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Megaroo

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Everything posted by Megaroo

  1. It really depends... I think my most favorite is a little butter, a little cheese, a little sour cream (yes, this is REALLY low-fat!), bacon bits and lightly steamed broccoli. Oh... it's divine! (You can even add sauteed onions for that extra kick...) I've also been a fan of chili, sour cream and cilantro... a little lime juice is good too (surprisingly). Curry sauce with cauliflower is pretty good too...
  2. I'm not usually a fan of eating breakfast (for some reason I've never liked eating in the morning) but since my husband is, I figured that I should start making it a bit more (I never make it now) as surprises for him. Usually, I'll just either fry or poach eggs and then roast potatoes, but I'm looking for some new (exciting?) ideas... anybody have some great things that they make for breakfast?
  3. Lol - well, we'll let it slide this time. You can keep your eGullet decoder ring - for now. Consider yourself warned! In all seriousness though, I LOVE shopping at Costco and I've bought parmaesan there on more than one occasion. However, since I usually try be in and out at Costco, I can't remember taking the time to look at the selection of cheeses... it might also be that you have to buy like 3lbs at once. But I definitely will when I finally get to one! (I need to renew my card )
  4. I think my favorite has to be sauteed garlic in olive oil and butter, tossed with fresh tomatoes and chopped basil. (And topped with either parmesan or asaigo) My second favorite is garlic, sauteed in olive oil and butter, add lemon juice until warm and then tossed with lots of fresh parsley. (And of course, parmesan or asaigo!) I'm a big fan of made in 10 minute or less when I've worked until midnight, as you can see
  5. Since this seems to be such a hopping thread, I thought I'd throw my two cents in as well. Some people were saying that they think the fast and convenient food are the norm in American culture now - and I'd tend to agree, based on what I've seen. I've been blessed by being able to be influenced by two cultures in my life, American and Canadian (and yes, they are two different cultures!), and whenever I go grocery shopping down in the US, I am constantly horrified at the crap on the shelves. Now, before anyone gets offended by that, the food is filtering up to Canada as well, so I think as life gets busier and things get more hectic, more and more North American families are choosing to cut corners. It's just coming up here at a slower pace. Also, I find people who don't like to cook will cut corners. My sister is a stay at home Mom (arguably the hardest job in the world) and HATES to cook. So even though she might have more time to cook (she at least tells me she does) she hates to do it, so she'll rely on prepped food to feed her family. It was like the other day, my mother (who usually doesn't cook that much) made homemade mac and cheese for my niece. My 4 year old niece took one bite and said "Grandma, this is good, but next time can we have the stuff out of the blue box? It's my favorite!" I nearly fell out of my chair... The funny thing is, this is the same girl who prefers to make food with Aunt Fifi (that's what I'm called ) because she makes stuff from scratch. She constantly tells my sister, "That's not how you make cookies! They don't come from a box!". And she's now addicted to Food Network, but that's a whole other story. However, I think if people are taught that good, healthy food can be prepared freshly and fastly and it even tastes good, the thought processes might change (at least a little). When I took a "Home Economics" class in high school (at a private school), the class itself was a joke. Even then in high school, I knew more about cooking and preparing food than the teacher did. In fact, it got to the point she was asking me so many questions, it was like I was teaching the class. (On my report card, the teacher wrote "Thank god I had Meg in our class! She was a real asset with her extensive knowledge!" ) I think it's just that we as a society are not educated enough (or don't want to be educated) about food... thank god I had a mother who, herself didn't like to cook, but knew a great deal about food and cooking. Once she found out that I liked to cook she encouraged me to do it whenever I wanted, but I always had to use fresh foods and make things from scratch. She created the stickler that I am! Lastly, my husband is walking talking proof of the above statement. His mother hated to cook and worked full-time, so make everything from a pre-packaged mix or box. When we got married and I started cooking my way, he was shocked. (Vegetables aren't supposed to be soggy, lifeless with no color?) And now, he loves fresh, healthy food. It's because he had never been exposed to "real" food or even other cuisines... just good old Canadian food!
  6. Being the cheese freak that I am (I once spent $100 on just cheese), I've been searching for good cheese shops that carry a variety of cheeses. Being in Langley there doesn't seem to be that much in my area - so I've decided I'm probably going to have to start travelling into Vancouver to get my fix. So, where do you find the best cheese?
  7. My sister tried wasabi ice cream when she lived overseas in Asia. Apparently she loved it and is fairly upset she can't get it over here. I've also heard of/seen beer ice cream (I'm sure it would go over quite well at a Superbowl party! ) and also garlic ice cream. However, I don't know if I would be able to eat those types of ice cream... I tend to like your more regularly flavored ice cream. (Although if given the chance I would probably try them...)
  8. The thing that I always take to potlucks is my own take on Starbucks' Greek Pasta salad. It's surprisingly yummy - has pasta, chickpeas, feta, cut up peppers... all sorts of yummy things. It seems to always go over well and it's fairly simple to make.
  9. *gasp* In this day and age (age of cellphones) people still are no-shows?!? My goodness! I guess I have to thank my mother for instilling strict manners, I guess, since the thought hadn't ever occurred to me.
  10. I just wanted to say that I made Neil's recipe for marshmellows yesterday and they are FABULOUS! Now I wonder why people eat Kraft! Anyways, mine weren't quite as pillowy (although they were soft and fluffy) so I'm wondering what I can do to make them even more fluffy... (Oh, and my father, the one who will only eat cakes frosted with Seven Minute Frosting, said that they were his new favorite treat since they taste like his special frosting)...
  11. Just wanted to post a quick followup - I made my first batch of marshmellows tonight (decided to try a plain batch first - I used a recipe from Nightscotsman and they are FABULOUS! For those of you who have had Seven Minute Frosting, it's like eating a big square of the frosting... it's to die for! I will definitely be making LOTS more of these
  12. I absolutely HATE the BC Liquor Stores... although I can only speak for what is out here in the Valley. There is never anyone who knows anything about wine on staff to help out... for someone who is just starting to learn about wine, assistance would be greatly appreciated. I'm also annoyed at the selection - I can't find wines that I've tried and liked before, and when I try a wine that's readily available at the BC Liquor stores and find I really like it, when I go back, it's usually gone. I understand that you can't possibly have every wine available to man - but I think I would love having online ordering.... then I might be able to get the wines I'd like!
  13. Megaroo

