llc45

I am looking for some food gifts for a few friends that would really appreciate something special. I was thinking of thisbourbon maple syrup that I found last year but see it is already sold out. Any suggestions?

Based on the thread in the Kitchen consumer section, anyone know where I can get one of these? I live in the Netherworlds of Sussex County but am willing to travel. A google search shows that Trader Joe's in CA has them, does anyone know about TJ's in NJ?

What modifications did Jeffrey Steingarten make? I found one reference for it where it looks like the proportions are changed slightly. Does this give it more flavor? I am still looking for affordable smaller pot because the one I am using is making too flat a loaf.

I am a big fan of the minimalist bread and am continually disappointed with the crispness of my pizza crusts. Looking forward to hearing how this turns out.

nothing on the level of zoe's for lunch i'm afraid. Doc's has a sign out they serve lunch Wednesday through Friday. i'm thinking of investigating that if i get a rain day on a Wednesday or Friday. Plaza Bistro is nice and BYO. I guess that opening the new place up in Vernon would have stretched them a bit too thin. ← My husband and I have been dying to try Doc's - him for the steak, me for the tapas. I'll let you know if we make it there in the next few weeks. Will definitely try Plaza Bistro for lunch. So the owner's of Zoe's are opening another place in Vernon? Will it be the same kind of food?

No pearls or wisdom but just wanted to say good luck and go for it. It took a bad health scare last year for me to say, I don't like this job anymore even if it pays well. I have figured out several ideas that would thrill me and am trying to find ways to make one (or more) of them work. I can't imagine how spectacular it would be to be a pastry chef in France. Best of Luck!

Ooh - I had the grouper the last time I went and loved it. Your post is reminder that we are due to visit soon. We were sad to see that they stopped doing lunch - we very much enjoyed going. Any other recommendations in the area for a good lunch?

This blog is amazing. I loved the pictures and descriptions of the various markets. Also, your description of changing careers to something you were passionate about is inspiring. After reading/seeing what you get to do for a living, I can't stop wishing that there were opportunities like that on this side of the Atlantic!

What is this? Also, you are the second person on this thread to mention the carnitas, I am definitely trying these.

Just googled marcona almonds because I didn't know there were variaties- supposedly the best tasting almonds, will be adding that to the list. Ditto the pine nuts. I'm assuming that you can freeze those. Forgot all about the frozen blueberries - if they're the ones that we bought once, they are wild blueberries. We added to oatmeal, pancakes, and muffins.

My mother is a prize winning cook who has apprenticed and cooked with some big chefs, but her private eating habits are like PICA (Wiki it) ←

I am an unabashed Alton Brown fan but I can weigh on on jarred salsa based upon something he often says about what he will be doing in a given show: "With a little know-how, some basic ingredients and a little time..." It's that "a little time" that is my point. I love to cook but I spend 13 hours away from home weekdays and generally have errands to run in the evening. If we're having a "make your own tacos" dinner, by the time we've reheated the pre-cooked taco meat, shredded the cheese and lettuce, sliced the olives, heated up some beans and heated up the tortillas I've used up about all the time I've have to get dinner on the table. I would have to forgo salsa out of shear lack of time. Beyond that, even though I know what I can make at home is superior, I rather happen to like Pace's chunky salsa. So in the end, it about having enough time, and I'd much rather have freshly grated cheese and store-bought salsa than already-shredded cheese and fresh salsa. I long for the day when time isn't so much the enemy. ← I'll second the freshly grated cheese over fresh salsa! It's a 10-minute dinner on a weekday when there's nothing to cook. Throw some frozen hamburger (or, in our case lately, ground turkey) in a pan, add some seasonings, grate some cheese and lettuce, and yank out the pre-made salsa and tortillas we always have on hand for just "those" days.

I disagree..........."into your MOUTH" is the reason But, canned mushrooms? ← My mother used to make Weight Watchers Mushroom "NUTS".. Drained canned mushrooms on a cookie sheet, baked till crunchy.. ← OMG - So did mine. I would have never conjured up the memory if I didn't read this. My mother, the non-cook, made this all of the time as her snack. I even remember her taking a speech course at a local college with the topic, of course, being "making mushroom nuts". She was so proud of herself. I think she made them almost daily every time she went on WW. I have to go call my sisters now to share the memory...

