Jean Blanchard

Okay, my mouth is watering and I can't wait to make the Korova cookies. I don't eat raw dough but my granddaughter is a HUGE fan of any raw cookie dough so since she's coming this weekend....... By the way, I haven't bought the Paris Sweets cookbook yet. Are the other recipes as good as they look? Not that I need another dessert cookbook but then again, it isn't really a question of need, is it.

Thanks so much for all of the great recommendations. I'm going on line to check some of the menus. So far, Hoppes looks good. I'll be in the Napa/Sonoma Valley prior to visiting your area and I'm looking forward to your small boutique wineries. Thanks, again. jb

I will be visiting this area for 3 days in September. Any recommendations for dinner/lunch? We're willing to travel a half hour or so out of the area. Thanks from Naperville, Illinois. jb

Ditto on Flor Brakers book. I've used it for years and like it better than Gale Gands. jb

Are you from Des Moines (Home of the do-it-yourself Iowa Beef Steak House)? ← No, this was a place in a country club in a suburb of Chicago. I think maybe Nordic Hills. jb

This reminds me that the first restaurant my now husband took me to MANY years ago was a place where you had to cook your own steak. Now why would anyone want to go out and pay to cook their own steak?? The good news is, he would never think to do that now and his tastes have greatly improved. Maybe she just needs to be shown a world she has never seen before. Having said that, you might just have to accept that she's just (horrors!) not interested. jb

How about shish kebob? You can grill up whatever vegetables look good and even grill some peaches, pineapple for dessert to serve over ice cream. jb

Caramelized onions, fig jam (homemade or bought), blue cheese and toasted walnuts. My normal crust recipe works just fine on the grill as long as the grill is really hot.

Soup, soup, and more soup. Usually, chicken noodle. Nothing fancy. They seem to like a lot of carbs but you have to figure out ways to get protein in. When I do chicken or pork, I use a grape or berry sauce to go with it because they like sweet but of course, you want to make it as healthy as possible. Risotto is a good idea if they've eaten it before. I find that they're a little suspicious of anything "unusual". Also, dividing things into small portions before you give it to them is good. You can buy those disposable containers right at your grocery store. Good luck. It's a wonderful thing you're doing. jb

Just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone, especially Tammy for all of the effort that went into this event. It was great working with everyone. Before leaving town, we stopped back at Zingerman's and bought some cheese, bread, banyuls vinegar, olive oil, etc. On our way home, we stopped at a cherry farm and picked up 20 lbs. of cherries for various pies and desserts. All just an added bonus to a wonderful weekend. Thanks again, Tammy. jb

Ronnie, Thank you for your kind words regarding my mom. I brought her some homebaked goodies on Sunday and she was thrilled to have something to share with her caregivers and roomie. So far, I made pork kebobs and hamburgers using Reagan purchases. Both were once again, excellent. I had marinated the pork so that helps it along anyway but the ground chuck was really good quality. This was really a find. Thanks again. I'll be in Ann Arbor for the gathering this weekend. Hope to see you there! jb

What about Sandra Lee? Is that really cooking? jb

I've got a buttermilk cake (my own recipe) waiting for me to serve tonight but I'm dying to jazz it up with the lavender syrup. Thanks for the recipe. Your site looks great. jb

Are you making the recipe from Barefoot Contessa? If so, I'm sure that I have that size pan because I bought the pan specifically for that recipe. I'll check tonight at home to be sure. jb

Ronnie, Thanks so much for the recommendation for Reagans. Although I live in Naperville, I find myself in Glenview often now visiting my mom at Glenview Terrace (recuperating from double hip surgery). Since I am out that way, I decided to stop at Reagans yesterday. We grilled the rib eye yesterday and it was superb! I'm marinated the pork kebab's as we speak for company tomorrow night. I think that I'll be making a regularly scheduled trip out your way from now on. Thanks again. jb

I'd go with the bubbly. After all, it goes with everything. jb

I've always made the lemon curd from one of Maida Heatter's cookbooks and it works out beautifully every time. I'd post but I'm not at home. Any more interesting and unusual ways that you've used it? jb

I've just started making ginger iced tea. I just boil about 3 cups water with maybe an inch of chopped fresh ginger and let it steep for about 10 min or so (depending on how much you like the ginger taste). If you want it sweetened with honey, you need to do that while it's hot. It's great because it's spicy, cold and sweet all at once - and it's good for you! jb

I'll be happy to be a sous chef in any area needed. My husband is good at opening wine bottles but that might be it for him! Since you seem to have dessert covered, I'll try to think of an appetizer that will hold up on the trip down. jb

This reminds me that somewhere in one of my old Cooking Light magazines, they did a feature story on Orange and the Frushi recipe was in there. I'll try to find it and post it here. I also think that Orange is not always as good as it was in the beginning but when I went with a 7 year old that wanted chocolate milk recently, the manager ran down the street and got chocolate so he could make it for her. I gotta give 'em points for that! jb

Glad to see this thread since I live in Naperville and have the same problem finding good restaurants. On Washington, however, there is a French restaurant going in where Carzz used to be. I believe it is called Bistro Margot. As soon as it opens, I'll check it out and report back. Catch 35 (I think that's the correct name) also on Washington is less then a year old and we've eaten there several times. It's been very good on those occasions but it is pricey. Don't bother with Rizzo's on Jefferson (also new). Oh, and I just remembered, Jade Garden in Hinsdale is good and you can byob. jb

Would you like us to bring anything with? Maybe wine? Dessert? jb

Thanks for the hotel listings. I'll leave the Chicago suburbs at around 3:00 at the latest - hoping for earlier. I'd hate for you to change the time based on our arrival time because you never know how the traffic will be on a Friday night. jb

We'll (husband and I) be there on Friday night but I don't know if we can make 7:00. Do you have a hotel you can recommend? jb

I emailed Fox & Obel and they are now carrying it now. Thanks for the info!! jb