Kim Shook
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Posts posted by Kim Shook
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Last night was our annual fondue/tree decorating dinner. We started with beef fondue (tenderloin) with bearnaise, horseradish cream, curry sauce, Bobby Flay's sherry vinegar steak sauce & crudites and dip (Seven Seas Green Goddess - very traditional for this meal in Mr. Kim's family
) and crusty rolls. Dessert was chocolate fondue (I experimented this year and did Tolblerone 
- amazingly good!) with pound cake, angel food cake, macaroons, bananas, maraschino cherries, dried fruit and blackened marshmallows 
. Kim
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This is just the best idea ever! Thank you so much for doing this. Early Christmas, indeed. How I wish that blogs were available verbally somehow. I listen to books on tape while I do my cooking, decorating, etc. This would be a great narrative for those chores!
Kim
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I have barely cooked meals this month (too busy cooking for the Christmas freezer
), but evidently I am the only one! Y'all have been cooking up a storm. I am going to start serving Mr. Kim his take out in front of this thread - maybe it will fool him ! Miz Ducky - those short ribs inspired me! They are just perfect for Dec/Jan meals!
Bruce - that cabbage looked lucious. Funny, I really don't like cooked cabbage - but last week Klary made some that I drooled over, too. Guess I'll have to try it again!
AlexNoir - I gotta try that 'Kit Kat' - gorgeous
Marlene - that gravy shot was for me, too! I could eat gravy like soup! And I want that souffle!
Prawncrackers - that 'Spanish' meal was really wonderful. I wanted to pull up a chair!
No pictures, the camera is definitely dead and the company that I ordered my new one from may be giving me the run around
, but tonight's dinner was a pretty good, if a bit of a cheat casserole. I marinated and grilled some boneless chicken breasts (I know, I know, but they were quick and I came home from the store at 7:30), topped them with some frozen artichoke and spinach dip and cheese and baked for a few minutes. Served with orzo, a salad and some heat-and-serve la brea bread. The family raved 
. Kim
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Reading over all of these hilarious posts, I think that everyone just needs to assume that if there are animals are in a house you are eating at, animal mouths have touched what you are eating. I know that I have consumed to-numerous-to-count cat/dog hairs and cooties!
Kim
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Thank you, ladies! I think filet it is - we'll see whats available at Costco this morning! This is a really great tradition started by my MIL to make decorating the tree even more fun. We start with beef fondue with a bunch of different sauces (this year I'm doing curry, horseradish, bearnaise, steak sauce, & chimichuri), crudites and dips and good, crusty bread. Dessert is chocolate fondue with lots of dippers - macaroons, pound cake, dried fruit, etc. I'm doing Toblerone fondue for the first time tomorrow.
Ta, again!
Kim
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Getting ready for the decorate-the-tree fondue feast on Sunday. We have done this for years, using NY Strips or whatever lean steaks were available. What is the best cut to use for fondue? Oh, and should I marinate?
Ta! Kim
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Rachel, I wish I was one of the children who is going to get your book. I can’t imagine anything dearer. They will treasure that the rest of their lives. Congratulations for getting it done – especially this time of year!
Fantastic stories. I am laughing like a manic. Pebs, I loved the picture of Daisy carrying her bowl to the basement! And the Massengil story had me howling! suzilightning, we used to have a cat who did the corncob thing with salted watermelon rind! I love the bread eating cats, too. Why do they do that? When I was a kid, we had one that would just chew through the plastic bag! And the butter lickers – only other cat people understand why the butter plate has plastic wrap over it when they come for dinner.
I can think of three stories, off hand. The first was my first ever entirely self cooked Thanksgiving dinner. I was in college and my mom, step dad (Ted Fairhead, here at eGullet), his mum and my dad came down for the dinner. That morning, I had set the turkey on the counter in its roasting pan to get ready to stuff. Got called away for some reason. I heard this incredible metallic thud/boom in the kitchen. On the way back into the kitchen, I was passed by our two cats zooming out. The turkey was on the floor. There were little tooth marks down both breasts
. It wasn’t really a disaster because I washed that sucker and cooked it. WHAT? It was Thanksgiving, every grocery store was closed. What was I supposed to serve, 7-11 burritos? I had a guest all the way from England, for Pete’s sake! Erm. I did tell you that story already, right, Ted? I washed it really, really well. And probably overcooked it, too. The second story really was a disaster and involves my dearly departed ET, the cat who wandered in to our lives from planet Nutjob. ET could open any refrigerator that wasn’t a side-by-side with his mighty paw. We learned to keep something in front of the fridge or keep a bungee cord on it (seriously, we did this – for years, he lived a long time). He would pop open the fridge, then presumably jump up inside and knock out anything that looked interesting. Then he and the other two cats would feast. I have hilarious pictures of one memorable occasion when my then one year old baby got involved while I went for a private bathroom break for (I swear) like 5 minutes. The disaster story took place when we lived in Indiana. Daughter and I came back to VA for a visit, leaving Mr. Kim to work, cat sit and do his shift on the volunteer rescue squad. I had given him precise directions on preparing a clay cooker roasted chicken, which he did. This large chicken, in various forms was going to be his meals for the week. Just as he was taking the aromatic pot out of the oven, his alarm went off. No dummy he, he put the pot in the fridge. Being in a huge rush to get to the fire station, he, however, forgot the bungee cord. He came home to find the pot on the floor, NO chicken and two very blissed out fatcats. He also found chicken bones strewn about the house for the next week. He ate a lot of canned soup that week.
