Shel_B

Trader Joe's Packaged Leeks: For a while I've been buying TJ's packaged leeks. They come 2 to a package and weigh, I think, about a pound or slightly more. Unlike the leeks purchased in many markets, TJ's leeks are 100% useable. They appear to have been trimmed, so what you see is what you get ... no guesswork about how much useable leek there is. But here's the biggest thing for me: the leeks have no dirt in them, unlike every other leek I've bought. Major washing is not required, although I sometime give 'em a quick rinse. So, how is it that TJ's leeks contain no dirt? Are they grown differently ... perhaps in some artificial "soil" or hydroponically?

I didn't know that there are male and female fennel ... I learn something here every day. Thanks!

Excellent idea. Nice presentation. Thanks for posting the pic! I don't know if we'll get "baby" fennel ...

We are starting with a new CSA next week, and they offer fennel. I've never used it. Any suggestions for storing, preparing, and cooking it? Thanks!

Has anyone tried the NuWave, with 52 temp settings? http://www.nuwavepic.com/?ref_version=PPC-NONBRANDED-PN12&gclid=COeRg4jD87gCFS6CQgodZREAUw

Last night I made a zucchini slaw using a couple of squash varieties from the garden. Turned out pretty well: probably a pound and a half of squash, some tomatoes cut up and seeded, garlic, sherry vinegar and olive oil, plenty of pepper, some salt, and a few julienned basil leaves (more would have been nice). I threw some shaved Reggiano on top for a garnish. Got the recipe idea from an article in the local fish wrap.

You've gotta read the labels. There is oil that is "packed" in Italy, often in containers using symbols and language that suggests the oil is Italian in origin, but the oil is not Italian. That said, I buy almost all of our olive oil from local California producers, some of which I know personally, so I know exactly what's in the bottle. Every now and then I pick up a California oil from TJ's.

Is there a difference between grape tomatoes and cherry tomatoes? Are there variations of each? Thanks!

Calphalon has a line called Unison which, IIRC, are touted as being dishwasher safe. Is Teflon still used in all nonstick cookware? Is it correct that some nonstick cookware don't use Teflon and use other materials instead? Does anyone know for sure what materials are used for All Clad and Calphalon, or other brands?

I've been making variations on zucchini pasta for years. I most often just make the ribbons using the grating disk on the Cuisinart. One dish that I make frequently is "Zucchini Puttanesca," and whenever possible I use the Costata Romanesco squash. Mmmmm! If you've not tried the Romanesco, give it a whirl. You might come to like its flavor and texture more than the typical zucchini. It has less water and holds up better in many types of cooking.

These guys make some great Prosciutto ... try it if you can. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/dining/some-prosciutto-fans-turn-to-iowa.html?_r=0

This is a soup that I want to include in my regular repertoire, and have played around with it some more since my first post. I agree that some starch is needed, but your idea of boiling the potatoes separately might be a good idea. Perhaps you could add some of the starchy water back into the soup in degrees, thereby controlling the amount of starch. Right now, I'm beginning to play around with different potato varieties, although I do like the flavor of good, organic, Yukon Gold potatoes. Perhaps using a blend of red an YG potatoes might be nice.

Lots of places have dress and appearance codes.

Thanks for all the suggestions. There are a few that I know Toots will like, and that would also satisfy me. Got another couple of pounds of beans this afternoon, so tomorrow, while Toots is away, I'll whip up something from the ideas presented here. Looking forward to cooking something new!

Yes. That model is sold in a variety of cases and brands. I got mine years ago at the business costco in Hayward. These days I mostly use this one: http://www.amazon.com/Maverick-Wireless-BBQ-Thermometer-Set/dp/B004IMA718/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375301427&sr=8-1&keywords=maverick+et732It can monitor the oven temp and the meat temp and I primarily use it for smoking or grilling. I also like the fact that I can take the receiver with me throughout the house. Being able to take the receiver throughout the house seems like a great idea! Thanks! From what I read, it seems that this unit can monitor both meat temp (doneness) and oven temp simultaneously. Is that correct?

I thought I'd just piggy-back on this thread. Can a meat thermometer be used in an oven, i.e., stuck in the meat while the meat's cooking and then viewed through the oven window? Is that even a good idea? Also, are there meat thermometers that could be run to the outside and hung on the oven door, like this item: http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/25312-oven-chek-digital-bakers-oven-thermometer-ot-3.aspx

I just received more than a pound of garden fresh green beans. I don't care much for them, and have never prepared them. However, Toots likes 'em, and since I'll be getting more pounds of these beans as the summer progresses, I want to make at least a few dishes using them. Any ideas for preparing and cooking them would be welcome. Thanks!

How is "commercial" OJ manipulated. I've not bought any for years, but recall that ingredient list was pretty simple - just pasteurized OJ. What am I missing?

Looks good! I've been playing around with zucchini-leek-potato soup using costata romanesco squash, one of my favorite summer squashes. We've plenty growing in our garden, so they are fresh and yummy, and seem to be a nice adjunct to the leeks.

That's a nice presentation ... are the croutons homemade?

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-masterclass-20130727,0,2303030.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+latimes%2Fmostviewed+%28L.A.+Times+-+Most+Viewed+Stories%29

Well, that coincides with something I was thinking about. I thought it might be interesting to see what happens if I soaked the diced potatoes in water for a while, perhaps while the leeks were cooking, and then rinse them before putting them into the pot to cook. Perhaps that would reduce the starch somewhat and lessen the slight gumminess I experienced.

I made some leek potato soup last night, and it was pretty good. Toots liked it, and that's paramount, but I think the results could have been improved. First, my leek/potato balance might have been improved with a greater proportion of leeks, which I'll try next time. But the biggest concern I had was the texture. I blended about 75% of the soup, which was made with Yukon Gold potatoes and water, not stock, before putting it back into the pot, adjusted the consistency with water and a little kefir (which added a nice background note). Still, there was a slight, residual gumminess to the soup. How might I reduce or eliminate that slight gumminess? A different type of potato? Not use the blender (but then how would I make a smooth soup)? Thanks!

Mine does... and it's not a the small size Cuisinart.

I purchased a set of those four or five years ago, and have been very happy with them, so much so that I am going to buy another set as I gave the 12-inch skillet to a friend and I'd like Toots to have a better quality skillet. The pan that I kept has behaved very well and is still in good shape, even after abusive handling by an inept housekeeper/cook.