hollis

the future father in law sprung for a slow cooker for festivus this year. i'm eager to get started with it. any good cookbooks i should seek out. thanks.

Thanks Jim! I emailed Annie and she sent over her WONDERFUL list (I totally reccomend everyone scoping out her Holiday list...incredible selection and prices)...we are buying a Crimson somethingorother pie--Cranberries, Blueberries and Oranges in a lattice-work pie. I cannot wait. It was a hard choice though, I'll tell you!!!!

i made the blandest pot of chili ever. any ideas of what i can to to add some flavor/spice to it?

thanks for the recs. think i'll choose between table and navarre. go ahead and pick one and tell me why. thanks good portland folks hollis

so the wife's taken me out for dinner for my 31st in a couple of weeks. im thinkin about going somewhere i haven't had the pleasure of trying yet. i've ate at and loved park kitchen and clarklewis. i've done paley's place. not interested in el gaucho. what are some suggestions? i've thought about fife or lauro. what do you portlanders think? thanks in advance. and if you all want to chip in to buy me a slow cooker, i wouldn't object.

im making a new chili recipe for the michigan/michigan state game this saturday. the recipe calls for 4 mulato chilies and 3 ancho chilies. i can't seem to find either of them at the local grocers. my question is, can i just use pasilla chilies? if not what would good substitutes? or, if you live in portland oregon, where can i get the mulato's. also, to get greedy, any additional chili tips would be appreciated. this is only my second batch. thanks hollis brown

so i just started to make my own beef and chicken stocks and i'm curious how i can make demi-glace from the stock? i'm quite new and enthusiastic in the kitchen so keep that in mind if your willing to help. thanks in advance hollis

Hey ExtraMSG-- Memphis is my hometown and for the best pulled pork sandwich ever, go to Payne's on Lamar. Neely's is also good, but Payne's is the best for the sandwich. I am not a rib girl but hear that Interstate on Third is the place for this. DON'T fall into the trap of the Rendezvous---big hype, not all that.

ok, i'm thinking probobly halibut. or maybe some other type of white fish. skin off. thanks.

i've never done fish on the BBQ before but want to give it a shot tonight. any simple recipes and tips would be appreciated. thanks hollis brown

Any reccomendations for restaurants like JPH where you have to make a 45 minute drive out of Portland, preferably through some countryside for impressing the parents from Florida? I really loved that aspect of our trip to Scholl's Public House but I want to go to a "real" restaurant with my dad.

i think i'll be browning some butter, sweating some garlic and shallots, adding the mussels and squeezing a little lemon on em. than i'll put em in the oven . two questions. 1. what temperature should i set the oven? 2. what side dish seems appropriate? thanks in advance. hollis brown

o.k. i know it's not rocket science but can anyone share a really good caesar salad dressing recipe with me? i'm looking forward to getting away from the jarred variety. thanks in advance. signed, hollis aka newtothekitchen

I thought it was a good article and as far as it being difficult being a Southern Writer with "all the stereotypes", it also captures that it is annoying just simply being a Southerner and being expected to be ultra-Authentic...but it is also kinda fun pretending to be authentic! Or maybe I am more authentic than I think...whoa. I am from Memphis (sooooo loaded a statement).

just got some fingerling potatoes and was wondering if anyone had any good recipes for them? willing to do a potatoe salad of roast them or whatever. thanks in advance.

yes the new thai joint on division is callled Krua Thai. fierydrunk and i have enjoyed take out from there a couple o times. good portions and when you ask for it spicy they give it to you spicy. not saying it's chaba thai(my favorite) but as it's closer to home it's more convienent. sidenote: the atmosphere is fairly stark and diner like so if that's not your bag, i'd suggest takeout.

i am writing this under my boyfriend's user name (I am fierydrunk)--but have to mention that Cha-ba Thai is our fave for Thai by far...Hollis used to live behind it and says he ate there twice a day sometimes! I really love their to-go portions for curries and Pad Ki Mao and they always are generous with the condiments whenever asked. Right after the snowstorm, Hollis was sick and I picked him up some Tom Yum. The woman asked where he was and when i said he was ill, she looked so concerned and said, "This will make him better!" It was great to be remembered and cared for like that!!!! Is Khun Pic the Thai place on division? That place is great too.

extramsg- i too am from portland and am love with the salsa(and only the salsa) at aztec willie's and maya's taqueria. have you sampled the salsa at this mediocre chain. any tips on how to make it? thanks in advance.