sherribabee

"Secret ingredients are for restaurants that have something to hide."

Yum. I love those things! The first time I had them, I thought I was being so healthy...then I read the nutritional info.

I just ate a fesh fig. It was gross. I felt like I was eating juicy crisco with seeds in it.

Amen. And a game of darts is way more fun by candlelight!

Giant Ziploc bags work.

I'll never forget my first winter in DC. It was in 97/98. The weather folks had predicted a "light dusting" of snow. I made the mistake of swinging by the Safeway to pick up a couple things I need to make dinner and OMG...the store was overrun with people pushing 2 carts each full of toilet paper, water, milk, bread, etc. You'd think they were planning to be snowed in for a good 6 weeks! Having grown up in the midwest, where as long as you can shovel your way out the front door, you're fine, I found this completely shocking and disturbing. I was amused the next day when everyone woke up to a little dampness due to the 8 or 9 snowflakes that fell. My friends in DC have reported that a few schools and businesses have already announced that they will be closed tomorrow. And my friend out on Long Island said the entier area has been sold out of generators for the past few days. Madness, I tell you!

Let's see...I've got my Go Bag, a few bottles of wine, a bottle of liquor, and a wad of cash. I'm set! Oh, and a bike and rollerblades if I need to get out of the city.

I wonder if we'll see a blackout baby boom in May...

That's actually what I thought of, too. Well...that could potentially encourage more calorie-burning than the pedometer.

Heh. One of my co-workers came into the office the other day with a super-sized Coke. It was like a friggin bucket! I was afraid. I just received Fast Food Nation today from Amazon (yes, I used the eGullet link to purchase it). I'm both excited and nervous about reading it.

Stop it! It's not fair to make me laugh so hard after lunch. Maybe next, they'll replace all the booths and tables with treadmills and close all the drive-thru windows "to encourage walking". *snicker*

*snicker*

Back to soy milk...I've done quite a bit of experimenting and I think Silk has the best flavor (esp. vanilla). Soy milk is good paired with nutty flavors, so I'd suggest using it in a hazelnut or almond recipe.

Although it's technically part of Canada, Pelee Island Winery in Lake Erie produces a fine Gewurtz.

I have 50-60 cookbooks. I use maybe 6 or 7 of them regularly. Cooking Light 2001 is my favorite so far Followed closely by a basic cookbook I bought in Germany (I have fun translating the recipes -- gets particularly interesting when I misinterpret something) I pull out the old Betty Crocker book every now and again when I just want to get the jist of how to prepare something, or find the cooking time/temp for a particular type of dish. I have a few Moosewood books that I like to cook from

These have been quite a hit at the last few parties I've attended. Forgive my lack of proporations here, I've never really paid attention to the amounts when I've made these. 1 pkg eggroll wrappers (sliced diagonally) or wonton wrappers (left whole) 1 pkg goat cheese Roasted red peppers Drop a glob of goat cheese onto the middle of the eggroll/wonton wrapper, top with a few slices of roasted red pepper and fold into a triangle (eggroll wrapper) or draw the edges up into a pouch shape (wonton wrappers) Bake at 400º for 6-10 minutes, until wrappers turn golden and crispy. Serve warm. I've also made these with feta cheese and spinach (lightly sauteed with garlic).

Heh. I have images of the recipe police flinging lawsuits at us like the RIAA is doing to all the Kazaa users.

OMG...I LOVE Texas Sheet Cake. It's called "Texas" because it's so dang big. And you think it's boring? Then you haven't had a "real" Texas Sheet Cake.

I will never: Use a mandoline. Period. Even with the handy little guard, I still managed to mangle at least 2 different digits. Put a can of Coke in the freezer to chill. Jam my large hand into a drinking glass to wash out the bottom (a drinking glass will break nicely into 2 pieces for you though, instead of shattering into all manner of shrapnel). Do my mother a favor and scrub all the black "gunk" off her iron skillet (I was maybe 9 at the time). Try to show my coworkers how a little cold water, salt and a few ice cubes will scrub out a dirty coffee pot, while demonstrating with a HOT pot. Cut a hot pepper without wearing protective gear on my hands. "Set it and forget it" I put some butter in the microwave to melt (at a friend's house -- unfamiliar microwave), and instead of setting it for 10 seconds, I set it for 10 minutes.

Have you checked at Eastern Market? The farmers there often have interesting varieties, and if they don't have what you want on hand, they might be able to procure it for you. Sigh. I miss that market. Used to live 3 blocks away.

Interesting...I'm reading this as I bite into my Chipotle carnitas burrito. As much as I enjoy Chipotle (and have missed it since leaving DC), I think one in NYC is enough (44th btw. Lex & 3rd). I'm not a huge fan of chains, but if the food's good and they don't have one on every corner, I have no problems.

Really good pizza Really good cheese. Really thick bacon.

A jar of "Miami Spice" Italian Seasoning (it was part of a welcome package at my first apt., over 6 years ago!). A very empty box of Swiss Cake Rolls. A bag of sliming lettuce I forgot to wash and put in the crisper.

Mouth Watering Guacamole 2 Ripe avocados (I prefer Haas) 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped 1 Medium yellow onion, finely chopped 2 Garlic cloves, minced 1 Serrano chili, finely chopped 1 Lime Cilantro to taste, minced Salt to taste Halve the avocados lengthwise, and carefully scoop out the insides (try to keep skins in tact), and place into medium bowl. Set aside the pits and the skins for use later. Lightly mash the avocado with a fork. Add the tomatoes, onions, garlic, pepper, cilantro and salt and stir with fork until well blended, but still chunky. Squeeze the lime juice over the top and give it another light stir. Place pits in bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and place in fridge for an hour. To serve, scoop guacamole from bowl and place into avocado skins. Arrange on dish with cilantro bunches and a variety tortilla chips. Your guests will love it! Keywords: Hors d'oeuvre, Vegetarian, Easy, Dip, Tex-Mex ( RG605 )

totally can't disagree there--white chocolate is naaaaasty. Ok, you can have most of my milk chocolate, then. How about that? I reserve the right to the occasional slip, though. K OK. Deal!