking of pasta (fresh or dried) *in* the pan *with* the sauce with a guy who's argument was, "It soaks up too much sauce and the pasta turns out dry and ugly". I cried a little inside at the ignorance. But it ended eventually and there was no blood drawn.
Anyway, without this being a pasta thread, any of you guys have any good, heated discussions, arguments, or debates about a certain food or cooking technique? Or non-food-related, whatever, I love a good argument.

Anyone else get this message when going to the homepage? I'm using Firefox.

How the hell do I get it out? Any food I store in them tastes like dish soap. I'm sure somebody here knows some tricks or tips to get the soapy flavor out....

If it makes a difference, I use "Dawn" dish soap, the grey bottle (can't remember the exact name). And yes, I have soaked them before in my sink to get out tomato sauce stains, etc.; so I'm sure that's the cause. But I'd like to use them without my food tasting like soap.
Any help would be appreciated...thanks in advance.

A chef was hit by a drunk driver.

Watch out SE cooks and chefs, they're out to get us.

(All kidding aside, be safe, eat responsibly)

I'll be frank...I'm kind of a jerk in the kitchen...so I prefer to cook alone.

How you about you guys and ladies?

I'll admit, it's not a rare event that I have a cigarette hanging out of my mouth while I'm making dinner for myself. Usually (*usually*), that wouldn't fly in a commercial or restaurant kitchen (but I have seen it before...not kidding). And, of course, there's the occasional dropping of food and things like that (again, not that rare in a restaurant). But when I'm cooking for other people, my culinary instincts kick in and I am a lot more sanitary and careful. For me, though (a currently single guy), I don't care.
I'm curious; what are some of the things you guys and ladies do at home in the kitchen that normally wouldn't "fly" in a commercial kitchen? Things that you, if you happen to see it in a restaurant you were eating at, you would walk out without a second thought?

What would you be? (What you eat most of).

I'm thinking I'd be a chicken. Or a piece of bread.

I can't find any information and/or recipes for smoking a suckling pig. I have read Kenji's article about roasting one, but I'm not sure if smoking has any variations. This is in reference to a gift I gave someone for Christmas (17 lb pig; pretty small). We're gonna smoke it for New Year's/his birthday, but we really have no idea about what temp to cook it at, rub, marinade or both? Butterflied (skin up or down), or left whole in the fetal position? Smoke to 160 and crisp skin in the oven? .......?

Any help would be great.

Yes, I broke down and got my hands on a little squealer to give as the gift to the family member getting the smoker. I also got him a good probe thermometer, some chips, and some other little stocking stuffers. (Thanks @imwalkin for the idea of the pig). It's about 17.2 lbs, frozen, and whole. Any tips I can give him for smoking it? I'm not a smoker expert...rubs? temps? basting? Anything you can give me would be appreciated.

Just want to give my regards to anyone who might be somehow linked or related to any of the tragedies that took place in the Connecticut elementary school. You're in my prayers.

A family member is getting a new smoker for Christmas, I'd like to get him a couple gifts to go along with it. Any ideas? Chips? Meat? Seasoning oil? Other necessary equipment?

Anyone ever try it? Sounds interesting. Saw it on Williams Sonoma online store.

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/2833051/?catalogId=6&bnrid=3120901&cm_ven=Google_PLA&cm_cat=Food&cm_pla=Oils%2C_Vinegars_&_Condiments&cm_ite=Smoked_Olive_Oil_|_Williams-Sonoma&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=35-8261337-2

When I heard about this flavor about a month ago, I've kept an eye out for it; I have a soft spot for a good cannoli (even a bad one). I finally spotted it at the store today, so of course I bought it and tried it when I got in the car (yup). I gotta say, I was a little disappointed. I didn't really get *cannoli* from it as much as I did just french vanilla ice cream with random chunks of chocolate and a slight crunch (from the supposed cannoli shells). And I don't really get the mascarpone addition; cannoli filling is traditionally ricotta (I've never tried a cannoli with a mascarpone filling that I liked). But I am a bit of a tough critic when it comes to cannoli, so I'm wondering if anyone else has tried it and liked it. Am I just being too much of a "stickler"?

I was watching 'Goodfellas' the other night (for probably the millionth time), I always laugh at the scene where Paulie is slicing the garlic with a razor blade, then you hear one of the guys say "Don't put too many onions in the sauce!" And the scene where Ray Liotta is running around doing stuff while the sauce is on the stove and the whole family has to take turns watching it and stirring (my family is the same, especially on Christmas).
Then I thought about other movies and TV shows with food scenes:
'Pulp Fiction' - the $5 milkshake.
'Breakfast Club' - pretty much the whole lunch scene, but especially when Ally Sheedy is making her sandwich and tosses the bologna.
'Seinfeld' - The "Soup Nazi", "The Big Salad", the "Pie" episode.
And of course, 'When Harry Met Sally' - the "I'll have what she's having" scene.
What are you're favorite food moments in movies or TV shows?

Surprised this hasn't already been a topic. Anybody have any? Food related (or not).
Of course there's always candy, but does anyone actually have a specific meal or homemade candy they always make?
I typically don't. Usually it's a bad horror movie and snacks while I occasionally answer the door to give candy to trick-or-treaters (and high-schoolers trying to score free candy in a pillow case and no costume).

I was reading about zucchini last night (because that's what I do in my spare time; research and read about pointless crap), and I read some weird information about it that I never knew.
Apparently, it's not a vegetable, but an immature fruit (which isn't all that surprising), but the thing that really caught my eye was when it said that zucchini is actually the swollen ovary of the zucchini flower. It just sounds strange; wouldn't stop me from eating it, though.
Anyone know of any strange or little know food facts?

Anyone have a dish that people (family, friends, dogs, etc.) constantly ask you to make for them or for a gathering, but you yourself don't like it at all?
My mother, who lives an hour away, visits pretty often. Me being the momma's boy I always have been and having been raised to always have food when people come over, cook for her and ask her what she wants. More often than not, it's fresh pasta (cavatelli, trofie, or orecchiette) with Genovese-style pesto. She loves this stuff and I just don't like it at all. But I make it anyway and I usually just have a sandwich while she eats it.
What about you guys/ladies?

One of the main reasons I love to cook is the satisfaction I get from making other people a great meal and the enjoyment they (usually) get out of it. But of course, I can't please everyone. And of course, I do have a bad meal every now and then. We all do.
While I love hearing a great compliment about food I make for people, it's the negative (and sometimes funny) reactions I get from some that are most memorable. And I read a lot of restaurant reviews on this site and many other sites and blogs with people critiquing food they got served and how great OR terrible it was. Some are pretty harsh(though honest) and sometimes they're hilarious. Sometimes I think people are just being ridiculous and are just snobs.

I'm curious, what are some memorable reactions or comments have you guys gotten about food YOU made for others. Whether it was flattering, insulting, funny, or just a good learning experience. I've gotten most everything from, "Oh my god...wow that's delicious", to "What the f*ck is that!? That's awful" (that was a family member; we're a pretty "up-front" group of people).

I have a box of quick-cooking tapioca in my fridge. Not even sure why it's there, but I don't want it to go to waste. Does anyone know of any ways to use it in a savory application? Or maybe dessert other than pudding? I know it has thickening power, but not sure how to go about using it. Any idea or suggestions?