joiei

my references James Beard The Way to Cook Julia Child Japanese Cooking, a Simple Art Shizuo Tsuji Simple to Spectacular Jean-Georges Vongerichten & Mark Bittman River Roads the best collection of Creole cooking basics around Return to Cooking Eric Ripert & Mark Ruhlman (I found this at Dickson Street Bookstore in Fayetteville, AR for $20 and it is now my newest favorite) The Cake Bible Rose Levy Beranbaum Zuni Cafe Cookbook Judy Rogers and so many more.

I am planning a trip down to Buenos Aries in May. I am so excited. None of us have ever been there, we will probably be staying at the Marriott. What guides will be best to start getting myself educated, food, culture, interesting cool places, etc.

Robert Tolf of Florida Trend Magazine is probably the foremost recognized critic of restaurants in the state of Florida. He has been writing about them for 36 years. His Golden Spoon awards are better and more accurate than Zagat. To reach his lists, go here Florida Trend Golden Spoon Awards and his guide to the entire state can be reached here Great Florida Restaurant Guide What type of restaurant are you looking for specifically? and Deerfield Beach is just next door.

The three biggest sellers on the New Years Eve buffet for the party I did last nite were Fried chicken wings Black Eyed Peas with ham (I used Neuske's Applewood smoked) Brussel Sprouts with Crispy Proscuitto It seems no matter the income level, those black eyed peas are a hit for this one day. I do not know what that mystery referred to. From the area south of Mason=Dixon I came from, that was mandantory. But they do eat scrapple in other places and I do not get that at all. Happy New Years.

I guess I will have to make a little side trip over to Granbury when I come down for the Hong Kong Market tour. Plus, then I can stop at that Donut shop/sushi bar that I saw in Granbury when I was on my way to Coleman the last time. I hope it is still there.

Siegi's in Tulsa makes various degrees of hot links. Siegi's Even the maids say the XXX ones are hot. And they drink Tabasco like water.

I have had some grass fed beef from a private ranch near Dustin, OK. It was pretty tasty. THe hamburger patties did not shrink any, the fat levels was that low. The tenderloin was tasty, i did have to season it a little more than before and take care to not overcook it. Hopefully, i will be able to get more this week.

The buffet I put out for the family I cook for was Dilled Potato Salad green apple and cabbage waldorf with currants Turkey - cornbread dressing gravy cranberry orange relish Ham - with a root beer glaze that I found on a New Orleans food bulletin site ( Incredibly good, I am doing it again for new years.) Grilled whole tenderloin with horseradish cream Onion pie (a family tradition that goes so well with the beef, onions baked in a shell with a mornay sauce) garliky asparagus broccoli and corn cassarole ( another family tradition, not my favorite) Brussel sprouts with crispy proscuitto mashed potatos (not whipped) pecan glazed sweet potatos pecan pie key lime pie pumpkin pie Italian cream cake Buche noel Pumpkin cheesecake cookies truffles from Kokoa chocoliatier Santa Sundaes for the children

my grandmother always had a dime in the pot of black eyed peas. Who ever came up with it was supposed to have financial gains that year. And the greens were on the side. The peas were always seasoned with the ham hock. Rice was also served along with a big cast iron skillet of corn bread. This makes me miss my grandma a lot. THat is what we always did in Northwest Florida.

I always enjoyed Ortanique on the Mile in the Gables. I hear there are some very interesting neighborhood places up in the North Beach area, not all the flash and dash of South Beach but good food at reasonable prices. I have not been in 2 years, but am planning a late spring trip,

All-clad's LTD line is anodized exterior with the stainless steel cooking surface. Very pretty to look at but my pocket book can only afford the masterchef series. I get the same cooking properties as the more expensive LTD for much less bucks. And I did not buy in a set, i picked up pieces as I needed them. I do have two 10inch frypans. Calphalon is just not my bag. I have never cared for how the all aluminum stuff cooks. And after use, that pretty dark coating starts to wear off. At least my sisters stuff did. Not so pretty anymore.

The Crescent City Farmers Market on Saturdays is the true farmers market in New Orleans. It is at Girod and Camp. The market in the French Quarter is for all the touristas. When I lived in the City, saturday mornings were always spent seeing what was new. And the local market here in Tulsa has Satsumas this morning. I will be back for more this afternoon. They will not last long.

Finally, mine got here and just in time. I found a $5.00 toaster at Target. Now off to La Donna's on Cherry Street for some cheese.

thanks everybody, I have consided the drive, I figured I could be home before that plane lands at Tulsa International. I was hopeful that DFW had picked up on the dining scene like I have read about happening at places like SFO. As to Colleyville, i know where it is and have dined at (What is the name of that Asian place with Benigets in the new town center). Ft Worth is way too far, I have driven that. It is too bad that DART does not go to the airport. It looks like a book, an apple and a bottle of water for dinner.

for ethnic goodies I go to the following Kabani for middle eastern, I love the Vimto. It is on Admiral and Harvard at I-244 Nam Hai on Garnett at 21st for all things Asian, great produce not available at Albertsons or Walmart Neighborhood Markets. Interesting greens and roots. and they keep me stocked in hot wasabi peas India International Mart 11408 S Fulton Ave for wonderful things from the sub-continent A mexican mercado (do not remember the name at the moment in Plaza Santa Cecilia at Garnett and 21st. And in season, the Cherry Street Farmer's Market

I have a 4 hour layover on the evening of dec 15th and am wondering if I can eat at dfw or should I rent a car for 2 hours and run over to Colleyville to eat. I come in at like 4:50pm and do not leave for Tulsa until 9pm. Anyone up for dinner that nite?

I want a piece of Tres Leches now. love that cake.

Jason, thanks for the post and the pictures, they bring back memories of a great meal at Commanders back when Jamie was still alive. And also of meeting Miss Ella one day at Foodies in Metairie. She is the gold standard when it comes to service and making a person feel good about being in her restaurants.

Hotels around the convention center are not all that cheap, the operators know they have a captive market and charge accordingly. There are a couple of b&b's near by in the lower garden district. I had a very nice breakfast at Rene Bistro at the Renassiance hotel in the CBD. Chef Rene Bayeux was a great guy, very friendly and personable.

I do not use the convient infant seat on any shopping cart. I do not know when the last infant with a poopy diaper sat there.

Okay, I have ordered my bags, now off to Target. I am going to bypass Walgreens and the like because with Target it is "Style over function" First I have to check all the end caps. I am anticipating my first ever Elvis sandwich. That means I need to stock up on Hormel bacon.

It changes monthly, my bookcase is always in rotation and never in order. James Beard The Zuni Cafe Weightwatchers 2002 Annual

To my own personal tastes, the best 'Sweet Tea' comes from Pensacola, Florida. If you go to Hopkins Boarding House for Sunday Dinner after church, they have sweet tea. That is where I grew up going to Dinner on the grounds at Hickory Hammock Baptist church, to Covered dish dinners held by the PTA at the elementary school. My mom always used Lipton loose leaf tea to make her sweet tea. You can also ask for the pulley bone at Hopkins.

A suggestion for when your in Oklahoma City. The best sushi in the whole state is Sushi Necko at the Will Rogers Center. And they are listed on Opentable.com for your reservation.

I keep reading about the RB interview in the Miami Herald. Isn't that newspaper and BK both home officed in the Greater Miami area? Is there a connection in that interview? Just curious.