legant

I'm in for Spices

I'm searching my cabinet for items I could donate to a food drive. It's kinda scary: cans of peas that look like they will explode any second; never opened can of olives from Greece (was more interested in the unique can than the olives); pudding mixes (it must have been a comfort food stage); Pasta Roni (I have no idea why). What intrigued me most were the expiration dates. The can of peas dated back to 1999 (which is the year I moved), while the puddings expire in 2008. And, I know I bought the puddings at least four years ago. Take a look around. What is the oldest thing in your cupboard? Wines don't count! What has the longest future expiration date? And, just for added fun: has a can ever exploded on you? Did the contents look like the label? Or, were they transformed into a high school science experiment?

I'm starting to notice a pattern: HH at Firefly or Corduroy every Friday evening. Am I right? If so, I'll just show up. Otherwise, somebody please let me know so I'm not the only (DR.com) person at the bar.

I don't get it. Is this a guy thing?

Anyone interested in brunch or the rib feast on Sunday?

Woodlands Nov. 7th From the sole Maryland participant: Nooooo! Besides, my travel visa to the Commonwealth has been suspended.

Ate there last night. My favorites from two separate ocassions: the salmon and the mushroom ragu. I deliberately ate only half of the ragu so I could have leftovers. Which was hard 'cause TxAggie wouldn't give me back my plate. But to be fair, I kept my fork poised above her mozzarella, waiting for her to drop her napkin on the floor.

Lesson learned: read the entire post: Palena had closed its kitchen 10 pm; I arrived at 9:52 and there didn't appear to be a seat at the bar. Wandered down Conn. Ave. in search of food and drink. First stop : Nanny O'Brien. (Based on DR.com post that it was a "dive" bar and that it might be closing soon.) Question: are you still serving food? Barkeep: No, the kitchen has been closed for a couple of months now. Gee, I sure miss the kitchen.

Thank goodness! I thought I was the only one! It crashes on my home Mac but not my work Mac. Go figure. Just to clarify: I was asking specifically how to redirect to a DR.com post. What I've learned: every DR.com topic has a unique URL. What I didn't know: the link function works with URLs out, as well as in, DR.com

Sounds like a $20 Tuesday for December... [How do you cross-post to another thread?]

Here, here. I became a skeptic when they dissed my mac 'n cheese.

Ramen noodles at 11:08 p.m..

At $105.96 is it really that good?

I know B. Smith's at Union Station sells cigars. Don't know if it qualifies as a cigar bar, but if it walks like a duck...

Uhm, Zora... If you're still having problems "adjusting" to the color, I'd be glad to take the chocolate brown Le Creuset off your hands.

Oh my! Electon day... Woodlands... and the damned cast comes off... It's just too much excitement. Be still my heart.

Can I get a ride from the subway? (Sorry; couldn't resist. )

Comfort food. Further That being said: Thai (green/red/yellow) curry w/ basmati rice; fresh mango; grilled cheese; tomato sandwich (white bread, Miracle Whip, ripe juicy tomatoes, processed american cheese slice). And mussels. How could I forget mussels. Especially when they're available for $4/2 lb. bag.

Do you give writing lessons? Great post. And some great one-liners:

I noticed a guy carrying this on the bus today. Has anyone else read this book? What's the verdict?(BTW: Love the quote from Booklist)

Green curry w/ coconut milk and shrimp served over basmati rice. I can't figure out what makes the dish sooo good--the coconut milk or curry. It doesn't matter; it's all good.

Any updates? They serve until midnight which makes it a good place for after-theater dining. A true rarity in downtown DC.

Have you ever done a movie themed dinner? Brother-in-law has a regularly scheduled movie night. Most recently he invited friends to watch Babette's Feast. I chided him about serving pot roast. Suggested he could do a "poor man's" version of Babette's Feast: Broth or consommé - Potage a la Tortue (Turtle Soup) Blini with asparagus - Blini Demidoff au Caviar (Buckwheat cakes with caviar) Chicken thighs in puff pastry - Caille en Sarcophage (Quail in Puff Pastry Shell) Salad Cheese selection Honey Fig cake - Baba au Rhum avec les Figues (Rum Infused Cake with Dried Figs) What has been your "dinner and a movie" experience? I've thought about doing a Soul Food inspired dinner. (And, going a step further, making it a regular monthly affair.) Do the movies listed above incorporate a blow-out menu or do they spotlight the fun and games that happen in the kitchen? Other suggestions for recipes that will compliment a movie?

Does this work with other herbs? I often buy packaged fresh herbs from the grocery and quite often don't need all for the dish I'm preparing. I'm defrosting the freezer and, although they (sage, basil, thyme, rosemary) look okay, I'm pretty sure they have picked up a "freezer odor." So, is the best solution to (1) toss what I have (4-6 months old) and start afresh (B ) cap them in olive oil (and if so, do I need to separate the various herbs or can i put them in the same freezer container) and freeze, (iii) freeze them double wrapped, in freezer bags, or (z) dry* them and forget about the advantages of using fresh (albeit frozen) herbs? [*You know it's coming: how do you dry fresh herbs?]

Me too!