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DanM

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Posts posted by DanM

  1. As I understand it, pan fried chicken is marinated in buttermilk to help tenderize the meat. However, in a kosher kitchen, it is a major no-no. Are there any non-dairy alternatives that will work well for this purpose?

    Thanks,

    Dan

  2. You are correct. Egg whites will whip to a higher volume when they are warm (the optimum temp slips my mind at the moment...). Secondly, you want the eggs and butter to be warm to help create a good emulsion. Do you want to know why your cookie batter looks like cottage cheese when you add eggs to the creamed butter and sugar? Most likely it is because your eggs and butter are fresh from the fridge.

    3 cents... adjusted for higher food costs.

    DAn

  3. You can take some dried black beans and make refried beans one night as a side. The leftovers can be reinvented the next night into a black bean soup with a little stock and some seasoning. It can also be mixed with potatoes and veg leftovers or trimmings for some Mexican style bubble and squeak. Finally, it can also be incorporated the next morning into a nice huevos rancheros breakfast.

    Dan

  4. Gazpacho is a summer favorite with sentimental value in our house (it was served at our wedding). During those cold winter months I occasionally make a hardy miso soup with hulled barley and whatever dried mushrooms are around.

    Has anyone read the Moosewood book on soups? It is on my short list of books to buy.

    Dan

  5. Good evening!

    I have a couple of questions for everyone regarding their cookbook collections. What are the hidden treasures and all stars in your collection? The hidden treasures are the small books nobody has ever heard about, but are simply amazing. All stars are the favorites and game changers that have opened your eyes to new possibilities.

    For Me

    Hidden Treasure:

    Three Bowls: Its an interesting book written at a Zen Buddhist monastery. The recipes are an eclectic mix of Japanese and American cuisines. It also has stories and lessons about Zen Buddhism and their philosophy on food.

    All Stars

    Any book by Denis Cotter of Cafe Paradiso. My wife and I came across Cafe Paradiso by happy accident during a bike trip through Ireland. Denis Cotter shows that vegetarian food does not have to be ruffage and boring. His recipes are sophisticated with layers of flavor and complexity. I always cook from these books when we have company over and always get rave reviews.

    King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking. This is the book that opened my eyes to the possibilities of using variety grains when I bake. For example, I use a small amount of oat flour whenever I make cookies, scones, and cakes.

    What is on your list?

    Dan

  6. Sorry to hear about the job situation.

    I plan on cutting back on food costs this summer and into the fall by converting any useful space in my back yard into veg gardens. If you have a house, spend your free time tending the land.

    Another suggestion is use meat as a supporting role in meals instead as the starring role.

    Good luck with the job market.

    Dan

    edit: Oh, and don't forget Costco or other wholesale shops. Bulk is sometimes cheaper. But do you really need 5 gallons of pickle spears? :unsure:

  7. Good evening.

    Another factor not mentioned is that the bran in whole wheat flour will interfere with gluten development by cutting the gluten strands during kneading. I have found that using some King Arthur Flour white whole whole wheat helps give a good rise due to the very fine grind they use.

    Best of luck

    Dan

  8. ...

    Do you consider almost 1000 pages thick enough? How about 1080 Recipes by Simone and Ines Ortega? 

    When it first appeared it was heralded as "The bible of authentic Spanish cooking..."  and referred to as counterpart  to US Joy of Cooking and Italian Silver Spoon.  

    ...

    Looks amazing! Although I will have to break my rule on not buying cookbooks where the title is the number of recipes. Quite often I find that these books are quantity over quality.

    Dan

    Don't break your rule before reading the eG thread on 1080. :shock:

    Instead of repeating my comments, I'll link to them - and thereby the comments of others in the dedicated thread.

    http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...dpost&p=1596450

    Personally, I'd say that the idea of a single large book is less good for your library than a few better smaller ones, of individual virtue, perhaps dealing with, for example, regional differences in Spanish cooking. I have to say that I rather like Moro and Casa Moro, which reflect the Moorish influence in Spanish cooking.

    However for anyone valuing quantity over quality, or looking for a doorstop, then 1080 must be exactly what you are looking for...

    Okay. point taken. What do you reccomend?

    Dan

  9. I am interested in experimenting with Spanish cooking, but have not found a good book on the subject. Does anyone have a suggestion for a nice, thick book on Spanish cooking?

    Thanks!

    Dan

    Do you consider almost 1000 pages thick enough? How about 1080 Recipes by Simone and Ines Ortega?

    When it first appeared it was heralded as "The bible of authentic Spanish cooking..." and referred to as counterpart to US Joy of Cooking and Italian Silver Spoon.

    I tried three or four recipes out of 1080, that came out pretty good because with the exception of vegetables I bought everything at a Spanish store near Williamsburg, Va. I moved on to the next book because 300 mile round trip to La Tienda to pick up food imported from Spain annoyed my locavore family.

    http://www.amazon.com/1080-Recipes-In%C3%8...a/dp/0714848360

    edited to add link to Amazon...so, if you choose to buy it, you do it through eGullet.

    Looks amazing! Although I will have to break my rule on not buying cookbooks where the title is the number of recipes. Quite often I find that these books are quantity over quality.

    Dan

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