[Favorite Cookie That's Not Homemade?]

Trader Joe's Triple Ginger Gingersnaps. Also a fan of their Jo-Jo's (is that what they're called?), especially the peppermint ones around the Christmas holidays.

 

Also a fan of the orange or mint Milanos and a sucker for Nabisco Nilla Wafers.

 

(Note all the above must be consumed with a large glass of very cold milk.)

[The Tater Tot Topic]

I'm a fan of the potato, and tater tots are one of my favorite preparations. At home I bake them until they're very well done - usually flipping about halfway through the cooking time to ensure adequate crispiness. Favorite dipping options include Best Foods, Best Foods with a bit of Heinz ketchup, and homemade aioli.

 

A local small chain (though it's growing rather fast), called the Dog Haus, makes their tater tots in house - those are fried and pure deliciousness.

 

I enjoy tots for dinner, as a base for sauteed spinach and poached eggs; as a snack at any time during the day; and as a side for veggie burgers or veggie sausages. Years ago I had a friend make the mentioned-upthread "Tater Tot Casserole" - it didn't work for my preferences, as the bottom of the tater tots were soggy and dissolved into the casserole filling. However, I am thinking about (once fall arrives in southern California) making the "inners" for a vegetable pot pie (basically whatever vegetables strike my fancy at that moment, with a mushroom cream sauce) and ladeling that over some crispy tots.

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Hello ElsieDee and welcome to eGullet.

 

First time I have ever heard of malt vinegar on French Fries being associated with being in Canada (or Brantford for that matter).  We are Ontarians living on the outskirts of another Brantford-like town.  And we do have a terrific chip wagon...the Hippy Dippy Chipwagon..clever name...???...but scrumptious fries and so generous.  And we NEVER use malt vinegar.

 

Thank you for the warm welcome, Darienne. The addition of malt vinegar was a revelation to me - I was raised in a very rural area of Northern California, with a mother from the midwest (yep, lots of Cream of Mushroom soup casseroles!) who was also somewhat of a healthfood person (so nothing fried, no sweets - it was a weird set of food rules, to be honest). She's come a long way in her cooking - and eating - practices, as have I.

 

What do you put on your chips / fries, may I ask?

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Welcome Elsie

 

We have a spot for you on the ON boards already warm

Hello TicTac -

 

Sadly, I don't know much about dining in Ontario, though my former partner is from Guelph. When we'd go visit his family we always had to make a stop (er, possibly several stops, if we're being honest) at a Brantford Chip Truck. First time I'd had malt vinegar on fries - I became an immedfiate convert (though a good aioli is still my first choice). On the other hand, I do enjoy reading about the foods and traditions of different areas and regularly read the Toronto board on Chowhound.

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Welcome ElsieDee!  

Wade right in and don't be hesitant about posting questions, answers, suggestions, noteworthy "news" about restaurants, food trucks (I envy you living down below where there are actually some diverse ethnic foods available in these "moving sources of deliciousness."  (I live in Lancaster and it is a long trek to the place where the wild food trucks roam.)

Hello, andiesenji -

 

I've friends out in the Antelope Valley; they say there is good food to be found, but they're not terribly picky, either. I need to pick their brains for recommendations, I think. Do the wild food trucks roam anywhere in Palmdale? I'd think, with Edwards being there, you'd have some decent taco trucks. Or maybe not.

 

I'm in Pasadena - great access to the bounties of the SGV and we're enjoying exploring those offerings.

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Hi!!!! Good to see you've found a new home(as have I.)

 

Well hello there, Chimayo Joe! Glad to see you here

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Thank you, Smithy. I have to admit I stole the "opportunistic vegetarian" line from an acquaintance, who introduced himself as an "opportunistic vegan." I thought it was a great turn of phrase and it's fairly appropriate for my eating preferences.

[Finally Joined - Hello!]

Hi -

 

I'm one of the Chowhound refugees. I've been reading eGullet for years, but never joined - shame on me! I'm looking forward to now not just exploring the depth of knowledge shared by the community, but contributing where I might have something helpful to add.

 

As for food, I love it, plain and simple. From the higher-end, multi-course meals to the bowl of Cream of Wheat I had for dinner last night, food not only feeds my body but also my soul. I love tinkering in the kitchen, but am not particularly accomplished ("competent" is probably the best descriptor), and don't mind cleaning up as I go...but I hate washing dishes after a meal is finished.

 

My eating preferences are best described as being an opportunistic vegetarian. I rarely eat shellfish, though I do get the odd hankering for crab and shrimp every now and then. However, I have no skill when it comes to cooking shellfish (I need to explore some of the threads on those topics). While others choose vegetarian for health reasons, I have little interest in "eating healthy" and happily consume junk food - or really good, unhealthy foods brimming with luscious fats and other delightful ingredients.

 

I live in the Los Angeles area, and revel in the amazing restaurant and market options the region offers.

 

Thank you for allowing me to become part of the eGullet community; I am honored to be here.

 

Laura