ET would eat anything, as a matter of fact he would eat all of anything and then yak it up. One time he knocked a pyrex dish of brownies off the counter and cut and broke his leg. While we were racing hysterically around getting ready to take him to the vet ER, Otis the Pug (a sweet, but not smart breed, the pug) ate up all the brownies, including some glass. That was our first time taking two animals to the vet ER at the same time.
Kim
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I watch a lot of cooking shows and read a lot of food magazines and sometimes the 'hints' that they give are just dumb or don't make sense. The one that I notice all the time is when they are using a food processor and suggest putting your finger in the bottom to hold in the blade when emptying the bowl. This is just dumb. Its fine if what you have processed is liquid and will actually pour out, but anything any thicker makes no sense. The blade is still in the way, if you use a silicone spatula you'll cut it up. And you can't get everything out!
Any other dumb chef tricks to add?
Kim
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I have a couple of different systems, too. Recipes that I want to try go in one of two different places. If I want to try them soon, they go in a pocket file on a shelf in the kitchen with my cookbook collection. These are not arranged any special way, because there aren't that many of them. If they are something I just want to try sometime, they go in files in my file cabinet, arranged by type (fish, poultry, veg, etc.).
For recipes I have cooked and want to keep (sometimes because I liked them, sometimes because I think I could work on them and make something of them) I use this site. I'm sure that there are lots of sites like this, but this was the first one I found, it's free and I like it. I have printed out each recipe and keep them in page protectors in binders.
I also keep a kitchen/restaurant/entertaining journal with menus of meals that we served and what worked and what didn't. The recipe keeping is all business, the journal is a labor of love.
Kim
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As a matter of fact, I have the kitchen reserved tonight for making the turkey gravy to put in the freezer for Christmas. I roasted the wings and made the stock on Sunday and Mr. Kim hauled the giant cast iron stock pot down from the attic last night. It should take about 4 hours. I will play a Mitford book on tape and wrap presents in between stirrings while it cooks on low, low, low! I have to buy a tree and box up gifts for the post office, so I'll be up late! But my house will smell so good.
Kim
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I have hand 'issues' - weakness, numbness, pain, etc. and I know that some fellow eGulleteers do also. Opening jars is really hard for me. I have one of these, and it works really well, but only on jars that thin 'lips'. Things with fatter or deeper lids don't work at all.
Question is do any of the other ones work? The motorized one seems like a lot of counter space to give to something like that. I was hoping to find that one of the handhelds work as well. I really have a hard time with the jars - sometimes I just have to give up and not cook what I was planning on when I am home alone.
Ta, Kim
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I am only talking poultry gravy here. I still look with longing and envy at Marlene's beef gravy
. That said, I learned to make gravy before I left for college - don't remember exactly when. I learned how to make GOOD gravy after I got married about 25 years ago - from my MIL. I had the whole equal parts fat and flour + stock down, but somehow it never worked for me. She taught me to use an iron skillet and to take my time and suddenly, I was making good gravy. Then about 15 years ago, after I started getting really serious about cooking, I taught myself (with lots of recipe reading influence) how to make very, very good gravy. Most people who taste it say that it is the best gravy they ever tasted:blush: . I am very humble about my abilities - when I see what others accomplish, I realize that I am a pretty good home cook, nothing spectacular. But I make seriously fabulous gravy
. I don't trust it, though. I am convinced everytime that it won't 'work' this time. Does anyone else have this issue?Kim
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Thanks so much, everyone! I'll be making these tonight for the Christmas freezer!
Kim
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Say I want to make a regular cooky chocolate. Can I just add some cocoa to the flour mixture? I was thinking it might add an interesting layer of flavor to chocolate chip cookies, but didn't want to go all the way to full fledged chocolate chocolate chip with melted chocolate.
