Susan in FL

When I was in San Diego last weekend, I got some Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale, which maybe has replaced Victory Hop Devil as my all time over all favorite.

Sorry, NASCAR fans who are also food enthusiasts ["racy foodies" maybe?] for not keeping this topic going strong. How 'bout the night races when it's perfect timing for watching while eating dinner? Last night would have made for a LONG late dinner. I enjoyed skewered marinated pork and sweet onions, with fresh corn salsa and Shiraz, followed by banana slices which had been soaked in flavored rum -- I had to find something to do with that nasty stuff besides throw it away -- and then sauteed in butter and brown sugar. The menu had no particular relevance to the race, but it was consumed in front of the TV on my porch!

I haven't been around enough to be able to make even an uneducated guess, but I'm looking forward to finding out who it is. This person and I have quite a few cookbooks in common.

Please do! I've enjoyed these replies. I grilled on the past three Sundays. It wasn't intentionally a race tradition, but since a pattern seems to be developing it just might turn into one.

Today is the 50th annual running of the Daytona 500 at the present speedway, which is about five miles from my house. Prior to that, it took place here on the beach. Each year I declare this event the first day of summer in Florida. Snowangel Susan and all other NASCAR fans, what are you eating? Though it might not be the start of warm summer weather for you, it is an opening day of sorts for all of us fans. Please post about what you eat in celebration of stock car racing in general and NASCAR in particular, this week and for all races to come! Are there any of you who go to races and what do you eat while you're there? Some of the campers who are here go all out, cooking in and around their RV's. Do speedways have certain foods for sale they are known for, like baseball stadiums do? The cars are fast, but not all the food will be. My most recent ex-husband and I are getting together to watch the race, steam some local shrimp, grill a steak dinner, and enjoy the food and drink almost as much as the race. What are you having? Have fun!

I can't speak from my own experience, but everyone who has told me about theirs says yes it does produce enough to use on a regular basis. I bought my son's fiancee in San Diego one for Christmas, but haven't had a chance to get a recent report. I'll try to remember to post here, after I do.

A new eG trend, fish porn?! Damn, that looks good.

I was, but now I want my camera to be more all-purpose. I don't do as much food photography as I used to, but I want it to be good when I do. I want a camera more convenient for travel, so that's a very good point about AA batteries. Pocket-size might have been a bit of an understatement. Big pocket or purse-size will be a lot better than all I have to carry around with me now. I am heading to that site now. Thanks so much for all the information. Thanks, Marlene. Your food photos are good; that's a testament for sure! I am hoping for something that works well in low light settings.

Klary, that just looks too good. Kim, I love the meatloaf idea. I am literallly keeping a list of ideas I'm getting. I'm sort of embarrased to admit I had beef again tonight. Last night I made a beef stew recipe that appealed to me because it had orange zest in it. Beef and orange is a heavenly combination. I prepared it except for the slow cooking, and put it in the crock pot today. When I got home tonight, I cooked noodles, made a salad, and poured some very cheap Shiraz. It was perfect, also because today was the coldest day we've had in many months (like in the low 70's!). It was so tasty. I love to come home from work to the smell of a good dinner cooked & ready. Tomorrow I go out of town for a conference, so I'll be eating out for a few nights.

I agree with everyone. That is quite exciting. I am glad to see that egg porn is still alive and well on the eG forums! I love it. Beautiful steak! Sounds wonderful, Priscilla. Do you spatchcock chicken when you cook it under a brick? That is beautiful, too. Like Kim said, beautiful meals, everyone. Kim, good luck with keeping up the cooking, with that much work. It put a cramp in my style while I was working so many hours. I love the panini press. I used to use the method you mentioned before this. I might not have gotten one if I hadn't bought it with airline miles! It's a Hamilton Beach and I would recommend it for a Christmas wish list. Last night's dinner was penne and a meaty sauce with pancetta, sausage, and beef. Apparently my craving for meat wasn't satisfied because tonight I wanted more beef and so I cooked "hamburger steak." One of the many advantages of single life is the selfish pleasure of cooking exactly what I'm craving!

That sounds like something to consider. I don't think my photos with this camera I have now are much better than with the little thing I had before (custody of which went to my ex husband). Thanks.

Does anyone have updated information or a recommendation for a good little pocket camera for digital food photos (and for good snaphots in general)? I am going to remain on the amateur level and I am giving serious consideration to selling my Canon Digital Rebel XT and all the stuff I bought to go with it, and returning to a point-and-shoot. It's too much to carry around, and that's the main reason I'm not getting my money's worth of this camera. I would appreciate hearing what you have, if you use a camera in this way and are happy with the results, or if you know of something to stay away from.

It's so good to be seeing you all again, too. Thank you for the greetings. That looks so good. It's going on my to-cook list. A special welcome to you. I love it when long-time-lurkers post, especially when the food sounds so good. Don't go away! That sounds delicious, and is timely for me. Just yesterday I was scraping some vanilla into my creme brulee making, and thought to myself that I would like to fix a savory dish with vanilla in it soon. I clicked your web site link and got the recipe. Thanks! Last night I cooked Asian-style lamb chops and black beans and braised cippoline onions. I was disappointed in the lamb chops. They were marinated and I liked the marinade, but it would have been better for something other than lamb. You'd think after all these years I would have learned by now that the only way I'm fully satisfied with the taste of lamb chops is to just plain cook them. Unless it's just a little rosemary and garlic sometimes, for me too much preparation distracts from the good flavor. The black beans were slow-cooked all day with some browned pancetta, minced shallot, garlic cloves, and homemade lamb & chicken stock. Worth mentioning is the 2004 Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi. I love Zinfandel with black beans. It was not pretty enough to photograph, but here are a couple of my recent dishes that I did. A pork and noodle soup created from stuff on hand -- it was sort of a cross between Japanese and Thai styles: A panino of goat cheese, basil leaves, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives I made with my new panini press:

