Genny

Very cool, a trip to Par Avion. Its too bad that the north store couldn't keep open, but then Jim and Karen have a special relationship with their regular customers that is difficult to duplicate. The bulk of their customers likely travel to the south end of town to their new store. It is pretty big for a gourmet shop! We were out there 2 summers ago and were blown away by the new location. I love that you got the Limberger cheese. It was Jim that turned me onto the stinky cheeses and I've never looked back. Do you have other particular favorites for ripe, smelly goodness? The kitties are soooo adorable too. They get along with each other? Its funny, but until your blog Marcia, I didn't realize there may have been a correlation to my poor cooking skills when I lived in the Springs and the altitude. My husband and his sister would bake biscuits, muffins, cakes, etc. with no problem but my attempts always failed miserably and I felt like a complete idiot that I couldn't even boil an egg properly...they were always undercooked. How wonderful to know that at least in part (because I really didn't bring many skills with me from California) the altitude was to blame!

I'm guessing you're in the Briargate area? Ah, afternoon storms are something I miss most about CS!!! You're making me homesick! Your food plan sounds so sane. I am one that has the hardest time losing weight unless I am dropping the carbs but it has been so hard for me to maintain that lifestyle. Your description is so much simpler and forgiving than what I'm used to that I'm inspired to try again. The worst is when I go back to eating a full carb diet that I balloon up bigger than I was before. I've tried to lose weight by just increasing my activity (I now work out at least 3X a week for 40-60 minutes) and although I am toner and healthier, I've not lost a complete pant size yet in 6 months. So utterly frustrating. Yep, looks like I'll have to try your meal planning instead and if it works, make it a permanent change. I may PM you for help, is that OK?

This time of year I have to will myself away from Cold Stone creamery. Oh the possibilities!!! Some favorites: Banana ice cream with double brownies and dark cherries (hubbie's) Banana ice cream with reeces peanut butter cups (2), almonds, graham cracker and fudge sauce. Mint ice cream with oreos (double it please!) and marshmallow cream. To drink: Makers Mark bourbon with fresh homemade mint syrup and a splash of vanilla syrup, my twist on a Mint Julep. Stir with a vanilla bean if you got it and garnish with a huge sprig of mint to tickle the nose. Sweet, potent and refreshing!

Marcia, it is great to see you blogging this week! I used to live near Garden of the Gods (for 3 years) and absolutely loved it. Its unfortunate the culinary outlook has not improved much since I was there, I moved in late 1999. Do you ever get to Par Avion, the gourmet shop? It is all the way on the opposite side of town near the Broadmoor. We knew the owners; they get the freshest fish, great quality meats and have an incredible cheese selection. And their deli meats are what I originally fell in love with. They have real Italian cured meats (not Boar's Head)...mmmm caldo salami!!! My favorite breakfast was at Gunther Toodies. What a great diner! Their chicken fried chicken still haunts me on Sunday mornings! I get a craving for it a few times a year (with the sausage gravy, natch!)

Holy Cow!!! Go MIA for a few weeks and see what I miss?!? This is the best news Chris, I'm so happy for you (and us too!). OK the cities are set for the first 10, but you ***must*** hit the Phoenix valley too. It is a culinary mecca here for hole-in-the-wall places that serve fabulous food as well as James Beard winning chef driven restaurants. Pleeeeaaaaasssseeee! And if you need a personal assistant to run for coffee, or taste test for you, just let me know! Hell, I'll even travel if you'd like (on FNs dime, of course ). You sure do make a fellow eGer proud!! Best Wishes, Genny

Um, since when is High Fructose Corn Syrup natural? I've not tried the new 7UP, I don't drink much soda at all because I object to the HFCS. Its an interesting ploy, I wonder how it compares to Hansen's sodas.

Oh Ellen, dear. I understand completely and feel your pain!!!! Poor thing.

Gosh, I'm shocked that anyone could consider it anything but uncouth to pay for a table! It is boorish behavior that should have been abolished with polyester and fake parmesan. OR: Those who can, pay, those who can't...wait. TIP: To Insure Promptness. It works with the hostess and captain alike - not to mention car valets who's sign shows "full"!

