bloviatrix

Tonight we're having: Borscht (first time making it) Poached Salmon Tomato Tart in a Basil-Garlic Crust Green and Yellow Beans in a Basil Dressing Bread Pudding Lemon Verbena infused iced tea

Kristin, What fabulous presentation. It looks gorgeous.

My husband does that. Several years ago he bought me the waffle maker he desparately wanted. For, me it depends on the item. Small kitchen toys I run out and buy without a thought. Big purchases I tend to mull over. Plus, I have to get my husband accustomed to the idea that I'm bringing more stuff into our already over-stuffed apartment. Books are in a category of its own. If it's something I've read about and want urgently, I go out and buy it. If it's something that I stumble upon and am intrigued by, I buy it and sneak it into the house (of course, my husband figures it out when the credit card statements come in), and for those that I want but can wait on - I keep a list and my husband gets me a bunch of books for chanukah. For the most part, I'm all about instant gratification.

Because I keep kosher, I have never eaten McD's, BK, Taco Bell, etc. But, maybe twice a year I hit Kosher Deluxe for a burger (they're not big on creative names). They're pretty awful. But the fries are ok.

The First law of space: The amount of crap one accumulates is in direct relationship with the amount of space one has. You'll be back up to 200 cookbooks in no time.

It seems I'm becoming a regular at 97th street. Lemon verbena Dill Beets Scallions Green Leaf Lettuce Butter Lettuce Sugar Plums Green and Yellow Beans A loaf of Pugliese

oh my god that sounds incredible!!! but seriously, you're usually stoned when you make this sandwich, yes? Contrary to popular belief, I have never gotten stoned. . . . intentionally . Stinckin' ass drunk is another story. Considering how incompetant my father is in the kitchen (he can boil water, but that's about all) he'll be thrilled to know that he's made a positive contribution to the food world.

If you're concerned that people won't eat the falafel because it's lacking meat/chicken, you might want to serve shawarma as well. It's marinated pressed lamb (ideal) or beef that's done on a rotisserie and served either in a pita or as part of platter with "salad" - diced cucumbers and tomatoes, tehina, hummus, and sometimes the falafel balls. Oh, and as part of the toppings to place on top of the falafel - don't forget the spicy pickles.

A question for the ages....What is it about jews and pigs in blankets?

I find my mouth watering as I read these sandwiches. Others that come to mind: Left-over braised brisket on challah Peanut butter on rye toast (with the peanut butter being all melty) with chilled iceberg lettuce. My dad would make this when I was a kid and it was so good. I loved the warm, gooey peanut butter with the cold, crisp lettuce as a counterpoint. My husband makes fun of me when I make this sandwich. He doesn't get the appeal of PB and lettuce.

My in-laws bring empty jugs with them to fill up with NYC tap water when they come to visit. And they live just across the river in Jersey.

I grew up hating beets with such a passion. My parents loved borscht and ate it frequently and of course my mom would always try to get me to eat it. Although I loved the color produced by combining the borscht and sour cream, I just hated the taste and had to make a meal out of boiled potatoes. My husband tells a similar story, only his parents ate boiled beets. Anyway, three years ago we were in London and one of the restaurants we ate at served a beet and granny smith apple salad that was amazing. The earthiness of the beets (or should I say dirt?) and the tartness of the apples was a great combination. So, Blovie and I looked at each other amazed - who knew a beet could taste so good? Since that trip, we've decided to "embrace" the beet. I like roasting them or combined with the granny smith apple and a tangy lemon mayonnaise. And I've decided that this summer I going to make borscht for the first time - it's time I get over my childhood disgust.

According to my herb guy at the greenmarket, lemon verbena is great infused in lemonade. I'm going to try it this coming weekend.

Well, this thread inspired me. I had a big bunch of mint and lots of lemons so I made some mint-infused lemonade. It was extremely refreshing. City Bakery is selling Farmer's Lemonade which is lemonade with heavy cream in it. Has anybody tried this? I'm wondering whether it's worth trying.

Tonight it's pan-roasted sea bass with charmoula and a 2 bean salad. Maybe some chilled melon for dessert.

It's a toss-up between corned beef on rye with mustard or whitefish salad on an onion bagel. Sable on an onion roll with lettuce is pretty good too. I like my smelly fishes.

I don't recall eating anything at my wedding, although I was told the food was quite good. The morning after we had jewish soul food - bagels, cream cheese, lox and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Glad you enjoyed. Sounds like you had a perfect summer meal.

There may be one good thing that comes out of this show - it will be a reflection of how much work goes into running a restaurant, that it is in no way glamorous -- it's hot, exhausting, demanding, and tiring work. It used to be that everyone had the fantasy that they would open a quaint B&B in the country. Now, it's to open a restaurant. If this show shatters the unrealistic dreams of some people, it will have done its job.

Did anyone else notice that on the day the restaurant was to open, as the building manager departed the premises he was carrying a what looked like a doggy-bag?

Leftovers are a beautiful thing. Flaked up the remaining salmon, boiled up some penne and heated up the remaining sauce. Not bad.

E-gullet road trip, perhaps?

Tonight we're having: Salmon poached in a tomato-cumin cream sauce Sweet potato salad Roasted corn salad White raspberries and Queen Ann cherries for dessert To drink a choice of Mint Lemonade or Chenin Blanc.

I'm a greenmarket slut. I went to Union Square this afternoon. That makes 3 markets in 25 hours. I bought: Shelling peas basil

Yesterday the Columbia greenmarket (w.116th & B'way) was pathetic. There was only one vendor there. I came home with a spearmint plant. Today at 97th street: Another huge bunch of spearmint red leaf lettuce scallions white raspberries Queen Ann cherries orange cherry tomatoes - the first I've bought this season!! rosemary focaccia challah I might head down to Union Square later.