Really Nice!

Yup, and after that pat it dry with paper towels.

It's funny you use this example because as I was reading I was going to use it. I love taking that little bottle of 10-year old balsamic and reducing it to 1/3 its original volume. Talk about complexity of flavors! Regarding meat and fish. I'm always hesitant on purchasing prepackaged meat and fish; especially when the store doesn't have a meat or fish department. Although with their prices, I wouldn't hesitate to purchase duck there should they ever decide to bring it back.

Yup! Too much soaking liquid in the sauce. It probably tasted a little tannic too.

A free-trade fight over wine. Let the Wine Flow Wine case tests state protectionism. Laws on shipping wine hurt producers, buyers. and many more...

The same goes for cookbooks. When I scan through cookbooks, the more adjectives and adverbs I see the sooner I put the book back on the shelf.

Frida's in Bothell is the best Mexican cuisine I can find on the eastside. With one beer and one margarita you can enjoy a great meal for under $40. 3226 132nd St. S.E. Bothell, WA 98012 Phone: 425-357-8606 Map. Seattle Times Review.

Well, heck! You know where the Pike Place Creamery is. It's about 15 feet behind it. BTW, it's about 1,060 sq. feet of retail space and rent is about $2,200 a month, just in case anyone is interested in a new venture.

It all has to do with the wine glut. I'm seeing prices slashed everywhere. Retail: Ristow 2000 for $34 Cinq Cepages 2000 for $48 Silver Oak Alexander Valley 2000 for $45 Granted, 2000 was a cousin to the 1998 vintage in Napa/Sonoma AVAs, but still... Then there's the 1997 Bordeaux being reduced at 40 percent off from our local distributor. All my favorite wine merchants are having huge sales on some very good names. The '97s won't last 20 years, but they'll be great drinking in four or five. There's a restaurant around the corner from me that had a 1/2 bottle of '94 d'Yquem for $110. It's simple economics. When you have excess inventory with new products being produced every year, you have to get the old product into the hands of the consumer; otherwise, start building wearhouses to hold all this excess, be patient, and pay the interest for tomorrow rather than collect the cash today. Not a good business plan. For the last four or five years the world has been over producing wine. In addition, the wine product of today is "better" than any time in history because the technology available can make a better product out of a poorer vintage. The demand for specific vintages isn't as great as it has been in the past. With your low- and mid-priced products, one year isn't that much different from another. Therefore, the overall demand for specific vintages drops. Over the past six month's I've seen momentum in price reductions increasing at the retail level and now it's starting to move over into the restaurant market. Yippie!

I never really liked their inventory. It always seemed like half the store was dedicated to one style of placeware. Anyway, it looks like everything is 25 percent off.

Stewart reportedly to do reality show for NBC. It will be produced by “Survivor” Svengali Mark Burnett. Specifics of the series are still murky, but sources said that it would have an elimination-style competition element along the lines of Burnett’s “Survivor” and “The Apprentice.” Sources said it would focus on many of the same topics as her previous “Martha Stewart Living” lifestyle/how-to show but would have a different style.

The link is in the second reply of this post.

