Raoul Duke

Ummmmm let's see, unpreserved fruit by-product kept in the reefer for 4 years. If this doesn't scare you call 911, dip some bread in it and eat.

I buy Costco fresh bread, Rosemary & Olive Oil or Pugialise and freeze it in the bags. Thaw in the bag, in the microwave on defrost setting and it steams itself.

Saigon Bier still around Hanoi?

Have a Fisher/Paykel, double drawer, stainless for 4 years. I like the single drawer feature for small loads (2 member household) and water/energy conservation, not super quiet but OK. Cleans well but has had 2 service calls in this period, 1. the computer chip controller for one drawer went belly up so service replaced both, I suspect this was a factory issue, hence the replacement of both, 2. a retainer strip of plastic that holds back the H2O lines got caught up in the top drawer lid causing a leak (minor) that triggered a warning and non operation of unit. Service call $45 to remove the offending plastic. The seal for the lid was intact. I'd give it a 6 on the 1-10 scale, 10 being tops. Raoul

I'm surprised to see you in the "specialty food biz and sell oil" but don't mention any California oil. Have you tasted any lately? You might be suprised that the largest producer of EVOO in the US is from a Spanish/US partnership group growing/processing in California. Arbequina, Arbosna and Koroneiki. As a grower in California this is another "shameless self promotion". Unfortunately for many of us this year turns out to be the worst for olive production since the 40's. Low or non existent crop yields appear to be statewide.

Stevo, I'm with you on this version, no tomato, since my Grandmother (maternal) was Serbian.

Just in case you're adventureous, the Longbranch Saloon is serving breakfast Sat & Sun. in downtown Creston.

Bistro Laurent is a slightly more formal place than Villa Creek. They are on line as well. Interesting menu, good wine list, reasonable prices and warm ambience. If you go I'd be interested in your opinion as a reality check. Raoul

It could be a blend created for WF, that suits their customers taste, or they had so much they had to unload it, or they are cashing in on the Keller connection. I have found it hard to believe that products are bought on a recommendation of our favorite figure, except for the Joe Foreman grill I bought. Truth be told you won't know until you try it. Perhaps buy some with a few others looking to try it and set up a tasting of several oils for comparison.

Paso Robles hosts the Harvest Wine Tour, October 20/21/22. Winery tours, barrel tasting, winemaker dinners, dancing and educational seminars also. Access information at www.pasowine.com

So you stop going to the eatry because of their employment practices, but you drink the wine that immigrants picked grapes for at below level wages, simply so they don't get deported. Since when did we become arbitrators for fair wages and employment?

Makin' and eatin' chile rellenos to Jimi and a cold Tecate!

For curing olives go to www.oliveoilsource.com Check the left column for subjects on curing. Good info and advice from folks that are well connected to the olive business in Cali.

You know, almost a year has past since we've been entertained by this "discussion". For many of us on the sidelines a rematch is in order.

Smoked Salmon

Tony looked scared s***less in a large part of this "episode". Bigger men than him have rolled up in the fetal positions clutching their balls when someone screamed incoming. Raoul

Just don't drive through Chicago with it. You may be arrested!! Raoul

Your physician has a moral and ethical responsibility to get those results to you in a timely manner. This leaves the practitioner open to litigation and, if I was in his/her shoes, I'd be more careful and sensitive to these situations. We never schedule breast biopsies on Friday, simply to aviod the long, agonizing wait over the weekend, for results. Positive thoughts for you, negative for the biopsy. Raoul

Positive vibes from Cali........... Raoul

Who eats oysters in July? After having lived in the PNW and listening to the old timers talk of eating oysters only in months with "r's" in them, may make some sense. Is this what others have heard, or is it BS?

Yea, gimme the triple pattie whopper, gonzo fries, couple of them ranch dressings and ah, here let me drop my drawers for that vaccine stuff!

Welcome James and thank you for the response to the minor issues I saw in the latest issue. I'm sure we all hope to see your number of posts in the double or triple digits, time permitting. Raoul

I just received the new issue with the great looking fish on the cover but noted that there has been a change in type as well. Is it me or did some of the articles and recipes appear illegible? The canolli was one of them. Raoul

Taco Temple, north end of Morro Bay. Fresh mexican diver scallop taco yesterday, a longing desire to return today.

At the risk of sounding cheap, here's what I did when in a pinch for cannoli tubes. Search all over the small island (Maui) for tubes to no avail, when driving home I noted a discarded beach chair. Tubular constructiion of just the right diameter and the price was right. Cut sections with a small pipe cutter that tapered the ends inward, eliminating the possible sharp edges, washed, bioled in water for insurance and viola! cannoli tubes. Raoul