FistFullaRoux

And let's not forget Louisiana's (in)famous "Drive thru daquiris", where you can buy a frozen or mixed drink from the comfort of your driver's seat. It's legal to transport said items, as long as the small bit of tape used to "seal" the container is not disturbed, or you have not put a straw through the hole. Then, it's still legal if the passenger is drinking up. Edited to add a needed not.

I have sold beer from a booth at our local outdoor concert event (City Stages) for the last couple of years. Even though it is usually a huge crowd, and a somewhat rowdy bunch as the evenings wear on, I card everybody. Period. Those were my instructions from the organizers. So, to avoid trouble, I do it. I carded Parlaiment's sax player, fer crying out loud. My usual response if someone refuses or gives me a hard time? I point to the nearest cop (of which there are plenty), and tell the customer that I will sell to them if that police officer says it's OK. Given the penalties in some jurisdictions for selling to an underage customer, or even if you think the booze may be going to someone underage, I'll lose a few sales instead of look at a $500 fine or 30 days in the clink.

Don't forget shrimp and crab in this. Shrimp is usually good for people who "don't like fish", but it has the same benefits as most ocean fish. Freshwater fish usually has less of the fishy taste, and farmed catfish is a pretty blank canvas. Talapia is along the same lines with a slightly different texture. It stands up to some heartier sauces, without getting fishy. And don't overcook it. Any objectionable flavors that exist will be magnified by overcooking.

Maybe it's more of a wall of fame type thing. The chopsticks aren't for eating, they are display only. They can be brought out for the purposes of impressing their dining partners.

As far as I know, they have not been bought out. They are still independent. They do sell some items in retail stores and to select restaurants.

I used to work as a bread baker at Anjo's, a place that I think is underrated. Their cakes are OK, at least they don't use the standard "buttercream" like everyone else (at least they used to). The dessert items they serve in the cafe are usually excellent. Anjo's has always made very good specialty bread. You might want to give them a try...

You could also use a rock hammer or a plain old claw hammer from the local hardware store. Get either the fiberglass or metal handle. It should wash up just fine. Just use the pointed end to break off the chunks you need. Can also be used for self-defense when fighting off the hands of those who would eat that chocolate before it made it to the recipe...

Bisquick. It's easy to make a batch of something for two people when the ingredients are pre-mixed. That and canned soup. Quick and easy.

I'm so bad, I lingered near the instant hot water dispensers in Lowe's for 30 minutes yesterday. Comparison shopping. And I don't own a house. That's just prepping for when I do get my mitts on a kitchen. It'll be half of the home's worth...

Supposed to hit the freezing mark here in Birmingham. I'm thinking gumbo while I'm trying to forget the night a couple of years ago when it got down to 6 degrees here. That's right, a Cajun in single digit temperatures. What the hell is this all about?

Pho-get about it...

Wasn't terribly impressed. I really agreed with 1st and second place, but I wouldn't pay one thin dime for any of those other cakes. The big green one with lots of sports equipment looked like it was made by a 4th grader. I think the concept of the show is pretty cool, but the execution of it is horrid. I think instead of making these talented people brainstorm an idea and plan the execution the night before, give them 3 or 4 days in "isolation" to work on the thing. You will end up with a much better result, and in the end, a much better show. Plus it will give more insight into the creative process. Sugar or some sort of flavor based contest may be able to be done in one day like that, but pastry requires more planning and equipment. That's why Collete essentially built a tiered cake, then based everything from that. She knows the tiered cake will stand solid and give height. The rest was simply decoration.

[Moderator note: The original What's the most delicious thing you've eaten today topic became too large for our servers to handle efficiently, so we've divided it up; the preceding part of this discussion is here: What's the most delicious thing you've eaten today (2005)] Lawery's (sp? - I've already thrown out the box) brand Creme Brulee cheesecake. Found in the frozen section at Sam's. Even better when eaten while still frozen. So good... Comes presliced, so we just wrap the slices in the Glad sticky stuff, and pull them out as needed. An excellent cheesecake by any standard. Vanilla wafer crust instead of graham crackers.

I'm borderline on all four of them (even Batali has gotten a little grating lately). But combined? I'd probably watch it once. Like watching a car race just to see who crashes...

To quote one of my favorite eGulleters.... Gah.

And one more: An elderly couple woke up on the morning of their 50th wedding anniversay and headed for the kitchen for breakfast. As they were sitting down, the wife says, "Remember when we were first married, and we would eat breakfast in the nude? I want to do that once again for old time's sake." The husbands shrugged his shoulders and says, "We've got the house to ourselves, why not?" So they get undressed and start breakfast. The husband has his nose buried in the newspaper as usual, so the wife leans forward on her elbows and says" You know, after all these years, you still make my nipples tingle." The husband peers over the sports section and says, "That's not me, darlin. You've got one in your cereal, and the other in your coffee cup."

Long dead topic, but I thought I'd renew it, as I read a good one today in one of my neice's joke books. Two sausages are simmering in a pan. One looks at the other and says "Getting pretty warm in here, isn't it?" The second sausage blurts out, "Holy crap!! A talking sausage!!!" Edited for tipeoz

I don't think anyone thinks that the people working in food service are intentionally turning out crap. In huge institutions like that, food service is probably seen more as an irritating neccesity, rather than a point of quality. The economics of running a hospital, even a small one, would boggle the mind of most. Lots of Sysco/institutional/lower quality stuff is used because of the budget. But I still think that, even if you can't do Coq Au Vin every night, most places could pick one area of the food service to do well in. For instance, bread. Budgetwise, it is more labor intensive, but is probably close to the same in price as buying frozen or premade. The hospitals I've dealt with have almost universally had at least somewhat better food in the cafeteria that the stuff served to patients. Realizing that many patients are on some sort of restricted diet, I still think a lot of things could be improved with a little work, and a little more budget. Homemade broths and soups are far more appetizing, lower in sodium, and have no preservatives compared to the stuff from a can. If the goal is to get the patient well, diet and appetite are crucial parts of that. The "cafes" and "bistros" that a lot of hospitals have show that they are capable of making at least better food. I think that even if a premium were attached to the better items, many patients would order them, paying the difference between the "regular" and "gourmet" items out of pocket. Hospitals would still have the same bottom line on the food, and the patients would benefit. Unappetizing food + being sick is a rough and depressing combo. Long term exposure to it, in addition to the prodding, rehab, and tests can make people desperate. I know this first hand. Better food can be done. There is a small 300 bed hospital in south Louisiana which has food on par with a lot of restaurants I've paid good money for. I still think it could scale up.