If I can do this, do I need to make any adjustments to the amount of other stuff. And how much should I add to a cooky made with, say, 2 c. flour?
Ta! Kim
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I haven't had time to post for awhile, so I have a jabillion observations and questions!
Tracey - I
your stove!Peter - loved the salmon. I have a bunch of cryovaced (much nicer word for it than we use - we call it sucked) salmon that in laws brought back from their Alaska cruise that I will be cooking after the holidays. I will remember the teriyaki idea! The smelt looked perfect. I haven't ever found good smelt here in Richmond - I love it and used to
Marlene - oh. that. cake.
And, as always, the queen of roast and gravy! Your Yorkshire pud looks perfect - did you have directions/recipe posted anywhere here - I thought I remembered that you did? Also, just so you know, the gravy shot of that prime rib meal made my head hit my desk - I swooned! One more thing, "bacon, carmelized onion and gruyere tart?" is there a recipe somewhere?David - I received the book and it is great. Lots of interesting stuff to read, plus recipes I want to try - thanks for recommending it! And the frisee salad was lovely. I made a note of your description and am going to try that!
Bruce - the crust on your Pollo con oregano is beautiful! I will have to try that method: simmer, rub, grill!
Klary - wild boar! I don't even know where to start to look for that, but it sure looks good! Even the cabbage looks wonderful...but, but I don't like cabbage
!monavano - ok, your cabbage looked good to me, too. Maybe I need to try cabbage again, huh?
Pille - I have always wanted to try making Arancini - how hard is it?
I have a number of meals to post, since I have been neglecting it, but these might be the last for awhile - my camera refuses to open suddenly and needs to go to the ER this weekend
.Halloumi cheese, pita, hummous, salad:
My mom and dad (Ted Fairhead from these boards) came up to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. They arrived on Wednesday and I made ribs, winter corn, cheesy noodles, brocolli slaw & corn bread:
Dessert was Gingerbread cupcakes w/ orange cream cheese frosting:
Next up was Thanksgiving dinner. Ted made the fantastic meal. I contributed the cheese plate that we munched on while everything was cooking.
The cheeses included L’explorateur, Layered Cheddar and Stilton, Boursin, Carr Valley 6 yr.cheddar & Manchego & Mebrillo:
Dinner was Roast Beef w. port wine sauce:
Roast potatoes:
Roasted Brussels spouts with Dijon, walnuts and crisp crumbs:
Momma's wonderful Yorkshire pudding (she sometimes has difficulties with them and they were great this time):
Pecan Chocolate Tart:
Just a fantastic meal:
Ted also worked all day Saturday making us dinner while we were in Charlottesville yelling our lungs out (go 'Hoos) and ultimately being disappointed and defeated
. It was lovely to come home from a sad day in a cold stadium to this:
A warm, comforting and delicious Steak pudding.
and this:
Spotted Dick. With Golden Syrup. MMMMM
Sunday night was Baby Bleu salad, Italian pot roast, wide egg noodles, Southern green beans and yeast rolls:
I'm sorry for the massive post, y'all! I probably won't be posting pictures for awhile, so I guess this could be considered 'banking' them
!Kim
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Just gorgeous, everyone! I am sitting here at work, sans breakfast and starving! Utter torture!
Viva & apronstrings - I am stunned by your menus! Viva, how did it all come off and did you take any pictures? apronstrings, your desserts looked fantastic! Was the 7th photo the dutch almond cookies? Would you be willing to part with the recipe?
dystopiandreamgirl - your desserts were just beautiful. I can make a pretty good tasting dessert, but beautiful is just beyond my reach. I especially loved the little mince tarts!
My mom and dad (Ted Fairhead here at eGullet) came up for the holiday and Ted made a gorgeous and delicious Pecan Chocolate Tart:
Kim
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Don't just out and out diss teen palates. My high school group was positively gourmet (we preferred Greek and French
) and we cooked often. One girl had a grandmother who was Slovak and would come down to visit and cook these ethnic feasts. We were all over that - and this was in the soulless '70's! My daughter's HS group contained some very adventuresome eaters, too. One who wavered between the foreign service and the CIA when it came time for college. I lean towards not making assumptions, like fiftydollars said - just because that's what they feed themselves doesn't mean they won't appreciate the good stuff. Of course, if you know already that they can't taste the difference do Busboy's nachos - but if you aren't entertaining vegetarians, add a 1/2 lb. each of cooked hamburger and sausage - trashily fabulous (my non-foodie friends actually request this from me all the time 
).Kim
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Randi, it is beautiful. I am so envious, but very happy for you and Robin! I just love those stainless appliances - they look professional even when they are for everyday home use. Congratulations!
