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Recipe? Link? I love apple cake, and so do the people I bake for... Thanks! ← I did not even know she was on The Food Network! I used melted butter in the cake (and soymilk because I had nothing else on hand.) I also used 6 small Empire apples that still had flavor but had lost their crunch - peeled and cored. No sifting for me - just whisked the dry stuff together, added the wet and apple pieces (diced) and folded it all together. Worked the topping together with my fingers till crumbly and sprinkled over the top.

Made a quick apple cake from Gale Gand's Short & Sweet. It is very light and fluffy while full of apples with a streusel top. All the recipes in this book have 8 ingredients or less - sometimes used twice, and the book is divided into prep times of 15, 30 or 45 minutes (not including baking time.) I've made about half the recipes and with an exception or two, really like the results.

You are not buying instant coffee reconstituted at the store. It is sold in 3 and 12 packs for home and office coffee. Available at Target, Costco, and on-line, as well as retail shops. Not that hard to understand. But at close to $1.00 a cup?

Katie, If you are dealing only with a height issue for fitting your dishwasher, you may be able to notch out the subcounter under your countertop to get the 1/4" you need. It depends on how everything was constructed - if there is a 3/4" subcounter, taking 1/4" off should leave enough support - and it may only be required for the front portion as at least some dishwashers have a top profile that dips down. I've seen this done for under the counter wine coolers and subzero drawer fridges. It takes a little carpentry skill - might be cheaper to go for the expensive dishwasher! Good luck.

I doubt they will sell the reconstituted coffee in the stores, other than as samplings. I think this will be something to take away to your home or office. "The new product, called Via, will be sold at Starbucks stores in packs of three for $2.95 and packs of 12 for $9.95, according to the Wall Street Journal. Customers can "brew" the coffee by emptying the granules into hot water."

Have you tried Uwajimaya?

When you go to the Restaurant Supply store to buy a Valentine's Day gift?

How much coffee did you drink this morning? LOL. I used to plant peas for pres day - and potatoes for St. Paddy's. This year, well, I pulled a handful of those noxious weeds yesterday - the cress like stuff with the shoot in the middle with tiny white flowers that shoot seeds everywhere. I think the tender greens are edible, but I am not experimenting with that right now. My nursery friend said late Feb snow is predicted, so planting now, maybe not. Also, I did not finish creating beds last fall due to some unexpected health concerns. I have an offer for her to come help prep in early March, so planting will be delayed until after that this year. Does not mean I have not been thinking about it though. Have fun in the mud.

The cost of living in Philly certainly is not typical of most US cities. Overall, it costs more to live in Philly than it does in cities like Miami, Seattle, or Chicago. ← Are you serious? I can't imagine the cost of living being more in Philly than Seattle or Chicago or Miami. Philly and Seattle might be comparable, depending on location. I know this is off topic, but where are you getting your info?

Hosea made shrimp with beurre blanc. He was supposed to make scampi. I loved when the judges spoke of broken butter with tons of garlic. Just like my mama used to make and one of my favorite dishes as a child.

after comingling for a few years, I'll add the SO's pared down 77 plus the 3 arriving anyday now for plus 80. He has 3 on eating bugs. Should I wonder about him being the main cook in the household?

Here I am in salmon seared on the outside/raw on the inside country and I like my salmon as sushi as well, but I wonder how much of the world cooks salmon through? Were the judges looking for a little bit of tender rawness in the middle and Stefan cooked it through intentionally, or did he dry the beast out to choke it down dry? I have eaten with people who leave anything not thoroughly cooked on their plate - that includes fish, lamb, steak... The two ways spinach seemed like the bigger error in some ways - love the idea, the execution failed.

Happy Birthday! Here's a start: Spinasse (Capitol Hill) Springhill (West Seattle) Spur Gastropub (Belltown) Wow, all s's. Where have you been that you liked? What do you want to eat? Price points? Do remember that this is Valentine's Day weekend and the crowds may be out.

Torrefazione may be gone as a place (from Seattle too) but an amazing number of new places keep us buzzing. The beans are still available in some grocery stores. Okay, I made the trek to Caffe Atrigiano and while the latte was fine (I know, I should experience it in a cleaner way) I was dumbstruck that the pastry case was full of the same junk as was available from the hotel continental breakfast - assumed it was Costco or similar. That would turn me off as a regular.

For awhile, I was seeing a small set of tip % on the bottom of printed invoices - x = 15%, y = 20%, z = 25%. It was odd - I can do the math (as can my cellphone) but it sure was a clear reminder to tip and what is customary. Not a bad solution, I suppose.

We were having a similar discussion about casinos last night - I worked paying off jackpots for a half year. I generally got lots of thanks and hugs, but few tips. Others took home heavy tips every night. I never figured out the system, just gave everyone my best smile and service and took home my little paycheck and a few bucks extra. There was a quiet old regular that everyone avoided after never being tipped. I gave him the same service week after week. When he hit a couple of good payoffs in one week, guess who was there with a smile and congrats? Guess who got the biggest tip of the summer? It usually works out in the end. It's unfortunate that the IRS has to make assumptions about how much servers are tipped - it's where the voluntary part of tipping becomes a bit more of an issue. I somehow doubt anyone is really paying tax on more than they receive, but it is a real possibility unless the rules have changed. There is also the rare occasion when I only have cash on me unknowingly and the bill is just a little short of my funds. I think this led to undertipping twice. But I told the server my mistake and made it up later. Someone else might be embarrassed to do that. To answer the original question - if you see the poor tip in time to ask if everything was alright before they hit the door, fine, but don't mention the tip. You never know the circumstances behind it and you've given them a chance to rectify IF they are so inclined. No way would I confront a customer other than if they were trying to skip out on a bill.

some short scones (with dried cherries and pecans) from the novel "Bread Alone." Bad to read about baking when you go to bed...wake up needing to bake.

I really like Pernigotti and have been out for awhile. In a pinch, Green and Black's Fair Trade was good too.

Talk to me about boiled (water cooked) fish. I haven't tried it but notice it more and more and had an owner tell me it was her most ordered dish. I'm not wrapping my head around the idea just yet. And, no noodles?

Those well priced pork shoulder roasts vary from great to waayyy tooo salty. It's not possible to tell what you will get. Added "water".

World Spice and the odd Indian grocery. In desperation, the bulk jars at the coop.

Glad to see my gaydar was bang on!!! ← Everyone's "gay for Rachel". It's an old tag line on the blogs. You should see her photos off screen (like in the NY Times profile or Vanity Fair or was that Vogue?)

My first photo post: Lemon buttermilk cake from Martha on line with home grown plum compote and french vanilla ice cream (Double Rainbow).

yup, sold. oldish news.

My friend with a very small kitchen included a microwave/convection oven/hood that vents to the outside over her induction cooktop. She uses the microwave to steam vegetables and fish, and even to bake. It came with a sweet steamer basket. (KitchenAid Red.) Her kitchen is low end panel, sink base with a generous single sink, 18" dishwasher, corner unit with lazy susan, cooktop base with drawers below, 24" oven in next base unit, 24" fully integrated refrigerator, space between the tall end panel and window wall (houses her trash can and recycling boxes above on simple shelves.) She has one wall of stacked uppers (with integrated lights) surrounding the microwave. Looks good and functions well for her. A step stool is important. She's less that 5'4" tall. If you are getting permits for the job, venting to the outside may be required. Her microwave has an option for recirc or vent to the outside. Happy renovation!