Shel_B

McD's = Great Tasting Food? I don't think so. What McD's has done is reduce taste and quality to the lowest common denominator, and over time, the greater public has come to accept the food as the norm, or average. Paraphrasing Mencken, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public." The Germans may have a higher standard ...

FWIW, Red Boat has a 50°N, never tried it, can't ever recall seeing it except in the taste test that was linked above, likewise for New Town, which claims a 60°N

Yes, at the nearby Indian "spice bazaar." The owner has it in, for lack of a better term, small pouches, not bins as you may be thinking, and one may buy whatever amount is desired.

Bingo! Particularly the mushrooms and saffron.

The answer can be found in the taste test article referenced above: http://ourdailybrine.com/fish-sauce-taste-test/

January 23 is National Rhubarb Day Amsterdam has a Rhubarb Week.

Toots and I use Red Boat 40N, but neither of us can recall what we paid for it. I'm thinking around $9.00, yet that seems high. Is $6.95 a good price for you? I was surprised to read the comments about Megachef, which the TheCulinaryLibrary thought was very good. It was TCL's comments that got me searching, and I was surprised to read that the sauce had added sugar, etc.

Have you tried Blis? http://blisgourmet.com/home/products/fish-sauce-barrel-aged.html While Googling around looking for info on Megachef, I came across this taste test: http://ourdailybrine.com/fish-sauce-taste-test/

In a small bag ... no need to run.

Thanks to all for the warning about my possibly being mistaken for a drug dealer. Without getting into a lot of details that have nothing to do with cooking and food, I'm not overly concerned about it, but I will consider your admonishments. As for needing precision in grams, well, I don't need to be extremely precise, but I do have a need to fairly accurately weigh small amounts of what can sometimes be rather expensive (for me) ingredients. Grams does a better job for me and some of the things I'm starting to experiment with, than ounces. Plus, I like to fool around with new ideas and ways of doing things. Since I know the stores quite well, I know where and when I can weigh the ingredients in quiet ... I am not concerned about weighing "on the run."

I found a scale there that looks just about perfect ... http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/proscale-simplex-500.html I love the "Olde Tyme" look of the site <LOL>

Thanks for the tip about Harbor Freight. You'd think that there would always be a good, accurate scale by the bulk bins, but such is not the case at three places that I shop. In order to get an accurate weight, I have to go to the checkout, and that's a PITA as it means I may have to go back to the bulk area and adjust my purchase. One store just completed a $5,000,000 renovation and addition, but still uses old fashioned, spring action postal scales in the bulk section, and they are not at all accurate, especially when weighing items of just a few ounces.

Something along the lines of what you've described would be just fine. I had a similar idea a short while ago. Thanks!

I'd like to find a small digital scale that I can carry with me when shopping. The immediate need would be to weigh small amounts of bulk items like herbs and spices, dried mushrooms, grains, and such. I'd be happy with a small capacity, such as a pound or so, and being able to weigh in grams and ounces. If it were small enough to fit into a pocket, perhaps about the size of a men's wallet or a pack of cigarettes, I'd be thrilled. Any suggestions? Does anyone carry a scale with them when shopping?

Has anyone tried something like this? http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304081804579558291844034638?mod=dist_smartbrief

Not all stainless steel is magnetic. Found that out just a few months ago.

This morning I bought this pan: http://www.webstaurantstore.com/vollrath-5220-wear-ever-heavy-duty-16-gauge-quarter-size-bun-sheet-pan-9-1-2-x-13/9365220.html The price, including shipping, was pretty good, and although it's not exactly what I wanted, it will work for the intended purpose. Since Toots has a small stove and oven in her place, I had to get the 1/4 sheet pan for her.

I may end up with that one for the Breville. I believe I've seen it elsewhere for about 1/2 the price ... will have to double check.

I appreciate the suggestion, however, I don't shop at Sam's Club or Wal-Mart.

I'm now looking for a quarter and possibly a 1/8 sheet pan. I want something heavy for both - ideally around 12 - 14 gauge like my half sheet pans. I'm having the Dickens of a time finding a heavy pan in those sizes - even the nearest restaurant supply store doesn't have one. Does anyone know of a heavy pan in the sizes mentioned, and also, is it necessary to have such a thick pan in these smaller sizes? Thanks!

I have decided not to get a Ninja. I've heard too many stories about their poor to mediocre quality.

I tried the Urbani and was disappointed. Your suggestion does look to be a better choice. I contacted the seller in Italy and asked about shipping. Thanks for the pointer My asking here is to find someone who has purchased and used from a particular source, and to, hopefully, be assured that I'm getting a good quality true dried porcini. A lot of items on Amazon are quite spendy, and comments are not always good. I'm tired of buying poor quality and questionable goods and food products.

I'd like to try making a blueberry sauce for venison tenderloins. I've only just heard of combining blueberries with venison, so I'm in the dark about how to create a blueberry sauce - and it's been years since I've cooked venison as well. Any suggestions here?

I am looking for a good, reputable source for dried porcini mushrooms. The ones I've seen in stores around here are sourced from China and other places, including Russia, with some bags indicating five possible sources. Some I've found on line have negative reviews saying the mushrooms weren't 100% porcini, but rather, mixed with other types. I want to find some non-Chinese, 100% pure, dried porcinis from a reputable source. Any suggestions?

What is that background flavor? Anchovies are used to add or enhance umami. Is that what your describing?