Rachel Perlow

Oh please, no durian. Please. Not unless cooking removes the stink and you are planning on cooking the filling. I'm still planning on doing little fillo pies.

I hope Dave took good notes. I'm looking forward to a report about his family's trip to NYC.

So Liz, did you get your Christmas tamales? As a genuine "former Texan" I'm curious about your opinion of our local tamaleria. (is that a word?) Also, despite Jason's advice to arrive early, I'm sure if you called ahead to order them, they'd make you a special order. I really like their chicken mole and green chile and cheese tamales.

So Jaymes, has your daughter gone to ToTG yet? What did they order? How did they like it?

(Boy I can hear the crickets chirping on this one.) So how about it folks? This sounds like something I need to try. I'm thinking a restaurant supply or coffee supply company would probably carry this.

So, Sarah, have you tried any of the places suggested to you? How did you like their chopped liver?

I thought the first rule is that everyone has to order a hamburger. Bond Girl had fish. Bad Bond Girl. Our party on LI was OK, and we left early enough to hit Arthur Ave on the way home for some Italian supplies. Mmm, braciole for dinner tomorrow.

Checked the package again, way past expiration, which I usually ignore unless other spoilage symptoms present. With cheese that is usually mold, but I guess it's time to toss the Farmers.

Remember, if the menu doesn't look right (i.e. it looks like every other chinese restaurant ment), ask for the Chinese menu.

Hey, I don't suck. I didn't plan that other party, I'm just obligated to go.

Damn, we would have been able to make that one except for a relative's engagement brunch/party. Hmm, maybe it would be an excuse to leave early? Ack. Can't come. If it were at 11 and we could go for an hour or so and then go to BC, fine. But it's at 1 PM. Who schedules a brunch for 1 PM?

When Jason posted, it was later in the day after we remembered that Saigon Republic is not open for lunch on Tuesday (their hours: Lunch Wed-Sat, Dinner Tues-Sun). We ended up going to Wondee's instead, hardly a disappointment.

Another good use for leftover roasted cauliflower (leftovers??!?!?!): they make an excellent omelet filling. Add bacon and a little cream or half & half to the eggs and it is like a crustless quiche.

There are a couple issues here besides which knives should you buy for yourself. First off, if your friend had no knives or anything when you moved in, he didn't often cook for himself, no? So, it is very unlikely that he will do the maintenance necessary for these types of knives. Second, instead of leaving your used knives with your friend, it would be more appropriate for you to give him the new knives as a "thank you" gift. Not only because it would be better manners, it would also seem to be more of a gift, as opposed to hand-me-downs. Not to mention that when your friend slices their finger with your old now badly maintained knife, you will be blamed. Get him a set of relatively inexpensive knives designed to stay sharp, maybe even -- EEK! -- serrated. Amazon has a set of Sabatier knives, maybe not the best, but they make a nice housewarming type present for the novice. Here's a 14 piece set for $30, and here's a similar set, but with a mess of other kitchen utensils, for only $10 more. Since you appreciate good knives and will maintain them as well, take your time and collect good quality knives over time, instead of buying a set of cheap ones now that you will quickly tire of.

If you make them too far ahead there are two problems (besides possible spoilage), if you refrigerate them, the rice will get hard. If you don't, the nori will get soft.

Damn, we would have been able to make that one except for a relative's engagement brunch/party. Hmm, maybe it would be an excuse to leave early?

There's my screwdriver!

I like how the ads for this page are for "Shalom Y'all Gifts" and "Chanukah Candles"!

The farmer's cheese in my fridge tastes kind of sour (but not moldy) -- I didn't buy it and rarely if ever eat it (don't ask how it ended up in my fridge) -- is it supposed to be a little sour? Otherwise, the recipe will have to wait till I can go shopping. Jason avatarized THE JELLO MOLD, how could I not use it?

I just figure since it's no longer Chanukah, it's inappropriate to call them latkes. Hence the fritters. But, that's just me. Huh. My mom made the matzo meal latkes for Pesach.

True, that one is just layered jello. I do like fruit in my jello, occasionally. I've never attempted to make one of the more "savory" jello recipes I've read about. Shimmering Shrimp Mold* anyone? * There are no disgustingly savory jello salads on the official Jell-O website, although there are some similar to this one in my Jell-O cookbooklet.

I just read through all the stuff about cheese latkes, and my question was the same (since I happen to have farmer cheese in the fridge at the moment), but it hasn't been answered yet. Well?

Uh, how about Le Bernardin? Sorry, couldn't resist! Also, that's a NY restaurant, this is the NJ forum.

Let's see... Saigon Republic in Englewood for Vietnamese, of course. China 46 I suppose this is the year of the Mexican bodega/cafe, several have opened in north Bergen county, they seem to be moving northward from south Bergen county towns like North Bergen and Passaic county. For example, Cinco de Mayo and El Paso in Englewood, and Mi Pueblo in Bergenfield. Fink's has been a reliable standby. As has The Diner in Oradell. We've only been to Felice, the attached to The Diner Italian joint, once, but we liked it, I'm sure we'll be back. On Christmas we returned to one of our older favorites from when we lived in Morris county, Hunan Noodle House in Parsippany (Hunan Cottage was full up -- btw, neither of these places specialize in Hunan food). It is owned by the same family that runs all those Chinese places in Teaneck, the only one of which is worth going to is Taiwan Noodle House. This place has pretty much the same menu, my favorite item being the Little Bit of Everything soup with Hand Cut Noodles. How could you not like a soup by that name?

I'm sure I missed some etymological discussion, but why wouldn't you call your cheese latkes, latkes, as oppposed to fritters? Latkes are the word for pancakes, right? When I was a girl, we called many things latkes in my house, qualified by the flavoring ingredient, i.e. spinach latkes or matzo meal latkes. I've never made cheese latkes, but they sound good, have you posted a recipe?