deidrel's Profile

Use a vinegar solution in a spray bottle to keep mildew at bay.

I think the image may be mislabeled: have the labels for the soba and shirataki been switched?

I just use wax paper and rub a dab of cold butter right onto the pan. I like Rucy's idea though -- thanks!

The apartment dwellers I know tend to keep a no-shoes policy to preserve their carpets, rental deposits, and sense of squeeky clean sanitation. The last time I visited a house, seeing both immaculate hardwood floors and light colored carpeting, I was sure that I would be taking off my shoes. But in fact, my hosts were wearing theirs, and the reason soon became clear: dinner was being grilled outside, and the door to the deck were open. It was convenient for neither hosts nor guests to take their shoes off at the front door, carry them to the back door, and put them back on there -- especially as we came in and out all evening. No physical evidence of dirt tracking appeared, though I am sure that vacuuming and mopping followed our visit. The fact that our hosts have control over their own drive way, walk way, and lawns probably helps: I wonder if there is a general apartment vs. house component to this debate?

Frog legs really don't taste like chicken, but if they tasted like fish I'd like them. I guess they taste amphibian, go figure!

I would never eat the casu marzu, but the beetles don't bother me. I guess I like my insects crunchy?

I'd eat the balut, but I don't know how much I'd enjoy it. Asian food sometimes has more cartilage/bone/chewy meat substance than I'm accustomed to, so I can't tell just how obstructionless a entire pre-hatched duck would really be!

I'd try the kopi luwak but I wonder if it's really that different? I've had some pretty amazing coffee that didn't involve civets. I'm glad there's a market for it though!

Mangosteen sounds great; I'll look for it. I pass by the durian fruit every time I see it, so I guess I don't want to try it!

I like the idea of "killing toxins."

Post criticism aside, I have a real question: does running the sponge through the dishwasher actually sanitize it to a significant extent? It obviously can't be rinsed thoroughly without being squeezed dry (and it is of course soaking wet when the dishwasher cycle is done) -- so unless temperature alone does the trick, I've always wondered whether it's just getting sponge germs on all the dishes during the rinse cycle?

I love a balsamic vinaigrette with fresh strawberries blended right in, and some sweet roasted garlic. Now I'll have to make some; it's been a while!

Definitely add capers if you're going the olive oil tuna salad route.

One of my favorite salads is romaine, garbanzo beans, Italian vinaigrette of some variety, drained canned tuna, and a bit of grated cheese. It's a texture thing.

I never eat tuna straight out of the can, but maybe if kippers hadn't been invented I would!

StyckyWycket: I hear you. "Air scense" smells nice (very natural), but I usually just leave out a(n unscented) candle. Just lighting the match alone usually improves things when improvement is needed.

I'd keep it as is or sell it to someone who wants it. With a few changes in the room (including the already mentioned off-placed magenta picture) it looks great.