cathrynapple

I add parsley to all salads and most "western" sauces to finish. parsley and breadcrumb stuffed mushrooms and tomatoes use up a ton. and parsley butter to keep in the freezer for steaks and things.

grill it, then put a nice, interesting vinaigrette on it and some grilled veggies. or maybe some kind of garlicky tomato-y spanish/southern italian stew thing?

I have always read and learned that it takes about ten calories per pound, not two. maybe it's different with "excess" weight? we burn calories just breathing and existing, so depending one one's metabolic rate, this can differ. so, with NO exercise and extra calorie burning, a 150 lb very sedentary person only needs about 1500 calories a day. (which is a typical "weight loss" amount for someone who weighs much more than 150 lbs. on a relating note, most nutritionists i've talked to recommend that a female of healthy weight and average activity consume about 1800 calories a day to maintain that weight.

that said, i really enjoy the mint 3 musketeers. it's like the commercial says: it's light, it's relatively low in calories for an entire candy bar, and it's not too sweet.

that looks more like a Three Musketeers than a Milky Way to me. (which would account for the textural differences.)

I believe the December issue of Bon Apetit has a great white chocolate pear tiramisu recipe that uses a large amount of pears.

couldn't you do an anglaise type thing and swirl something into it? or do half the bowl in a creamy custardy liquid and the the other half with a tart, fruity soup? maybe passion fruit or pomegranate?

I sometimes make a really, really decadent, extra-rich mac and cheese for dinner parties (especially if kids are coming!) and it's always a hit. It's definitely not something i eat very often mainly because it's a calorically ridiculous food. I totally understand why, for the holidays, people would be searching for something popular and ultra-indulgent.

the worst meal i've had was cooked by my brother in law's girlfriend. my parents in law FREQUENTLY cook delicious, elaborate meals. (they're both chemists, so cooking comes naturally to them. but every time they cook something the SLIGHTEST bit spicy, fragrant, different, exotic, flavorful, etc, brian and robin (brother in law and gf) make teh most HORRIBLE, RUDE comments! (for example, "this smells like feet," or "that tastes like vomit." these are adults in their mid twenties, might i mention. making statements like THAT while sitting down to a meal that's been lovingly cooked for them. needless to say, when brian and robin invited us over for a meal i quite anxious. she served: glasses of whole milk potato soup that i watched her make - she boiled peeled, sliced potatoes in plain, unsalted water until it all turned into a mush. by the time we were served it had thickened into a watery paste and she sprinkled some chopped green onions on top. at this point she said, "i never add salt to anyhthing becuase some people don't like salt." WHAT?? "pan fried" chicken breasts. these were plain, unseasoned, boneless/skinless chicken breasts that had been cooked in a lightly oiled frying pan. some of them were raw inside adn some were too dry adn overdone to chew through. for dessert? rock hard ginger bread men. they were strangely flavorful, and she admitted she'd been "afraid" to use the fresh ginger root. this christmas my husband purchased a nice prefilled spice rack for her.

my favorite way to eat oysters? drive down to our tiny gulf coast vacation house, pick up an entire cooler-ful from the market, stay up late drinking white wine, and sit in a circle on the porch, taking turns shucking and slurping! raw with a squeeze of lemon is best. (this is even better if you can watch fourth of july fireworks at the same time!)

My parents were frozen food/packet gravy people, so i learned how to make THAT at about eight. But I had a fantastic giblet gravy lesson this Thanksgiving (at age 23) and am now learning all kinds of southern cooking techniques from my boyfriend's mother. Having never even SEEN a gizzard till then, I am proud to say I'm a convert.

ooooh, i was going to mention Alton's super-easy method, but someone beat me to it! seriously: i've tried it and it works.

ugh. 26 people and we haven't even STARTED!

yes, but it's all about being hot from the oven. and being a proper british scone with jam and butter and whipped cream.

does anyone here listne to music that isn't pure, uncommercialized artistry? does anyone here read books that aren't always enriching and literary? does anyone here ever watch fluffy romantic comedies or slapstick will ferrel movies? rachel ray is the romantic comedy of the food world. not trying to change the world, but some people enjoy something simple and lighthearted. and that's ok.

but why cover a cake in something that gets hard and gross and needs to be removed? ruins the cake.

yeah, cilantro just tastes like SOAP to me. i won't eat biscuits and gravy. gross. or twizzlers.

oh man. i'm embarrassed to live in that area now.

the ice melts, dilutes the drink, and fivfe minutes later you have watery, weird tasting liquid. plus, if oyu're in a country that donest relaly have free refills, you want a smuch beverage as possible.

i just flew through to the states from suoth africa via london. they'll probably just look at your food to see if it's ok. condiments may be iffy. the worst thing that can happen is your mayo being thrown out.

what?? what on EARTH is regrettable about it? i'm drooling.

aw, i'm glad it's you, bryan! good luck!

lots of elbow grease!

what a lovely start! i'm already in love with your family. and the produce, too.

he was probably rolling his r. i'm from s.a. too.