mgaretz

As an All-Clad retailer myself, I think you cannot be right. Unless someone has actually completed a sale (online) I don't think it will work. Let me know if I am wrong, as I can then ask for permission to offer the same discount from All-Clad too. ← I did buy an All-Clad piece in the store and did get the discount. But the coupon clearly gives instructions on how to use online and does not restrict All-Clad (or most of the other brands that normally get restricted).

Are you sure about that? I just looked on the website and the All-Clad stuff was not on sale. ← Yes. I didn't buy anything online, but the online code is MACYSFF - you probably won't see the discount until you enter that code at checkout. FWIW, I think the Macy's $419 7 pc starter set is a pretty good deal on it's own (it also includes the bonus dutch oven that you get immediately and an au gratin dish by mail) but with 25% off it's even better. I started my All-Clad collection with that and then added other pieces.

Macy's is having their annual Friends and Family sale through May 4th - unlike most of their "sales" All-Clad is not restricted so you can get 25% off.

When it comes to bottom freezer refrigerators (which includes french door types), there are only three manufacturers: Whirlpool (now that they own Amana), LG and Samsung. Samsung was just coming out with newer models when I left the industry so I am not up on them, but all the rest (regardless of what the badge says) are made by LG or Whirlpool. It's usually pretty easy to tell who made what, (study an LG and Whirlpool side by side for a few minutes - the inside is usually more revealing), but there is an easy way to tell on French Door models: the Amana design uses a movable flap as part of the door seal. The LG design has no flap and relies on magnetic gaskets. So a quick look at the door will tell you who made it. As of 2007 (for bottom freezer models): Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Amana/Maytag - all the same company so they all use the same Amana design. GE's were made by LG. Kenmore had a combination of LG/Whirlpool depending on the model. If I remember correctly the Viking was Whirplool. For those that don't know LG, in general their appliances are very good (and known for quiet operation). LG makes 80% of the world's microwave ovens (basically if it's not a Sharp or Panasonic, it was made by LG). LG has been around for a long time, they used to be known as Goldstar (LG=Lucky Goldstar, their actual original company name). I used to run into the "I've never heard of LG." statement a lot. I would ask people to pull out their cell phone - 50% of the time it was an LG!

While it won't explain anything beyond vegetables, I think that Beyond Bok Choy: A cook's guide to Asian vegetables by Rosa Lo San Ross to be one of the best references when it comes to Asian vegetables. It's out of print but readily available at Amazon. I also have The Asian Grocery Store Demysitfied and found it only somehat helpful.

My favorite is Bittersweet by Alice Medrich. For those interested in lowering fat content, you should also get her Chocolate and the Art of Low Fat Desserts . This one is out of print but is readily available through Amazon. Ms. Medrich founded the famous Cocolat in Berkeley.