I cut back my working hours and it has given me the opportunity to browse the forums more often. There's no way I can catch up with all I've missed or comment on all these delicious looking and sounding dinners, but suffice it to say, you all are eating as good as ever! Thanks, Judith. I have been using Spanish smoked paprika recently, after buying some for a specific recipe, so I appreciate the ideas. I've found that the key for me is not to over-do the amount. Ahhh yes, a favorite stand-by of mine which I haven't had for a while. Thank you, and thanks All, for the ideas. I'm not into photographing food like I used to, but I do so once in a while. Last night was not one of them. I had horseradish-crusted salmon and potatoes, corn, cucumbers & onion salad, and Shiraz. It tasted good, but it was not pretty. Here's a picture of a recent beer can chicken on my Weber, though. If I recall correctly, smoked paprika was in the rub. Beer can chicken tastes good, AND is pretty.

I haven't come up with something new and interesting to do with Strega since this topic was active, but your post prompted me to try. Thanks! (Where's Katie Loeb? )

I extend my best wishes to both of you. I enjoyed working with you when I was a volunteer. You contributed so much to the eG Society, and thank you for that! Mary, I am pleased that we met in person and I have enjoyed my visits to your winery. If not before, I plan to visit again when I'm in California for my son's wedding in August. I look forward to seeing you again. Take care, Mary and Brad. Cheers!

I went to San Diego for a few days and was thrilled to find that one of the beers on tap at my hotel was Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale! AND, recently here at home I've had some Victory Hop Devil, Anderson Valley Oatmeal Stout, and Old Dominium Millenium brought to me by Russ from one of his trips to Delaware. It PAYS to be on friendly terms with your exes. AND, I've indulged in a few Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout floats of late. Old favorites keep calling me back.

Richie! I just saw this, or else I would have sent my very best regards to you before now. There isn't time or space to share all the food- and drink-related reminiscences that you and I have. From our first meeting many years ago, after having met on the Prodigy Food and Drink boards, to co-hosting the Beer Forum here with you, I enjoyed every bite and sip in your company -- online and in person. Katie expressed it well, and like she said, I know I'll still get to see you and benefit from your wit and wisdom. Thank you for your many contributions. You are a dear friend; you are my Best Beer Friend! Love to you and Robyn and your beautiful twins... Cheers!

Katie, I feel as though I met you! We came close, but it didn't happen. Yet. I'm still hoping that you and Lisa1349 (and maybe RP if he's a good boy) and I can get together at some great bar in Philly. Thanks for all your Philly recommendations, especially Amada. I wish you the best, and thanks for all you did for the eG community.

Yes, it's Christmas in July time! Thanks for the reminder. I've got quite a few holiday brews put away and will taste some when I get home from vacation. In Rehoboth Beach, DE on the 4th I had a Twin Lakes Pale Ale from Greenville, DE. I didn't even know about Twin Lakes Brewing Co. until this trip. I liked its full flavor without too much heaviness and its taste of citrusy hops. There is a new-to-me package store in Rehoboth which has one of the best beer selections I've seen in the local area, Cape Wine & Spirits. I'm looking forward to some Victory Hop Devil and Monty Python's Holy Grail Ale later tonight. These are two of my favorites which I haven't been able to buy in Florida. Yay!

Wow, the times they are a changin'. I'm sorry to hear that you too had to succumb to the demands of working for money, but I understand and empathize. I don't know how to give proper tribute to you; you are someone who IS eGullet. I thank you for everything, especially Brooksie's Seafood Gumbo. I wish you the best.

Wow, thanks everyone, I just discovered this topic last night, and wanted to let you know I appreciate it. Your kind words made me feel good, and made me want to somehow find time to sign on to the eG forums more often! I'm adjusting to my "new" -- not so new anymore, but it takes time settling into a different lifestyle than the one to which I was accustomed -- full-time work schedule that was the reason I had to step down. This work schedule and lifestyle has forced some changes into the way I cook and eat; and when I am lurking, my attention is drawn to some different subjects, such as quicker and easier meals, more budget-conscious food shopping, and cooking for one. Hopefully I will do more posting, including that beloved "Dinner thread." I loved hosting and I dearly miss it all, but I especially miss having a part in the making of the awesome eG Foodblogs. Hoping to see more of you, and again with thanks, Susan

Ah Leung, your blog is like an excellent meal -- not just all the obvious of looks-good and tastes-good, but it's heartwarming, too. You mentioned my remark from some time ago when I was in charge of the foodblogs, that we would work on getting a fridge shot. I'll take it easy on you since I'm not in charge anymore! I would like say I am taking special pride in this blog; it's the last one in which I had a part in the planning, before my personal circumstances made it necessary for me to give up my volunteer work for the eG Society... A special thanks to you, and Happy New Year.

Yay cucumber, Megan! This is an incredibly good blog, Megan... one that I've been looking forward to for a long time! It's dream food.

There are 2 breeds of Cabrales. Walnut leaf wrapped, the nicely complex one. And one that comes in a dark green foil, that I sent back to a supplier and said, "That's not cheese, it's moldy manure in foil!" I've been enjoying Roaring 40's blue from Australia. Quite potent and boisterous. ← Just tried this recently. It's awesome. Really creamy and assertive. Yum! ← Thanks for the feedback about the Cabrales. I'll be sure to look for walnut leaf wrapped next time. Since the last experience, I haven't been inclined to buy any more. I love Roaring 40's, too.