1) Chateau Rieussec 2001 2) Casa Lapostelle Clos Apalta 2001 3) Numanthia Termes 2002 4) Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2000 5) Peter Michael Les Pavots 2001 6) Tenuta Dell’Ornellaia Toscana Masseto 2001 7) Lafite Rothschild 2001 8] Greg Norman Estates Shiraz SE Australia Reserve 1999 9) Chateau Suduiraut 2001 10) Fontodi Colli della Toscana Centrale Flaccianello 2001 11) Seghesio Zin Sonoma County 2002 12) Lewis Alec’s Blend 2002 13) Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne 1995 14) Staglin Rutherford Chardonnay 2002 15) Marchesi de Frescobaldi BdM Castelgiocondo 1999 16) Vina Almaviva Puente Alto 2001 17) Paul Hobbs Chardonnay RRV 2002 18] Chateau Souverain Chardonnay Sonoma County 2002 19) Ponzi PN WV 2002 20) Quinto do Vale Meao Duoro 2000 21) Glen Carlou Chardonnay Paarl 2002 22) Beringer Sbragia Charonnay Ltd. Release 2002 23) Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2001 24) Leeuwin Chardonnay Art Series 2001 25) Beaux Freres PN WV Beaux Freres Vyd. 2002 26) Concha Y Toro Don Melchor 2000 27) Elderton Command Shiraz 2000 28] Green Point Shiraz Victoria 2002 29) Castello Banfi BdM 1999 30) Columbia Crest CS Reserve 2001 31) Domaine Charvin CdP 2001 32) Viticcio Chianti Classico Riserva 2001 33) Cougar Crest Syrah WWV 2002 34) Araujo Sauvignon Blanc Eisele Vyd. 2002 35) Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fume La Porte de L’Abbaye 2002 36) Marques de Grinon Syrah Vino de Mesa de Toledo Dominio de Valdepusa 2001 37) Chateau Cos-D’Estournel St. Estephe 2001 38] Torbreck the Struie BV 2002 39) Siro Pacenti BdM 1999 40) Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 2000 41) Rosenblum Zin Paso Robles Richard Suaret Vyd. 2002 42) Worthy CS NV Sophie’s Cuvee 2001 43) Pago de Los Capellanes Ribera del Duoro Criznza 2001 44) Kim Crawford SB Marlborough 2004 45) Penfolds Shiraz BV RWT 2001 46) Pride CS Reserve 2001 47) Alban Syrah Edna Valley Reva 2001 48] Falset-Marca Montsant Castell de Falset 2000 49) Domaine Tempier Bandol 2001 50) Truchard Chardonnay NV Carneros 2002 51) Two Hands Shiraz McLaren Vale Angel’s Share 2003 52) Columbia Crest Merlot Grand Estates 2001 53) Bodegas Terrazas de Los Andes Malbec Mendoza Reserva 2002 54) San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico Cellole Riserva 2001 55) Columbia CS Yakima Valley Otis Vyd. David Lake Signature Series 1999 56) Paloma Merlot Spring Mountain District 2002 57) Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszu 5 Putoonyos 2000 58] Chateau Giscours Margaux 2001 59) Fairview Goat-Roti Western Cape 2002 60) Ca’Bianca Barolo 2000 61) Tamarack Firehouse Red Columbia Valley 2002 62) Williams Selyem PN RRV 2002 63) Sea Smoke Southing 2002 64) Castello di Querceto Chiati Classico Riserva 2000 65) Allegrini Verona Palazzo della Torre 2000 66) Domaines Schlumberger Riesling Alsace Les Princes Abbes 2000 67) Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Mendoza 2002 68] Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling CV Eroica 2003 69) Chateau Haut-Bages-Liberal Pauillac 2001 70) Van Duzer PN WV Estate 2002 71) Warwick Three Cape Ladies Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2001 72) Chateau Montus Mediran 2001 73) Wolf Blass Shiraz Barossa Gold Label 2002 74) Beuhler CS NV 2001 75) JJ Prum Riesling Kabinett MSR Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2002 76) Sebastiani Chardonnay Sonoma County Appelation selection 77) 2001 Bodegas Palacio Rioja Cosme Palacio y Hermanos 2001 78] Valentin Bianchi CS San Rafael Famiglia 2002 79) Chateau Langoa Barton St. Julien 2001 80) Chalone Syrah Chalone 2002 81) Josef Leitz Riesling Spatlese Rheingau Rudesheimer Magdalenekreuz 2002 82) Scala Dei Priorat Cartoixa Reserva 2000 83) La Chablisienne Chablis Premier Cru Grand Cuvee 2002 84) Waterbrook Melange CV 2003 85) Villa Mt. Eden Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vyd. Grand Reserve 2001 86) La Valentina Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2002 87) Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano 2000 88] Kanonkop Paul Sauer Simonsberg-Stellenbosch 2000 89) Inama Soave Classico 2000 90) Domaine Des Baumard Savennieres Clos de Paillon 2001 91) Lucien Crochet Sancerre La Chene 2002 92) Domaine du Pegau CdP Cuvee Reservee 2001 93) Rosemount Chardonnay Hunter Valley Show Reserve 2002 94) Cusumano Insolia-Chardonnay Sicilia Angimbe 2002 95) Peter Lehman Shiraz Baross 2002 96) Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina Sannio 2003 97) Gloria Ferrer Brut Sonoma County NV 98] Argyle PN WV 2002 99) Georges Duboeuf Moulin-a-Vent Domaine des Rosiers 2003 100)Acacia PN NV Carneros 2002

Yup! I have one and use it for those young, tannic californian cabs. It does the job quite well, but you can probably get the same results by decanting a bottle back and forth between another bottle three or four times.

Fenn Valley?

