amidalailama's Profile

Display Name: amidalailama
Member Since: 11/23/08

Latest Comments...

Puppy chow!

http://www.chex.com/recipes/RecipeView.aspx?RecipeId=45860


What Can I Make With Powdered Sugar? Good Questions
6/18/13 4:37 PM

First, I will post my oft-posted comment: AT, do small cool dorm contest or talk waaayyyy more about dorm before and afters, all that. Dorms are the ultimate in difficult spaces to work with, and I think AT is up to the challenge. (and none of those I'm in college and in a city apartment nonsensical spaces, real dorms with modular furniture, terrible lighting, and cinderblock walls).

Second, agreements on these things...I can say that it's a great idea to get two sets of decent sheets/pillowcases, always having clean sheets is one luxury that you can control in the dorm, unlike most other things. Also, a surge protector is always useful.

I'm also currently an RA in an undergrad dorm, and we have to do fire code inspections to the letter of the law according to the fire marshal. Your college should provide some details about this, and no matter how aggravating they are, they come from a place of wanting to protect you. And usually they enforce these via fines, so...beware.


Feedback & Advice on Dorm Room Design? Good Questions
6/17/13 5:47 PM

It's oregano! And it looks lovely.

My favorite way to use oregano is in my famous lamb pie!


What Is This Mystery Garden Herb? Good Questions
6/14/13 3:38 PM

Amazon.com has free shipping on mason jars, they're great!

I've done jello, alcoholic slushes, ice cream, frozen yogurt cheesecake, and frozen key lime pie in canning jars, not to mention salads and snacks.

I also keep all of my freezer ingredients in 4 oz canning jars...their box allows you to keep them corralled and stacked at the same time, which is great. So I keep things like citrus juice, peeled and cut ginger, small hot peppers from the garden, homemade stock, leftover wine, citrus zest, etc in the freezer, it's perfect.


Eat Like Royalty on the Road With Mason Jar Meals
6/11/13 7:39 PM

Leinie's Summer Wheat!


What's Your Favorite Summer Beer? Plus 5 to Try This Summer Beer Session
6/7/13 4:50 PM

As a Cambridge girl, I love this! Outdoors, indoors, light, such a great place!


Emily's Never Outgrown Small Cool Contest
5/26/13 11:19 AM

Raw cauliflower salad is delicious, though it's not at all like couscous as they claim.


Ideas for Low-Carb, Budget-Friendly Meals That Satisfy? Good Questions
5/14/13 4:43 PM

Butternut squash lasagna!


Good Ideas for Low-Carb Freezer Meals for New Parents? Good Questions
5/9/13 11:55 PM

I don't know many people that have the sort of freezer room this calls for.

I do, however, pre-portion my homemade ice cream into 4 ounce canning jars. They stack well, and they're so cute!


Party Tip: Scoop Ice Cream Ahead of Time
4/22/13 2:34 PM

@L_dubs - yes! I read her book awhile ago, and the takeaway message I got was book clubs and persistence.

And funny enough, instead of book club, a couple girls and I started an articles club about a year ago with inspiration from Joanna Goddard (Alex the article-writer's wife!). It's been great! We set up a doodle poll once a month, find a time when people can come, and then one person hosts. We read an article from longform.org, come ready to discuss, but mostly just hang out. The best part is that girls bring other friends they know from church, from work, from school, and you have a much better chance of meeting that person you really click with.


10 Tried & True Tips: How to Make New Friends in a New City
4/4/13 6:08 PM

How far ahead? A week? The day before?


Elegant, Make-Ahead Ideas for an Afternoon Wedding Reception? Good Questions
4/2/13 10:42 AM

I find that measuring coconut oil by mass is a bit more reliable - 1/4 cup is 55 grams.


How Do I Use Coconut Oil When Baking? Good Questions
3/28/13 5:07 PM

Oh! I have the 16 gallon tub, which ends up being 10 inches high, but we've successfully used it for both strawberries and tomatoes at this point. I'm sure it'd be great for herbs and onions as well.


Shallow-Rooted Veggies for Growing in Window Boxes
3/24/13 11:57 AM

Amazon.com has steel tubs in various sizes - good for parties and drinks, but fabulous for gardens. These are the cheapest containers I've been able to find. Yes, you will have to drill some drainage holes in the bottom, but that isn't too difficult.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YJJJQ6/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(also..free super saver shipping! bonus!)


Shallow-Rooted Veggies for Growing in Window Boxes
3/24/13 11:56 AM

Tea. I know this sounds nuts, but it's true! I went to a tea tasting at L'Espalier here in Boston, and they have a tea sommalier named Cynthia Gold---she recommended some of the strong smoky teas especially for people who like that somewhat bitter and smoky taste of whiskey but can't/don't drink. And I have to tell you, as someone who drinks, these teas were great!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapsang_souchong


Ideas For a Non-Alcoholic Alternative to Bourbon? Good Questions
2/26/13 9:10 AM

If you've never had black currants of black currant liqueur (creme de cassis), this may fit the bill -- it has the slightly bitter and sweet taste of chocolate.

You can find them fresh at some farmer's markets in the summer, but they can be hard to track down...they're carriers for a fungus that also affects pine trees, so the logging industry successfully petitioned to have them banned in the early 1900s, and until very recently you could only have them on your land if they were already growing. Now, you can plant disease-resistant cultivars, so they're starting to become a bit more common.


How Can I Satisfy a Chocolate Craving...Without Chocolate? Good Questions
2/13/13 1:11 PM

Pyrex! The best deals I've seen come from World Kitchen, but they're not the best at packaging (though they will replace upon confirmation of damage, usually by a picture of the open box).


Recommendations for Freezer- and Microwave-Safe Food Containers? Good Questions
2/1/13 7:15 PM

Can you share your recipe collection with others in Paprika?


Paprika: The Recipe Organizer App I've Been Looking For Product Review
1/30/13 10:46 AM

When making egg or chicken salad, I usually use half yogurt, half mayo.

I tried this chicken miso pasta recipe and was pleasantly surprised with the sauce!

Better for summers, but put cucumbers, avocado, and yogurt in a blender and blend away to make a lovely cold soup.


Ideas for Eating Yogurt for Dinner? Good Questions
1/23/13 4:27 PM

All I can think about is building shelving over the radiator to allow for more storage (and plants!)


How Do I Hide the Kitchen in My Studio Apartment? Good Questions
1/22/13 10:21 AM