Genkinaonna

We have a hood built into the micro over the stove, but it doesn't seem to do a whole lot. Strangely enough, the smoke detector only goes off if the kids are in bed, otherwise it's relatively silent on the subject of burned foods ...

I feel good about blintzes. I generally feel good about anything filled with cheese . And that brisket did look pretty tasty...

Thanks Mjx! I totally wouldn't have known that. And she has no money, so that tax wouldn't have been a good thing! I might even have some ghirardelli hot chocolate mix too...

Welcome to the fold, Headconnect! Thanks so much for such a thorough and well reasoned post. I don't think she lives near Oslo (she's in Trondheim, no car)...the poptarts might be a good idea. She's not much of a cook, I'm thinking that ready to eat convenience foods would be the best for her. If she cooked, I'd totally get her a microplane, but she doesn't, very much at least. Maybe I'll send her stuff she can sell to other expats that actually CAN cook and she can resell it to buy what she wants Thanks for the help, guys, I really appreciate it!

I would ask her, but I want it to be a surprise. And I'd ask her SO, but he's from Norway, and having not spent much time in the US, I don't think he'd know...

My sister-in-law has been living in Norway for the past 6 months or so, and I want to send her some American food items that might be difficult to find there for her birthday. I already have two bottles of hot sauce, but I'm drawing a blank on what else to send. I'm thinking things that would be light, small, and not too perishable. Any suggestions from any ex-pat Egulleteers out there?

Because it broke a week after the warranty on the fridge expired. 6 years ago. And we've never had it fixed. It's a good thing I'd rather drink my water room temp anyways...

dystopian-That's so beautiful! The perfect springy dessert. You should come make one at my house immediately . I made these for a little peanut's birthday party yesterday. They have strawberry filling and buttercream frosting, used a buttermilk cake recipe from Martha Stewart Cupcakes. I guess the birthday boy only ate the frosting (damn 5 year olds ) but all the children's handlers liked them. The plaques are gumpaste.

Can't wait to follow along this week! I know almost nothing about Kosher food and/or Jewish food traditions...I'm excited to learn some new things.

How did I miss this! If I can convince my husband to wrangle at least two of the three kids I'm in... How does everyone feel about me bringing a well behaved 5 yo along?

Perfect. Can do. Will start asap!

I have a pot very similar to this one, however my basket for placing the tea is mesh rather than glass. Will this work? http://www.yunnansourcing.com/store/product.php?id_product=555 Thanks!

I've only recently starting enjoying blue, but I love Shropshire blue, and any of the Rogue Creamery blues. I think the best was the limited production Rogue River Blue wrapped in pear brandy soaked leaves (can't remember what type of leaves)...amazing! And gorgonzola and apples on grilled flatbread is the best snack after the kids are in bed... I'm only about 5 hours from Rogue creamery, I'm going to have to take a field trip one of these days!

So I'm guessing that's not an "I Heart Cholesterol" Cookbook...but I bet the recipes would be GREAT if it was! I have the Caprial's Desserts cookbook, and I used to go to the restaurant all the time before it closed. And I was wondering what to do with that bag of newts that have been sitting in the back of the fridge!

Add two for me: Asian Dumplings by Andrea Nuguyen (can't WAIT to try out some of these recipes!) Olive Trees and Honey by Gil Marks Trying to break out of the baking book rut!

The Alice Medrich book "Pure Dessert" has a whole chapter on fromage blanc and similar dairy products. Great almond cake recipe too...

I made green tea shortbread a couple of weeks ago...the family didn't love it but I thought it was good. Maybe more sugar next time. These were for my daughter's 5th birthday. We have a book with these characters (Moshi Moshi Kawaii) in it, and she fell in love with them...the cupcakes are chocolate with vanilla italian meringue buttercream, and red velvet with cream cheese frosting. The Moshis are gumpaste, decorated with food coloring markers. They were a big hit.

I've been thinking of all the amazing things you ate all day, while I cleaned the garage! Even my husband, who is decidedly NOT a foodie, was speculating on what the meal would be like. And after your pictures, I think our next vacation is definitely going to be Spain...those markets look spectacular!

Can't wait to see what you have to share with us this week! Did you make the ANZAC biscuits yourself or are they store bought? And if you don't mind me asking, where are you originally from?

I have a Fissler blue point I bought a couple of weeks ago. I LOVE it...I've used it 4x in the past two weeks for soup, chicken, etc. It's made so well, everything comes apart to be washed, and it's so quiet. It's more expensive, but like you said, you should only have to buy it once.

I'll take it off your hands for you Anything out of the "Pure Chocolate" cookbook. Or make truffles. It should keep, what's the rush to use it immediately?

Wow! What a great opportunity, and what great people to share the table with...have a wonderful time, and I can't wait for the pictures!

Whohoo! An excuse to buy another mixer attachment! Amazon here I come!

Pierogi! Welcome to the sweet side! The canneles look great...they're one of my favorite desserts, hands down. E.T.-What ice cream maker are you using? And do you like it? I'm looking to replace mine, and people here are the BEST resource, way more reliable than Amazon reviews... Chococera-Beautiful treats, as usual! Doesn't Ready for Dessert make you just want to run right to the kitchen and start baking? It does for me. My daughter's birthday is Saturday, so I'll be spending all week baking, and then I have three cakes to make for other birthdays within the next month, so I'll be sure to post my progress. It's nice to come check in and get in the mood to be creative!

Kim, I consulted with my children and they do, in fact, consider those cookies to be their idea of heaven. FYI. So let me know if you get the recipe straightened out