mdorothy's Profile

I, frankly, don't know the halal rules. I've read that people who follow the halal rules can eat Kosher food (but not vice-versa). And I know that buying Kosher meat doesn't make a Kosher meal, because the meat has to be PREPARED according to Kashrut as well as being butchered properly.

That said, first, make sure your neighbors will be able to eat your food. Consult with them about ingredients. You may find you're better off with a meatless meal.

Enjoy!

Man, sumac is so wonderful. I think it's not as well known as it should be. That sour tang-- yum!

I first met sumac in Persian restaurants where they keep a shaker of it on the table. It's wonderful on roasted/grilled meat or seafood, and the rice they serve as their staple side dish.

After you enter the amount in your record-keeping-of-choice device (Mint, Excel, a sheet of paper, whatever), toss 'em!

If you have some compulsive need to save the whole enchilada, scan it, then toss it.

I put my Kindle in a Zip-Loc bag.

Kudos to the young inventor!

I have a basket where I keep cards people send me. I really enjoy flipping through them.

The basket is similar to the "atta girl!" file I kept when I was working. When I got an e-mail commending me for a job well done, I kept it in a special folder. On days when I needed a boost, a browse through that folder could put me right back on track.

Argh! #3 makes me crazy -- all the TV chefs seem to do it and I want to slap them. Further pet peeve on TV chefs: so many of them wear rings, bracelets and watches when they cook. I can't stand seeing them touch food with their hands, e.g., mix meatloaf, with their rings on!

However, I do wash my knives in the dishwasher. I've had the same Wusthoff chef's knife, two sizes of paring knife, and carving knife for 30 years. They're still going strong. If I need to replace them (perhaps once in my ifetime), it's worth it to me for the thousands of times I haven't had to hand-wash them!

Bravo, joefinkel!

I have a friend who's a wizard baker and keeps a collection of fats in her fridge at all times. Her fresh peach pie with duck-fat crust was one of the most delicious things I've ever eaten.

I designed the hallway in my house to be extra-wide. It's lined, floor to ceiling, with bookshelves on both sides.

THANK YOU for featuring a great upgrade that didn't involve gutting a perfectly serviceable kitchen!

Well, I have to say that artichokes ARE an acquired taste. They also are a little tough to pair with other foods or with beverages. There's some chemical in them that makes whatever you eat or drink with them taste sweet. I happen to like them. But I'd say if you don't care for them, that's fine. It leaves more for the rest of us! <smile>

I think we all have our "won't eat" and "don't really care for" foods, and that's what makes the culinary world go around. I happen to dislike cooked carrots and pick them out of soups and stews if I come across them.

If I'm served cooked carrots as a side dish, I simply ignore them. I love raw carrots, but was forced to eat cooked ones as a child -- I was kept at the dinner table until I ate them several hours later, then promptly threw them up. I realize now I was in a tug-o-war between my father (eat what's put in front of you) and grandmotther (you're so mean; let the poor darling each what she likes) and the whole affair was unpleasant. You'd think at age 57 I'd get over it, but I still won't eat cooked carrots.

So, I say, there's lots of foods out there. No need to force yourself to eat artichokes out of some sort of culinary obligation!