tuliptoe

dumplin don't apologize! We are odd birds down here. I'm in ATL and we do slaw dogs too. Mine are just chili (no beans), cheese, slaw and minced onions. I love the Hebrew National dogs. I haven't tried many others recently. I also love my interpretation of a "chicago" dog, ketchup, brown mustard, sauerkraut, sweet relish and a little sprinkle of minced onion on top. I also love them just grilled and eaten plain. I'll have to try the mail order! They sound really good. Does anyone else cook their brats in beer? I really got a taste for these when I lived in Buffalo, NY. And I have to agree with the advice on NOT piercing the skin on a brat. It will dry out pretty fast and just not be as juicy. When I cook brats I just eat them on a buttered toasted hot dog bun.

Great article, very informative and well written. Super receipes too! I just saw a rerun of a show on FoodNetwork (Calling all Cooks) and they featured a cook who is blind. She used some super gadgets as well as her own inventions to make cooking something that she could easily do. I'm glad to see people tackling this topic. Great foodies come from all walks of life. Can't wait for parts 2 & 3!

Our 1/2 gallon of Organic Milk went from $2.99 to $3.39 this past week. I haven't noticed for the regular milks since I don't usually buy them. When I was at the store (Publix) they were having a sale on butter 2/$4.00 for the store brand 1lb. so I didn't check on the regular price. I just went ahead and bought 4lbs! All our ice creams were up at least .50 or so per 1/2 gallon. All of them were between $4 - $5 for a 1/2 gallon and they are usually more like $3 - $4 for a 1/2 gallon. -Atlanta gal

I agree that it can't really qualify as true "soul food" if you have to make it for yourself! My dad's fried chicken : Sadly he won't make it anymore due to it being "bad for you." His was especially good cold the next morning. My mom's mashed potatoes : She has a knack, pure and simple. Aloo Gobi : yummy, yummy califlower, potatoes and peas in a yummy sauce. This was my first introduction to Indian food and it remains one of my favorite dishes. Bun Xao : Vietnamese noodles with cilantro, carrots, sprouts, in a savory broth sometimes with chicken and sometimes with shrimp. This is what I want whenever I am sick. I really wish I could learn to make it. My broth never turns out like the insanely good broth at Cha Gio. My ex-boyfriends noodle soup with egg : I end up with scrambled eggs in broth everytime. He had a knack for swirling the eggs so it ended up in lovely thin tender strands and ribbons. But since this was virtually his only good quality I have had to do without it! Fresh bread : It's a weakness. And really ANY kid will do. Naan, yeast breads, quick bread, pita bread, sourdough... I have to stop now or I'll be baking for days!

I love this thread!! I have laughed so hard! My special favorite being the post about the frozen "fire hose" champagne! Beautiful! I have to join the ranks of the noodles AND stock down the drain, as well as the grabbing the hot pan out of the oven, breaking the pizza stone, preheating the oven with stuff in it (plastic containers, birthday cakes, the list is endless!) etc... My most painful was: making stuffed peppers for my husband and as a treat I used poblanos instead of bell peppers. Now I know they are not THAT hot but I forgot completely that they weren't just plain ole bell peppers. I rubbed my eye and that was it. 15 minutes of flushing the eye with water did NOTHING and I was yelling and cursing like a sailor. A milk bath for my eye finally did the trick. Never again. whew!

We had the great breakfast for dinner tonight! Perfect, tender scrambled eggs, skillet potatoes, pork bangers (from the British Grocery), and toast. With a big pot of tea, Scottish Breakfast, I was a happy happy girl! I surely live in the wrong country. And Jimmyo, YUM on that colcannon. It is one of my favorite dishes. I rarely make it since my husband doesn't like it but when I do it's decadent and I make a meal of it for just me!

I just had some that were the hearts dipped in batter and deep fried and dusted with parmesan cheese. Pretty yummy! I love making a meal of those nice ones that are the size of baby heads! I steam them and then dip in melted butter with lemon juice and cracked black pepper. That with a nice side of steak tartare and I'm set!

My nemesis is my stove & my oven. Both *shudder* are electric which I ABHOR. I saw someone (sorry I've been reading the forums for about 3 hours, I can't remember!) whose garlic burning troubles were maybe from a heavy pan and an electric stove. I have the same problem with just about EVERYTHING that I cook on my stove top. I required a major adjustment in my cooking life when we got this house and couldn't afford to replace the stove. My oven is about 35 degrees low, so you have to make adjustments whenever you use it. Even after living here for almost 3 years sometimes I forget and ruin things due to low oven temps. I am also a poor baker/dessert maker. I think for me it's because I am more of an intuitive cook and baking is a pretty precise art. I am a little too impatient with my baking and it shows. Back to lurking!