IndyRob

nathanm?

Brined Round Steak? That would be evil. But profitable.

Yay, Heywood Banks. We saw him do that live. IMHO, the toaster that tries to do more than it was conceived for is a poser. Toaster ovens are the worst (for toast). The best toast is crispy on the outside and soft and yielding on the inside. That means having the heating elements close to the slice so that the outsides can get browned before the inside gets dry. Even a wide-slot model that accommodates a bagel slice is a compromise. My toaster has some movable grates that move in to grasp the slice when you push the plunger down. I'd like to see a toaster that moves the heating elements in as well to accommodate the width of the slice.

I think you've hit it on the head here. Focus on that. Since we've lived in our house we've gutted the kitchen and upgraded everything. But there are some things that can't be fixed or worked around. You need good ventilation, light (preferably natural), enough room, access to utilities, a good flow to the dining area. You can change appliances. You can replace the cabinets. But without the right space you'll be limited in your options.

I looked at a cruffin recipe and they don't appear to be very similar. Pastizzi dough is more like phyllo. There's just flour, water and a little oil. It's about 57% hydration.

My last attempt was very promising. I used a pasta machine to roll pieces of dough very thin before stretching it further on the counter, and even further while rolling it into the tube. And then even further by stretching the tube. However, I didn't allow the dough to relax long enough after that last step and had problems forming the pastizzis properly. But they were kinda' OK nevertheless. I only attempt it every 6 months or so. But the last attempt has me a bit more encouraged and I may take another shot at it soon.

I'm recalling something I heard on ATK Radio regarding doubling recipes. They found that leaveners (particularly) didn't double very well. So you need to adjust up or down to find the right balance. I imagine it's a rounding error (because of the small quantities) regardless of measuring by weight or volume. Or, perhaps it's a matter of a leavener's effect not being linear.

I planted some grapevines a few years ago and I was looking forward to our first harvest this year. After fighting off Japanese beetles for two months, things were looking good. Then the birds helped themselves to the entire crop.

I found this video while viewing many others on this topic. Italian chefs react to the most popular Aglio e Olio videos. No cheese, you heathens...;) I really like the rest of these Italia Squisita videos as well.

You're going to walk that tightrope with a circulator you can buy off the shelf at Target?

It seems to me that you are focusing quite a bit on the exact temperature of your bath as measured by various instruments, but are not talking about the results in terms of the resultant food. Is there a reason we should care about a 0.1-0.2 degree variance?

Unfortunately, those are sitting on the shelf right next to bullshit and idiocy, which are out-promoting and out-selling the former.

In my experience they'll operate like that for a bit, but then close for about a month to finish. But when they do open again they'll send out 25% off $40 or more coupons. 25% off ALDI prices is gold.

I was brought up on frugality despite a well-to-do background. So I like these sort of challenges. You don't have to be dirt poor spend your money intelligently. And if you do, you can find yourself with more choices in life. About 20-30 years ago I came up with a rule of thumb budget for meals - $1 for breakfast, $2 for lunch, and $3 for dinner. Originally that got us ribeye steaks a couple of times a week. Now they're chuckeyes, but that's really the only difference. A couple of Eggs and an English muffin (Thomas's - not a substitute) + butter costs me about 70 cents. I would never complain about that breakfast. Sure, it could be Eggs Benedict for 50 cents more, but it's not really necessary for everyday. That's where it becomes a chefly challenge because, while you may not be thinking about the food cost of your meal, your favorite chef certainly is.

Then it's a wonder it's not challenging Coca Cola or Pepsi Cola for market share. But I will say that it can be difficult to taste alternative sodas in America. So, thanks for your dedication.

23 minutes? Did we really need 23 minutes?

Well I guess we can forget wine snobs and craft beer embooziasts.

I think most would agree that blaming (or equating) other professions for problems in the one in focus, is not going to be persuasive. It smacks of deflection. Politicians would be the worst comparison -- At least we're not like them.

That bringing up Weinstein serves no purpose. And that it only invites comparisons to a number of recently disgraced high-profile chefs.

And you have?

So anyway, back to the topic (sorry)... I recently perfected a dish that I wish I could have many years ago. But I don't think I could have without all of the various mistakes I've made over the years while experimenting. I don't know if one can become a good cook just by repeating. Even if that will be the ultimate goal.

It seems to me that there are two ways to go. First, a compendium of simple recipes (say, The Joy of Cooking), or something that will actually teach them the whys and wherefores. For the latter I would suggest Alton Brown's I'm Only Here For the Food. His few pages on roasting meat (for example) and how the heat actually penetrates will automatically make you a better cook if that's something you didn't already know. It all depends on whether you think the recipient will sit down and read the book, or simply use it as a reference when the need arises.

You can make $12/hr working as a McDonald's shift manager in Indiana. How can anyone survive in NYC on that? Why would you take that job? I get the resume enhancing angle, but when does that pay off?

No, I think we may be in agreement. I think the relevant point is whether Ts in the hand written recipe refers to teaspoons or tablespoons. Teaspoons would mean only 10% salt by weight - which seems more plausible. That said, it also occurred to me that this whole "11 secret herbs and spices" deal is probably the biggest marketing red herring of the modern age. If KFC - at any time in their history (because I think KFC used to be better back in the day) - left out any, say, two of the herbs, nobody would ever notice.

I think that's about 30% salt by weight (nearly 4 TB) when added to 2 cups of flour.