Rebecca263

OK, Sandy, I'd go for that if the boys can really cook REAL food, none of that ice cream rolled in corn flakes stuff that Ms.Ray has offered us. Oh, and FistFullaRoux? That's MY idea! I boycott Hooters, they'll see me when they either A) drop the kiddy menu or B) repackage themselves as Hooters 'n' Peckers. I don't think their marketing practices are fair to those of us who like boys too. And, more importantly, I don't think the kiddles should be taught that ONLY girls are worth marketing for sexual objectification, you know what I mean? If this is a distasteful idea to them, well, then,why is it OK to have a kiddy menu in a place that objectifies girls, and only girls?

I DON'T like it when I want a Shirley Temple (extra cherries, boy will give you a five for your trouble) and the bartender laughs at me. Or when I ask for my rum drink (don't ask, they're both EASY to make, but weird) and the bartender tries to talk me into some other more common, albeit similar, drink, to the point of arguing. If that's what I'm really in the mood for, that's what I should be able to get. Colored sugar really sets my teeth on edge, I can't stand 'precious' stuff. I don't like bright lights, bar stools that don't swivel or glass tops. I really like it if there is a booth somewhere, there are times when it's appropos. I DO like it when the bartender puts extra olives in my date's martinis. I don't drink martinis, but I DO enjoy those drunken olives! Meanwhile, I'm probably at a bar to meet'n'mingle with the talent, or to accompany a date who has be met'n'mingled, or I'm there to canoodle with a date! It's all about the lack of lighting and the alcohol at that point.

Now, see, THAT I would watch! I don't mind sex on my television. What I can't stand is when the show's producers think that sex is all you need, or a funny giggle, or extreme novelty stuff. I want solid cooking along with my frills. Otherwise, I can have one of the boys in my life come for a visit and cook for me in skimpy undies. Or a funny uniform. Or, I can cook, and run some comedy films while I'm doing it. In this century dumbing down will only go so far for television. There is so much information out there in our section of the world, via books, internet, people in the workplace, radio, magazines, etc.! I think that stupidity and lack of content will lose out in the long run. BUT, please, keep cuties on television! Just hire smart ones from now on!

Yay, it's MEGAN! A week of froth AND substance! Please, your local stuff, and a shot of your kitchen, if you please?

No, that nectar is NOT what you want, Katie, it's a drink in itself! I prepare my own tamarhindi, but I'm Syrian, and we have a unique way of describing our recipes, so bear with me! You buy a block of tamarhindi. You can find it in a Middle Eastern market, or an Indian market, sometimes in an Asian market, too! In a Thai market sometimes it's called 'wet' tamarhindi. It's a dark block, about the size and shape of a ramen block, dark and slightly lumpy with seeds, wrapped in plastic. You put this block in a bowl, and add very warm water. Here's the method I use to decide how much water: I start with a spoonful, and add as I mix, by spoonfuls, until the tamarhindi has the texture I'm looking for. Just WAIT, I'll tell you the texture in a minute! First, I'll tell you how we mix it. You put your hands into the bowl and break up the tamarhindi with your fingers, discarding the seeds as you go. This takes a few minutes, be patient. You want to soften the pulp and basically you're rendering the soft bits from the pulp while you are working the stuff. OK, NOW I'll tell you about the texture. You're making a juice that looks like very thick prune juice. Once you've broken and softened all of the block, you'll have a pulpy, very thick mash. You want to grab up the pulp in your hands and squeeze it, very dry, into the bowl. Throw out the pulp, it's useless as far as I know, except for the compost. So, you're a professional, and you want to strain it, right? NO. It's done. And, it tastes so good, so much better than the bottled stuff, and it's so cheap, you'll want to use lots of it. DON'T. Use it sparingly, for best results. Now, Katie, you've got a lot of this stuff to use, make some stuffed grape leaves, to go with those drinks! Oh, and go wash your hands. There's also tamrhindi syrup, but I hate making it, it takes forever, and the stuff in the bottles is just as good, if it's made with sugar, and not corn syrup. Geez, OK, I'll tell you how, but, believe me, reading it is ENOUGH, don't make it yourself. Tamarhindi syrup is made by boiling the pulp until it is soft, in maybe 5 times the water as there is block. (Maybe 8 cups of water, maybe 10, maybe 12. Just use a 4 quart pot, and see.) Then, you let the mixture cool a bit, and you run it through cheesecloth. Then you put it back in the pot, and you add a spoonful of baking soda for every couple of cups of liquid. I do not know why, you just DO. That's what my aunties did, and that's what you and I do. You boil the stuff down again, until it is thick and dark and glossy, and you skim it a few times, too, because scum comes up to the top, and it ain't pretty! Now, you have to strain it AGAIN, and then you add about 4 big spoonfuls of sugar for each cup of juice that you have. OK, NOW you have to boil it again, for about 15 minutes. Now, it's done. Except, of course, you have to put it 'up' in sterilized bottles, and seal them after that. UGH. Go to the market, it's WAY easier. Listen, if ever make a new batch, I'll bring you a few bottles. Don't hold your breath, though, I'm not feeling so great right now. Geez, that's the longest, most boring post ever. Maybe I should delete it.

