Shel_B

We've done that and, thus far, haven't found anything worth buying. We'll probably keep poking around the sales until such time as we next need to use a pan, and if we've not found one by then, will buy a new one. Thanks!

Hi, I need to get another roasting pan, preferably one that's not too expensive, for use when cooking at my GF's house. We don't use her oven too often as it's small, but I do want something better than the thin, cheap pan she has. Any thoughts? Oh, I'd prefer stainless interior, maybe, just maybe, non-stick. That'll be easier for Toots to clean ... Thanks!

I recently moved into a place that has a newish convection oven. What is the advantage to using the convection feature? Do cooking times change appreciably? Thanks!

Toots is making her "secret recipe" walnut cake and I'm making a Meyer lemon panna cotta, an easy and delicious dessert. http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-03-14/food/18527284_1_meyer-lemons-panna-cotta-lemon-supply/2

BISHOP'S HUSHPUPPIES These are called "Bishop's Hushpuppies." Bishop was a maintenance man at Texas A&M and became sort of a minor celebrity for his hushpuppies. The story goes that he'd often have friends and co workers over for a feast of catfish, beans, coleslaw and, among other things, his famous hushpuppies. Latecomers were in danger of missing out on the 'puppies, so the guests ALWAYS arrived on time for Bishop's parties. 1 cup each water ground white corn meal and flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped (Texas 1015's are great when in season) 4 scallions, including tops, finely chopped 1 or 2 jalapenos, seeds removed, finely chopped 1 roasted and skinned sweet red pepper, finely chopped 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 eggs oil for frying Combine the first 9 ingredients in a large bowl. In a smaller bowl stir together the buttermilk and eggs until well mixed, and then add to the dry ingredients, stirring well. Pour some oil (1/2 inch or so) into a heavy skillet (I guess you can use your deep fryer) and heat until almost sizzling. HOT! HOT! HOT! Drop batter into oil by tablespoonsful and cook over moderate heat until browned and puffy then, if using a skillet, which is what Bishop used, turn and brown the other side. When done, remove with slotted spoon, drain on newspaper or paper towels. Keep oil hot and, if using a skillet, add more oil as needed to maintain depth. These are very good with catfish or 'cue. And here's another recipe from my Hushpuppy Collection, although I've not tried it yet. SMITHFIELD HAM HUSHPUPPIES WITH FRESH CORN This next hushpuppy recipe is a little different, using finely diced Smithfield ham and corn kernels. It's a little "busy" for a puppy, but the flavors and textures are pretty nice, and they'll go well with grilled chicken, salads, coleslaw and the like. I wouldn't include them in a menu with pork or beef, and probably not with most fish, either, but that’s just my preference. 3/4 cup yellow corn meal 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 tsp Kosher salt 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper To 1 egg add enough buttermilk to make 3/4 cup total 1 tablespoon melted bacon fat or vegetable oil 1/2 cup Smithfield ham, diced fine 3/4 cup corn kernels (drained canned, fresh or frozen thawed) 1/2 cup chopped scallion Vegetable oil for frying (about 2 tablespoons) Sift together all the dry ingredients, including the cayenne, into a bowl. In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk until well mixed. Stir the melted bacon fat or oil into the egg milk mixture. Gently stir the egg milk mixture into the sifted dry ingredients until completely blended, but don't overmix. Fold in the diced ham, corn kernels, and chopped scallion. To cook, heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat until a drop of water crackles when dropped in the oil, around 375 degrees. The amount of oil you use will depend on the size of the skillet as you want the oil to come about half way up the sides of the puppies. Drop heaping teaspoons of the batter into the hot oil and cook until golden brown on all sides, about two to three minutes. The interior texture should be dense but not damp. Don't overcook or those puppies become dry and slightly bitter.

Toots like yams and sweet potatoes, especially roasted. I'd like to get a few new ideas to make her happy ... suggestions on what to do with these root vegetables greatly appreciated. To start off, here's my friend Meg's take on Yams with Lavender Butter Meg’s Yams with Lavender Butter 6 8 medium size yams the dark red type 1 tblspoon lavender buds 1 tblspoon sugar 2 3 dash cinnamon 1 cup raw pecans 1 stick butter 1. Baked Yams Wash and with a knife or fork prick holes in yams. In a shallow covered baking dish, bake yams in 375 degree oven till soft to the touch in my oven that's around 35 40 minutes. Let cool and remove skins keep warm. 2. Lavender infused butter In small pan on low heat melt the butter when melted turn off heat and stir in the lavender. Cover and set where it will stay liquid but no longer cooks. 3. Candied Pecans Rough chop the pecans. On a medium to low heat Dry Toast the pecans till crispy (Dry Toast is without oil) Remember to constantly stir the pecans or shake the pan so the pecans don't burn. Turn off the heat and add sugar and cinnamon stir well and set to the side. 4. Use a fine meshed sieve to strain the lavender infused butter into a bowl. 5. Add, per your taste, the butter to the yams and mash very smooth. 6. Gently fold in the pecans. 7. You are done!! May be made the night before and warmed in the microwave. Left over butter can be refrigerated and used on toast or ... Have fun!