Yeah - that crabmeat is great. Just added dried mango strips to "the list". I'll have to post the next time I go shopping to list all the things I've added thnx to this thread. I'm in the process of getting new tile and counters in my kitchen so it's going to have to wait a few weeks. That sounds like it was a lot fun. After reading thru it, I realize lots of people get "great buys" at costco on lots of things they didn't know they needed. I'm not alone!

How do you store the yeast? I am definitely not a prolific baker and worry that I would waste it. If you do not freeze it, do you have any idea how long it keeps?

I definitely can't wait to see what I think of Costco olive oil. Two other things that I know of (from other people) are the frozen cream puffs and the super size box of yeast. My FIL's wife brings their frozen cream puffs to just about every party she goes to and sometimes passes them off as her own. She just defrosts, puts them on a nice platter, and drizzles them with chocolate sauce. I remember being quite impressed (thinking they were hers) the first time that I had them. Also, I have a friend that bakes a lot that bought the industrial size box of yeast and just keeps it in her freezer. She figures that she's had it for 2-3 yrs and said it still works great. She never has to worry if she has yeast on hand and it is an economical alternative to buying the packets of yeast.

I am not familiar with Yoshida sauce. Do you just use it as a marinade?

I always check out the carnitas but never tried them. What is barbacoa? A business Costco and a Home furniture Costco???? I am way jealous.

Not yet - but the gelato looks yummy and will definitely try next time I'm in that area for a meeting.

Yeah, I love roasted vegetables and have been doing them for years. However, was never that impressed with roasted cauliflower using the methods I used with other veggies. Then I read this thread. Changes I made included higher cooking temp, slices of cauliflower rather than florets, and leaving it in until it gets really crispy. Wow, what a difference. I don't think I even use that much oil - maybe just a tablespoon or two, whatever comes out in a quick drizzle.

I read about that somewhere else on this site. Unfortunately, my Costco doesn't seem to carry them.

I definitely second the recommendation for the baby back ribs (excellant quality - very meaty). We routinely buy the sharp cheddar, parmesan, fresh seafood, chicken thighs, frozen shrimp, and mesclun salad mix as well. Since I haven't found a butcher in my area that I like, this is our go to place for all things beef. I must confess, we buy one convenience food just about every time - the chicken potstickers. There always great for a quick lunch. For awhile, they started carrying a different brand and we were devastated. Does anyone else really like any of their frozen convenience foods? Special K - I remember that Artichoke dip as well! Can't wait for my next trip to look for some of these extra items. Now, I'll never get out of the store in under 2 hours. Please keep it coming.

Great topic! Since I have a child and most of my friends have school age children also, I tend to make a picky eater/kid-friendly alternative. That way I don't have to worry about compromising my main dinner. I definitely have a few friends that always eat the "kid" dinner but that's ok with me. Don't know what will happen when the kids grow up. If I have a particular dinner in mind that I've been perfecting and am not having kids, I have to admit that I don't tend to invite the picky eaters.

Slightly underipe banana eaters - UNITE! I have been been abused by my husband for years about my love for slightly underripe bananas - I hate gushy bananas. I think it is mostly the texture but also the flavor. When they get to the ripe stage, they need to be sacrificed for some good banana bread. Unfortunately,my husband loves them as ripe as can be and gobbles them up like candy. We never get to have any banana bread.

My husband and I looooooooove Costco, even though we only have a family of three. Who says you need a big family to shop there? We tend to buy staples that we believe offer good value/quality like meats, fish, cheeses, cereal, etc. Unfortunately, I think we still lose money because we also tend to buy lots of non-food items that are a "great buy", even if we didn't need em or want em in the first place! There's a reason Costco puts the food all the way in the back (so they can reel in suckers like us on the way there). Anyway, that is a different topic altogether and probably needs it's own 12 step program. We tend to rush through the food section to buy the same types of items we always get and don't generally look around much (in the food section that is ). However, now I am wondering what I am missing. I recently read elsewhere on this site that the Costco tuscan olive oil and balsamic vinegar are quite good. Ditto the organic chicken broth for times when you don't have time to make stock. I generally buy these types of items at a higher end purveyor, never thinking that Costco would hit the mark in this area, even for every day use. I also think I saw a thread on mixed dried mushrooms. Interested in finding out what everyone recommends buying from Costco... (Do I really have to admit that I also have a Sam's Club membership? Nope - but if you have any recommendations, I'd sure like to hear them! They had a great buy on lawn furniture this summer that made it worth while. Really)