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xaire's Profile

Website: http://twobuttkitchen.vox.com/

Location: Washington, DC

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The Ten Most Recent Posts By xaire

From Talk

Whole Foods - mandatory bags?

Posted by xaire, May 22, 2008 at 7:06 PM

A food-shopping question...

We've heard of Whole Foods banning plastic and embracing recycled/paper bags. However, last night I was at the store and told the cashier that I didn't need a bag for my purchase (one easily portable item), I could just carry it. She insisted that I had to carry it out in a bag, that it was store policy. Anyone else have this experience? I've heard of it at retail stores like Best Buy (no good reason there either), but it was a little odd coming from a store that just got so much press for being environmentally friendly.

16 Comments | Tagged: Whole Foods

From Talk

Enchiladas!

Posted by xaire, February 24, 2008 at 4:22 PM

Seeking enchilada recipes to quench my cravings for San Antonio cuisine. I make a mean sour cream chicken enchilada, but would like to expand my horizons a little. Bonus points for vegetarian enchiladas, or meatie-versions with no/optional dairy ingredients.

9 Comments | Tagged: enchiladas, recipes

From Talk

Ground lamb, growing lonely and cold in the freezer

Posted by xaire, February 18, 2008 at 9:47 PM

I bought ground lamb for my one and only ground lamb recipe (sauteed with rice, cinnamon, pinenuts, all spice, garlic and onion). I bought too much. The remainder stares at me mournfully when I open the freezer, complaining of neglect. What do to with it?

(I have thought of moussaka and I'm not sold. But I can be persuaded).

21 Comments

From Talk

Food in the theme of "double"?

Posted by xaire, January 20, 2008 at 6:43 PM

My book club just finished "The Double Bind" and our next meeting requires food in the theme of double (or twice, or anything related to two). Double fudge brownies, twice baked potatoes, two-layer cake - those are obvious choices. Any other recipe suggestions for a savory dish? I am particularly in favor of double frying, but not sure how this works.

(the book is excellent, by the way!)

22 Comments

The Ten Most Recent Comments By xaire

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Fanta. After hiking.

xaire at 10:57AM on 06/17/08

From Talk

How was your school's hot lunch?

Chicken rings. They were chicken nuggets in the shape of rings, and they haunt me to this day. Best was Fridays, when you could order them with a softball sized buttery roll, mashed potatoes and gravy, separately or as a sandwich. I remember visiting high school during college just to try them again. So good!

Also, the best egg roll I have ever eaten was served by the junk food line in my cafeteria.

From elementary school, I remember the pizza, which came practically cheeseless (loved that) and carrot and raisin "salad."

xaire at 8:52PM on 06/05/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Top Chef'

Something with bacon. Anything with bacon. Who doesn't like bacon?

xaire at 3:06PM on 05/27/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Mario Batali Italian Grill'

Lemon and lime (I learned my acids from Mario).

xaire at 8:29PM on 05/19/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: Lidia's Italy

Something people don't expect home cooks to make, like a lengthy, elaborate mole.

xaire at 8:19PM on 05/01/08

From Talk

Leftover Asparagus-What to make?

Definitely agree on the risotto! Throw in some bacon/prosciutto and parmesan too. Mm, tasty.

xaire at 6:10PM on 04/21/08

From Talk

Tired of boring pork chops

Giadia has an amazing pork chop recipe that involves coating thin pork chops with bread crumbs and parmesan, pan frying and serving with lemon wedges. It is phenomenal. I had a freezer full of chops and no desire to eat them again; this recipe saved the deal.

xaire at 6:09PM on 04/21/08

From Talk

Sage!

Ravioli (like butternut squash) with a butter and sage sauce (improvise for infinite variety with lemon, garlic, nutmeg, etc), but just the simple combo of butter and sage is delicious.

xaire at 8:18PM on 02/25/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Roast Chicken and Other Stories'

The first whole roast chicken I ever made was The Chicken Who Would Not Thaw. Admittedly, we should have dug it outof the freezer a little earlier, but removing the innard took pots of boiling water, a several knives, a giant saute pan, predictable bouts of tug of war that ended with limbs akimbo and the chicken on the floor, and far more time with my hand up a very cold chicken rear than feels healthy. I rubbed it in salt and herbs, stuffed it with an onion and it was heavenly.

xaire at 5:21PM on 02/25/08

From Talk

Ground lamb, growing lonely and cold in the freezer

Wow, it appears I'm going to have to acquire more lamb! These all sound fantastic. I think I am either going to go with lamb burgers, or almondjoy's delicious sounding Indian/Pakistani recipe for this round. The burger with boursin sounds fantastic (what doesn't sound great with boursin?). Lambie-pies I'll save for the next time we get out the grill--come on spring!

xaire at 10:22AM on 02/19/08

Responses to Comments by xaire

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:

mayam
fritesandfries
reneerobinson
mama43
redbike

Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.

Adam Kuban at 6:31PM on 07/07/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Top Chef'

Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:

chicknwangs
Amandarama
scaevola
hmcnaron
gkran

Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.

Adam Kuban at 8:32PM on 07/01/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I'm with mint juleps as well.

skyflyer3 at 2:21PM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Alcoholic- margaritas hands down (fresh limes though)
Non Alcoholic- iced tea

LoriA at 1:22PM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Gin and tonics are my favorite for something cool to drink while sitting on my patio.

minnebelle at 11:23AM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Mint juleps! Forget mojitos, I prefer this classic work of art in bourbon, mint, sugar and ice - the perfect compliment to relaxing on a porch swing or rocker.

littlecabbage at 10:02AM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Give me a refreshing Gordon's Cup made with cucumber and limes - you can add a splash of Midori for extra pizazz!

sluvis at 9:57AM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

I love a Sea Breeze - vodka, cranberry juice, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Ahhh!

whoizzit at 9:13AM on 06/30/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

Cherry limeade, made with club soda and not plain water. Fizzy and fresh and cold, it hits all the right spots.

roserose at 6:29PM on 06/29/08

From Required Eating

Cook the Book: 'Screen Doors and Sweet Tea'

for me its gotta be lemonaide or a margarita...yum!

daisymay at 10:33AM on 06/26/08