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Nutmeg, which I use in potato dishes, and paprika, especially the Sweet Hungarian kind, because it reminds me of my Serbian Grandmother's cooking. Now that I think of it, nutmeg reminds me of my Scotch/English Grandmother's desserts. SB (and I like cumin too, but I only had two grandmothers)

Peanut Butter Jam/Jelly Peanut Butter & Jam/Jelly SB

I amost always make the same amount of the same brand of rice, in the same pan on the same burner, for the same amount of time, and it always turns out .... the same ! I use about 2 parts water to 1 of rice. After most of the water is absorbed, I take the pan off heat, put a clean linen towel between the pan and lid, and let it set for 12-15 minutes. This steaming time seems to compensate for any minor differences in the cooking process. SB

My cousins on the Serbian side of the family have visited the "Old Country" on several occasions, and always send me a gift package of local products. Here are some brands of cocoa mix available by mail order. I think I've had the Kras. There is also a popular vitamin fortified chocolate drink mix for children, kind of like the old Bosco. SB

Find a cheese with melting properties approximating that of chocolate? SB (molten Velveeta cakes! Mmmmmm Mnnnnnn! )

Poppy Seed Lemon Bread You know the old saying, "If life gives you poppy seeds, make Poppy Seed Lemon Bread!" This is my version of a lemon quickbread recipe from the King Arthur Flour 200th Anniversary Cookbook. Batter: 2 c Sugar 2/3 c Butter, Melted 2 tsp Vanilla Extract 1/2 c Fresh Lemon Juice 4 Eggs 3 c AP Flour, (I do like KAF) 2 tsp Baking Powder 2 tsp Salt 1 c Milk 1/2 c Poppy Seeds Grated Rind of 1 Lemon Topping: 1 c Confectioners Sugar 1/2 c Fresh Lemon Juice Preheat Oven to 350 degrees Grease 2 4.5 x 8.5 Loaf Pans (and/or line with Parchment Paper) Combine the Sugar, Butter, Vanilla & Lemon Juice Beat in Eggs, one at a time, until smooth Mix together Flour, Baking Powder & Salt Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients alternately with Milk Add Lemon Rind & Poppy Seeds Pour Batter into Loaf Pans Bake for about 1 hr, until toothpick comes out clean Prepare Topping: Dissolve the Confectioners Sugar in Lemon Juice over low heat When bread tests done, and is still hot, pierce top with knife or skewer, and pour Topping over holes Cool loaf in pan about 1 hr, remove and wrap in waxed paper and then foil and allow flavors to mature for 24 hrs before serving ( RG1939 )

Emblematic? I've already confused things by saying "defining" or "iconic" but to be fair, I did try to describe what those things were supposed to be. Que ce que c'est, this "emblematic"? Describe, please. ← {Disclaimer: SB is not a linguist, or even an English major, but he has stayed at Holiday Inns, and sometimes has an interesting way of turning a phrase. } Pittsburg's professional football team is the "Steelers", which is defining since Pittsburg is, of couse, the city where steel has always been made. Pittsburg's professional baseball team is the "Pirates", which is iconic in that the city has, and is proud of, a slightly rough-and-tumble or rebellious reputation. Pittsburg's professional hockey team is the "Penguins", which is emblematic because it suggests the activity more than any aspect of the city itself. Similarly: McDonald's slogan, "You deserve a break today", is defining, because the preeminent attraction of eating a McDonalds hamburger, and all fast food, is ready availability and convenience. Ronald McDonald is iconic, representing, as he does, the carefree aspect of eating at McDonalds, and its appeal to children. The Golden Arches are emblematic since they don't refer to food at all, but are a stylized reminder of the McDonalds brand name. I doubt if this explanation cleared up much confusion, and may well have even compounded it, but you have to admit, it's interesting. SB (nothing, if not interesting)

Probably true, pure Bourdain, but a bit pat. I'm sure Tony knows that his legions of adoring fans, (amongst whom I number myself), are not the result of the food in his restaurants, (which I've never been to), or readers of his novels and non-fiction work, (which I read before he was on television). As such, it seems a bit unseemly for him to badmouth the Food Network, despite his understandable disappointment in their current programming. Rather like an ungrateful offspring? But, I guess that's part of what makes Tony, "Tony"? SB (begrudges neither Tony nor Food Network the chance to make a buck)

Maybe pizza is not so much iconic as emblematic? But I couldn't think of any other food with quite as dramatic an impact, especially fitting within the 1950-2000 time frame. The only other possible contender, the hamburger, was already popular fare before 1950. The fast food hamburger is iconic, but more for production and marketing innovations than food definition. SB (likes non-fast burgers too!)

