natasha1270

Was cleaning out some phone pics and came across these that I took at bed, bath and beyond that I meant to add to this thread... The stalkchop and coconut opener:

This Limited Edition All Black KitchenAid Stand Mixer is giving me life right now. If only I had a spare $1k laying around...

This cooling rack on amazon.com has 2.2" legs and is purple!

This older topic might have some good detailed comparisons for you to check out. It also seems to suggest the protein/meal-replacement bars are a good deal there. I'm not sure if that is still true as I can get decent prices on boxes of them at Bed, Bath & Beyond with 20% off coupons since my local BBB store carries food items. Otherwise, the gist of the thread indicates WF has comparable prices on staples and higher on most other.

Yes, that pre-cut squash is definitely worth it but who knows how long ago it was prepped? This concept is also interesting from a job creation perspective. I have no restaurant industry experience but I wonder how the grocery compensation/benefits/hours would compare.

I actually enjoy prepping more than cooking but having someone else deal with butternut and other hard squashes seems awfully tempting.

Is this just a New York thing or are vegetable butchers coming soon to a store near you? Apparently, there are a couple of stores in New York already where you bring your produce to the in store counter and they will prep it to your specifications. I think it's an interesting extension of pre-chopped produce that you already do see in stores. From what I've read there does seem to be a service charge. http://www.thekitchn.com/whole-foods-new-feature-is-a-meal-prepper-s-dream-241298

Yesterday I made a sort of Guinness Beef Stew in the instant pot. The time savings was great but the taste not quite as good as the regular method in the oven I use. It could be from my mods to the recipe. I left out some of the stock and flour and made a light roux/gravy which I added towards the end to thicken while reducing on the sauté function. Which led me to wondering if anyone had tried making roux in the IP. I found a post on ideas in food where they describe their method which was included in the Modernist Cuisine cookbooks. Anyone do this regularly or even the microwave method and could share any tips? https://myyearwithchris.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/guinness-beef-stew/ http://blog.ideasinfood.com/ideas_in_food/2010/02/roux-in-a-jar.html

One of the cake artists I follow on Instagram (sugargeekshow) recently posted a little peek at her updated livestream setup. She uses Arkon Mounts. One for her smartphone and one for her iPad.

I am so impressed - You've already received and finished one bottle?! That is some true hot sauce love right there. Glad they have rebooted the brand.

grape shears

The CSO mafia is relentless :-) Since I got the notion to microwave chips from an ideas in food post years ago about using a toaster oven to do the same, I assume the CSO could do just as well but this thread was asking about microwave tips. I have neither toaster oven or cso to compare.

here is a junkfood tip: a turn or two around in the microwave will enhance a plateful of tortilla chips. i think the same will apply to potato chips/crisps, too. in mine it only takes less than 15 seconds. not too long to make them greasy but just enough to freshen or revive them and you would almost think they are freshly fried. so much better than straight out of the bag.

Not a thing. I'm trying to minimalize kitchen tools these days but couldn't resist taking a peek before it closes. I've spent alot of time browsing that store over the years! Of course, the Galleria store is remaining and I think I've read somewhere that they will be opening a store in Mosaic.

Anyone in the Northern Virginia area? The Tysons Corner Center Williams Sonoma store is closing and just about everything is 30% off.

Just came back from Target with those. I hope its just this one time but I noticed the Chocolate Strawberry Oreos came in a 10 oz pkg vs the 12 oz of the other Limited Flavors (same price too). Not too many of the last flavors went over well with my son and his friends so this might be the end of my little Oreo Experiment.

If you need to keep the cookies at room temp, this won't help but you can freeze most cookies with no problem. Here is a good post on freezing/thawing decorated sugar cookies: http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2012/05/yes-you-can-freeze-decorated.html

I remember kind of liking the Pumpkin Spice Oreos last year so I picked some up for my son and his friends. They usually try the ltd flavors when they get together for game nights but have been having a hard time co-ordinating this semester so I have accumulated quite an interesting stockpile of these oreos for them: choc chip cookie dough, blueberry crisp, candy corn and swedish fish(!). The last time they met, they tried the fruity cereal oreos and didn't like them at all. I believe the feedback was along the lines of lemony pledge.

@Kerry Beal - I was at The Container Store earlier today and saw some Eco Lunchbox stainless steel bentos that could sub for the flanera and fit in the IP.

Saw these interesting m&m flavors at target & cvs recently: chili nut, honey nut & white 'boo'terscotch I didn't buy any but might try the white boo-tterscotch if I see it in a smaller size. there was another coffee-nut flavor also.

@Kerry Beal Thanks for the warning! I have used mine twice to make flan and so far no problems. The base of mine seems to have some heft to it and is all one piece although the latches must be welded on. Were those the failures points on yours? Maybe using it for flan doesn't generate much steam pressure on the lid so it doesn't test its limits?

I received the tongs yesterday and have to say the concept is good but the one I bought seem to have a really flimsy spring that falls out easily. They are getting returned. A quick search on amazon shows there are many similar ones available and cheaper too but if the spring is the same, probably not worth it.

I ended up purchasing the plate tongs. Will let you know if they are worth it. For just under $10, I figured why not. Also, Flanera + Instant Pot = super quick, easy & ultra smooth Leche Flan! It is almost too easy how it all comes together. This could be very bad.

So far, I'm very pleased with the IP. After the initial Steam test, I skipped the hard-boiled egg lesson and jumped right in with Chicken Adobo Saturday and Polynesian Style Country Ribs tonight. It's been so hot lately that I really like not having to heat up the whole kitchen to cook. My accessory order of RSVP Endurance Mesh Basket and Flanera came today. Looking forward to testing Flan and Cheesecake soon. I think I will need to buy the extra gaskets as many have suggested. Also, I read a few sites that recommended Plate Tongs to hold the insert steady and retrieve pot in pot items, has anyone tried them?

Oh no! Maybe check your email for the 2nd order confirmation and contact Amazon?