Nikita's Profile

Obviously, you can re-gift if you want and not feel guilty about it. I can't do it. For me, the point of gifts is the thought behind them and taking someone else's gift to you and giving it to someone else seems wrong to me. I can't get past it.

I was happy for him - I actually got a little misty when he started crying. It was kind of sweet. I wanted Kevin to win but honestly, all three were obviously very talented. Since I can't taste the food, I respect the judges decision on it.

I've never heard of that mushroom before - does anyone know what it tastes like?

I tend to envision Deery Lou or Bambi when I see deer in the wild. But I understand hunting has a purpose. Most animals need predators to keep their own species thriving and others as well (all those deer are eating so much other little animals have nothing to eat) - there are a LOT of deer, I think I heard there are more now than there were before settlers came to America.

I use my handheld stick mixer. I just put the cream in a pyrex measuring cup, dash of vanilla and a little sugar, and it takes like 2 minutes.

I have been having a nightmare of a time with blind baking. My crusts always shrink and the sides slide down into the bottom of the pan. I've put pie weights in, I've put the crust in the freezer for 20 minutes before baking, everything and it always shrinks. Any tips?
I see someone suggested putting weights up the sides but does that mean filling the entire pan up with weights?

I don't use family recipes. I had enough of it growing up and they sometimes border on mediocre (sorry to my mom and mother in law). When we host Thanksgiving we do it "fancy". Long, laborious, and delicious recipes. And lots of alchohol.

I just wish when they did these catering events they used real plates. Everything looks like crap on plastic plates.
I was surprised Eli couldn't come up with anything better than popcorn crumbs and peanut soup. Circus food/carnival food would seem to be kind of easy - easier than "mirage", whatever that would be.

I have an 8 year old Jasper sofa that gets a lot of use. It doesn't look so hot anymore. I have to do some fluffing and throw pillow arranging for it not to look too battered.

I loved the blind quickfire. I definitely would have been like Mike I. and used up 5 of my 10 minutes just letting my eyes adjust to the light. I have sensitive eye balls.

I'm very happy they didn't decorate the restaurants - that was always such a bad element of restaurant wars. I'm happy with the end result but Lauraine's goodbye speech was kind of sad. It sounded like she hated being on Top Chef.

Are copper pots usually used for decor? Is that why they are lacquered? I'm so confused.
My mom had copper bottom pots that she scrubbed with copper cleaner every time she used them. I think they are very high maintenance.