Bree20

My family would lock me in the basement if I did not cook Thanksgiving dinner! And like some of the other post this is my favorite holiday also. I think most people want certain food at thanksgiving for different reason, remembering childhood days, and with the way things are in our world it is nice to see that somethings don't change like dressing and yes green bean casserole. I think for certain people seeing these foods on the table surrounded by love ones gives them some comfort and hope for the coming year. I think these dishes we put on our table good or bad is more a reflection on our family and loves ones. I lost my father this year and believe me I will have his favorite dish on my table no matter if it is eaten or not. Remember it is the memories and comfort you are making as a family not an article for the Times as a food critic.

Not really a dinner party, but we have played IC here at home. Let me explain, my son loved the Japan version of IC and watched it all the time when he was small. In order to get him to eat certain foods (I think all kids go through the everything is yuk stage). My hubby and I told him to pick an ingredient (we gave him a list to choose from) that he was not use to and we would make three dishes each. Of course he would have to be the judge and he would have to eat at least half. We did this three different time and had three different battles. They were eggs (yes the child would not eat eggs.) green peas and squash. He ate them and to a degree will at least eat most of these now, thou not his favorite, but through the fun of doing everything in a time limit and my husband not being the greatest cook there was some lessons learned ie: cooiing can be fun and there is more to food than ordering a chicken nugget through a clown's mouth.

Glorifiedrice - I do believe that you have just started the next real heated (no pun intended) question like b-que sauce. "It not right unless you make it yourself and then past it down to your kin." But I do have to admit you are right I have yet to buy sauce that does not burn my mouth and have to drink a gallon of milk just to get some type of relief. It seems to be the new thing that the hotter the better and I think some forget it is the favor and the experience that make food so much fun. Besides trying to add different things to "soften" the blow I have yet to find a really good sauce. I do think this is a product that one is going to have to come up with in their own kitchen.

Thanks for you help Bree ←

In today's email. (And I got a call from a vendor in the area willing to get foie.) I'm also hoping to have MEATS in for the weekend !! I am meeting today, with the top provider of the highest quality of beef, chicken, buffalo, etc..in Atlanta. These will be certified Angus Aged Beef. I'm expecting to offer Filets, boneless Ribeyes, Strips, Ground, Kabobs, Sausages, and more. I'll have more information on this later in the week. Also, check my web site for daily updates. ←

You are one of a kind and I am so glad you are here!! During our ceremony instead of the white dree and suit can we wear wigs and sunglasses so no one knows us like food writers did in the 70's and 80's???

You should be here in the upper part of Georgia, according to reports and the gov. we will be out of water in 3 months! No successful rainfall all year. They are only allowing a certain amount of water from our source here in the Atlanta area that goes into the community because of some federal protected fish that are off the gulf that need the water more than people (according to the US gov't)! Our farmers are suffering in some area and prices are getting up there and people are starting to feel the effects.

Always white bread with Peter Pan smooth and Concord Grape jelly with a cold glass(sit in frezer while making the sandwich) of white milk. I remember back in the 70's when peanut butter jars had recipes on them and rememberinf making fried PB&J snadwiches with butter as the fat for frying. Boy was it messy, but I remember it being pretty good.

I too love caught in the wild shrimp I think you can tell the different and like Mark I have had gulf shrimp that are brown. What you have described sounds like the shrimp are passing out of their prime or were frozen to late. I have some friends who shrimp for a living and they have told me stories how people who do not know to much about shrimp at first will put them in the frig and they forget they are in there and when the shrimp are just about past their days try to freezen them as not to lose their investment. I get alot of my caught in the wild shrimp for free and hence, they always have their heads on )makes for great stock), but if a shrimp does not have a clean sweet smell, I trash them.

Mark - I agree with you I can take a pass on the "correct" looking grill marks if the steak is cooked properly on the inside and out. In fact I think sometimes it is ther way you were raised as how you like your steak - my son bless his heart was never given an option when given a steak either out or at home it is always rare! And now he will give anyone a dirty look when asked if he is sure he wants it cooked that way or thinks he does not understand the question! We are lucky enough to beable to cook steaks properly at home much better quality and always cooked right.

Sound like you found the right guys - might have to give them a try - I am not to far away - did they tell you if the shrimp was farmed raised or caught in the wild? And if caught in the wild - where? I think there is a different in taste or maybe that's just me. Hey it's the World's largest Cocktail Party tomorrow!!!! Use to get season tickets when my father was alive - sure do miss him during football season.

We loved Delmonico's and it was a little pricey compared to the other Emeril resturants, but it was worth it all the way. My husband and I ordered the tasting menu and the wine paring - it was GREAT! My son ordered steak and loved it - so if you want and have a lot of time relax and enjoy yourself. We were pampered beyond belief.

Lucky YOU!!!!!! Xmas came early to your house I see!!!! Hope you have fun playing with your new toy! Bree

At first I thought it was me when I started shopping at whole foods about the prices and I do agree with you much higher than Haryy's- Lived less than a mile from the harry's store in duluth - now just an empty building. The only thing I hate it that Whole Foods do not have the same wide selection as Harry's did nor do they have the fish in the tanks or the live blue crab in the summer. I'm was born and raised most of my life in Savannah and I sure do miss shopping off the docks and knowing my fisherman like I use to! Live is tough when you don't live on the coast! (smile) Bree

Have you tried Whole Foods - once again ask plenty of questions, I buy my monk fish there - I also agree with trying Super H - the one here in Duluth has some of there's in a tank still swimming and waiting. I get a little scared at the Dekalb Farmer's market about some of their seafood as I would be about a Kroger or Publix's. Just use good judgement and ask ask ask plenty of questions. If the fish people gets rude or can not answer a question I move on to the next store. If not make friends with them and they will tell you about up coming sales or when new product will be arriving. Ask if you can smell the fish you have chosen and look at your purchase careful before you take it from the seafood counter.

I use a utility knife because it is small and fits my hands better. I also broken two fingers about 15 years ago and they never healed right - so smaller and light knives work for me. I have Wusthof and the smaller verison of what you have. I think all in all it is what feels correct in ones hand imop.

Matt - do yall have a Whole Foods or Fresh Market? Here in Atlanata they have a oil bar where you can taste and sample - in all types of price ranges and for me pretty bottles (smile)