Abby

I have seen burnt bread crumbs listed in recipes for pumpernickle bread in at least 3 bread cookbooks I own. Somehow it just doesn't seem right.

OOOPS! Sorry, I didn't even realize I didn't put the number of my cookbooks in: 228. After reading through this thread though, I've abandoned my resolve to stop collecting cookbooks. By nightfall, I'll be up to at least 235. Abby

"What don't kill, fatten" --West Indian proverb.

Aside from having literally countless cookbooks, like everyone else, I have countless magazines--Cook's Illustrated, Bon Appetite, Gourmet, Food and Wine--dating back years! I have manila folders full to busting with recipes print outs from the web, manila folders full of recipes from other sundry sources--scrawled over the phone with my mom, ripped out of magazines in the doctor's office and the gym, the back of Land O' Lakes box--it's insane. Until I found this board, I was embarrassed about my obsession! I still ask myself, though, where does it end? When is enough, enough? And then, there are so many crappy cookbooks out there. Isn't there really is only a limited number truly worth having?

I was watching that, too, for two seconds. I couldn't stand it. Florence always says "right" after everything and actually has a very jerky, let's say, self-consciously "bachelor" style in the kitchen. He is quick and unfussy--both plusses. He really plays it up, however; his casual way of speaking and dressing both reinforces this. The combination of Florence and the "How to Boil Water" Woman was insufferable--his casual flirtiness and her "girly-girl" clueness was just too much to bear!

Shoot! I was just about to say this one. This one truly gets under my skin. I love Paula Deen even though I probably would never make her food. Only on the surface does she appear to be a cuddley, southern grandma, but look at the way she stuffs her face with some creamy (usually white) food at the end of the show. With the cream cheese frosting of her "Better than Sex" cake still sticking to the corners of her mouth (I'm not making this up), she winks at the camera. So subversive!

Ditto on the burnt toast. I love burnt toast--best when its been sitting around for a day or two abandonded in the microwave or on the kitchen counter. Then spread with butter. Another food sin: Green bean cassarole. You know the one with the cream of whatever (mushroom, celery?) and French's fried onions on top. Oh Jeez. Spam--right out of the can, sliced into thick slabs and put between two slices of white bread. Miracle Whip spread liberally overall.

Of all the words listed (and they ALL make me want to fall upon my J.A. Henckles when I hear them) EVOO and mozz (as in the cheese) have to be the worst. Rachel Ray is the worst offender.