johnnyd

I've been battling spots where sugar-based glaze burned onto my cast iron. I'm definitely trying the multi-pass grapeseed cure after a final scrub. Linseed oil has no business being near food, but when cut with turpentine, makes a great outdoor wood finish. We added some pine tar to make a classic Maine deck finish, applied monthly on mahogany wash rails and foredeck.

Cantcookstilltry: We make Rogan Josh from a recipe in Clifford Wright's "Real Stew" once every couple months or whenever local butcher gets local lamb at a reasonable price. Pretty dependable results from everything we've tried in there actually. Give it a go.

Preserved lemons??? Sorrel is already lemony so I don't see the point

Today's New York Times weighs in on Maine's Shrimp Industry: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/26/dining/maine-shrimp-fishery-climate-change.html?action=click&contentCollection=dining&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront&_r=0 Great photos too.

State of Maine Department of Marine Resources Moratorium on Northern Shrimp Commercial Fishing Maintained for 2018 Season Portland, ME – In response to the depleted condition of the northern shrimp resource, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Northern Shrimp Section extended the moratorium on commercial fishing for the 2018 fishing season. The Section also approved a 13.3 metric ton (mt) research set aside (RSA) and tasked the Technical Committee to develop the RSA program design and report back to the Section for final approval by December 14. Industry members continued to express concern about the economic impacts of the fishery closure, especially in light of a lack of positive signals in terms of stock rebuilding. Based on these concerns, the Section agreed to include in future discussions the possibility of opening a directed fishery if improvements in stock condition (e.g., strong recruitment or biomass indices) are not realized. The 2017 Stock Status Report for Gulf of Maine (GOM) Northern Shrimp indicates abundance and biomass indices for 2012–2017 are the lowest on record of the 34 year time series, with 2017 being the lowest observed. Recruitment since 2011 has been poor and includes the four smallest year classes on record. The recruitment index in 2017 (2016 year class) was the second lowest observed. Current harvestable biomass is mainly comprised of females from the weak 2013 year class and some small, early-maturing females from the below-average 2015 year class. Recruitment of northern shrimp is related to both spawning biomass and ocean temperatures, with higher spawning biomass and colder temperatures producing stronger recruitment. Ocean temperatures in western Gulf of Maine shrimp habitat have increased over the past decade and reached unprecedented highs within the past several years. While 2014 and 2015 temperatures were cooler, 2016 and 2017 temperatures were again high, and temperature is predicted to continue rising as a result of climate change. This suggests an increasingly inhospitable environment for northern shrimp and the need for strong conservation efforts to help restore and maintain the stock. The Northern Shrimp Technical Committee considers the stock to be in poor condition with limited prospects for the near future.

We had great fun doing the New England Fried Clams: Shacks and Restaurants thread (5 pages) back in 2005. Perhaps we should do a memorial round this summer? He would love that!

Stunning!

There are several cheeses from Corsica and the Pyrenees that have used ash covering for a long time. When we lived in Brazil, there were pure charcoal tablets for stomach aches. They totally work but I can never find any here.

What happens when you make ramen with your purple chicken stock....

What happens when you use heirloom carrot in your chicken stock:

"..... because I'm hardcore." Indeed, Madam!

I did the Ruhlman method as posted in the NYT last week, curing for six days. After much searching, I found a butcher who gave the exact amount needed for my 4.5lb point in one gallon of water - he gave me one and 1/4 tblspoon. With 2 cups kosher salt, that brine was mighty salty. The cut was maybe two inch thick. It was pink all the way through, and damned tasty. We are on our third day and hate to see it go!

Wow, that's pink! Served with cabbage heart, rutabaga, carrot and balsamic red onion pickle. CB soaked for a 1/2hr in water and rinsed, then simmered in DL Geary's Wee Heavy and Eli's ginger beer for 4hrs. Horseradish sauce and mustards. Wicked, wicked good!

It doesn't hold up as traditional types do, but it doesn't fall apart. We did that one year and loved it so much we did it 4yrs in a row. Lovely flavor. Don't worry about the time - do it as you would normally

Absolutely stunning shots - I really have to have some sushi today....