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Sancerre

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    http://www.sparethyme.com

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    Southern New Jersey
  1. This is a hot button topic in our mixed-marriage home--so much so that it will make me de-lurk! I was raised MS Lutheran, so other than fasting on Good Friday, we had no real restictions during lent. And yes, my mom would bake hot cross buns, some without citron for me. My husband was raised Roman Catholic, and followed the whole restriction regimen during lent. When we married I "crossed over" to Catholicism, mostly because being a Lutheran, I had no major theological issues that were deal breakers in the course of my worship life, and hey, God knows my heart better than anyone. Also the area in which we live (outside Philadelphia) has got to be the most homogeneous area in which I have ever lived (grew up in NY), and I felt it was better for my children to be raised in the Catholic church where their peers went to build a sense of church as a community. Back on topic: Lent arrives and the discussion begins in our home. I strongly believe there is a huge gap between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law. A salmon steak on Friday is not doing without. In fact, pound for pound, seafood is pricier than most meats. I also frankly prefer fish, and seafood of any kind, to meat. My opinion is that making Hamburger Helper (sorry, Sandy!) is more in keeping with the point of abstinance. For the past few years, I have been opting to make fishsticks, tuna casserole and the like during lent. This year I have come up with, I think, the solution. Each Friday in Lent our (meatless) meal will come from a region of the world where people have less, hopefully acting as a starting point for dinnertime discussion of how we can perhaps be an instrument of change in the world. Tonight for instance we will be "travelling" to Guatamala, a country we have in fact been to, and have seen how poverty and civil unrest have affected her people. A long post, I realize, but I am hoping that maybe this is a tradition worth spreading around, beyond one's religious beliefs or a period on a calendar.
  2. It's getting late in the season, but you might want to try growing your own saffron, if space and patience allows. Brent and Becky's are already sold out, but White Flower Farm still has Crocus sativus in stock. http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/910891-product.html
  3. They sell the AeroGarden at the kitchen store where I teach classes (both online and in the store). It sells for $149.95, with additional cartridges going for $19.95. You can choose from herb, cherry tomato, international basil, petunias, salad greens, and chili peppers. They have one set up and growing for demo purposes. It's a cute product, but only about 15" high, leaving only about 8" of growing space. As far as purchasing one, I'd have to say that the amount of herb production would be better for garnishes than for any real cooking purposes. Not to mention at that price, you would probably come out ahead just putting pots on a windowsill, and purchasing any other herbs as you needed them. If you are interested in their website, please PM me, since I'm not sure of the ettiquette of promoting a product on this site when I am technically an employee of this company, although I would make no money from any sales. To address MizDucky: they don't sell "blank" cartridges, but I would imagine that an enterprising herb gardener could easily remove the provided seeds to replace with the seeds of their choice. Loving this blog completely!
  4. Well, the fact that someone else already started a post in this vein makes it easier for me to jump in to request similar information. I will be joining my husband in the UK later this week and was hoping to find some interesting places to eat. I will at first be in Manchester (Altrincham) Friday until Saturday afternoon, then to London until Tuesday. We will be staying at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall. My only dining request so far has been St. John, where we will be dining Monday night (with a tour of the kitchen, my husband claims!). Other than that, I am completely open to suggestions, the only caveat being that I personally am not enamoured with food that has been toyed into a different form to shock or amuse the diner. Other than that, I am open to everything, from fine dining to a great fish and chip vendor. I have been following the dim sum thread with some interest, and was thinking of the Golden Palace for lunch Sunday, but would appreciate any input in either London or Manchester. I have no fear of public transportation, so traveling is not a disqualifying factor. I only wish I had a week (or two), but I need to return to my own kitchens.
  5. I am 100% German, although mixed (northern, Bavarian, Alsatian). Despite arguments to the contrary with a dietician friend who *insists* that people should eat within their ethnic heritage to avoid illness (might be an interesting thread) I really don't care for most German cuisine. I find it too heavy and greasy. The one exception (besides potato pancakes) is Konigsberger klopse with spaetzle. These are little veal meatballs flavored with lemon zest and anchovy in a lemony gravy. By the way, I plan to travel to Germany within a few months. Hopefully my mind will be changed by my travels. Any suggestions for must-see places (and dining establishments) are greatly appreciated!
  6. Ah....now I know where MC Hammer's Tailor has gone.
  7. I make these every few years, my kids are always impressed, as I was when I was small. You can buy molds at a crafts store in the Wilton section, or, if you're cheap, ah thrifty, like me re-use a L'eggs Egg. If I get around to making them this year, I will post photos to show the process and finished product.
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