nerissa

I have only seen Sara Moulton's "Sara's Secrets" which I think is abominable. She talks down too much. Also, I cannot respect anyone who used mayonaisse (sp?) frequently. Love Molto Mario. Rachel Ray's 30 minute meal show is a brain fart. But, I can appreciate the fact that she is trying to demystify cooking for the novices. I know people have been talking about $40 a day show and how you should pay more...all she does is go to the tourist spots. Totally annoying show. I saw the Barefoot Contessa recently. I really like her. I wouldn't try must of her recipes, but she seems to be a natural. The only reason to watch the Paula show is to see glimpses of her black lab.

Actually, I have found what tighe said about Donna Hay's books being a great starter for food-phobic friends to be true also. In my case, my sister is cooking-phobic but now has a boyfriend, and the two lovebirds are into cooking. I gave her a Donna Hay to begin with--Ms. Hay has suggestions on how to stock your pantry for last minute cooking. A no-brainer I would assume for egulleters, but having a well-stocked fridge and pantry is half the battle.

I know the place. I heard it closed in December. Does anyone know this to be true? Other Chicago mentions: The Cove (in Hyde Park). Dirty old man bar. $4 pitchers of MGD. If you order Heinken, the spout produces MGD. Iused to order drinks there in my under-age days where you automatically got 2 glasses because the very old bartender insisted on doing everything in the blender. Jimmys Woodlawn Tap use to be more of a dive before a slight trixieifcation. Still, people keep coming back for the burgers and fries. People from the neighborhood, professors, grad students. Stodgy bartenders. Anyone here remember the Tiki Hut in HP. Ultimate dive bar where the waitresaurus serve you food as the hack into it. Frequent fights among the patrons roll into the street on Sat. night. Ahh, college. Now, I head for the bars with better beer. NYC: The Night Cafe near Columbia. DC: The Fox and Hound, The Big Hunt (be careful- can be very yuppified)

I have been to 3 CostCo locations in the chicago area. I have found Cuisnart copper pots, Caphalon Commerical pots for excellent deals. My friends and I are pratically evangelical when it comes to Cost-Co. Great deals on champers and wine. Also can buy hard liquor in the chicago stores.

I grew up in Charleston, SC; when I was a child, my grandparents had a formal 2 pm dinner every day. It usually was an okra gumbo, rice and/or shrimp. My family hasn't carried on the tradition of having your biggest meal in the day- sort of difficult without the luxuries afforded to my grandparents. I like to start cooking around 5 or 6 to eat around 7. If it is too early, I tend to snack which shows up on the waistline. And if we end up eating late at home (different if we are going out), I will eat every piece of bread in sight.

I used to live down the street from the original P street (great for takeout) and I dragged my parents after a Christmas party to the new location on M street when I was in town over the holidays. I really miss Paradiso. I had been wondering the same thing after hearing about the 2nd location. Besides a full service bar and a different crowd (it is M st, afterall) I didn't notice any changes. The pizza was still wonderful.

I live in Chicago now and my boyfriend and I go to Udupi Palace at least once a month. Really authentic (according to bf and his family) I prefer South Indian food to north, but I also like Tiffin. Always great service. In DC, I adore Amma's Vegetarian Kitchen in Gtown on M around 31st/32nd. When my boyfriend and I lived in DC, going there on Saturday afternoon was a good substitution for my boyfriend's mother's food. I haven't been there in a while but the waiters came to know us and treated us royally. Had uneven service when it was packed but despite it all, never stopped us from returning. Over Christmas, I saw that Aditya, Amma's sister restaurant on M also had closed. Never went there; heard mixed reviews. Bf and I went to Aroma occasionally- I would have to agree with Monica-it was okay. Re Lebanese Taverna in DC/Woodley Park. Had a great meal; also sat next to Bob Kerrey and another senator I didn't recognize.

Re: burrito places in DC. The name escapes me, but it is on an alleyway off 19th (or is it 20th) between M and N. I used to go there when I worked on M. (I lived in Du Pont and now live in Chicago) Does anyone else know what I am talking about? I found the food too heavy for lunch--assuming I wanted to work competently and not pass out in my cubicle.

New member. Wise member. New wise member. Welcome Thanks. Especially for braving all the flack for disliking beets and meeting the challenge.

I was wondering what people think about Donna Hay, the Aussie who has produced beautiful, well-stylized cookbooks built on themes like: "New Food Fast"-cooking from your pantry, divided by how much time a recipe takes "Off the Shelf"-sort of a primer built around cuisines, i.e. Mediterranean, Asian "Flavors"-exactly that I have the first two, and I wish I hadn't bought "Off the Shelf." More style than substance. She doesn't inspire me, but for those desparation dinners when my brain is fried from a long day, I am glad to have her books around.

Like Kim, I am also not a fan of beets. Maggie's post below gives me further ground to avoid them. Love the greens in salad, though. Still I always have celery around to make any sort of psuedo Mario Batali dish. I am late to this game on favorite vegetables. But, here goes: Arugula (Steve Martin: "Its a vegetable" (Uncooked) Parnsips Summer tomatoes (especially homegrown ones eaten at the DuPont market witih salt) Asparagus (of course) Swiss chard-anyway- great with garlic oil; Kale- great in soups or sauteed with ginger Okra (especially fried) Fresh corn with lime and chili powder

A risotto inspired from Chez Panisse Cooking by Paul Bertolli. I have made this with both leftover roast turkey using turkey stock and proscuitto di parma. EEOV Saffron Shallot A cup of Arborio 4 cups + Stock of some sort Proscuitto (or turkey or whatevery you have in the fridge) Swiss chard parmesan di reggiano to add when its done (optional) Pretty simple but a quick way to wow last minute dinner guests.