TicTac

@KennethT - Indian mangoes this year have been disappointing (as are the prices - $40-60/case!!!) Was told by a friend to check out the Colombian Sugar mangoes - they are small (think hardball size) but pack an unreal floral aroma and taste. Not fibrous, delicious - and at $2 a piece, somewhat reasonable....?!

Are they sunfish? Hard to tell from the pics - but if so, they are HUGE!!! Never knew they were good eating, always was told they were just full of bones (probably the old folks way of getting me to throw em back and save more for themselves!) 😛

Interesting - thanks! Will have to check this out further. For tonight at least, its leftover yogurt containers, large sturdy paper bags and bubble wrap (for those in cages) And they thought it could not get any weirder!

Well evidently the new queen of 'maters has shown up! Impressive selection. How much space do you have to grow on? We ended up planting yesterday, it was 27 and I couldn't help myself (plus the seedlings were getting root bound and after one transplant already, I was not about to do another to get a few more days of sun hardening) so I took the risk, will cover overnight with yogurt containers, paper bags, etc.

Yah.... @Shelby's garden would eat up these little seedlings of mine... Totally envious and not ashamed to admit it! With crappy city soil we went with some cloth bags. These ones are made out of recycled plastic water bottles and drain really nicely. First day of hardening under the real thing!

I have no doubt they will go beyond French; how far they venture outside of the core however, proves to be seen. Quite frankly, it will be their loss (and certainly not offering a full picture of 'our' offerings) if they do not venture in every direction to see the amazing diversity our unique population has to offer.

Not the worst thing in the world. Just make sure you have some good munchies on hand

They ship them here to Ontario live, and while I am sure shipping impacts the price (especially these days), I know first hand that spot prawn prices have gone up in BC as well. Everything is more expensive these days, sadly. Never bought crab meat, but that does sound spendy. Though At $20-30/lb for a live beast, one would only contain what, 1/4 to 1/8 of a lb of meat per? Plus the labor...makes sense.

Clearly you have not seen the prices of BC Spot Prawns! I recall years back seeing them for $17/lb (CDN) and in the last couple of years, $25-40/lb!!!

Sounds logical. But then again, if you can maintain a low enough temp in the Weber/smoker - you should not need to SV - you should even be able to achieve moist white meat (just brine ahead of time, if you are especially concerned).

Looks great. Send our best to @Anna N - please/thank you!

You have ventured down a deep.....DEEP rabbit hole, my friend. Though a truly enjoyable and rewarding one, no doubt! How long did you smoke them for at that temp? I do not have a smoker, but a Weber charcoal grill (who knows how to smoke like a chimney!) - did 2 racks on the weekend, at about 2.5hr right around 250-275 and they came out great. Used Argentinian hardwood. Always opt for the heaviest rack with the most fat. But yah, you certainly need some wireless thermometers, perhaps an infrared one, maybe some cherry, mesquite....oh and don't forget bourbon.

This is awesome, Norm. Now if only you posted a video of you sitting in one of those lowryders as it was bumping up and down!

@cdh is a great resource. He gave me some great advice early in my tea exploration days. I have found I really enjoy various white teas - some of them have the most unreal floral aroma and tastes (and they are super healthy!) The other thing to experiment with is the time you 'brew' your tea leaves for, traditionally in China they enjoy each various steep of the tea (as quick as 3-5 seconds!) for its own unique properties and at times can get 5+ servings out of a few grams of leaves! Enjoy the rabbit hole. It is a deep one. Oh, and beware of Pu'erh - shit ran through me like a locomotive!

Linguini Carbonara'esque Regardless WHAT you dub it, it looks (and sounds) delicious!

No one is perfect! The Pea's while delicious on their own, may not have been absolutely necessary, but I am sure it was a nice contrast in taste and texture. I would have thrown some crisp pancetta/bacon or something crunchy to elevate it a bit further - but the execution of @Dave R's looks spot on.

You have some serious skill. My guilty pleasure as of late has been watching 'Is it cake?' on Netflix, after my wife passes out in bed. The quality you are producing is right up there with some of those folks (though my guy Andrew the Green is next level unreal)!

Cook on the rice is certainly a personal preference. I remember in various parts of Italy it was always slightly different (I am sure the varietal of rice used also played into this somewhat). I prefer it with with a tiny bite in the center of the grain, but not much. As you said, the liquid topic is directly related to the last addition of liquid (I bet a parm infused chicken stock would really work nice here) and how much it is let to cook off, along with the amount of resting time. To me there is a very fine line in this topic. It should not be soupy, but also, should be wet enough that you see a glistening creamy liquid around the edge. Cooking risotto without much agitation!? Blasphemous! Sounds like baked rice to me!

Overdone or not done enough? From looks alone, it screams for more liquid. Interesting flavour combo, though.

Sorry, NY = New Years - I should have extrapolated that a bit further. This is a usual type spread for us during the aforementioned festivity.

My wife requested a NY type dinner for her birthday to eat in front of the tv with the kids - and who am I to argue with birthday wishes?! with a killer white

Real Sriracha?

Well, it's I who will be doing the waiting (chances are you have already had your dinner!). This is just a tease

Does it still count as dinner if it it only to be consumed in 6’ish hours?! paneer/pea/almond curry excuse the mess - action shot!

Just made this with some fresh mandarins I had on hand, absolutely delicious! Great idea, would have never thought of citrus and tonic water (though it makes sense given how nicely limes work in G&T's!)