kiliki

I never made pancakes until I tried Cook's Illustrated's "Light and Fluffy Pancakes." They are wonderful. In the same issue they have a recipe that produces even lighter and fluffier 'cakes than their standard recipe but I haven't made that. I think they beat the egg to soft peaks before adding it for that one. I believe www.americastestkitchen.com has the first pancake recipe as well.

LMF: You can get Red Hawk (and the equally delicious Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam) here in Seattle at Whole Foods and sometimes at PCC (I've seen it at PCC Greenlake once or twice). I believe I've also seen it at Beecher's. I've been a huge fan of these cheeses ever since living at Point Reyes last summer.

I buy beef from either local vendors (at the farmer's market) or from small, family owned businesses who raise "naturally grown" (not necessarily organic) beef. This is widely available here in Seattle, and isn't even much more expensive, but in many places I imagine you would need to go to Whole Foods or a similar store. I don't do it for safety reasons as much as environmental. I also would rather support families that care about their product rather than corporate agribusiness who care about nothing besides profit. "Power Steers" is a terrific article (and NOT anti-meat, if that possibility turns anyone off to reading it).

Just about the only place I'll eat in the U District (and I spend a lot of time in the neighborhood, since I'm a grad student) is Than Bros. Pho at 4207 University Way. Agua Verde is pretty good and has a nice view. The 71-72-73 express buses from University Avenue to downtown takes all of 10 minutes, if you'd like to get out of the neighborhood.

Thanks, I will try strong coffee. I did search the foodtv and epicurious sites also, but didn't trust some of those recipes (Emeril uses ricotta instead of mascarpone? And Mario instant coffee? Bleh.).

The recipe calls for a cup of espresso, and since I don't have an espresso maker, I'd have to go and buy enough shots from a coffeehouse. Can I use strongly brewed (good quality) coffee instead? I usually make coffee in a french press-does anyone know the ratio of coffee:water I'd use? Thanks. This is for a family gathering and the family is NOT comprised of foodies so the difference between coffee and espresso in the tiramisu will probably be lost on them.

In addition to the above, hash browns with the shredder blade and certain types of salsa with the regular blade. I wouldn't worry about trying to think of uses for it-you'll find yourself using it for all sorts of things you are now doing by hand, like pie dough.

I made some really delicious corn cakes for breakfast with my farmer's market corn this weekend.

Well, aren't y'all a bunch of optimists. I'm feeling rather down about the passage of summer and the fact that I never ever find enough time to make all of the summer foods that I love. I guess I look forward to pomegranates and local oysters, and I did make a nice roast chicken (Marcella's) last night.

I'll also add that if you're willing to do the legwork, wild blueberries and huckleberries are ripe in the mountains right now.

I was just up at the Market during lunch and the vendors that have the temporary stalls right on Pike Place have a fabulous selection of gorgeous looking summer squashes and chiles as well as some interesting cukes and eggplants. Also, the crowds have largely gone home so it was much easier to shop than it has been for months.

Tomatos, peppers (chile and bell) and cukes come to mind (probably because they are ripe in my garden). This is the only time of year I make gazpacho as the ingredients really need to be outstanding.

While on a business trip last week I visited the Sacramento farmer's market. While it wasn't the best/most diverse market I've ever been to, I was blown away that almost nothing cost more than $1/lb. A number of varieties of peaches, nectarines, grapes, summer squashes, chilis, etc, all $1/lb or less. Big red, yellow and orange peppers, 4 for $1. I paid all of $1.50 for a basket of strawberries.

I know it's too late, but for subsequent visits they make a terrific oysters rockefeller.

La Spiga, Zig Zag, the patio at Sambar (the inside is a bit too bright and crowded to be sexy), and the Rendezvous, especially their upstairs, which they may or may not let you into, depending on if it has been reserved. I've never had the food at the Rendezvous, though. I agree with the Serafina vote for sexiness, though I've had a few mediocre meals there.

No, I went in March. I finally tried one of those Tully's shakes since some people here raved. It was awful-so sickeningly sweet. Nothing beats the espresso shakes at the Cascadian Farm stand in Rockport. Unfortunately that is a 3 hour drive from Seattle.

I'm thinking of giving a restaurant gift certificate to my little brother for his 30th bday. He isn't a foodie, but he's just been laid off and would appreciate taking his girlfriend out to a nice dinner, I think. Can anyone recommend a restaurant in the Haight-Ashbury area (they don't have a car, and they live on the street that runs along the south side of the Golden Gate Park panhandle-I THINK Haight-Asbury is their neighborhood), maybe something bistro like, upscale/casual, where a couple could get dinner and a couple glasses of wine for under $100?

You are KILLING ME. I had planned to visit friends in Maine next month, largely just to eat lobster every day, but I am too swamped with work and cannot go.

Zig Zag is my favorite.

That is a terrific essay and has made me crave a lobster roll ever since I read it. If you want a lobster roll in Seattle you will have to make it yourself, unfortunately. Really, if you want lobster ANYTHING in Seattle you'll probably have to make it yourself-I rarely even see lobster on a menu (El Gaucho and the Met are the only places that come to mind).

Ballard Market had them for $2.99/lb.

Next time your kids drag you there, bring a book called Entangeled Edens by Candace Slater. It examines American ideas and myths about the rainforest as compared to the reality of the place. I sort of want to go to the Rainforest Cafe just to see how corporate America has portrayed the rainforest this time.* *Disclaimer: I'm an environmental historian so I find this stuff fascinating. Others may not.

THANK YOU!

I've been thinking about this since that post about fresh shrimp at Mutual Fish. What are the best prawns that we can get here in Seattle? I find the previously frozen black tiger prawns that are widely available here pretty bland, and I hate cleaning the eggs off of the Alaskan spot prawns (I don't find these that great, anyway). They have "jumbo gulf prawns" at one store in the Market, but they are $19.99-$22.99/lb and I don't know if they are worth it (I haven't bought them). Advice? What do you buy? I really wanted some for our block party tonight as we are all dragging our grills out front into the street.

I agree with jschyun that certain foods can cause acne. For me, it is dairy products. Small amounts are fine, and certain dairy products (ie yogurt) don't seem to have much effect, but if I eat a generous portion of blue cheese or three pieces of pizza it will show up on my skin a day or two later.