eldereno

Drooling here, too!!!

I'm also in the butter camp! Beyond that....I always have half and half, eggs, bacon on hand. Prefer Hellman's mayo but have tried Duke's without being disappointed, however I must have one or the other in the fridge at all times. Will not use any other ketchup but Heinz (I grew up near Pittsburgh)!

For New Year's Eve dinner, I made two recipes from a new cookbook that I received for Christmas. It was Cook's Illustrated "MENUS". I made braised lamb shanks that were quite nice and enjoyed by all BUT the recipe that really rocked was a White Bean Gratin. Onions were carmelized with 1/2 tsp of brown sugar, lots of choped garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes then added to that, then about 1/2 cup white wine that was reduced until almost completely evaporated. The onion mixture was spread into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. In the same pot (now empty) goes 4 cans of rinsed canellini beans, 1 cup of chicken stock and 1 tsp fresh minced rosemary. This is simmered for about a minute, a cup of grated parmesan cheese then mixed in and this was spread on top of the onion mixture (it can be seasoned with s and p at this point before spread but I forgot. Didn't miss it). Grated gruyere then put on the top of it and the whole thing is baked until golden. Sooo good. Even folks who said that they don't like beans had seconds!!! Now...looking forward to RECIPES THAT ROCK 2012!!! Happy New Year to all!

Thank you!!! I enjoyed this week with you.

Finally made the baked kale ships that are all over the cooking blogs....I may be the last one to have tried them!!!!! WOW! So quick and easy for such a crunchy low carb snack!!! I think my fridge will soon be well stocked with kale! Who would have thought......................

I agree TOTALLY!!!!!!

That does look delicious!!! I do own this cookbook but have only made his Cassoulet. Will have to relook at the book and consider some other recipes!!!!

Tell me more about slapping the celery leaves. This sounds like a cocktail I would enjoy!

It has been one great blog. Loved every moment of it! Thanks for your time and inspiration!

I just saw an episode of Giada's show that she did something similar to this. I normally don't eat Kale because I do not do many dishes that this would integrate well into...but by itself, a fairly low carb but salty snack.....might try it! Thanks.

I love stromboli, with marinara on the side!!!!! Think I may need to thaw some pizza dough soon!

This whole thread has had me LOL! I have never heard of the dipping pizza in ranch dressing thing. Figured it out that I was just too old to have experienced it and made it part of an option for what I might do with a pizza. But that is okay. To each his own! I do happen to love ranch dressing, though, for dipping vegies into, sometimes as to accompany wings. Doubt if it will be ever used for pizza! Just like pineapple will never find its way onto my pizza!

Tried the Bitter Elder tonight (also a cocktail novice). NICE! Sort of tastes like grapefruit!

Wow! Those look good! How did you do them? I could eat too many,too.

THAT realy would be a great photo to put on my Dining Room wall! I want one, too!!!!

Wegman's had some Cheapeake Ray available to buy and I bought some. What do I do with it now? Suggestions, anyone??????

I'm not sure I want to go and investigate!!!! A SCARY thought!!!!!!

Enjoying all I've seen and heard so far and looking forward to what the rest have to post. Making me think long and hard about making the trip to Philly next year!!!!!

Every so often I have a craving for some deep fried chicken wings and blue cheese dressing. I want the wings just like my dad used to bring home from the bar around the corner when we were kids. Turned out that the wings were deep fried then sprinkled with Lawry's seasoned salt!!! That's all!!! I can do that! AND I do! Keep the stuff around just for when the craving hits! Sort of a staple for football parties now, as well.

All I can say is "WOW." Every week I want to go somewhere else to live, depending on where the blog is originating from!!!!

Thank you for the enjoyable blog!

So far, after all you have written and showed us, KC seems like my kind of town!!!!

The recipe looks great. Do you just reheat in the oven? If so, seems like they would be great as appetizers for a large group that can be made in advance. Have you done that?

I always try to buy celery with as many leaves as possible. Love them in salads. Just adds a little something...something!

I agree with the baking of bacon thing. I started out doing this with the bacon on a rack but now do it on parchment paper on the baking sheet. The rack thing was hard to clean. Doing it on the parchment paper means I can pour the fat off, wrap up the paper and have very little clean up. I often bake it until almost done and microwave it for a minute or more to get it where I want it. Usually do it in a 400 degree oven, starting it from cold. Like to make a large amount, refridgerate it, and microwave a few slices at a time for 30 seconds to rewarm and crisp it. I almost always use a thick sliced bacon.