Maison Rustique

What a marvelous book! Regardless of value, it would be wonderful to have in a collection.

Yes, am certain this is the case. Ours is hidden under the oven floor as well, which is why I didn't realize it was burned out.

I'd never heard of it. I just checked it out on Amazon and see that the newer version is not nearly as good as the old one. Darn!

It shouldn't be more than 10 minutes. Ours is only a couple of years old or so, but it started taking longer and longer to heat up, then just wouldn't ever reach the desired temp. Turned out that the bottom heating element was burned out and had to be replaced.

I often hold meetings in small local coffee shops. If someone shows for the meeting and walks in with their own drink (you'd be amazed how often this happens!), I ask them to please patronize the business that is allowing us to meet there. If they act like they can't afford to buy something, I buy it for them. And since the places are small, I try to pay attention to other customers and make sure we don't take up too much space that others have no place to sit. You just need to use common sense and open your eyes.

Steve, in your video I see you handling the pot with bare hands. It doesn't get hot? I haven't broken mine in yet (still have the glass-top electric thing to deal with and no diffuser yet), but was assuming it would be hot to pick up by the handles.

We recently went to a sparkling wine tasting. There was not a dinner, but lots of appetizers. The couple sitting behind us brought their young child--maybe about 4. He was bored, kept trying to talk over the wine presenter, etc. I kept turning around and glaring at the couple. What on earth goes through someone's head to bring a child to a wine tasting? If the sitter backed out at the last minute, they should have cancelled!

I got a Rancho Gordo clay pot!!

I got one for Christmas--so excited!!!

I thought the pecan pie filling in a jar sounded like it might make a good ice cream topping. :-)

I get this also, but I notice it most when I peel/prepare certain vegetables like potatoes, onions, etc. Must be something in the starch. I do have some other sensitivities to ingredients in various treatments like Vaseline, Bag Balm, etc. I use surgical gloves if I will be doing a lot (like holiday cooking), but I have discovered a hand cream that really helps. And very affordable. I can even buy it at the supermarket. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Hand Cream: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod10711261&skuId=2277204&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000178102

I got an Electrolux double wall oven when we lived in California. I still miss it. It was fantastic!

Went to Club 33 a couple of times many, many years ago. Once was a party held by one of the media companies and after dinner, we had free and private access to the park. It was a great initiation to living/working in So. Calif. Agree on Napa Rose, though I haven't been there in ages either. There used to be another very nice restaurant in a hotel around there, but I can't come up with the name and it is probably gone now anyway.

Happy to hear about the naan! I think their frozen naan is generally very good. I'm overdue for a trip out there, so will add that to the list.

I really like Cook'n software. http://www.dvo.com/

My anniversary came and went--didn't realize. July 10, 2003!

Jason, I hope you will be back with more re-formulated recipes!

I won the bag raffle once years ago--at that time it was a $25 gift card.

Since products at Trader Joe's come and go, I'd start reading this thread from most recent to older. That way, you're most apt to find the products mentioned. Have fun!!

The preserved lemons are very good--be sure to rinse them to reduce the saltiness a bit. I served them with grilled swordfish steaks that I'd rubbed with Moroccan spices. They were delicious!!

Very sad news. Many condolences to all her family and friends.

I bought the red palm oil, too. AND, the preserved lemons. I served the lemons with grilled swordfish with moroccan spice rub and similarly-spiced veggies with couscous. Everyone loved the lemons! I used red palm oil in the veggies (eggplant, tomatoes, onions & ??) and I guess because of the tagine sauce I used with them, couldn't really taste the oil. It's certainly colorful! :-) Edited to add that now that I know the oil is supposed to help make me thin, I'll be eating a spoonful daily!

I wish I'd gotten a couple of them!

Eating a piece of this right now on Easter morning and it is delicious! http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/classic-colomba-di-pasqua

Thank goodness I don't have time to get out there to TJ's for a while. Maybe they won't have them any more by the time I get there. If only they were 3 calories!!