Darienne

Thanks, Badiane. Unfortunately, we don't have gasoline at our Costco. I still have reams of parchment paper from a former accidentally doubled purchase and am not familiar with Mrs. May's nutty snacky things. I'll ask after them. And thanks Anna. I seem to recall your saying that before about the one carrying stuff that the other didn't...etc. No other centre is near Peterborough and much as the local city fathers might like to think that Peterpatch is an exciting city...it's not exciting as far as shopping is concerned. Trips to Toronto are organized to pick up the more exotic and it's not uncommon for some one person to buy on behalf of a few others.

Thanks for your answer. We are basically still just scoping them out. As for no Stoned Wheat Thins and eggplants...from the Costco lad.

Interesting topic. I thought about it and realized that we have n Art Deco toucan, named Oscar, sitting in our kitchen. He's been in the kitchen, first at my parents and then in my kitchen, since I was a little kid. From Czechoslovakia, hand-painted by Erphila, thought to be late 1920s. I think my Father named him Oscar.

At our local bulk food store, you are encouraged to bring your own plastic containers...as in empty yogurt containers which all weigh about the same amount. Otherwise they add a small amount to the bill. We never remember to bring back the empty containers and so always have to pay. Shame. Shame. However, we do bring empty Rubbermaid containers into regular grocery stores in which to pack all our groceries. For one thing, we travel with two large dogs who are very inquisitive and always on the lookout for a good thing. Yes, there are lids which fit tightly. Or we simply replace all the groceries into the cart, wheel it out to the parking lot and then pack into the containers which we have forgotten to bring into the store.

Bit the bullet. $24.99 + 15% tax (this IS Canada) for one Slice Solutions, Chicago Metallic Bake-Lift-Serve Brownie Pan. Divides into twelve, each section 2 1/4 " X 3". Now to make some Enstrom CopyCat toffee and see if I just wasted $28,74. I'll be back...

So now it's April 6th and we have shopped at Costco a few times. I would have to say that it probably was not the best idea we ever followed up on and that when our membership runs out, it runs out. But then...it may be early days... Now I know a number of things they DON'T carry and wonder if a) other Canadian Costco outlets do carry the following or b) if American Costco outlets carry different items: Fresh: eggplant, cabbage, squash, parsnips Frozen: greenbeans (alone, not mixed) Canned: dog food of any kind, most beans Crackers: Wasa, Stoned Wheat Thins Yeast, club soda, Jasmine rice, Chorizo That's after four shoppings. Of course I still can't find stuff and what do you know...the aisles aren't marked.

Duck, goose, goat...they are all out. Not in Peterpatch. DH won't eat lamb as such. I'll try the baking idea...but now I need to get me a Thermapen. Although I could use my thermometer with the long metal probe, couldn't I?

The last two posts have given me hope...now all I need is some specific ideas. DH does not like ginger candy, not even dipped in chocolate. However, he likes the ginger which I add to any Chinese dish which calls for it, like Orange Beef, Mapodofu...just about any Szechwan recipe you could name. Now what dishes could I use ginger syrup in? I don't mean just Chinese...I usually leave out all sugar in our Chinese dishes...but in the cooking of other cultures? Can you substitute say, ginger or orange syrup for something in an ice cream recipe or a coffee cake or muffin?

My Mother (Polish, Jewish) had a way of cooking fish fillets: fish onto pan, large onion slice on top of each piece, can of stewed tomatoes poured over it all. Bake in oven. The first time I cooked fish after being married was like this. My DH hit the ceiling. His Mother always dipped the fish in batter and deep fried it, along with French fries. That was fifty years ago and I've never made fish my Mother's way since. We normally bread most fish in almond meal and pan fry or for salmon grilled on the Barbie in lime juice. DH also hates fish soups although I love them. We don't eat them. Anyone have a really good one? It is past time for more fish recipes for us too.

How long would it take to cook it down roughly...assuming you have four or five cups...and you would have to be careful not to let it get very hot?? or you would get candy???

Wonderful report...enjoyed reading it immensely.

My family is from Sejny and my Mother was born and raised in Montreal...where you get MONTREAL bagels which I love. (I also eat French Toast with only salt on it, something that came from my Mother. I don't think my Bubi ever made French Toast. I am sure my Papa (that's what I called him...that's what my Mother called him) would ever eat something so foreign as French Toast. )

Sounds good. I think I might do it substituting eggplant and perhaps cabbage. Thanks. Emmalish.

I have mushrooms...I have spinach...I would be happy with your recipe. Your photos look lovely.

Lilija, it must be a Polish thing, because BOTH for me too, absolutely. That's the way my Polish mom always served latkes. Although the sugar/salt thing sounds intriguing, may have to do some field research on that.... Hey! Wait just a second there guys. My Polish family served Latkes with salt and pepper only.

Salt and pepper only.

It must be something in my taste buds. Had a friend who couldn't stand the taste of aspartame. It never bothered me. (Wish it had.)

Made a cake of sorts today with cream cheese, almond meal, etc, etc, and granular Splenda. DH likes it. I find it awful...the taste of Splenda. Do other people find Splenda has a strange (and unpleasant) taste?

When is a chain not a chain? In Moab, our home away from home, the recycling station has huge...I mean HUGE mountains of cardboard boxes. Dozens and dozens and dozens from Sysco. Eat out...eat Sysco. Yummm.

I really did enjoy reading your post, Anna. It gives me quite a lot to think about... Bread and potatoes. I could give you a run for your money if the potato chips were Kettle cooked. We just don't have them in the house. Can Club Soda fit into this diet? I am not a water lover. Can do it with lime juice...but only if coerced. I think 5 pounds in two weeks is really quite a lot, especially for a woman. It's tempting to simply 'drop' the weight, but on the other hand, the slower pounds off will be more likely to stay off???? I tell myself that and with some vehemence. It would be good to eat from the permanent low-carbers, should they be out there. (I did Atkins low-carb once many years ago, but I was in a hurry and the end result was a thinner crabby me who didn't feel all that well. No doubt I overdid it. It was MANY years ago.)

Now this BRILLIANT! I don't normally toss things...am feeling very guilty about throwing away the syrups...but we don't drink cocktaily things and don't have syrup on ice cream and so on and what on earth could I do with all that syrup? I've even made candies...which we can't eat more than one or two. But! flavored sugar! Not only could we use it, but what a lovely gift to give to friends!!! Andie, you have done it again!!

Ya gotta love the 'dead cat' dish. Thanks so much for the information about the Pacific Mall. Barbara (confectionery partner) and I have been planning that outing for ages and we would have turned up long before anything was open.

I would if you would give me the eastern Ontario time. (We just switched satellite providers and I can't use the new system properly yet.) Thanks, David.

Thanks for the information, mkayahara. So many wonderful products are available...but not in Canada. Pity. I'll think about your idea of buzzing freeze dried strawberries...

Thought I would start here. Chef Eddy van Damme has a recipe for raspberry-flavored chocolate couverture using freeze-dried raspberry powder. I can't seem to find such a product in Qzina or online for McCall's...doesn't mean they don't have it. Can someone point me in the correct direction for a freeze-dried fruit powder? Thanks. Anywhere in Ontario would do fine for mail-order...or Canada for that matter. ps. Phoned McCall's on Monday, got a mature adult and got some excellent needed information. Thanks again Kerry.