jlyn13's Profile

I think oaked whites are timeless and will always have their place. Like with all wines, they taste best when made by a capable winemaker who knows and takes pride in the craft. And there are some times when I really want an unoaked white - generally in the summer, when it is supercrazy hot outside. I think the ABC movement was a product of people burning out on Chard in general and oaked Chard in particular - but I never shunned oaked whites. Like with anything, variety is the spice of life. Drink oaked whites when you want them, unoaked whites when you're in the mood for them, and reds (heavy or light or what have you) when the dinner calls for them, and you'll never get bored or burned out.

This is a wonderful post, and I had no idea that tastes become muted as we grow older. My grandfather is diabetic and is also on a low sodium diet due to his heart condition, which has posed quite a challenge for me as I love giving food gifts around the holidays. I like to do preserves made with extremely ripe fruit for him, since I don't have to add much (or any) sugar, and I also make salt-free sesame crackers. I love the idea of using lemon or fresh herbs, since those are things that would fit in his diet and also improve the flavor. Thanks so much for posting this!

It looks fine, but I had no warning, so I spent a good five minutes standing in front of the orange juice at the grocery store last weekend, staring at the Tropicana and wondering why the grocery store wasn't selling Tropicana anymore. When I finally realized that what I was looking at WAS Tropicana, I did a double take and stuck it in my cart, very relieved - I hate orange juice, but my husband loves it, and I didn't know what I would tell him if I came home without his favorite. Now that I understand what it is, I actually think the packaging is pretty cool. But those were some tense moments last week.

I would love to do some kitchen gardening, but sadly my condo windows only face north. Even my hardy gingko tree is struggling to survive. (Oddly, there is plenty of light, but plants just don't seem to like my northern exposure.) And no room for an Aerogarden, either. In my imagination, I'm gardening, though! Dreaming of buying a house with a big yard and plenty of sunlight, and room for windowsill gardens with southern exposure.

I always read my good friend KD's blog at goodthingscatered.blogspot.com - she is a wonderful, health-conscious cook and a sinfully fabulous baker and cake decorator! I also have to check orangette.blogspot.com each week. Molly Wizenberg's witty and well-phrased writing and her fantastic food photography make my mouth water!

Looks good to me! My officemate and I were just discussing this yesterday. We both agreed that if we had to choose between cheese and chocolate and we could only have one for the rest of our lives, we'd choose cheese. It would be hard and very, very close... but we just can't live without cheese. For a wedding cake, though... well, it's unusual. Now I'm wishing the hubs and I had a cheese course at our wedding. We still would have served cake, though!

I'm in the love-it-can't-get-enough camp. My hubby knows that whenever he loses track of me at the grocery story, he can inevitably find me in the fresh produce section, leaning over the cilantro and taking deep breaths. In fact, I just sprinkled a huge handful over my enchiladas verdes last night - mmmm! I'd never heard the genetic trait theory and find it very interesting. It certainly could explain things. I was totally shocked when I first found out that there were people who (gasp) actually hate cilantro!

Awww, how sweet! One of my good friends had a baby last year, and as part of her shower gift I gave her a menu with ten freezable meals on it and told her to choose seven. New moms can always use a little help!

Thanks for posting this! I was once given a bad bottle of pinot grigio as a gift. That, coupled with the fact that the gift was from a particularly mean frenemy, turned me off the wine - it's the ONLY varietal I typically refuse to touch. But after reading this writeup, I think I might have to give it another chance. I really like Ruffino wines, so perhaps I'll start there.

The dough is still resting in my fridge at home! I'll be baking it off tonight - can't wait!