BeeZee

I did in fact make this for Mother's Day and it was easy and tasty. They meyer lemons at the supermarket were terrible (packaged in plastic mesh sacks, each one had at least one rotted lemon) so I used 1 part orange juice to 3 parts lemon and it was still very lemony/tangy. Served with sweet cherry compote. Had some leftovers and it did not "weep" for me, either.

I appreciate all the great ideas, everyone. Since we let the Grad make the call (it is her day...) she wants to go to the Moshulu because she thinks its a neat idea. I'm not going to exert my will on this one, I'm just along for the ride, so to speak. It's hard to bite my tongue when there are so many better options, but I don't want to be the control freak stepmother (this time). However, it is good for me and DH so we have some new places to check out thanks to your suggestions. I am also obsessing over the idea of the smoked salmon reuben, Katie!

Thanks for the rec, will def check it out another time.

I can only imagine the madness of working in a nicer restaurant in the vicinity of Penn on graduation day... We have a reservation at the Moshulu, Grad's choice. Oh well, at least the weather is supposed to be nice

Very tempting offer, Katie...unfortunately the Grad's boyfriend doesn't like fish. Or apparently even being next to someone eating fish so we'll avoid torturing the lad this time!

Stepdaughter graduating from Master's program at Penn and it's on Saturday morning. Having a hard time finding someplace open for lunch on Saturday. She and her boyfriend are not very adventurous eaters, don't like spicy foods. Hubby and I have no such restrictions We are thinking that staying out of the University City area is a good idea, so any ideas for Old City/Society Hill/Center City ?

good to know, thanks

did you make it same day to serve? I'm thinking that would be good for Mother's Day dinner for my Mom, but I might need to make it a day before and I know sometimes yogurt "weeps"...

heard that they were stocking the shelves the other night, so wine should be ready for purchase this weekend (if not already today).

Bonefish Grill-I've had their grilled fish, not their fish+chips. Just a comment that they, for a chain, prepare fish pretty well so I made a conjecture that their fish+chips might be acceptable.

Bonefish Grill does fish pretty well for a chain...they show fish+chips on the menu online (haven't tried them).

Favorite sandwich - toasted chewy bread (your choice, I often have a bagel) smeared with hummous, topped with sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato. Onions optional. Creamy avocado just blends so nicely with the hummous...

Liz - You could use a little oil to prevent sticking. I sometimes toss with soy/sesame/garlic and bake that way also. Reynolds Release aluminum foil is my best friend. Absolutely nothing will stick to it, no oil needed (except if you want a little sprayed on for browning like you mentioned).

Tonight's dinner was polenta lasagne which had been mocking me from the top shelf of the freezer since it was put there in December. We had what was hopefully the last cold, raw day for a while and it was the perfect antidote!

Makes sense since I've seen the instruction to open the bag (break the seal) to defrost, also.

I'm tasked with bringing a "starchy" (as opposed to vegetable) side dish...and happy to have confirmed that Quinoa is OK for Passover (it's a seed), the Trader Joe's brand passes muster because it is processed in a plant that has no grain products. So at least one dish on the table will be light, flavorful, and healthy.

The interesting byproduct is that this has made me really think about what I've been eating. I eat more healthfully than most people, but I have "fallen off the wagon" with not paying attention to whether the sandwich I grabbed off the platter had mayo and/or cheese, not getting enough fiber and drinking enough water. Since I spend so much time in my car (I don't work out of an office) I've gotten healthier items which I can keep in the glove box for my "emergency" snack stash. Sometimes a wake up call (or gentle reminder) is a good thing.

Well, saw Doc today and he wasn't overly concerned with the numbers. I told him my intent to better watch my diet and try the natural plant sterol supplements, he thought it sounded like a good idea. Scheduled a follow up for 3 months out, check blood work again to see how it's going. Easier to nip it in the bud early.

Wow, that is positively jewel-like.

another uneducated opinion, but I think pepper brings a certain "sharpness" to the flavor...think about strawberries with balsamic and black pepper, vs. a pepper crusted tuna steak. Different flavor profiles, but in both cases the pepper brings something deep out of the flavor.

Thanks for all of the good info, everyone. Plenty of stuff to discuss with my Doc when I go in next week. I don't think he's a fan of "holistic" medicine but he's got to have some perspective regarding the recent studies. I can certainly keep a food diary and try to see where I can improve. It would be a heck of a lot easier if I were someone who didn't already exercise and eat well and could easily remove the excess items (I won't call them "bad" items, since everything is OK in moderation).

Yeah, I think I'm cursed with Mom's genes...I don't eat butter or cheese except as ocassional treats, either. Lowfat yogurt, lowfat cottage cheese...when I cook I use olive oil, I do eat avocado (but no way I could eat it more than once a week)... I have appt with Doc next week for my physical, I'll see what his perspective is. I ordered a natural supplement which is supposed to reduce cholesterol, I am going to bring it to show him.

My cholesterol is slowly creeping up despite a healthy lifestyle (it's genetic, my size 2 Mother who goes to the gym 3x a week has to take meds)...I'm at 210 now (and LDL isn't great either) and I want to see if I can stop it from going up any more and maybe get it down 10 points or so. I already eat a low fat diet, take 1000 mg fish oil capsule every day, very little animal protein, exercise 3-4 times a week. I indulge once a week if we go out for dinner. Has anyone had luck reducing their cholesterol naturally, by adding a lot of oatmeal, flaxseed, etc to their diet?

News Flash! TJ's in Princeton got approval for selling wine...here comes Two Buck Chuck! Heard it today from one of the cashiers.

Edward, truer words never spoken. I am in the office furniture biz and can't tell you how many times the $99 desk chair at Staples (or the Ikea stuff) gets brought up. Spend $300 on a chair that will last you 10 years or spend $30 on a chair that will last you 10 months! When I'm selling a desk chair, I leave a sample to have the person sit for at least 4 hours. Too much furniture is style over substance (or comfort) and part of hospitality is making people feel comfortable!