Washington's Walla Walla Valley wineries will open their doors this weekend to Holiday Barrel Tasting visitors. This is one of the most enjoyable events of the year, as the wineries dress up in holiday lights and wine lovers are in festive moods. About 50 wineries across the valley will be open for samples, food, entertainment and more. Wineries include: Abeja Amavi Cellars Ash Hollow Winery Basel Cellars Estate Winery Beresan Winery Bergevin Lane Vineyards Bodega Turner Bunchgrass Winery Buty Canoe Ridge Vineyard Cayuse Vineyards Chester-Kidder Winery College Cellars Colvin Vineyards Cougar Crest Winery Dunham Cellars Dusted Valley Vintners El Mirador Winery Five Star Cellars Forgeron Cellars Fort Walla Walla Cellars Glen Fiona Harlequin Wine Cellars Isenhower Cellars James Leigh Cellars K Vintners Latitude 46° N L'Ecole Nº 41 Leonetti Cellar Lowden Hills Winery Morrison Lane Nicholas Cole Cellars Northstar Winery Patit Creek Cellars Patrick M. Paul Vineyards Pepper Bridge Winery Poet's Leap Winery Reininger Winery Rulo Winery Russell Creek Winery Sapolil Cellars Saviah Cellars Seven Hills Winery Spring Valley Vineyard Stephenson Cellars SYZYGY Tamarack Cellars Three Rivers Winery Walla Walla Village Winery Walla Walla Vintners Waterbrook Whitman Cellars Woodward Canyon Winery Yellow Hawk Cellar Zerba Cellars

Personally, I'm against it. Something like this should be enjoyed for all it's worth--from beginning to end. But, if you must...

Really Nice! - Most of them use the creaming method. What did you have in mind? ← Okay, so you're following something along these lines: Measure all ingredients Sift dry ingredients together Combine liquids and fats Add liquids to dry ingredients Stir just until combined; batter will be lumpy And based on your initial post, it sounds like you know what you're doing, you just need assistance with the magi-strips. Don't know how much I can offer, but here's some things that might help or someone else can further expand upon. Why do they need to be even? Is it a portioning issue; i.e., the person getting the center cut gets the most for the dollar? How thick are the magi-strips? Do they recommend adjusting the oven temperature or cooking time? How old are the leavening ingredients? How much mixing are you doing? Here's some troubleshooting notes from culinary school that might help. Quickbread Troubleshooting Problem.................................Cause Soapy/bitter flavor.....................chemical leaveners not properly mixed or too much baking soda Elongated holes.........................overmixing or too much sugar Crust too thick.........................too much sugar or oven temperature too low Flat top with small peak................oven temperature too low Cracked, uneven top.....................oven temperature too high No rise; dense product..................old batter or damaged levening ingredients or overmixing

Neither have I, and before posting I did a search on Hopvine and there's only three posts in this forum that mention it. Anyone else been there? Any soup reviews? I took a look at the book's TOC and the topics look a bit intriguing.

Cheapest place I've seen with the widest selection is Cash and Carry.

Published November 9, 2004. This probably belongs in Food Media and News, but it's a local chef. "Chef Michael Congdon takes soup lovers from spring to winter with inspired combinations: Curried Avocado; Fuji Apple and Gorgonzola; and Cauliflower with Pancetta and Orange are just a few. He infuses even the basics (French Onion, Potato Leek, Minestrone) with his fresh, innovative style. Also included are recipes for accompanying sandwiches (Smoked Gouda and Marinated Artichoke), salads (Spring Fruit Salad with Wasabi Lime Vinaigrette), and desserts (Uber Brownies)."

Call it a hunch, but I don't think I'm his type and I know he's not mine! If you're looking for R&R and great food go to Yountville, California.

How are you mixing your batter? Are you using the biscuit method or the creaming method (aka muffin method)?

Short answer: Bordeaux had too much influence from the English. Napoleonic code dictates that each child has the right to inherit equally. Properly, the term applies to the entire body of French law, as contained in five codes dealing with civil, commercial, and criminal law, promulgated between 1804 and 1811. An initial draft completed in 1793, following the outbreak of the French Revolution, was a protest against the extreme diversity in the laws then in force in different parts of France. This draft was rejected by the National Convention, but finally the task of preparing another draft was entrusted in July 1800 to a commission consisting of the most eminent jurists of France. The new draft, with some conservative features, was completed in four months. It encountered considerable opposition before it was finally enacted. It was named in honor of Napoleon, emperor of France, who had participated in the formulation. Prior to the Revolution, French nobility and the Catholic Church were the major vineyard owners in Burgundy, but after the Revolution, vineyards were distributed among the populace. (Bordeaux once owned by the English was considered somehow less French, and was not really that affected by the Revolution.) France's Napoleonic Code, which requires all land to be equally divided among one's heirs, further fragmented each family's small vineyard holdings. The code follows the institutes of the Roman Corpus Juris Civilis in dividing civil law into personal status (e.g., marriage), property (e.g., easements), and the acquisition of property (e.g., wills), and it may be regarded as the first modern analogue to the Roman work. Not only was it applied by Napoleon to the territories under his control—N Italy, the Low Countries, and some of the German states—but it exerted a strong influence on Spain (and ultimately on the Latin American countries) and on all European countries except England. See also 1855: A History of the Bordeaux Classification

What have you read?

Welcome Daves! To me Dixies is like dinner theatre, I'm not really there for the food.