Archive for December 2016
Which beans for ham and bean soup?">Which beans for ham and bean soup?
Anansazi....the best! Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreVietnamese flourcake">Vietnamese flourcake
Hi, I tried this at a supermarket recently and loved it! And want to try making it. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Banh_in_Nanh_sầu_riêng_Sweet_Rice_Flour_and_Durian_Cake.jpg I have searched in English and French, and copied the Vietnamese text too but I got no results... I want to learn especially how to make the white exterior. It is a powder but...
Read moreVintage recipe, help!">Vintage recipe, help!
Recreating some holiday favorites for family coming for Christmas. This one recipe from my Grandmother (now deceased) has me stumped. It's for a Chocolate Sausage and here is what it says: 1-3/4 cup chopped nuts 1/2 lb sweet grated chocolate 3/4 cup powdered sugar 1/2 lb jilly (or maybe jelly???) 1 egg white Mix ingredients thoroughly...
Read moreCostco Tenderloin - Prime or Choice?">Costco Tenderloin - Prime or Choice?
Wondering if anyone had compared Costco's Prime filet mignon tenderloin roast vs the Choice roast. Is it worth spending the extra $$$? I'll be using Ina Garten's recipe with her blue cheese sauce for the roasted tenderloin. Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moreSuggestions for punching up a lobster pot pie">Suggestions for punching up a lobster pot pie
Was planning to make lobster pot pies for Christmas dinner. I initially saw this recipe on Saveur (see link), but then I thought "WWTKD?" (what would Thomas Keller do). I tracked down a version Ad Hoc did with a beautiful round of puff pastry (see photo), but can't find any...
Read moreHome tasting menu">Home tasting menu
I've experienced tasting menus in restaurants but wanted to try it at home with friends and family over the holidays. Has anyone tried doing this? Did you prepare each course individually or did you prepare and plate everything at the same time so you (the cook) could enjoy the...
Read moreHeavy Cream & Sugar">Heavy Cream & Sugar
So after a late night baking session last night, I thought it would be smart to prep dough for another cookie recipe to use today. But I was too sleepy for baking and I poured six cups of sugar (INSTEAD OF FLOUR) into a bowl with three cups of granulated...
Read moreHow long can you keep dried chestnuts">How long can you keep dried chestnuts
I have a bag of dried chestnuts from a Chinese market in my pantry. They must be years old, since I can't remember when I bought them.... Anyone know the lifespan of these?..... Reading More May Cause Envy...
Read moresalad to go with Blood Orange Glazed Tofu?">salad to go with Blood Orange Glazed Tofu?
I'm putting together a vegetarian (not vegan) menu for Christmas dinner. There will also be turkey on the table for the meat eaters, though I am not sure how it will be prepared. My menu so far (links below): Blood Orange Glazed Tofu, Pumpkin and Cranberry Risotto with Chestnuts, and Mashed...
Read moreMarcella's Bolognese - Wine?">Marcella's Bolognese - Wine?
Opinions, humbly given or not, are not facts. If you change a recipe, as you are well within your natural rights to do, you have strayed from the mother recipe. It is, in and of itself, no longer authentic. How authentic was it to begin with, who knows? The reference...
Read moreAbout Me
I love food. Unfortunately, I can't cook worth a damn. I've been known to even burn water.
When I watch chefs and good cooks on tv, I'm so envious of their skills. This blog is the closest I get to cooking, other than the microwave ;)
Try not to drool!
John, New Englander turned Cali dude