A STICK of MEAT! hahahaha! That's TOO MUCH! I think I've seen those in mini markets, too! I never knew what they were before, WOW! I DO hope that boy #1 doesn't figure out that I haven't eaten those. He's all over the "Get the experience of the packaged food" thing where I'm concerned.

I had a huge collection of siphons, newer and vintage, until recently. I unloaded them all on eBay. Why? Because, to be very honest about it, I have NEVER found the home siphon product to be as good as what you can get at your local supermarket for .99 cents US for 2 liters. Everyone can wax eloquent all they want, a home siphon does not give you the carbonation that commercially produced sodas have. After feeling very precious for over 16 years, I've finally been honest with myself about it, and gone back to the bottled stuff. However, if you're going to have a wet t-shirt contest at home, a siphon is FAB!

slim jims? Not the things you use to open a car door, I take it? I'm imagining a candy stick, like taffy, or a big Tootsie Roll, or maybe some regional Chick-o-stic? Or some sweet covered in jimmies?

I think that soda is such a personal thing, I don't think that it can really be quantified. I adore Coca Cola myself, and Pepsi ALWAYS reminds me of the smell of an oil change, go figure. Of course, I only drink sodas with sugar, not corn syrup, so it's very rare that I find such a creature, but then? Oh, boy, I indulge. I like Coca Cola with cream in it, too. You can really taste the spices (I smell nutmeg!) then. Yum.

What? I have to choose? Nope, can't narrow it down, and I see that this list is getting full iof all of my favorites already.... I will add something that I haven't seen yet, gingerbread, fresh out of the oven, with freshly whipped cream spooned upon it. Oh, and fruitcake, any kind. Send me yours, folks, don't let it go to waste! edited by me to add: what, no one else has mentioned black and white cookies or baked Alaskas? There, I have. I feel better now.

I live in Monmouthj County, NJ right now, and I'm going to be thirsty this weekend. Hurry up, someone from this neck of the woods, name a place?

you again with the crazy questions! apparently we are on the same wave legnth with what we would want fried (luckyly I have a deep fryer at work, and tons of spare time for dipping and crisping things)... deep fried creamed spinach....let's all consider this..... ← Like I said to you before, I'm coming over to your house, and I'm bringing my fork and spoon.

Thank you for blogging for us during this busy week. My calico cat is so fat, I thought all 3 of yours were slender! Be well, I hope that you can get a lot of rest before the baby arrives, and have time to keep your feet up!

The Table Of My Dreams is a massive rectangle of ancient wood, long enough for a dozen to gather comfortably, wide enough for two to sit at either end; the walnutty medieval finish darkened by centuries of use, thick, but not too thick to attach a pasta maker or grinder to, nicked and gouged in places. The grain is varied, but there is only one knot on the entire surface. And that knot is grandiose in it's efforts, and beautiful in it's ovoid perfection and mystery. The Table Of My Dreams rests on thick hand turned legs, 6 of them. The finish is waxen, but not overly so; not shiny, and yet, slightly reflective. The accompanying chairs are post modern, plastic and steel, with soft and vibrantly green blue upholstered velvet cushions. My daughter will make some beautiful, organic and yet architectural low sculptures, in a series, and I shall use them to run down the center of this table. My glass serving pieces will be a glistening counterpoint to the solidity and history of this table, and I will serve yebra and hashu, hummous, tabbouleh and immense platters of roasted and stewed vegetables and a number of entire fish, broiled on my newspaper grill and plated on large platters of steel, to my closest family and friends, to welcome The Table Of My Dreams into our midst. Small amuse of panko encrusted and deep fried chicken liver pate will be passed around, along with warm roasted and spiced mixed nuts and a salad of fresh tomatoes from the garden that peeks through the window that The Table Of My Dreams rests by. I will enlist a friend to help me to bake loaf after loaf of breads that day, and muffins as well. I will serve my family and friends a salad that will be discussed for it's complexity for months after, and the red wine will flow for the duration of our "welcome home, table" meal. We will have delicous balls of beef tartare as well. And, in the end, we will have chocolate pots de creme, ginger cookies, various chocolates that have been brought, and the most delicious port and ibrik coffees. We will talk until the morning, drink a lot more, dance, and laugh. The Table Of My Dreams will make my family and friends happy, even if they must crowd around it, as it is only intended for 12 to gather comfortably, as a rule. edited by me:delicous! hahahaha!

