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@David Ross You're killing me with the crab. I had a dream - vivid - a few days ago about eating the sweetest best textured D crab. On a wharf with Vietnamese friend.I can still taste it in my mind!

Oh JUST Jeremiah p b9it of a legebd and icon

I don't. The taste/smell can trigger. Not worth it in my opinion.

Yes the pre-seasoned can be cloying in the salt department (esp TJ) Korean market usully ok cuz more sweet side. I stopped long ago and buy it "nekkid"

These Master Classes keep popping up. Keller interests me https://www.masterclass.com/classes/thomas-keller-teaches-cooking-techniques

We've always kept the big Treasury collection in the bathroom ')

And finish with nuoc mam made with calamansi juice and orange marmalade as the sugar element

It is cold! Soup needed asap. Had some leftover canned pumpkin from pumpkin bread. No stock so water, a sprinkle of chicken powder, dash of soy, red pepper flakes and dollop of end of cottage cheese container. Bit creamy, soothing. All in microwave. A back up for future crisis moments

For anyone who loves baking bread I think this part 2 of Ed Levine with Amy Scherber and Melissa Weller brings out the passion and considerations. Bread = SO important in culture. Even renowned bakers evolve and learn. https://soundcloud.com/user-306003081/special-sauce-kenji-on-eggs

Well you have to give them props for supplying the Dawn to clean birds and other animals including humans after oil spills - though I understand that is marketing as well.. https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=127999735

I massively dilute and keep in a skinny necked bottle. When my dad is doing their ishes (stepmom can fill bth sinks with un-needed dishes and does not wipe extraneous grease/oil out. I have to leave the room and close the intervening door cuz he uses SO much and the scent is maddening. He keeps bottles of it in pantry from 99 cent store. And yes - another ridiculous product!

My Christmas gift from old neighbor who came to get her cookies. Calamansi from one of her 2 big trees. She was born in the Philipines and they mean alot to her. We sometimes do marmalade. I used a bunch for a beet salad and in a carrot roast.The fragrance!

as a goofy note the paste is often in odd parts of the big groceries - like in the "foreign section" with the Kosher stuff. - Odense is at Kroger

I've been in the gifting it out mode It is really nice to have extra in terms of baked goods. Massive computer issue we couldn't resolve virtually so I got over there to IT and wow the smiles just for a little platter of homemades Quite rewarding. In passing mentioned some available to a "surrogate son" and he apologized for beng on a fishing trip with no cell and he'd send someone over asap! Oh the power of food.

Our guy started a topic here https://forums.egullet.org/topic/90336-saaj-cooking/

Hhm - mine were never that big, Breeding...

I have been the queen of burns during my baking spree. Due to messed up oven mitts and my physical inabiity to feel until "oh no!!!" - I look like a mess. So a few $ invested in gloves might be a plan. I have small hands so finding a fit that gives me control (I am all about control) can be a challenge

I just want the jar!

a postscript this is the heart and home of Los Angeles = City of the Angels https://www.discoverlosangeles.com/event/2019/12/16/las-posadas-at-olvera-street-through-dec-24

Wonderful traditions Thanks for sharing. I have no clue ! I think your instinct of asking local ladies is the best plan. Do let us know. Says the girl who had to look up the spelling of Feliz Navidad. I know the end of phrase is about New Year. My Michoacan gardener was happy with the sweets and my silly effort.

We have a local Ikebana master. https://southcoastbotanicgarden.org/event/ikebana-flower-arranging/2020-01-21/

Yes as noted - spectacular. And the thoughtful plating looks like it enhances rather being "for effect".

Aww but the whole point of the Kisses is pulling the paper and revealing the chocolate

I assumed just a purple potato thin puree based on the menu https://www.friedas.com/the-ultimate-purple-sweet-potato-guide/

As others note - some of the books are wonderful. My 5th grader needed some responsiobility tasks that would also lift his self esteem. I handed him Volume 2 of Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking and told him I'd like a baguette. He had never even seen me in my bread baking days. I stayed at home but in another room as back-up. A LONG recipe but it was really good bread. His proud smile when relatives praised it was priceless. Also if you can find Nancy Silverton's (La Brea Bakery) Gourmet article from March 1996 "A Lesson in Baking Bread" - DO. It is magnificent. I have it somewhere in my saved article box. PM me if you can't find it and I'll mail. Flour and water are cheap and sounds like you have the time.