CRUZMISL

Hi All, I am going to a party this Saturday amd I am bringing a pumpkin cheescake with bourbon whipped cream. My question is can I add gelatin or something to the whipped cream to keep it stable for 5 hrs or so? Thanks, Joe

Hi All, I want to make a few for the Holidays but I can't seem to find the molds. Also anyone have a good recipe for plain Panettone? My wife doesn't like the fruit. I'll assume I can use any recipe and omit the fruit? Thanks, Joe

OK, pressure cookers were never very popular in my family but the idea of making stocks etc in record time might make the purchase worth it. Any one regularly use a pressure cooker? I was thinking of getting a WMF Perfect Plus 6.5 quart model. Any advice on this subject I know nothing about is appreciated. Joe

It looks interesting, Any thoughts? Here is a picture. Thanks, Joe

I have tried Nobu and Sushi Roku at Caesars both very good. Can't go wrong with either. The toro at Roku was melt in your mouth ........

Well I just got back from Vegas last night and tried the buffet at the Wynn. It was OK but nothing special. Most of the food was cold and not worth the money. We were staying at the Venezia tower so we ate the remainder of our morning meals at Bouchon. The breakfast is truly the best in Vegas IMHO. Yes it's expensive but they make their own jam for crying out loud. It is very consistent and the pastries are beyond reproach. Other notables I visited were Olives, Mona Ami Gabi, Sushi Roku, and Lotus of Siam (clearly the best value) Joe

Hi All, I'm heading back to Vegas again. I used to always eat breakfast at the Paris buffet but it has seemed to go downhill over the years. Any suggestions where I can get a decent breakfast? It doesn't necessarily have to a be buffet style but the selection is nice. Thanks! Joe

Any ideas? I had saved some online sources but they were deleted. Thanks, J.

Does Reggiano qualify as "artisanal"?

I got a Foodsaver for Christmas and I vacuum packed all my old cheese. Alton Brown said on a cheese episode that it needs to breath and should be wrapped in wax paper. I found it dried out that way. Is it OK to vacuum pack? Thanks, Joe

Last 3 reataurants inclue Tribute, Sweet Georgia Brown and Rattlesnake Club. All some of the best the Detroit area has to offer. It was my Anniversary this weekend so the list doesn't reflect my routine. If it did I would be broke:) Joe

Both seem really good but which one is better? Any thoughts? Thanks, JOE

With corn season in full swing i wanted to give it a try. I love creamed corn. Thanks, Joe

I had the Hattori's before Kill Bill. I guess I'm a trendsetter :) I too have an edgepro and am comfortable using it on my knives. Joe

My wife and I landed at about 8am and I hadn't been in Vegas 2 hours and was already $500 richer. I knew this would be a great trip :) My wife and I always eat at the Paris Buffet for breakfast (yes I know, but it's good, I swear). Even though we stay at the Bellagio the buffet is better. That evening we went to Nobu at the Hard Rock Hotel. Not normal sushi fare and frankly I had no idea what to order. Fortunately for us there was a fellow sitting next to us at the bar that travels the globe and happens to live very close to the Nobu in NY. He suggested the chef's special. They basically bring out whatever they feel like. The food was in a word, fantastic. Service was great food was superb and the atmosphere was very comfortable. I would highly recommend it. It was expensive ($200 including a few beers) but well worth it. The next night I had reservations for Lutece but had to cancel because friends we were meeting there weren't dressed for it nor could they afford it. Oh well, always next time. We did however eat lunch at Postrio that day. While the service was great and the food was good it was nothing to get too excited about. The third day we ate at Picasso. I brought my own bottle of wine and both my wife and I had the degustation and she had the wine pairing. This was the quintessential dining experience. Service was beyond reproach and every dish was a piece of art. We can't really remember exactly what we ate though because we were both tanked from all the wine:) A few things stick out though. Foie gras was fantastic and my aged lamb roti was amazing. My wife's warm chocolate something or other was world class. They even waived the $35 corkage fee since my wife had the wine pairing so in essence my wife's wine cost $12. Our bill including tip was $350 but it too was well worth it. The last day before we headed for the airport we decided to try Circo for lunch. This is the best Italian food I have had in years. I had a seafood stew which had a ton of shrimp, clams, octopus etc. It was very, very good. My wife had some ricotta /sage ravioli which was also very good. The pizza was fantastic and blew Wolfgang's out of the water. The bomboloni we had for dessert were perfectly prepared. Service was wonderful despite the fact I was in shorts and a T-shirt. Lunch without booze was $92 Sorry I'm not much on details but that's my story. If you plan to go to Vegas soon be sure to make time for a Canyon Ranch spa treatment at The Venetian. Me likey :) Joe

memck, thanks for the tip. It's not really the money but $75 for a wicker basket and some cloth???? I thought it was a bit extreme. I am going to order some of the others though. I'll shell out $25 a piece for them since I'll use them every weekend. Joe

That's probably the best approach especially if your friends are like mine where there is an unspoken grading system. :) BTW the cocoa would have easily hidden the mess BUT you also have to be careful not t put on too much . Everytime somone take's a bite they usually take a breath and may inhale some cocoa. That has disastrous effects on the ejoyment of your desert. The piece will usually end up coughed across the room.

Hmm, whipped cream doesn't go well with cheesecake IMHO. How about coating the cake entirely in a chocolate ganache or maybe even just the top, or dusting the top with cocoa powder and then a few dashes of confectioners sugar with some type of abstract design? Joe

Thanks! I flour my towels like crazy but the sourdoughs are pretty wet and always stick. I'll try without the liner for now and go from there. The design would be neat to see. Joe

I am looking for some lined banneton's. King Arthur has them but I can't see paying $75 for a wicker basket and some cloth. There has to be something more economical. I'm tired of my sourdough sticking to my towels. All that effort down the drain at the last moment. They still taste good, just flatter than they should be.... Thanks, Joe

I have a #7 Kamado and it is beyond reproach. Go for it. You won't be disappointed. I sold my $2000 stainless steel LazyMan for it and will never look back. Joe

I'm curious what your thoughts are on this restaurant. I am heading to VEgas at the end of the month and was thinking of trying it. Thanks, Joe

How ironic. My Torres chocolates are being delivered tomorrow at my work in A2. Go figure. As far as your choice, I always order from Torres. Very consistent and the macadamia nuts are fantastic. Buy a lb for yourself. Joe

Thanks for all the replies. It is a Durian. As always, I can rely on the gullet for knowledge. Anyone know where I can find some in the US? Thanks, Joe PS Based on the reports I'm not sure I want to try it again but what the hell....

I can't remember the name. The only thing I can remember is the interior is like a custard. Anyone know what it's called and where I can find it? Thanks, Joe