I never even consider this a 'choice' either. Hmmm, I AM spoiled!

We've got a broken cup and saucer somewhere on South Beach, but I couldn't find any COA on it. At the Bass Museum's sculpture garden (on South Beach) there is a large fountain made of 'kitsch'enware, as well. BTW, Monmouth County? Lots of parks, very little art in public places, unless you count the locals' shows at the libraries.

Miraklegirl- YUM! I had broth, which I'm sick of. Kiddle had a pan grilled cumin spiced chicken breast dressed with steamed chopped broccoli. Also, a really delicious sweet potato baked and then mashed with a pinch of salt, 2 pinches of sugar,a drizzle of olive oil and a spoonful of raisins, then browned. She ate the entire thing!

At home in Miami we have Oops! by Claes Oldenburg and his wife Coosje van Bruggen. It's IMMENSE. And the orange peels are very intriguing to look at. edited by me to add: We've got flamingoes instead of turkeys. All over Coral Gables. Some are OK, most are just kitsch, and not very good kitsch at that.

This makes me wonder how broiled and then chilled marrow would be, deep fried.

I ADORE movie theatre popcorn. But, the past few times I've had it, really, since I've moved to NJ, I've gotten a sickening feeling when I ate it. We finally figured out why. We've been eating popcorn for years at a local South Florida chain, Sunrise Cinemas. Home of the World's Best popcorn! It seems that we've gotten spoiled. Plus, they use real butter for the topping! Duh. BTW, unless the film is amazing, the popcorn is SUPER important to the theatre experience for us. Last summer, Kiddle and I had seen this great looking theatre on the side of RT9 near Old Bridge, a few times. We finally got off of RT9 one day to see a film there. We went to buy our popcorn, and the popcorn was so stale, and actually inedible, that we had our tickets refunded, went to Blockbuster and rented a few films, and had our popcorn and movie time at home! The cinema has since closed. We're going to hunt for a local art cinema soon, I keep saying. And I hope they'll have decent snacks.

I just can not quantify it, other boys have cooked for me, even roasted those beets, it's just some indefinable quality they have, plating? flavor? I have avoided interrogating my psyche for over 20 years on this subject, and I believe it is better to allow my opinion of these beets to remain thus:clouded by romantic opine. Very scientific of me, no?

Fresh beets, prepared for me by one of my boyfriends. I'm sorry, but no one else can seem to do them justice as he does! So, no beets for me, usually. Unless he's in town, or I'm visiting him. Even in Japan, get me some beets, boy? And he would. Thank goodness. I REALLY should learn how to cook beets for myself. I'll consider it an investment in my own independence.

I know that, thanks, no need to get defensive. I was just pointing out that all yuks aside, there are people that subscribe to eating without killing anything, even plants. There seemed to be some question about that in the posts I quoted. There was no question of religion, in my mind, as the questioning was about a food choice, not a religious one. I wondered about moulard, and what happens to the rest of the carcass. I always find farmed duck so fatty, I imagine that these ducks would be even richer, maybe in unctuous.

Um, being a FRUITARIAN is NOT a religious belief, it is a LIFESTYLE choiceWhat is Fruitarianism?, and it is completely separate from being a Jain. I have known both, and they are worlds apart. Jains are not fruitarian, they eat vegetables and grains, and many of them eat roots, too. I don't think that the Jain Dharmic way has anything to do with people laughing at Fruitarians. Let me reiterate, Fruitarianism is NOT a religion.

There's a nice local fishmarket that carries uni once in awhile, but I'd need to get a fryer first, wouldn't I? Besides, THIS week I'm on a highly restrictive diet. Basically, if it tastes amazing, or if you have to chew it AT ALL, forget it. Oh, wait, I'm instructed to have lots of salty broth. MMM salty.