Kim
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Sunny, thank you so much. I am going to make both of these really soon! You are in Powhatan and I am sitting in my office on Monument. Nice to think of an egullet buddy being so nearby
! You can go here to the Breakfast section of my webpage to find some good recipes. They are all tried and true.
Kim
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Breakfast Platter Muffins - Brown a pound of breakfast sausage with chopped onion & garlic, mix with 2 dozen eggs and 8 oz. or so of cheddar cheese, season, and ladle into greased muffin cups. These turn out surprisingly well; just be sure to use high end breakfast sausage... the cheaper stuff is way too greasy. I keep them rather plain because we always have some picky & not-overly-sophisticated eaters; if you don't have that issue, you could add some ingredients to up the interest, make them with a mixture of cheddar and blue cheeses, stir in some chopped red peppers or mushrooms, etc.
"Hash Brown" Casserole - you could use shredded potatoes, but I like mine diced, with skins left intact. I toss them with olive oil & kosher salt & pre-bake them in the oven until they're crispy and tender first, then mix with white pepper gravy, lots of cheese, a few beaten eggs, and browned sausage or chopped ham. Top with more cheese & refrigerate until you're ready to bake it off. Massive favorite if you don't let on how many grams of fat and calories there are thanks to the eggs & my evil gravy recipe...
Ok, Sunny - no fair! You get me all hungry and drooly and give me enough details to excite me, but I need more info
!! How long do you cook the Breakfast Platter Muffins? And how many of them does it make? And at what temperature?And regarding the Hash Brown Casserole - well, I'd just like an actual recipe for that one please - I am always looking for breakfast recipes!!
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Is anyone else's brain having a hard time with Nina's interrupted blog - i.e. confusing it with Stephanie's? I keep looking at Nina's food and saying "Pasta, why is she eating pasta? What's that bread doing beside the eggs? Oh, wait, it's Stephanie who is doing low carb."
I am so enjoying the restart! The pies are gorgeous! You probably have tried this, but to prevent shrinkage when blind baking, I put an empty pie tin on top of the dough and press down firmly. I then put in my specially saved dried beans and bake.
Your family book is just a treasure
. I have just a few recipes written by hand by family and I have them saved in my printed out recipes from my webpage in page protectors. I love kitchen 'ephemira'!I love those glistening pork slices! And I need to make red cabbage soon - it's one of our favorites!
Kim
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Love your house! I am really looking forward, because I always enjoy your meals vicariously in the dinner thread
! Don't forget kitty/puppy pictures!Kim
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Sif - One year??? One year???????? I am banging my head against the keyboard as I type! Beautiful. I am so very, very impressed and jealous!
Mark - gorgeous pie and great photograghy! If eGullet had a brick and mortar institute, we would have the best photography school anywhere!
I made Randi's brownies:
We were blown away by these! The flavor was deep and rich and fantastic. I saw Randi's post yesterday morning at the crack of dawn and decided that I was making them. The only store in Richmond that I know of that sells Callebaut is closed on Sunday, so I used Valrhona. They were more a fudge cake than brownie, to me. They took about 50 minutes instead of 30 for me and when I saw them puff up on top, I thought I'd done something wrong, but looking closely at Randi's picture, I think hers do the same thing. I can wholeheartedly recommend this recipe. It was truly amazing!
Kim
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Proportions, what proportions?! I poured enough double-cream to just cover a generous amount of crabmeat, season with salt & white pepper then smothered it with grated gruyere cheese. Baked in a hot oven till the cheese was browned, 20 mins or so. I suppose there was about a couple of tablespoons of crabmeat per little ramekin, and each pot was enough to thickly slather a slice of bread, mmmm.
Kim please try this out, it's so satisfyingly simple. Spread on brown bread this was a taste sensation.
Those three things just went on my shopping list
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Frozen fries, the final showdown
in Kitchen Consumer
Posted
Are we talking about frozen fries that you bake or fry in oil, because, to me those are two different subjects. Baked fries are generally very nasty, I think. Off flavors, textures, very dry, etc. The Alexia fries are the only baked ones that I've ever tasted that I'd make and eat again.
On the other hand, I actually quite like the frozen fries that I pan fry. I don't want anything fancy on them - no seasoning and certainly no coating. I usually by just the standard ones - not steak fries or shoestrings, but something in between (of course every so often, I succumb to the siren song of the trashy crinkle cut
) - Giant grocery stores used to sell a house brand basic and cheap frozen fry that was wonderful - don't know if they still do. Lots of salt and some vinegar or ketchup from a squirty bottle and I am happy.
Kim