lindag

When I was working in an office with about 30 people in my particular department nothing struck terror in my heart more than the word "potluck"! Egad, what dreadful concoctions people could come up with. And, do I really want to eat something that that person made? Examples: One woman had admitted that she had slugs in her kitchen???? Acckkkkkkkkk! One obnoxious yutz invariably showed up (if he brought anything) with an opened bag of partially consumed potato chips. One would bring dip - now I don't know about you, but I don't usually eat dip for lunch. Oh yeah, and the guy who brought the potato chips was the same one liked to eat as much as possible because, after all, it was free! A couple of people always showed up but forgot to bring a contribution. I stopped going to those things. A lot less aggravation.

Love potato chips with my sandwich. Favorite is Wavy Lay's Barbecue.

yeah, I use a timer when I make tea as it's just too easy to get distracted and forget. I use the Polder model #898 Timer/Clock/Stopwatch. Has a neck cord option and it's small and it's loud enough to hear at a distance. I have two because I use them so often. $15 at Amazon.

I caught a Michael Symon recipe on "The Chew" last week for Pad Thai. He used Tamarind. I'd NEVER be able to find this ingredient anywhere near where I live. Is it worth special ordering? Or is there some adequate substitute? Linda

PASTIES!!! When I was a kid growing up in the U.P. we actually had a food truck run by a bakery that went up to the ski area and sold pasties. What a wonderful memory! I pretty much have to make my own now.

I concur. Buy the Kuhn Rikon. Wait til you can afford it. You'll never be sorry and you'll never have to replace it.

BLTCO: bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion. The bread's gotta be sourdough, though.

Cooks Illustrated did a review of meat grinders in May of last year. You might check their website if you have access. They top-rated the Waring Pro but did not compare the STX. From the looks of both, I think you're on the right track; good price, lots of accessories and very good ratings. Do you plan to grind your own beef or are more into making sausage?

I got my oreder of the Fever Tree Tonic today and tried it this evening...while I like it very much, to my taste I can't discern any difference from Schweppes, but that's just my taste. I won't re-order because it tastes the same to me. Your taste may vary.

I did not notice that with my shipment. Since I don't really like this stuff and will never use it, I'd be happy to send my 3.75 bottles to someone for the cost of shipping. Contact me.

I have graduated to the stemless wineglasses. Mine are Reidel and have been extremely durable, haven't lost a single one in two years. Love that they're so much more stable in the d/w.

I have a bunch of the various sizes of the Pyrex and Anchor Hocking measurers. One of my older models has the red markings mostly worn off. One of the Pyrex 2-cups has a cloudy circle that's developed in the base...WTF? I do NOT like the Oxo style, accuracy is what I'm after and I don't think I get it and I DON'T want a plastic measure, it's not stable enough and can't go in the m/w. I'll be looking to pick up a backup for the classic type Pyrex next time I'm at the store.

To begin with, I love the taste of the regular Schweppes-like tonic water. I'll even drink it straight, I love the 'bite' that it has. That's probably why I don't care for John's. It has an off-taste for me; something medicine-like. I mixed my drink as the container directed, going a little heavy on the Tanqueray.

I have to say that after watching this show since its debut that I have a whole new respect for Matio Batali. I used to think that he was just a fat buffoon who was overly impressed with himself. Now I realize that he's quite a decent guy. And then there's Clinton, I can't get enough of him...he's the guy I'd love to go out drinking with.

My order of John's Tonic syrup arrived in yesterday's mail. I was so eager to try it, I love a good gin & tonic. Disappointed, to say the least. Just not my idea of what tonic should taste like. I'll stick with Schweppes.

I bought a Rosle cocktail spoon a couple years ago that is a thing of beauty. I'm glad I got it then because it's out of stock now and they may not be making it any longer.

I have the Beater Blade as well. I am not a big user of if as I seldom make cakes. The times that I have used it I found that it worked exceptionally better than the standard beater in clearing the bowl. It is considerably harder to clean however but still worth the extra effort.

In the June 2012 issue of Cooks Illustrated is the result of their taste test of mayo. Their winner was Blue Plate (only available in the South and Southeast - I've never seen it or tried it). Their second choice was the previous winner, Best Foods/Hellman's.

I have a 5 QT. Lift bowl KA made by Hobart that I bought about 1980 and it's just like new. When I was heavily into bread-making I bought an Electrolux as well and considered selling the KA. I am SO glad that I didn't. I never use the Electrolux anymore as my breadmaking needs are much different now and I'm making just one loaf at a time, in fact, I quite often mix my bread doughs in my Zo bread machine, then bake in the oven since it's much simpler that way with a lot less clean-up.

Telll us more a about this.

In Oregon, Washington and MT we have Papa Murphy's take and bake as well. Don't know how widespread the chain is though. It is the best pizza available; I've been going there for years and have yet to get a pizza that wasn't great (for a take-out style pizza). I like to try their different varieties and have always been pleased with what I've got.

I haven't tried the KFC pot pie yet since I really never go there anymore and it's just not on my travel route.. I used to enjoy their chicken, however, but it HAD to be pretty fresh. I think the issue mostly is that the franchises just don't do as much business as they used to and the chicken sits around a long time and loses it crispiness and flavor. That said, if you want a really big, awful pot pie, try Costco. I can't believe that for a company that produces some of the best prepared food around that they can't come up with something a whole lot better than this. Linda

I was a kid in the 50's as well and Jello was really quite good; it was something kinda new and different and there was precious little in the way of dessert offerings for kids in those days, everything had to be made from scratch by Mom. And, it JIGGLED!!!!

Edward, I just hope you haven't touched off a war with this guy. He could turn out to be a real psycho. Linda

I have the Zojirushi NP-HBC10 5-1/2-Cup Rice Cooker and Warmer with Induction Heating System, Stainless Steel which I purchased about three years ago...I totally love it. It cooks every type rice there is flawlessly.