Margaret Pilgrim

We have an Italian friend who has repeatedly tried to teach us to make wine vinegar. I can't seem to get across to him that we just don't have the necessary product.

I can't speak to Costso's possible use of dairy cattle, but FWIW, both in Europe (started in Spain with retired farm oxen) and from premium beef suppliers, male dairy breeds are chosen and raised for their superior beef. See Flannery Beef. I have no idea how this compares to or is even similar to Costco prime beef.

Ii would put money that if each of here measured out a cup and a half of strawberries we would have as many different weights. Berry size, whole or cut up, god forbid mashed, even measuring tool. May as well say two handfulls or...

Back when I was a mere infant, I was at a business dinner at the Colony in NYC. I ordered cherry stones. I found it difficult to eat them and converse at the same time. My boss looked over at me with the silent but unmistakable message, "You ordered them; you EAT them." I' doubt that the other company heads noticed our mute communication or my discomfort, since I expediently dispatched the remainders. Should have ordered oysters. Have never ordered cherry stones out since.

Amen, Sister!

I would freeze them. I have little luck holding pepper products in the fridge for over a week. Just today I tossed a jar of green chilii sauce that was 80% full and about a week old.

Sounds like our house. "What is this?" "I don't know. It's yours." "No way! Never seen it before in my life."

I sometimes have that problem with new shoes that are mysteriously too tight albeit my normal size.

It all depends on the span of generations. My grandfather fought in the (American) Civil War. He didn't have my father until late in life. My father didn't have me until he was almost 50. So my SON, now in his 50s, can even point to a grandfather born in the 1800s.

D-i-l texted me to say that number one grand-daughter and Dad were going on a class camping trip this weekend and could I think up something special for the younger twin siblings left behind. She said she had set up dual play dates for the morning but what about lunch and a treat. So we came up with a lavish array of dim sum take out followed by banana splits. The twins were ecstatic. They had never heard of much less seen a banana split. And desserts are rationed in their household. I figures this had enough fruit to be moderately healthful. Halved bananas, vanilla, strawberry and chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce, crushed fresh strawberries, whipped cream. In the backyard. A joyous afternoon. What spur of the moment outrageous concoctions has your family enjoyed?

Thanks for this! I checked out Jane Segal's book and literally want to eat every plate in that book!

Or pop up in underused venue?

All good thoughts that you are approaching hail and hearty!

This is the confession cubicle, no? Husband brought home some microwave “movie popcorn” . Later, we were paying our tab at Amphora Nuevo in San Anselmo, and I absently dipped my paw into their (pre Covid) bowl of truffled popcorn. I hate truffle salt and oil but this, their proprietary product, is OMG delicious. So of course add both to our staggering bill. Fast forward to our first post lockdown dinner and I was looking for a stress free cocktail bit. Guests’ first reaction was amusement over such a simple and retro bite, then their first samples turning to gay abandon as they stuffed their faces and emptied the bowl. We replayed this twice with different groups with the same reaction. Heartily recommend.

I LOVE Oaktown Spice! We use the Solano Avenue branch. As I remember, Food and Wine named them the or one of the best spice dealers in the US. And, yes, I love being able to buy the sachets of product rather than bottled, not least saving a dollar or so. I found that the half-cup in the sachet filled two normal spice bottles. Ad, yes, Lundgrens are excellent rices.

Totally agree. Ii am put off by possibility of contamination and loss of fragrance/flavor when exposed to open air. Many spice markets offer bins of spices from which you fill a bag. Charming but off-putting to me. There is enough bulk transport of product before it is packaged for sale. I avoid it at retail.

Brilliant!

So I might describe them as lacking the astringency of capers and are not cured in vinegar. As you wrote, only seaweed flavor as usually sourced.

I did.

I quite got that, having read that portion of your post. My question regarded their flavor, other than sea, seaweed, etc. I am familiar with seabeans and how they can be cured and therefore distinctively flavored.

Took me to wakame or similar, but thanks. Heidi answered the question.

Maybe use words The immediate antecedent was seagrapes. Your link takes me to references, pther than seagrapes. Help? i.e., what is their flavor profile?

Is their effect somewhat like capers?

But what is the sweet little machine you bought to replace it? Is it now chopped liver?

In the larger scheme of things, a balanced diet is probably better medicine than taking the large quantities of a single food source necessary for medicinal affect. If your diet includes normal intake on a very regular basis, there may be some small benefit. These thoughts are from my "mental notebook", totally my own take.