dougery

Ok all of you pacific northwesterners, I'm going to the Puyallup fair for the first time in about 20 years and I'm looking for some recommendations. If the scones are exactly the same as they used to be, I'm not buying them, and I can't stand the elephant ears. I've never tried a deep fried twinkie so I'm tempted to try one of those but other than that I don't have a clue as to what is good at the fair. My wife is in her third trimester so anything unpasturized is out of the question. Any suggestions out there?

Ok, the season is approaching and it's time to talk matsutake! Favorite places to hunt... I wont tell, I promise : 0) favorite dishes, best places to buy! Most of my friends always thought I got excited around fall because of the holidays but they are sorely mistaken! My first dish every matsutake season is just matsutake sauted in butter, then sprinkled with a touch of lemon and just a dash of soy. I like to eat this with a cup of cold sake. My first experience of the year has to be as pure and clean as possible. Next up?...

If you are going to be walking around the area, you should stop by Scarecrow video just to take a look at their video selection. They offer the LARGEST selection of international/independant films you will ever see! Fun place to just walk around and browse. George, the original owner, was the most passionate movie watcher I've ever met.

I have a foodsaver (a step up from entry level and about a year old) and I love it. I purchase a lot of bulk items at Costco and the foodsaver extends the lifespan of a lot of my bulk foods. I actually started using the Sears brand of vacuum bags on the foodsaver. They are less expensive and I feel offer a better vacuum. I do have a couple of gripes about my foodsaver though... The foam rubber gasket keeps popping out after every sealing, and spillover liquids are a little challenging to clean at times, but even with these drawbacks, definitely worth the money if you buy in bulk!

For Indian Cuisine: Cedars and Taste of India. Although Cedars receives much more press I HIGHLY recommend Taste of India.

For business demographics I love "Melt". If it's a more youthfull clientelle maybe something like "Phat's" or "Sick Shakes". I think I am going through a mid life crisis...

I'm sorry in advance if I got this wrong but for "resources" I'll assume you meant ingredients. Carolyn's thread recommendation has a lot of good links for recipes but here is what I like to do. Since I have never really used measuring cups when I make this I'll go by approximation. Batter * about two cups flour * two eggs * 1+ cups cold water and/or dashi (vegetable stock works well too) * 1/2 tspn salt (if just using water) Ingredients to mix in batter: * 2 cups sliced cabbage * 1/2 cup chopped scallions (other suggestions: chopped squid, chopped octopus, chopped prawns, sliced age tofu, etc) Mix together, it should have a thick pancake like consistency. suggested toppings (assorted combinations like pizza): Thinly sliced side pork Thinly sliced beef squid octopus eggplant prawns mochi Pickled ginger nori bonito (I experimented with topping it with finely sliced seared maguro and ponzu.. it was excellent) mayo okonomiyaki sauce There is a specific order in how you will want to apply toppings, flip the okonomiyaki, apply finishing toppings, and Carolyns thread recommendation will probably give you better instructions. It is best prepared on a griddle in the middle of the table and have each person dress and prepare their own okonomiyaki. There are almost an infinite number of variations to this "pancake" so experimentation is a must. I hope this is what you were looking for. I could include more info if you'd like.

I do like natto a lot but I found the following few quotes quite funny: *Natto, fermented soybeans, is part of an elaborate joke played on foreigners in Japan. *Of our five senses, sight and smell tell us that natto is not something to be put near our mouths. If you can imagine putrid beans covered in slime, you don't even need to open the packet. *It's most popular in Tokyo, where the smell of the filthy ocean makes natto seem fragrant. http://ballz.ababa.net/uninvited/natto.htm

Sounds wonderful, I wish I could fly over there for dinner tonight... Was the okonomiyaki served or did you prepare it yourself? Preparing it yourself is fun. I once went to an okonomiyaki party at a friends house. They had three griddles on a huge coffee table, with tons of different ingredients in the middle (squid, octopus, beef, shrimp, eggplant,etc..) and everyone sat around and cooked their own. It's a great party to throw especially in the winter, it will bring your home temperature up to about 80 degrees (great way to save money on your heating bill!)

I made okonomiyaki from scratch last night and had a most enjoyable meal with my wife. Okonomiyaki continues to be on of my all time favorites meals and I think I will die with a mouthfull of okonomiyaki and mochi. My mother made okonomiyaki that was well cooked and had a bit of a dumpling consistency. When I ate it in Japan (not the self cooked style but served) it always came a bit wet and runny. Is this typical for the Osaka style of Okonomiyaki? I probably wont make it this way for I was raised on a well cooked version, but I was just curious. I typically like mine very simple: cabbage, LOTS of scallions, side pork and nori. No mayo, or okonomiyaki sauce. Just soy and some chili oil and lots of green tea. How do you folks prepare/eat yours?