Giving you all of the good thoughts that I can. Good luck...

I don't think it would be considered a license. I see it more like credit. It's like filling your car up before paying for it. If they turn the pump on, it is assumed that you are to complete the transaction before you leave. The gas station is saying, "You're good for it, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt." When you buy a ticket for a concert, that could be considered a license, since it is assumed that you agree to all the rules before paying for it. Once it's paid for, then you have the license to enter the venue at the specified time, and follow the rules of the venue. Licenses are not automatic. They require an agreement, even if it is a statement of "By using this ticket, you agree to be bound by these rules" printed somewhere. Fir the recourse, say I own a restaurant, and someone breaks the rules. Maybe they tried to use a credit card to pay for the meal which I don't accept. Or they were smoking in a non-smoking section. The only thing I can do is ask them to leave? Both of those are criminal acts in some areas, but the credit card issue is across the country. There are legal remedies for business owners in these situations. It could be a restraining order so that person never steps foot in the place again, or a lawsuit to stop the publication or dissemination of fraudulently obtained photographs. If this guy had recreated the scene at home down to the same table settings, then he could publish those pictures. It becomes a recording of his own work, the work was done by him, and he gave himself permission to use the property for that use. Then an argument could be made of infringing on intellectual property rights as well. If he makes it at home for the enjoyment of his friends and family, then there is no harm done to the restaurant. If he claims it as his own, that could potentially be seen as damaging to the restaurant. The owner/lessee/tenant/manager has the right and the responsibily to see to the comfort and safety of staff and customers. If that person's vision of comfort and safety includes the banning of photography, then photography is banned. Period. Someone who takes a picture without permission is in violation of the restaurant's rules. The restaurant has to have some kind of legal recourse. Again, I'm not agreeing with the chef. The whole thing got blown out of proportion. But the blogger in question has no real legs to stand on. Had the police gotten involved at the time of the incident, the photographs could be considered evidence, which could not be released without a court order. If I make a secret recording at a concert, my equipment would be confiscated if discovered, and if it were returned to me with an erased tape, then I have no recourse against that venue. I still have what I walked in with. I just don't have that recording. If security were to smash the recorder to bits, then I have recourse. They can't keep something of yours, but they can make sure that their property does not leave with you.

And regarding the "quality of the pictures" argument that has been brought up several times, "Celebrity BW" cannot sue a photographer who used a slightly out of focus long range lens and took a picture of him scratching his butt in public. Even if it is published. He could sue if he was scratching in his back yard, or in another place where privacy could be expected (like a public restroom).

Restaurants, if not government owned, are private businesses. The public may be invited to come in, but the owner of the property still gets to make the rules. Just because one business does not have an issue with photography, does not mean that all businesses have to allow it. If you walk around without pants on at your home, you do not have the right to walk around in someone else's home like that. You can do it if you have permission. If they say you can't, then you either get dressed or leave. Simple. For example, I am a member of a public service organization. We used to run a haunted house. A member of the local press tried to get video of said haunted house for a story about Wicca that had nothing to do with us, and was plain old sensationalistic journalism. When we explained that to the reporter and said that there was no reason to include us in the story and she had to leave, we ended up having to physically block the cameraman from entering the building. We were on our private property. We have rules posted everywhere, and have the right to adapt them as needed. Do I think the chef over reacted? Maybe a bit. But the chef was legally correct. The meal does not get paid for until the end. It's not yours until the money has changed hands, even if you did consume it. Restaurants are essentially giving you credit for the meal, and if you don't fulfil your end of the bargain, then you are in default, and action can be taken against you. If you take pictures on private property of private property without permission, then I think this is an actionable incident. If you take pictures of private property from public property (like the sidewalk), then you do not need permission, but the owner may be able to protect their trademark (name/logo or other distinguishing features. For this instance, the tablecloth and china are private property. I think the owner or management of a business has the right to make their rules, understanding that those rules could potentially reduce their business. It's not much different that a restaurant requiring a jacket or not allowing smoking. Just because you can do something at another place does not mean you can do it in all places. Edited to clarify a point.

Winesonoma: Just an aside to let you know that I am thinking about you. Long term hospital stays would be no fun even when you are healthy. Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

My first badge in the Cub Scouts was for cooking. That and I was helping my grandfather turn the meat on the grill at a young age. At Easter, I was always more interested in eating the eggs than coloring them.

My wife was hospitalized for essentially malnutrition. One evening she was given a double order of potato soup, a baked potato and bread with an iceberg salad. We've kept the little ticket that came on the tray, since it was just so damn ridiculous. I've seen plenty of crappy hospital food, but I've also (albeit rarely) come across food that was at least edible, if not tasty. The margarine thing kills me too. She was there to try to boost her calorie count. Give her real butter and real milk/half and half for tea and coffee. Too much sugar in the non-dairy creamer. Julia Child once said that the one thing a hospital can't screw up is a baked potato. But I've seen it done...