Shel_B

I've been making stock and broth for years, and, over time, the technique has changed. I used to add the vegetables and chicken to the pot together, simmer, skim, drain, and freeze. Having read numerous articles and made many experiments, I've settled on this routine for my chicken stock. First, I use only whole chickens or large pieces like breasts and whole legs. I make sure there is no damage to the bones - I do not want blood and other debris to get into the stock. I do not, ever, use broken pieces or just backs or wing tips, or pieces taken from cooked chicken that's been frozen for a while. Just fresh, whole chicken or large prime pieces. I then blanch the chicken, drain the pot, and rinse the chicken or chicken parts. The chicken goes back into the cleaned pot, and simmers gently for the appropriate time ... not to long, maybe about an hour, or two at the most. I then remove the chicken pieces and, if desired, add the vegetables and whatever herbs I may be using. That's cooked low and slow for about an hour depending on the size of the vegetable pieces. I may or may not use salt, depending on the plans for the stock. Generally, I add some salt (non-iodized and additive free, usually Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt but sometimes a similar salt) while the chicken is simmering. The stock always comes out clear and with a nice yellow color, and very chickeny tasting, even when I make it to be mild. Ever since adding vegetables after the chicken cooks, my chicken stck has been very satisfactory. No muddiness or dull tastes.

We get grapeseed oil at Trader Joe's.

http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/how_healthy_is_canola_oil_really Just something I Googled ... I don't necessarily agree everything posted ...

Why do so many recipes ask for canola oil instead of some other oil, like safflower or sunflower? Does canola have some property that makes it more desirable for cooking, or ... ? A lot of people have seem to have objections of one sort or another to canola oil.

This morning I was talking with a friend, and he suggested that I consider Scotch broth amongst the winter soups I make. Well, I've never made the soup, so I have no idea what characteristics the soup should have, or what characteristics I may prefer. There seems to be no discussion of Scotch broth in the archives, except for a brief round concerning Campbell's Scotch Broth. So, what should I be considering in order to make a good bowl of the stuff?

http://www.sfgate.com/food/article/STOCK-TIPS-3237449.php An excellent and very interesting article about making stock, including tips and suggestions by several of San Francisco's very highly regarded chefs.

That is just the nature of many Chinese sauces. There are no definitive recipes. Perhaps I'll go down to the nearby, big Asian market, and look at the variety they have there, maybe buy a couple and compare them. Just because some restaurant I've never eaten at uses a particular brand doesn't mean I'd like it, or that it would be best suited for my needs. Thanks!

One is supposed to be for Pho, the other more "general purpose." At least that's my understanding. Don't yet know just what the differences are. http://www.vietworldkitchen.com/.a/6a00d8341ef22f53ef01311008bb67970c-popup

I don't recall ever using prepared Hoisin sauce, and now I want to try making a Hoisin vinaigrette. What should I know about this sauce, what should I look for? Would Lee Kum Kee be considered a good choice for a commercial sauce? I notice that there are a couple of versions of Lee Kum Kee Hoisin sauce. I checked out some recipes for making my own sauce, but they differed substantially in the ingredient list. Does anyone have a recipe, or suggestions for ingredients, should I decide to make my own? Thanks!

Ahhh! So what I had was probably a rice salad. Good to know .... found lots of ideas. Thanks so very much!

I gotta admit, I just don't get it ... Nutella just doesn't do anything for me. Now, a warm (not microwaved) buttery croissant with good dulce de leche, that's somethin' else.

Toots and I went to a potluck a few days ago, and there was a rice salad that was enhanced with a nice vinegar flavor. I'd like some ideas on how to make a vinegar flavored rice dish ... never had one before. Maybe someone has a recipe or two that will give me some creative ideas. Thanks!

Wonderful to learn about Red Boat ... even more wonderful to discoverit's available in numerous local sops, many of them on my usual routes! Gotta give it a try.

Instructions often call for baking until set. How well cooked is that?

Do you add the curd while it's still warm or hot?

Which cheeses work well for this?

I'm just starting to play around with making Pot de Creme, lemon curd, flan, and other similar dessert dishes. Recipes sometimes call for the addition of whole eggs, egg yolk alone, or a mixture of whole eggs and extra yolks. What do the different egg combinations add to or detract from these treats? What might happen to a dessert if more egg of any combination was added, such as making the dish with six yolks instead of four, or adding an extra yolk or two to a recipe that calls for whole eggs? Thanks!

What do you mean by "plain noodles?" I've got a couple that I consider plain, but they are a little hot or spicy.

I found this site that offers vanilla beans: http://www.beanilla.com/vanilla/vanilla-beans?gclid=CMvJlfWJ8rICFYdxQgodyjIAfQ

Yeah, one of the reasons I want to start using beans is to make, and experiment with, vanilla sugar. Thanks for the other tips.

Do youknow what kind of beans they are? In any case, the price seems good enough that they may be a good place to start experimenting. Thanks for the tip!

I'm finally making the move from Vanilla Extract to real beans, which I've rarely used. So, what should I look for when buying beans? Do beans spoil, or lose flavor over time? How should they be stored? I know the beans offer a lot of flavor, but what about the pods? How can they be used? Any suggestions would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks!

Trader Joe's Eggplant Garlic Spread ... YUMMY! Even Toots loves it.

Yeah, I, too, was thinking that "big" would be a little too much.

I was thinking along the lines of a Pinot Noir or Merlot, or perhaps a Malbec. Are these reasonable choices with a buffalo meatloaf? Other thoughts?