Shel_B

Good idea ... I've done that before, in fact, I even have a little perfume sprayer for misting the strawberries. When I did that last time, I used a 75yo balsamic. Mmmmmmm Thanks for the reminder!

Next week my GF and I are having dinner with friends and they are preparing a heavy meal – prime beef being the main course. We were asked to bring dessert, and Toots is willing to make her exceptional flan, but I’d like something different – I’ve had the flan numerous times. What I’d like is something light, perhaps even a bit acidic (thinking lemon here), or some kind of sorbet or granita. The problem with the frozen desserts is transport – they may not make the trip successfully and I don’t want to underwrite the experiment. Chocolate is something I’d like, but Toots isn’t too interested in chocolate in the evening as it keeps her awake (is there a “decaf” chocolate?) So, what suggestions are there for a light, refreshing dessert that will travel well and not take too much time to make as our schedule between now and then is very hectic? I’m not much of a baker, so pies, cakes, etc., are not a good choice, although I do make a very nice lemon-poppy seed loaf, which I was thinking might go well with a scoop of store-bought ice cream or sherbet. Not the lightest choice, but acceptable, especially since I make it in a lower-fat version. I was also thinking about making a Parmigiano ice cream, but I’m not sure where the ice cream maker is. Thanks!

I read the tasting comparison ... and thanks for the pointer to Arizona Vanilla. I'll need to know a little more about vanilla paste ... never used it. Thanks again.

Hi, Thanks for the tip. I think I've seen a S&F somewhere in my routine travels. It should be easy to check out. I made the panna cotta last night and used some of the extract that Toots had on hand, TJ's Bourbon extract. The results in the panna cotta were certainly acceptable. I'll still need to get a bottle for myself. I read the Cook's Illustrated test - had it on my computer. Didn't recognize many of the brands they tested - maybe just two or three.

I've made my own, and some time ago read the info in your link. However, I want to use bottled vanilla extract for the preparation I'm making and for some other upcoming dishes. Also, Toots has NO interest in making vanilla extract, and she's going to be involved in this as well. Thanks for posting the pointer, though.

I'm going to purchase some vanilla extract tomorrow. In the past I've used some expensive extracts, but I've not been able to tell much, if any, difference between them in the finished product. Can you taste the difference between, say Trader Joe's extract, McCormick, and another, more expensive brand, such as Neilsen-Massey?

Thanks everyone. This evening I made a soup for Toots with cumin and, surprise surprise! she said it could even be a little more spicy. So, I guess if the amount of cumin is small, she can handle it. So, bring on the cumin recipes and I'll play with amounts and proportions.

I made something ike that yesterday, but without the rice. Even the cumin was a little much for her, but it's possible that cutting back on the amount will do the trick. I used ground cumin, so it may have been more intense than what you're suggesting. I also sautéd some onions in the oil as there were no acceptable chiles in the house - I'd go with poblano or Anneheim for Toots, something a little more intense when cooking for myself. Instead of water I used chicken stock - it was handy - although I've used water at times as well. My preference might be for potatoes instead of rice. Rice can sometimes spike my blood sugar. I'll check the link. Thanks!

I love roasted cauli, been making it in many iterations for years. Toots enjoys it as well. It's just that we need some new ideas for flavor - I like curried cauli,pasta with cauli, and so many other variations. Toots likes most any style, but is fussy about spicy food and too much cow's milk dairy.

This morning I compared the two pot. Mine, a 1-quart Simply Calphalon disk-bottomed pot and Toots' no-name, non-stick aluminum pot. I boiled equal amounts of water in both and then measured the temps. The Calphalon held heat a lot longer than the thin aluminum pot. So, perhaps that's the answer, or at least a good part of it.

Some good info and ideas here. Toots is going to be very happy with what I do with the cauli she now has in her refer ... Thanks!

Thanks! That's an idea generator ...

Well, Toots likes mustard but won't eat bacon. I wish she would, even just a little, sometimes. But you've provided some food for thought. Thanks!

My GF loves cauliflower, but she does not handle spiced or hot food very well. I'd like to get some ideas for making more than a cheese sauce for the cauli. I've roasted it, made it with curries (even mild curry can be a problem for my sweetie), played with a few other options without much success. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I don't understand why you'd want to flavor the schmaltz. Perhaps if you're using it for a specific purpose the flavoring will be useful, but if using for a general purpose, maybe not.

What about making schmaltz with the use of, or addition of, water?

What is the best way to make schmaltz? I've gotten numerous suggestions. My GF loves chopped liver, so I want to make some for her every now and then, and that will be the main use for the fat. Also, I sometimes cook duck, and it might be nice to save the fat for confit or other purposes. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip. It works for farina but not for oatmeal. So, I now mix some farina with the oatmeal and get a nice, lumpy blend. Take care,

The subject says it, so how do I get it when I want it? Also, I like lumpy Cream of Wheat / Farina. Same Question. Thanks!

We both like red peppers, and enjoy them in salads and in other vegetable dishes. Maybe I can play around with peppers/mushrooms and come up with something enjoyable for both of us. Thanks!

When she drinks Lactaid milk, she has no problems, but when she drinks regular milk, she has some discomfort and needs to take her meds. I've not checked her medication to see just what she's taking, so maybe with that information I can find out what her problem is. Unfortunately, she's not very good about knowing or remembering what meds she takes for what problem. She just takes what the doc prescribes ... Thanks!

I made a clam chowder last night, for myself, and didn't add any milk. It was pretty good with just chicken stock, clam juice, and a splash of wine. The potatoes seemed to help thicken it ... I may play around and develop a recipe for it, getting a better grip on proportions and specific ingredients, i.e., choice of potatoes, onions or leeks, etc. Thanks!

Goat milk products do help her. She has none of the discomfort eating cheese and yogurt made from goat milk as she does with similar cow milk products. If she eats a cow milk product she must take medication to prevent her discomfort.

Thanks for the info about cooking with goat milk. I'll grab some this weekend and play around with it. Sheesh! The stuff is quite spendy though ... <sigh>

My GF is lactose intolerant and drinks Lactaid brand milk and enjoys goat cheese. I don't care much for the Lactaid and was thinking about using goat milk to replace cow milk in some dishes. Coming up is a fish chowder dinner and I'd like to try goat milk in the chowder. How might goat milk work in such a dish? Any suggestions on cooking with, or substituting, goat milk? Thanks!