Dana

I'll be doing the carrots this weekend - I don't know how I missed them on AB's show. My MIL is staying with us - she can't eat seeds, nuts, etc, so that would be a great veg to make for her. thanks!!!

I think impala is more like antelope than deer.

We were fortunate enough to take a trip to S.A. and Zim this past September. We will be returning in 2008 (for cape buffalo) and will definitely will come to stay at your inn. Your views are just incredible. I'm interested in your game meat. Do you get it from a regular supplier? I noticed while there, that most menus include game meat, so I'm sure Africans are used to seeing it. Do you get any odd reactions from 'foreign' tourists? We enjoyed impala, kudu, and warthog, but our favorite was eland. Do I understand correctly that you can help set up activities for your guests? Are there wineries in your area? What is neap tide? Thanks so much for this. By the way, the plane ride from Atlanta to Jo'berg is a booger.

Can anyone post a link for the carnival corn? I can't remember where it is..... Thanks

We stopped in Breaux Bridge last week, and were in N.O. as well. Everybody said there was no crawfish available. Some said it was because of the storm, others because it was too early. It's still a little early here in SE TX. We have several farms west of here, but I've seen nothing in the paper about anyone selling any yet.

We saw Paul Prudhomme live and in person at K-Pauls' on Tuesday night. He does indeed look great. He was seated at his regular table in the back of the restaurant, then was on the patio with a film crew. Don't know what was really going on, we were too busy eating... I had the eggplant with seafood cream sauce and Steve had the Tenderloins - both their usual spectacular plates. A 3 piece Cajun band came, wandering through diners, and ending their performance with a sing-a-long of 'Jambalaya'. It was a fun and relaxing evening. The next day, we took the 'Super City Tour'. I don't have the vocabulary to convey our thoughts. I can't imagine how long recovery will take, or even that it will occur, but EVERYONE we talked to was totally upbeat and positive - not a downer anywhere. If we all can encourage people to return, and spend money, maybe this great city can get back on it's feet.

Usually: black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika along with salt. There are about a million of them on the market. The best ones contain less salt. We like Fiesta Brand or Best Seasoning, obtained at Best Stop outside Lafayette. We have been known to drive the 2 hours it takes to get there just for their seasoning mix. Along with stuffed pork chops, andouille, stuffed chicken, etc. Worth every mile.

My compliments as well!! I would also like to hear about the zucchini and cheese bread. That looks terrific.

Do not, I repeat, do not, eat at Joe's Crab Shack - a chain here in the south. I don't know if they appear throughout the country, but the food - seafood- is bland and the servers have to do the bunny hop, hocky pocky, etc. at regular intervals through the evening. It's awful.

I am definitely stealing the polenta/mushroom ragu' idea!! It sounds so elegant, yet very doable. This is one of my favorite threads. Thanks so much, Tammy.

I roast mine in the oven for mashing. I think I get a much more intense flavor that way. I roast potatoes to make potato salad, too. Much more potato-y.

What a beautiful name you've picked for your son!!! My son's name is Colin Mark. He's a smart, responsible young man (who eats anything), and I'm sure his fine name helped him grow to mature adulthood!! Seriously, when we did the low-carb thing, we ate a lot of eggs. Does your spouse do eggs?? Deviled, egg salad, chicken or ham salad and omelets were very popular at our house.

I'm very excited to read this blog and many, many congrats on your Sprout!!! If anyone has not read your series about culinary school, they really should dig it up, and take the time to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and make a couple of recipes yet. Your black pepper biscotti are my mom's favorite and your vol-a-vants I've made for Christmas dinner app. The blog you wrote about your girls was enjoyable as well. Hope you are feeling great during this special time in your life.

I made the butter-braised beef today for lunch, and it was a huge hit!! My husband and grown son thought it was just terrific. The butter adds such a delicious flavor that is very different from the braised beef I usually fix. It was hard not to add any other seasonings than the bay and cloves, but I didn't, and am so glad I restrained myself and followed the directions to the letter. Served it with mashed potatoes, cabbage and sauteed spinach. I will fix this again very soon, and I'll also make it for my mom who is of Dutch decent (maiden name Doornbos). Thanks so much for all the time and effort you've put into this thread.

Great prices on your Costco purchases, Susan. The grocery store prices here on the Gulf coast: Milk - 3.09 a gal 1.67 will get you only 18 eggs not sure about the cheese 20 tortillas are 1.69, and they're not too great. The gas I got today was 2.26 a gallon.

That sounds like the lead-in for a Jeff Foxworthy joke. "If yew got a bob cat in yer freezer waitin' to be taken to the taxidermist..." ← Yeaow, I miiight beee...

Both of tonight's dinners look divine, but that steak, Marlene, takes my breath away. And the fries.......oh I've got beef on my list for this weekend and I've got plenty of butter I didn't use left from the holidays. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. fifi- Pappa's Brothers does a 3 peppercorn 9pink, green and black) that is totally awesome!!! Susan - do you season you green beans with anything in particular? I've never been able to get frozen green beans to taste like anything but grass. Or at least what I think grass tastes like.

I've got a bob cat hide waiting for my son (he shot it with his bow) to take it to the taxidermist.

I make a version of spiced nuts not too different from those above, but instead of baking them, I put them in the smoker for an hour or so. Since ya'll are firing up your smokers this week, you might give it a try. They are unbelieveable good.

I love the crouton idea. I bet it's a lot easier to eat as well. Trying to cut off a bite of a big crouton with the melted cheese on top of a bowl of hot soup is sometimes a lot of trouble. I'm definitely making those next time I make FOS.

Am sending out my best strengthing waves to all quitters..... Hummmmmm Hummmmmm Hummmmmm Those tater look awesome - I think we'll have tots tomorrow, and I'll be looking for that brand of Ramen Noodles, too, Susan. I always toast the bread for open faced sandwiches. Does anyone else?

The (so-called) word I hate is: disrespecting i.e. "Don't be disrespecting those organic salad greens with Ranch dressing!" Talk about chewing gravel!!!

This sounds like a great place for a field trip!!!

Susan in FL - the Burger King commercial was the most lame of all. We enjoyed nearly all the others, even laughing out loud at several. The Burger King one was just plain awful. Keep you chins up, all you recent quitters!!! We're all rooting for you. It will be worth this pain when you live to see you great-grand children!!!!! My Granny B, just passed at nearly age 93 with 18 surviving grands, 20 great grands and 18 great-great grands!!! We all should be so lucky. That rib roast looked awsome, Marlene. Why do most of us keep that for holidays?

I hate cleaning my cooktop. It's a DCS, and the grates have to be removed, then the stainless top cleaned, and I don't like leaving streaks. Right now, there's some gook from rice that boiled over, and some drips from something else...