Alinka

It's funny: I'm starting to recognize whose dinners these are even before looking at the name of the author. Who can confuse with anyone else's Daniel's signature melted chocolate dessert or the close-up of "the bite"? Or Megan's one-bowl pasta dish? Great dinners, everyone! Percy, what's in the lasagna?

Oh, for Pete's sake! Those of us who live out here in the boonies drive to eat at the fine dining establishments inside to Loop every weekend, or more often. Small price to pay for some good food. And actually, thinking that 45 minutes worth of gas is too much for a good meal should be a bigger crime here on eGullet that talking about diet . Should we have an eGulleteers' outing to Tookie's? So that fifi can take plenty of pictures of various burgers (we'll HAVE to each order something different ). I'm willing give onion rings another chance, since they failed to impress me the first few of times that I tried them.

Ok, here is my new favorite: Gosh, I love this thread so much that I really want to have something more to contribute. Love the comments. Contemplating cooking up something really nasty and taking a bad photo of it... Any suggestions as to what could look particularly disgusting? Disgusting taste not required .

That last dish looks good... Very comfort-food-y. I got an answer back from a friend in Israel regarding the flour difference. She said every time she uses US recipes, she has to add about 30 percent more flour. So I am puzzled .

Shoulda made everyone order something different in the interests of reporting to the world . I drive by Tookie's fairly often, and I've heard they have good burgers, but I haven't made it inside yet . Every time I crave a burger (about 4 times a year) I get one at Barnaby's or Hobbit Cafe. How do they compare to theirs? I'd been hearing about the wonderful burgers of Fudrucker's for the longest time, so finally I got one when everyone at work was ordering take out from there. To put it mildly, I was not impressed. Tiny greasy patty on a cottony squishy bun (my apologies to any Fudrucker's fans out there ).

By the way, your Gevulde koeken look so much better and more uniform that the store-bought one!

That's not fair! I just finished the anise cookies, and there are new ones already. I can't keep up with you, Klary . I should probably share my experience of baking these cookies in America . I followed the recipe precisely, using dark and light brown sugar 50:50. The dough turned out very soft, there was no way I could roll it. Which is fine, I HATE rolling. But then I decided to still try to get the traditional shape, so I refrigerated the dough until the next evening, and then it was firm enough to roll. But the size 2X4 cm seemed a little too small for our tastes (remember, I live in Texas, where they think "everything is bigger and better" ) so I cut them into 3X5 cm pieces. Exhausted by the effort of ROLLING, I just shaped the scraps into balls and flattened them on the baking sheet. After I got them out of the oven, I honestly tried to put thumbprints on top, but the cookies just wouldn't indent. And actually, the texture was not what I expected. They were a little almost chewy (I taste-tested them after 15, 20, and 25 minutes in the oven, of course! ), and I guess I was expecting a more crumbly texture, kind of like icebox or sugar cookies. But I liked them that way, reminded me of pryanik, Russian gingerbread. Also, I am not a fan of anise, so I added only 1/4 tablespoon. I took them to work, and everyone thought they were just right flavor-wise. I think the problem (well, not exactly a problem) here is that flour in the States is different from that in Europe. My friends in Europe usually have to adjust the amount of flour in my recipes. I just don't remember, which way: add or decrease. Anyway, the cookies were very popular, being not too sweet, and full of flavor. Thank you, Chufi!

Hi Chufi, Does this look at all familiar?

Thanks for reminding me about Epicure! Last Friday I convinced my movie class to meet there for the discussion instead of our usual Cafe Express . I like how cosy it is. I also (by accident) came across Andre's when shopping in Uptown Park last week. I liked what they had on the display but as it was late afternoon, there wasn't much left . Rustika sounds like something I'd like to check out.

Elie, would you believe it, I bought my first Smart Chicken components at HEB yesterday! I'm saying "components", because all I could find was a lonely package with 4 thighs. Cookin' them tonight!

Can we vote for the nastiest looking dish? I hope this is not going to hurt your feelings, Kristin , but THIS looks like some fat white worms floating in... well, I don't want to even think about it. And I am not squeamish about food! Austin, can you share more advice? But, not to sound party poopy-ish (this IS, after all, the fun thread - who can take the worst food photo ever ), we can talk in the food photography thread. Your professional expertise will be much appreciated!

Usually I use ricotta, but the store didn't have any, so for the first time I had to use cottage cheese. Also, mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce... Here, I'll show :

Gorgeous. The cake looks like it has a little sunshine trapped inside, put in together with other ingredients .

MobyP, that pork belly looks so good... Makes me want to grab it off the plate and sink my teeth in it, I can almost taste it. So I finally got around to making lasagna that I've been craving since last week. I've tried several lasagna recipes over the past few years, including those with bechamel, vegetarian ones, etc. In the end, my favorite recipe still comes from my very first cookbook - Betty Crocker's. Nothing beats it in the cheesiness department .

Mmm, look at this... These are some gorgeous chickens! I'm off in search of Smart Chicken in Houston .

You're really trying to get your money's worth out of that panini press, aren't you, Percy? I still couldn't bring myself to follow you in cooking my French toast in the press. Somehow the idea of sqishing it flat instead of getting it soft and puffy seems wrong... Ah, I wish, I wish! I'd be 300 pounds by now if I did that .

Why, thank you! I feel proud for finally submitting the correct entry .

The pasta looks so good, Wendy. I ate dinner at a cafe before class - quiche Lorraine, carrot salad, coffee and Tiramisu.

Ok, now I feel bad about posting those pictures after hearing your praise (thank you, by the way, I think I'm getting addicted to the support I get here on eGullet ). Of course these are not the worst things I ever cooked, I'm just too embarrassed to save those on film for posterity . Here, I've rummaged through my computer and found this: This is an attempt to show one of my favorite breakfasts - buckwheat kasha (eaten hot). That didn't seem right, so I decided that a close-up will look more appetizing - Mmm... maybe not . And here's what happens when I try being creative when photographing my food. This suspicious pile is not what you think; it's home-made roasted pepper hummus. Dig in! Wait! That's not all. Not quite a photography problem, but a problem nonetheless. I spent about an hour making blini (Russian thin, large crepes), and then another hour making fillings for them, and then stuffing them. Very traditional (that was for a Russian party), very yummy. Then I decided to put them in the fidge until evening, when I would fry them in butter. And HERE THEY ARE! The rest somehow ended up in another corner of the kitchen. Daniel, that sandwich looks so delicious! I really want to bite in right there in the middle.

Oh, that's right! I sometimes eat there on Thursday nights before my class . I like that place. Although their Tres Leches is not nearly as good Americas'... Thank you, Elie! Any other favorites?

Love this thread. Well, one can certainly try - And here's an attempt to demonstrate some lovingly and diligently prepared cioppino (it tasted good, honest! ) -

Ok, so I have a sweet tooth. No, make it sweet TEETH - all of them. But in the five years in Houston I haven't found a bakery/coffee shop that would take my breath away. Are there any recommendations? I've been to the French Riviera Bakery - excellent croissants, but not much in the way of tarts, cakes, etc. I like what they have at the Central Market, but it's a grocery store, not a place to sit down and have a cup of coffee with a pastry or two or three...

... just the dressing - lime juice with olive oil, pepper, and fresh basil . Thanks!

I. Am. Going. To die! Gorgeous. When I was in Amsterdam, I just couldn't get enough of those pancakes, sweet or savory. I don't think I ate any normal meals there, just pancakes, fries with mayo, and herring . This is now the first thread I rush to read when I get to eGullet.

Jason, that's a big piece of meat! I, on the other hand, too lazy to actually cook, ended up with a vegetarian supper -