legant

That's Ramon Narvaez, sommelier at Marcel's.

Yup, this calls for a trip to Marcel's

In the middle with the cigar and goggles is Robert Wiedmaier, chef/owner of Marcel's, to his right is R.J. Cooper Chef of Vidalia, and Roberto is on the far right. I need some help identifying the other 2, anyone know who they are? This is from the first years ride in 2004

More importantly, who's the really buff guy with the cigar on the far left? And, where's Ris Lacoste? Are there no female biker chefs?

Chefs on Bikes is coming up June 20th.

Who are the chefs pictured?

Taking Don's clarion call to heart.......

$20 Tuesday?  We haven't done Vietnamese IIRC.  If we do it April 25, we can always conclude with a free cone at Ben and Jerry's nearby.  How's that for keeping it on the cheap end?

Anyone game?

Ooh! My first DR event! Count me in +1

Punjabi-Style Cauliflower and Potatoes with Ginger (aka Aloo Gobi)*

Basmati rice seasoned with cloves, bay leaves, cardamom and cinnamon

Salad with ginger-shallot vinaigrette

KitKat for dessert

*from Madhur Jaffrery's World Vegetarian cookbook

Green lentil salad with crushed mustard seeds

Stir-fried geen beans with coconut

Dal with ginger, green chiles

Somosas (made with empanada disks and puff pastry) stuffed with a spiced potato & pea mixture

Basmati rice seasoned with cloves, cinnamon, bay leaves and cardamom

(I used a whole lot of mustard seeds this night.)

Can I still be part of the group if I say that Palena's burger failed to knock me on my ass?

This past Saturday I was in need of serious comfort food and visited Palena -- the second time in four days -- for the burger and "the best Manhattan I have ever had." (For a Saturday night it was pretty empty, probably due to the NCAA finals.) The burger really hit the spot. I really do wish they had fries or some other side dish to accompany it. On my previous visit I didn't quite care for the fry plate; the frying oil seemed old. Oh! and I did have a chocolate eclair with a chocolate cream. Quite yummy. But, I'm sure it was the burger that lifted my mood.

I am co-hosting a bridal shower in a few weeks.  It will be more of a cocktail party, probably 5-7 pm.  So, along with cocktails, I need ideas for nibbles.  No restrictions, other than I am not a gourmet chef, so simple is good.

Any ideas?

I need a variation on the theme this time with dietary restrictions: no meat, no dairy, and no chocolate. This will be a buffet so it's not limited to nibbles. So far all of the suggestions include all three restrictions. Any other ideas?

Went to NYC this weekend and picked up some bialys.  Does anyone know of a bakery around here that sells them?  I saw some (not particularly good) at Whole Foods a few months ago, but haven't seen them since.

Calvert Woodley Liquors (Connecticut and Windom Street, NW) sells them. However, never having tried one, I can't vouch for their authenticity.

So, tell us how you did it.

How did I do what? Make the ribs? Or, wait long enough to get them to the table?

For the latter: this really was hard. In the past, I've "tasted" the ribs at various stages and, before I knew it, poof! they were gone. This time, after each major step (e.g., browning, braising) I left the house and allowed the aromas to dissipate.

For the former: an adaptation of the Cook's Illustrated method with some suggestions from the list thrown in. Roasted the ribs in a 450 oven for 45 minutes (then I left the house); sautéed onions, carrots, celery; added bit of garlic and flour; stirred in some wine, stock, chopped tomatoes and spices; and, finally, simmered on the stove for 2 hours or so (left the house again). Strained braising liquid, chilled overnight, and scooped off fat; reduced braising liquid until desired consistency (left the house one more time).

After an excruciating long conversation with condo board president, returned home to fry some pierogies and steam some broccoli while the ribs reheated in that darn good gravy.

After four attempts the secret is: LEAVE THE HOUSE.

I did it! I did it! I cooked beef ribs that actually made it to the dinner table. Sorry, no pictures. Couldn't wait that long.

And, by golly, they were darn tasty!

A friend needs to prepare a dinner for her husband’s family but work responsibilities prevent her from cooking. She inquired about restaurants or caterers that have prepared meals -- precooked items that can be quickly heated and served.

I suggested Magruder’s, WholeFoods, Sutton Place and Dean and Deluca. Any others?

Ooh! I thought you were talking about fried chicken wings...

When craving hot and greasy, Spring Garden (on Wisconsin Ave.) fits the bill. And, they deliver! Of course, nothing beats Popeye's wings. Especially if they're offering a Manager's special.

Mussels in a leek-garlic cream sauce over linguini w/ a crisp sauvignon blanc.

Simple, but... orgasmic. Talk about comfort food!

Had a friend over for dinner. In a truly manic moment I made:

Amuse: Broccoli soup with chive-cayenne oil

First: Sauteed shrimp with vegetable "pasta" -- thin strips of zuchinni, yellow squash and red peppers

Entree: Spinach souffle with smoked gouda

Dessert(s): Chocolate ginger cake with a chocolate ganache; shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate

Friend bought over a nice Sauvignon Blanc: Domaine des Chezelles

(I realize these are not the best pictures in the world, but I was so proud of this dinner. Bear with me as I learn to use this camera.)

Fried Scrapple and Kraft Cheese on Wonder Bread. Available at Linda's Cafe in Lexington Park, MD

Hmm. Scrapple. Lots and lots of scrapple. With a scrambled egg sandwich on the side.

Louise

2003 OS Ulysses

Glenfiddich... on the rocks.

Txaggie and cjsadler came over to cook:

legant -- Shrimp and spinach dumplings w/ sweet chili dipping sauce

cjsadler -- Masa harina corn cakes with chipotle shrimp -- The picture doesn't

do the cakes justice. They really were yummy. Perfectly crispy on the

outside.

legant -- Chicken and Andouille Sausage Ragu w/ Pasta and parsley butter

txaggie -- chocolate-glazed hazelnut mousse cake -- the picture is from Gourmet; the

pictures we took were too blurry to post

Louise

Let's say $50 magically landed in your pocket and it must be spent on a food related item. What would you buy.

Would you head to the store or use the wonders of the Internet to buy some random item only you would enjoy?

(down payment on) Le Crueset!

Louise