Alas, it is still a dream. This is what I've been looking at though...Wolf 60" Gas Range with Double Griddle...woof! ETA: I just looked back up thread and see we both like the Wolf. You'll have to tell me how it cooks!

Oh Fabby, that sounds amazing. We've long thought to go with a 28-24" griddle inset with the 60" range. We especially like teppan cooking so that is what the griddle is for. Please take pictures to show off the final kitchen! (green for envy )

I enjoy Mario's work on FN almost as much as I enjoy Alton Brown. He is the real deal and this article highlighted the fact that he has *worked* his way up the ladder and didn't get there on dumb luck. That said, it also portrayed him as one becoming an obnoxious self-important bore. I enjoy the off-the-cuff remarks, seeing the "real" person, but I think one must be careful to not get too high off his own celebrity. I'm curious about "the brand" and where the line will be drawn. I have no criticism of the cookware line, pizzas and sauces, books, or Las Vegas ventures as long as it is quality that bespeaks the indegrity of the individual. So please, I don't want to see his face on his own magazine, paper towels, pre-chopped veggies or even the bottles of wine produced by his own vinyard in Italy. That just seems a bit, um, cheesy. In my estimation anyway. Where do you think the line is?

So Henry, how does an architect from SoCal get to be so entrenched in the culinary world in Seattle? How did you get to know and befriend so many of the top purveyors of your city?

Ack! Thanks Sam, as I said, its been a while... Oy, looking at the menu makes my mouth water It seems they have expanded their menu some as well! I guess it has lost its "dive" appeal?

This is the first I've seen of so many folks from my old stomping grounds, it does my heart good! I grew up in San Jose and went to SJSU, I've also lived in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. I'm glad to see recs for Franky, Johnny, & Louigi's Too. I've only been to the original location in Palo Alto/Mountain View. An incredible southern Italian place, go early or expect to wait! If you happen to be near a Super Taqueria (the symbol is a big S like Superman) you have to try it. They have incredible burritos and there are a few locations now (Downtown San Jose, Morgan Hill, East Side San Jose). If you are of the mind: go for the super burrito de lengua. mmmmmmmmm. I'm also glad to see Mexico Lindo still makes the cut. I used to get the enchiladas suisas there every time. If you are into a steak joint, Andy's was always good. It is just under the freeway past the Pruneyard. A real dive but they cook the steaks right there over an open fire. If you are downtown for dinner, Original Joe's has a place in history and in my heart. Our big family get togethers were always here. Old time Italian, meatballs etc. If you like Japanese, you must go spend an afternoon in Japan town, just north of downtown San Jose. There are a couple grocery stores and I think it was at Gombei that I learned to love sushi and miso soup became comfort food. In Santa Cruz the Hindquarter is a great local steak joint. If you want a very special night, go to Chaminade (its where I married my husband) and eat in the Library. You can also stay the night there. For a yummy treat, stop in at MacKenzie's Kandy Kitchen where they have hand made chocolates to die for! I'm so glad you are enjoying the bay area so far. I don't get back to visit family and friends nearly enough.

Henry, hello! It is nice to meet you. You really are taking one for the team this week. This blog is pure fantasy! I have always enjoyed architecture and am fascinated by your thoughful parallels to chef's plating. Fascinating! Can you tell us if you have any particular favorite chefs or architects? By the way...is that a skateboard I see in the kitchen?

Hey Sam, since Bergerka is out of town, was that portion for one??? But really, we are talking about cravings here aren't we? When you are having a sh*ty day and the world is against you, what do you crave? My hubby will always ask for red licorice and pinwheels. Every time. Sometimes if he thinks he can get away with it, he'll ask me to make marshmallows for him. And yes, this is consumed with rum and diet coke

Thanks again JAZ! And I found my new can opener! My side seam opening one has dulled out after about 8 years or so of use so I am in need of the new one. I'll also be looking for the squid. Have a great week! Genny

I too love shopping in the ethnic markets. I can spend hours looking at the different products that I have no clue what to do with but seem to be a staple for another culture. Last summer we had some friends visiting us from Monterrey, Mexico. The husband went to college in Texas and his English is perfect. His wife also had some English but this was her first trip to the U.S. I talked her into teaching me a common Mexican dish, so we planned to cook dinner together one night (jeez I'm a lousy host ). She didn't know the English word for the cut of meat that she needed so we went to the big hispanic market. She was shocked to see businesses in the surrounding area with names and words in Spanish. When we got into the market, she asked someone if they spoke Spanish. Well, naturally she had a much easier time navigating than I did! She had no idea that there were so many people here that spoke her language and such strong latino communities existed. (BTW: It was priceless to see the look on her face when we told her even voting materials and driving tests were printed in Spanish.)