The recipes look pretty nice, esp the onion ginger soup, although I love Joyce Goldstein's cooking ... might try her recipes at some point. Thanks!

That's a new one for me ... Thanks!

I downloaded your Roasted Corn and Sweet Pepper Soup. Plan on trying it at home over the weekend. Toots loves corn! I'll look at the other recipes later on. Thanks!

My GF loves corn, so this might be a nice hit for her. Thanks!

Good suggestion. I'd forgotten about Caldo Verde. I've a few recipes on file, so, even if not used for the soup party, I'll make a batch for home use. Thanks!

Hi Gang, In January we're going to a soup party. Everyone that comes has to bring a soup, and there are usually about twenty people at the party. I have many, many soup recipes, but by now they all seem old and cliché. Any ideas for an interesting,perhaps out-of-the-ordinary, soup would be appreciated, or a new twist on something more common would also be nice. This will be the first time attending, and my GF suggested that split pea soup, chicken soup, and typical vegetable soup, are all too basic for this group. Thanks

I like that idea. I'll give it a try and see how it works out ...

Hi Gang, Will citrus zest, especially lemon (in various varieties)and orange, take well to freezing? I got a great deal on lemons and would like to freeze the juice, which should be no problem, but what about freezing the zest? Kind regards,

I'm not much into baking, and I don't know what cake meal is. Can you help me out? What is it, where can it be purchased, and in what way is it different from matzoh meal? BTW, I already have the recipe that was linked in the earlier message. Thanks!

Hi, A couple of years ago I had a Boca di Dama for Passover which was purchased at a nearby bakery. This coming Passover I'd like to make my own and would like to experiment with a few recipes. So, if anyone has a good Boca di Dama recipe (made with matzoh meal instead of flour, or directions to substitute matzoh meal in a flour recipe), I'd love to see it. Thanks!

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check with Spice House and also Penzys - I understand they have the Dutch Blue poppy seeds.

Thanks for all the help. As it happens, there's a nearby store that may be able to provide information and shelves.

I just took a look. I thought the shelf was solidly fixed, but it's not. It's secured with clips that fit into drilled holes in the cabinet walls. The shelf should be simple to remove, and that suggests a simple replacement. Adding a slide out shelf to the bottom of the cabinet should be a relatively simple task as well. Thanks!

My GF has an under-the-counter cabinet with fixed shelves. I was thinking of installing shelves that pull out to make things easier for her. She often complains about the inconvenience, but she's too "frugal" to replace the shelves. Can pull out shelves be retrofitted to such a cabinet? Would they be easy/simple to install? Do such shelves come in standard sizes? I imagine her cabinet is of a standard size, but I'm just guessing. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

I've a recipe for a lemon poppy seed loaf that I've been using for years. In the past I've purchased poppy seeds from the local markets. It's been suggested that there is a substantial difference between poppy seeds. So, what should I be looking for if I want the best, freshest, most flavorful seeds? Any on line suggestions for a good source? Thanks!

There was a Forever Yours bar which was available on and off, and which ultimately morphed into the dark chocolate covered Milky Way. When Forever Yours was available there were no other dark chocolate covered bars except Mounds. When I was a kid and a teenager there was a Van Houten bar, solid dark chocolate ... yummmmm!

My lady friend, an Argentinian, has introduced me to Dulce de Leche. I would like to make it and would appreciate some good recipes. I don't want to just heat up some evaporated, or is it condensed, milk, nor am I looking for some fancy "Martha Stewart" type creation. Rather, something closer to the original recipes found in Spain and some Latin American countries would be ideal. Ultimately, I'd like to make some Alfajores, but first I'd like some good Dulce de Leche recipes to play around with. Thanks!

I agree completely. Marie Sharp's is probably my favorite hot sauce.

I don't know anything about ceramic knifes. Having a knife that can shatter does not seem like a good idea for my GF ... what are the real advantages of a ceramic knife? I read: "Although ceramic knives are much harder than steel, they do not have superior strength. These knives are very rigid and inflexible. This means that you have to be very careful when you're using or storing them. The edge of ceramic knives will chip if you use them roughly. Ceramic knives may also crack or shatter if you use them for pressing, twisting, or prying. The knives may also shatter if you accidentally drop them. They are only meant to be used to cut foods that are unfrozen and don't have any bones in them. You will chip the edge if you cut into bones" My GF does not take very good care of her knives and I wonder of these disadvantages would make ceramic blades a poor choice for her. Yes, Forschner knives need sharpening, but my GF rarely uses her knives, so the sharpening issue is a minor one for her, and when I'm at her place, I don't mind sharpening her knives.