chaofun

SWMBO and I would like to join the group for the first time this month. Please count us in. Should we eat first (especially if Mrs. DrX is a picky eater)?

Prob should eat a snack at least... usually lasts till 8 or so. Last month the break food was pretty killer though.

I'm in +1

Ray's Hell and Palena make their list http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/best-burgers-in-the-us.

(FWIW, Vidalia is starting a happy hour as of tonight. 5-7 p.m. M-F; all beers except 750s priced at $3.50, some other drink specials, and small plates in addition to the burger and other bar menu items. Yeah, I'm in.)

This I must check out. Tonight.

Article on Paczki and Kielbasa Factory in Tasting Table

Are there any edible plants (vegetable, fruit, herb...) that will do well in almost complete shade? (north side of house under oak canopy)??

Here's a nice article and chart from Mother Earth News about just that topic.

$25 for $45 at Food Matters

Two coupons today... one for Etete and one for Granville Moore's.

I'd never heard of Specialicious until I read this post. It seems like the default is 'no alcoholic beverages included unless specifically stated otherwise' which makes things much less attractive. Is this true for the current Present deal, i.e., if I want a beer with dinner, is that not included in the deal? It seems like with Groupon and Living Social, the deals generally include all food and beverage items, although these discount coupons are somewhat new to me.

I just saw this note Don.... I've only gotten the Present coupon from this site so I'm not sure if its a Specialicious thing or a Present thing.

I'm extremely biased since I helped start the bacon program at Westover, but I think it's some of the best out there. It comes down to what you like. The good thing is if you like it lean, Bruce can make it lean for you since he makes it in house.

In general the center section of a belly is meatier than the ends, so if you can get it, ask for slices from the center section. This is true for any kind of slab bacon.

I really like both Clear Spring and South Mountain, I think there should be room for both. I like that South Mountain offers more than whole milk.

Quail Creek is there year round, there hasn't been a market where I have not seen them there, and I go pretty much every Saturday.

Supper Club is this Saturday night, and I am charged with preparing Coq Au Vin for 15. I have found sound tasty sounding recipes from Eric Ripert (Avec Eric) and from the Cooks Illustrated series. They both read delicious, but since I only get one shot at making the meal, I'm wondering if you have ever made the dish and which you think might be better.

BTW - I don't really have time for whole "takes 3 days, find a rooster" thing. So I am seeking a more streamlined approach that will still yield a tasty result.

If you have made the dish before and can offer any suggestions or advice, I'm listening.

The Cooks Illustrated recipe, if you subscribe online, is here: http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/detail.asp?docid=5185

Eric Ripert's (which is accessible by anyone) is here: http://blog.aveceric.com/category/dinnersocial/cozy_winter_dinner_social/#recipe4

I haven't made either though I've seen the Cook's one. I've been really happy with Alton Brown's recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/coq-au-vin-recipe/index.html

Stopping by here tomorrow for Meat Week with a friend. Anyone else stopping by?

Got a friend to tag along so you can add a +1 to me

I'm touched that Zach and I are so popular that when we can't go, the attendance drops, but we really do need to fill the 10 spots!

Mon Feb 7, 5p-8p

qwertyy

goldenticket

Daniel, count me in for the 7th.

-Theo

Here are some helpful links for knowing when to start what and where:

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/seed-starting-chart

http://www.motherearthnews.com/What-To-Plant-Now-In-March-Mid-Atlantic-Gardening-Region.aspx

Thanks MUCHO for the suggestions everyone! I am thinking of starting *small*, so the $40 light seems like a good option. I assume full spectrum fluorescent bulbs are available at any Lowe's, Home Depot or decent hardware store, yes?

Yup!

I like to hold the packet in my hand, for some reason. Whole Paycheck and Mom's carry Botanical Interests, and I have had good luck with them, particularly the Romano pole beans which are incredibly good. Merrifield has Thompson and Morgan as well as an Italian brand I can't remember, but I do remember the fabulous little flat onions. It's been so freaking cold I haven't gone seed shopping yet!

You can get a cheap shop light with fluorescent tube bulbs at Home Depot or Lowe's, and it will work fine. All you would have to do is hang it and plug it in.

Make sure you get full spectrum fluorescent when you do go that route. BTW if you really would rather have the setup done for you google "table top grow lights". Smaller ones run $40, medium sized $100+

Pretty psyched for the new gardening season! What are you alls favorite seed sources? Mine are:

Fedco - cheapest, non GMO mostly organic, large selection

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange - Va seed exchange, focused on Mid-atlantic

Seed Savers Exchange - large selection all almost entirely heirloom

Bakers Creek - large selection all heirloom

Others:

Sand Hill Preservation - Heirloom Sweet Potatoes!

Territorial - general

Potato Garden - potatoes obviously

Kitazawa - Asian veg

Hey all,

Just wanted to put a note out there about the upcoming Slow Food DC annual meeting/potluck at the Church of the Pilgrims in Dupont.

January 23, 2011 4-7

Church of the Pilgrims

It's free of charge except a small dish or drink. It's a get together to meet other folks who care about Slow Food and talk with the new board members. You do NOT have to be a member to attend, all we ask is you RSVP. For more info and to RSVP follow the link below:

http://www.slowfooddc.org/slow-food-dc-winter-potluck-celebration-january-23-2011/

Our goal is to do as much as we can this year (not just smaller events), if anybody wants to help we sure could use it, there is a lot going on in DC.

Disclosure, I am the new vice chair.... whatever that might mean to you.

Let me know if you have any questions,

Theo

aka chaofun

Thanks to everyone who came out last night, and in fact any time in 2010. I can't say enough about the critical work that DCCK does, and how important the evening volunteers are to their mission.

For the regulars, here are the dates I've booked out for the first half of 2011. For those who haven't come before, please join us! I'll continue the habit of announcing 2 weeks in advance of each date, and finalizing attendance 1 week before. Note my ambition in moving from 10 to 15 spots starting in April!

Thursday, 01/13/2011 (10 spots)

Monday, 02/07/2011 (10 spots)

Thursday, 03/24/2011 (11 spots)

Monday, 04/11/2011 (15 spots)

Thursday, 05/12/2011 (15 spots)

Monday, 06/13/2011 (15 spots)

Woohoo!! See you all next year!

How would I do this on a Blackberry?

I was successful in getting in this am from my phone but failed just now.

Thanks!

Hmm I don't know if you can, unless you connect via WiFi. I think its hard set.

For those who really want to get in and can't still, I just checked Google's public DNS servers and they have the correct ip addresses in thier servers. Just plug:

8.8.8.8

8.8.4.4

In your DNS servers (I would change this back to your local DNS servers tho eventually).

Yes. I'm looking into it! Judging from the numbers, the large majority of people were problem-free today (except for their profile pictures which I'm also looking into).

But a couple people couldn't get onto the site, and I haven't yet established a pattern. Please keep reporting your specific problems here!

DNS changes can take a couple days to spread through the Internet, so this is normal behavior.

https://support.exabytes.com/KB/a1474/general-dns-propagation-information.aspx

Everything is great for me besides the profile pic problem!