Dipping roasted mochi in furikake. mmmmmm...

It's been a while but I remember that waffles, butter, maple syrup, and a tall glass of whole milk were the best combination of flavors and textures I have ever experienced in my entire life : 0)

Wow, there are some serious libraries out there! I'll add my 37 books to the total, now if you asked how many file folders of recipes are out there... that is a totally different story.

I really like the Benriner and 17.50 is a great price. Japanese-knife.com carries this Mandoline and I think they have one of the best prices out there. I've used this mandoline for quite a few years and it is made quite well. The price is deceiving!

If it's not too late, go to DeLaurenti Specialty Food & Wine for olive oil. Chukar Cherries aren't a bad thing to bring with you either.

I love this topic, deep fried hamburger patties are my favorite!! I like to make them by combining 1lb hamburger, 1-2 eggs, chopped yellow onion (I love the onions in this!), garlic, panko, salt and pepper. Mix well, form into Patties, flour, egg wash, then panko and fry. (I hope this is what you meant by how I like them). I like to eat them with tonkatsu sauce, hot rice, chopped cabbage, cold sliced tomato's, sliced takuan, and a cup of hot green tea (Korean nori on the side would be nice as well). PS, I like to add a dash of Tobasco to the tonkatsu sauce

My wife and I will be spending mid August up in Vancouver Island for a Dragon Boat race and have decided to take a little time off up in Parksville/Coombs area. The last time we were there we found a little Japanese restaurant gem. Does anyone have any other good recommendations for restaurants in this area? As for price/ethnicity, anything goes (the only exception is we will not be travelling with our Sunday's best, so casual attire would be prefered). Thanks in advance!

On work days my breakfast usually consists of a cup of really stong coffee and a nutrigrain bar as I am running out the door, but if I should actually have time, I will have a bowl of cereal as well. Non work days... that is another matter. Portuguese sausage with rice, scrambled eggs, and fruit is my favorite, but a good corned beef hash with scrambled eggs and an english muffin would do as well. Ochazuke with assorted pickles and miso will do in a pinch.

Oh yea, I'll never forget elementary school "Pizza" day (Seattle Public Schools, 1975ish). Soft French bread with tomato sauce and some kind of meat and cheese. If you were able to get your hands on one of these babies you would have the choice of any other kid's lunch AND their show and tell toy for trade. These pizza's were highly sought after prizes by the children in Wallingford, I kid you not!

Wontons definitely Chinese doughnuts Corndogs (home made of course!)

I second the Totino's Pizza rolls (or pizza). It has to be pepperoni.

Were you cooking with magnesium? That's a new twist.

The Icon Grill on fifth avenue. Pacific Place is just around the corner. 1933 5th Ave Seattle, WA 98101 Phone: (206) 441-6330 Hope your friends enjoy Seattle!

I know for many of you pubs are like churches so to each his/her own, but I'll put down my "churches" of choice. Murphy's in Wallingford, a must for those stout and Guinness drinkers. Coopers in lake city way, decent grub and good company. Pyramid Brew-pub by Safeco Field, Their beer sampler is da-bomb! Great price too!

Ok, I'm not tired anymore, BTW, thanks for the tip Msramsey, when did it move? I was there not long ago (I think...) Ok, here are a few more: Kingfish cafe - they have to have the best catfish/grits and thier strawberry shorcake... well you've just got to try it. (casual dining) Fremont Classic Pizzaria - Got to try their pizza's! (casual dining) Beppo's - Not the highest quality food, but one of the best family restaurants. Be sure to request to be seated at either the "Pope" table or the "Kitchen" table. (family dining, casual) Taste of India - located on Roosevelt just south of the DOL. Best curry (I like them even more than Cedar's). Their Korma and Masala are the best!! My wife disliked Indian food until I took her here. (casual) Cheap eats: Fish and Chips, you've got to go to Spud's!! Greenlake or West Seattle! I'll add more as they come to me. Traditional casual attire for a Seattlite: Sunny and warm: Fleece, jeans, sandals (just kidding) T-shirt, shorts, Teva's, Chaco's or Berks, fleece vest for evening attire. Cool: Gotta have FLEECE! jeans, Trail running shoes or boots. Rainy: fleece, Gortex, jeans, hiking boots. If in doubt, go with fleece, jeans, and tennis shoes.