    Hmmm... What to Make

    I make a meal plan once a week and then buy accordingly. However, I head to certain places once a month to stock up on supplies - the Asian market, the local butcher to pick up burger/chicken breasts... that sort of thing. Since we are definitely living on a budget (husband is in school and I work two jobs) it's MUCH easier on both of us to know what's for dinner and by knowing what we're buying straight out when we head to the different stores we shop at. To make my weekly food plan, I take the weekly flyer from our two local grocery stores and then write out what foods are on sale (that we would eat). Then I take a quick inventory of what's in the fridge and cupboards and make a meal plan from what we have and what's cheap. Everyone figures when I say we're eating on a budget that means all we eat is mac and cheese and spaghetti. However, we eat pretty well I must say... fresh salad greens with french onion soup... tonight we're having vietnamese food... I just like being creative
  14. To make a long story short, after a misunderstanding, my husband and I have ended up with 4 heads of cauliflower in the fridge. Any good recipes/ideas? Thanks!
  15. The recipe for peppermint marshmellows is actually found in this month's Martha Stewart Living (a guilty pleasure of mine )... as for the hot chocolate mix - I haven't made it in several years, so I'm frantically searching for it everyday in the recipes scattered about my apartment (I will get organized... some day). So for now, I might actually just buy some cocoa mixes. However, I will try and hunt down the old recipe I used to use.
  16. Anyone willing to part with their recipes for chutneys, dips and jellies? I haven't really ventured out into that territory when it comes to holiday gift giving, so I'd appreciate a little help! Especially if you have any ideas for the quart jars - I inherited literally hundreds from my mother-in-law when she moved and I was too busy this summer to do any canning or preserving! As for what I'm making, here's the list (if anyone wants recipes, just let me know). - Truffles (My mum owns a chocolate factory, so it's easy to get my hands on cheap chocolate... I just pop over and mess up the kitchen at the factory!) - Scottish Shortbread (Famous family recipe), with some dipped in chocolate - Peppermint marshmellows with hot chocolate mix - Stollen (a German Christmas sweet bread), sliced and put into clear bags and tied with a bow - Cookie decorating kits (with sprinkles, icings... and the cookies already baked) for my nieces and nephews (my sisters will love me!) I might make more, it just depends on the amount of overtime I put in until Christmas!
  17. Megaroo

