skysky's Profile

Sleep. Make sure you are getting enough sleep.

I'm an Italian lady and there is no Italian lady on the face of the earth that I have ever met who puts oil in the pasta water. And we make a LOT of pasta. Water, salt and pasta. That's it. Biggest mistake is not enough salt. There is even a word in Italian that means "not enough salt". Don't boil too hard and don't simmer. Who needs Alton Brown for this? He is much better used on many other things.

You can skip a step and buy the curds already made up. Di Palo sells them.

agree with Rhoswen, you need to investigate and figure out why it smells. If the floorboards are rotten, or there's a dead animal or water damage, no amount of vinegar will fix it.

I wanted marble for my kitchen and I was talked out of it. But I did get some of the marble for a window seat and you know what? First week after it was installed someone spilled a glass of red wine on it. I cleaned it up, but you could totally see a stain. Over time though and not very long, the stain completely faded and you can't see it at all now. I think because it's porous the stuff moves through (that's my theory anyway). The seat is where tons of kids play and it's been water colored and painted and sharpies and it cleans up. I totally regret not getting the marble and if ever I do my kitchen again I am totally getting it. Cross your fingers for the lottery to come my way!

You should try cooking the rapini Harold McGee style: after you wash and shop it just throw it into a frying pan, no water or oil, just the vegetable. Stir as it heats up, the vegetable has enough water in it on its own. No need to squeeze excess water at the end of cooking, no extra calories. I toss it w/a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar when it's done. This way of cooking vegetables also works really well w/any leafy greens and also really well with mushrooms.

cucumbers, pea tendrils, blueberries and ricotta salata or feta,

so how do you slice it without making a holy mess? and is it eaten w/a fork? I'd like to see a slice on a plate.

On Mulberry near Bayard in Chinatown on the east side of the street really close to Bayard. You'll find an amazing array of Chinese style planters at amazing prices.

I love 'Basis Good Food to You' ( www.basisfoods.com). It's a service that is farmer to consumer. Every two weeks I get a bag of fruit and one of vegetables. I also order eggs (awesome eggs) and milk in my regular delivery. This week I added burrata, mozzarella and bacon.

Prices are good and everything is farmers market fresh. If you're in NY I highly recommend it.