In another way of looking at it, pizza could be the USA's quintessential culinary cultural icon. Pizza is an immigrant, like the vast majority of us, and was transformed by our culture into something only faintly resembling, in most manifestations, the original product. The transformed product, (Italian purists might use the term "bastardized"), has become the internationally recognized form of pizza. The fact that people all over the world think of Italy when confronted with a pizza is the result of American marketing rather than any knowledge of the foods actual place of origin. If we look at Pizza Hut as a representative example of Americanized Pizza, we notice that while they currently have operations in over 100 countries, thay have none in Italy! SB (likes pizza)

I'm glad you brought this up. I didn't want to sound like a foot fetishist(?). I will miss the Pumas though. Are the outdoor coffee carts operational in below zero weather? SB (they might sell a lot of coffee just for hand warmers?)

Great Cover! SB (hopes the content can live up to it?)

To which my Not-Really-My-Uncle Earl used to append, "as well as ornamental." SB (would prefer to serve as a decorative centerpiece in this regard) ← You might actually be able to start a nice little side-business, doing just that. People are always looking for interesting table-topper ideas, no? Do let me know if you need any help. ← I'm thinking of starting a chain of restaurants called Eat Me Our slogan: "How May We Serve You Best" SB (franchises opportunities now available in your area!)

Society changed so much between 1950 and 2000 it's hard to find examples that span the whole era, but I guess those that more or less originated then, and had lasting significance would be: Hamburgers - (from a fast food outlet, McD's in particular) Pizza - (virtually unknown pre-1950, every kids favorite by 2000) "Lite" Beer - (what a concept!) Twinkie - (devoid of nutrition) Bottled Water - (circa 1950; no way in hell) Looking ahead to 2050: Combini-Style Eating - (invest now!) Soylent Green - (just kidding) "Prescription Food" - (just what the doctor orders) Sex Food - (I don't know either, but it seems inevitable) Bottled Water - (circa 2050; available no other way) SB (Verily, I say unto you .....

It never hurts to ask the vendor you purchased the item through. They have more incentive to keep you as a customer and a lot more leverage with the manufacturer. SB (it don't hurt to ask) ← I did! I went to the store where I bought it (in Ottawa). They listened to my story, called the KA rep. I now have a new mixer!! They did not even ask for a proof of purchase. Wow! Thanks ← Congratulations! Like I say, it never hurts to ask, especially if you're pleasant and reasonable about it. Good companies stay in business by going that extra mile. Like the old saying; You'll get more flies with honey than with vinegar. Of course, you'll get ever more flies with dung, but that's assuming you literally want flies. SB (likes good customer service better than flies)

If the side-by-sides are French Doors, are the over-unders Dutch Doors? SB (has "Dutch", just ..... because)

It never hurts to ask the vendor you purchased the item through. They have more incentive to keep you as a customer and a lot more leverage with the manufacturer. SB (it don't hurt to ask)

That could be me, except I don't own a camera? SB (maybe artist's renditions of food in crayon would be okay )

Add an extra 1/2 banana or 1/4 cup of applesauce for each egg in the recipe.

I love the construction paper moose/deer with the "handtlers"! SB

There's nothing wrong with anyone "selling out". It's the cost of celebrity. The trick is to maintain the image without becoming a caricature of yourself. Bourdain can probably pull it off as well as anyone. I mean, how many people would do a Los Angeles show about the real people who live there? SB (loved the big car. The original "your father's Oldsmobile".)

Good Morning! It's "only" -25 up here , (-35 had been forecast), but at least I got the heater in my car fixed yesterday. (A new thermostat installed for "only" $145 ) I guess everything is relative SB (will be shopping for Fraboni Bacon today. It should keep well in my "trunk freezer") edited to change -19 to -25

Maybe because it's a "holiday" invented by men to celebrate a predominately male pastime? As such, it's almost the antithesis of a formal holiday like Thanksgiving. No doubt, as time goes by, Super Bowl Sunday will become civilized and structured as more and more emphasis is placed on the "family" aspect of the event. SB (but then again, the powers that be do allow televised football on Thankgiving! )

I, said the Sparrow, with my bow and arrow. I'll help you cook the wheat! (a mixed allegore?) I do. Very rarely. I use some canned and frozen products, but do all my bread and desserts from scratch. Common Law Married? GF has grown daughter, grandson (3 yr) and grandaughter (6 m0). They stayed with us most of last year, and only live about four blocks away. Raconteur Yes, since we eat fairly late on weeknights and I plan more elaborate meals and baking for weekends. Me too.

Coming from a civil engineering background, (dad, brother, uncle, three cousins), I can't tell you how many times I've about heard how civil engineers, through the design of water and wastewater treatment systems, deserve more credit than the medical profession for wiping out disease and extending the human life span. SB (maybe so? )