What is in the CO2 canister in the fridge? Whipped Cream??? Oh, JAZ, I forgot to mention how much I love your kitchen in total. It reminds me of my great-aunt who lived in Menlo Park for so many years. The feel of the homes from that area built in that era all have a similar feel and for me that feeling is cozy and homey. Thanks so much for blogging this week. I know you've been busy working and dealing with the weather. Nice job. Oh, and those marrows looked faaaabulous darling. I imagine they make for a small meal because they are so rich. I prefer them as an appy for just that reason. What condiment or pantry ingredient do you have that you consider the most exotic and what do you do with it? Same question for your bar ingredients. Do you actually have a favorite drink?

Hmph! Bragger Today is a new low. Puffy Cheetos, peanut butter M&Ms (from the freezer) and Ditet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke. And it isn't even lunch time yet. I'll probably skip that and work straight thru.

I'll let you tell him it's not manly. All 6'2 250 lbs of him! We just don't drink like regular coke - too sweet.

Mmmmm, your almuerzo at Las cazuelas reminds me of one I had just outside of Talacapaque (?sp). It is the first and only time I ate so much for lunch that I couldn't eat dinner which was about 6 hours later! Fabulous documentation! Could you add some more English translation to the food names when possible? My Spanish sucks. He, he, I know you were doing a lot of walking but did you gain any weight on your trip? I've never been to Italy but friends who have say that no matter how much walking they do, they always come back with an extra 5 pounds. That is me when I'm in Mexico! Have you tried the nopales yet? If so, can you tell us what they tasted like and more about the experience? I saw a recent Bayless program that featured nopales that was basically used in place of a tortilla. I've never had them that way and am eager to try them. Now that you've reminded me of them, I'll have to go to the local Food City (that is the hispanic oriented market here) to see if I can find some. Did you try anything on this trip that you found completely unpalatable?

Sorry to contradict you Grub but we cant give credit to TFN for Cooking Under Fire that belonged to PBS. So far TFN hasn't been that gritty. I'll agree, the whole conflict over the sauce seemed odd. And you are right, they never did answer if the sauce was actually tossed so it seemed like big words with no action...well, except to boot the offender.

Wow Doc, I just love the photos and travel log. Great job! Thank you so much. The mercado pix remind me of a trip to Mexico, to Guadalajara about 8 years ago. I wasn't much of a cook yet back then and was really squeamish about raw meats and facing the true source of it. (I've come a long way baby!) I imagine the mercado in Mexico city was similar to the one in Guadalajara. I was in awe of the "groceries" all the fresh produce and spices in the same building as leather goods, food stalls, marble chess sets, cowboy boots and childrens clothes. It was a dizzying experience. I could smell the butcher area before we actually saw it. Rounding the corner I came face to face with a hanging calf, still bleeding out just a bit. I was truly shocked and had to look away. Unfortunately I looked up and found a whole row of pig heads! That was all I could take. I had to get out. I was a true wimp! My husband was sweet and helped me to the nearest exit (about 20 feet away) and I managed to not get physically sick. I learned such a valuable lesson though that day. I learned how important it is to really *know* where your food comes from and appreciate it. The other visits to Mexico there were no major mercados like that near by, only westernized grocery stores. Sorry for the high-jack! So, inquiring minds really want to know what you brought back from your trip! Spices? Pastes?

I was completely turned off by tonight's program. It just went way over the edge with the bondage shop thing, really how far out to the fringe can you go??? For what it is worth, Stephen's kvetching when he thought he would win and didn't was amusing. Pompous ass. I'm done with the show.