    Kershaw Shun Knives

    I forgot to add that I did check out the Shun knife line when I went to a kitchen store the other day... they felt wonderful - not too heavy (which is a big thing for me) and the handle was just the right size for my hand. I also liked the feel of it, so I am quite excited! Thanks to everyone for letting me know you like the line!
  18. I believe that brewer's yeast is called nutritional yeast in some parts - brewer's yeast is supposedly very nutritional, so it would make sense...
  19. Since my knife set is so bad (really, the WHOLE set was $19.99 and they're dull as can be) I've asked for an Alton's Angle 6" utility knife for Christmas. I've done a little research on Shun knives and they seem to be very nice... some people have complained that the handles are smaller, but since I have small hands, I doubt that will bother me at all. I figured that would be a nice starter knife and would give me a better idea if I'd like to buy more of their knives, or switch over to Wustof. What are your thoughts on these knives? Does anyone own one of these knives? I'd really appreciate your thoughts...
  20. I will be the first admit that I have been completely spoiled when it comes to Mexican... so therefore, I'm a bit more picky. But as others have said, as a loose rule, most Mexican that you find in Canada is waaay different than what you'd find in Southern Cali or Mexico. In all fairness though, I haven't tried the restaurants that Stovetop suggested (although my sister went to Las Margaritas and didn't like it at all - and I trust her judgement on this as she's from Southern Cali) - I've only tried others. So, if I try one of them and I find that I really like it, I'll be sure to recommend it - I promise. I was speaking of the Mexican restaurants that I have tried... Meg
  21. If you're willing to brave it and head down to American soil, right across the Aldergrove/Lynden border, there's a little restaurant called El Ranchitos about 10 minutes south of the border. Pretty good Mexican I would have to say I too have been spoiled by really good Mexican food - travelling lots to Southern Cali and Mexico and also having a father who's as white as they get, who thinks he's Mexican (Really, the stories I could tell! ). My husband, who had never had really good Mexican until dating me, is a convert who complains that some how Mexican food gets changed (and not in a good way) when it crosses the Canadian border. But the best overall if I can't get El Ranchitos is the famous homemade Chiles Rellenos my mom learned to make from an exchange student about 30 years ago... (there's never been leftovers, no matter how much she makes) after years of practice, she swears that I've perfected the craft as well I promise if we ever have an Egullet Vancouver Mexican get together, I'll make enough that everyone will get their fill
  22. Megaroo

    Roasting Turkey

    My no fail recipe is a mixture of a Martha Stewart's turkey recipe and some FoodTV tips. I roast the turkey with Martha's recipe, but roast it breast side down for most of the time in the oven. Also, soaked cheesecloth and LOTS of basting. Also try having a thermometer in the turkey - best $39.99 I've ever spent...
  23. Since I'm starting to grow old of the standard brewer's yeast or my sister's invention of grated parmesan cheese (the Kraft kind *gasp*) with butter, onion powder and garlic powder. (Not exactly healthy but YUMMY!) What new and exciting things have you tried to spice up your popcorn?
  24. I don't mind if people are discreetly talking on their cell phone. However, most people find it necessary (God knows why) to talk extremely loudly on their phone. I also don't mind if the phone is on vibrate, but it's entirely different thing if their phone keeps ringing (loudly). It annoys the hell out of me. I hate people who treat servers as if they are second class citizens and on the flip side, I hate servers who are rude and pretentious. I work in the service industry (Starbucks ) and we work really hard at my store to be friendly, helpful and efficient. I hate when people come in and treat us like crap and think they own us because they spent $1.66 (canadian) on a cup of tea. I think everyone should have to work in the service industry at least once - you gain a whole new perspective on things. It doesn't mean you tolerate rude or bad service, but you understand when something goes wrong, it's not always the servers fault. Case in point, my husband and I were at a restaurant where our food was taking a bit longer than usual - my husband started to get a little antsy (and pissy ). I reassured him that it might be a problem in the kitchen or something but he still was getting antsy. Not even two minutes later, the server (who I assure you didn't hear our conversation) came out with our food, apologizing profusely. Apparently, the chef had made my dish wrong (I asked for Pad Thai without shrimp, just the chicken) and had to quickly remake it. The chef didn't notify her that he was remaking it until she asked where our dishes where since it was taking awhile, so she couldn't come out earlier to tell us it would be a few more minutes.
  25. Oh my god - I lived in Nelson with my sister and her family one summer and that bakery - they got a GOOD chunk of my paycheck. They also used to have good quality cheese available - you might ask if you have a chance. All Seasons is a definite must if you have the time and money (awesome food and wine list). My favorite place (if you like Asian food) is the Rice Bistro (formerly the Rice Bowl), although I frequented a lounge called Louie's alot as well... good appetizers, desserts and drinks there. Finally, there's a restaurant in the same building/room as Louie's... it might be called Louie's as well, I can't remember. Long story short, it was an amazing night - with amazing food.... God I miss Nelson I'm a bit of a Nelson addict as you can see
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