What Are You Eating Tonight?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I haven't been without sex long enough to be turned on by THAT.

maybe in a week or two....

[Ren 77]

And back to food.....

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

I'm sure that's what that lady sitting in that chair once said!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

That's unlike you, Lee!

[gkgyver 1,647]

Made it simple tonight. Spaghetti al dente with butter, harissa and feta.

Photos would work if my cellphone wasn't broken. Windows ...

[Ollie 1,375]

I'm having a pepperoni pizza.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Simple, but gets the job done!

[JoeinAR 1,957]

I'm having a pepperoni pizza.

perfection....

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Indeed

[Wojo 2,458]

WOJO,

how was your meal the other night. are you still full.

It was good. An interesting experience, to say the least. Very expensive, but worth doing to learn what it's like, and now I can just save it for special occasions. $120 for two with tip is not an every week kind of meal.

Where to begin. They had a buffet line of cold food, like sushi, sashimi, shrimp, various pasta salads, hummus, various cheeses and meats and breads, and also some hot dishes that I really didn't look closely at because I wanted to save room for the main course(s). I was very perplexed why the buffet would have a sign that says something to the effect of "these dishes are made with the finest ingredients, please don't waste any" but there were no signs to indicate what each particular dish was. So as long as you know what it is, you know whether you want it, but if you don't know for sure, you have to taste-test to be sure and risk wasting food, or else ask the host what each item is. Doesn't make sense.

To drink, I tried a caipirinha, which is the national cocktail of Brazil. It uses fresh limes muddled with superfine sugar and cachaca, a popular Brazilian rum made from sugarcane, over ice. It was very tasty but I only wanted one, then I switched to water. She enjoyed a soft drink.

Then the entrees started showing up. Swordfish. Bacon wrapped turkey. Lambchops and lamb ribs. Flank steak. Two kinds of filet mignon. Thick cuts of bacon. Chicken (I know, boring). Garlic toast (very boring, but after saying "no" to that server three times, I felt bad). Ribeye. Probably a lot more that I just can't remember anymore. I would pile the plate up with meat and turn the coaster over to indicate I didn't want them to stop, but they would bring something past very tasty and I would turn it back over to snatch a bite. I know I ate more than I should have, and wanted to eat a lot more to get my money's worth, but there was no point making myself sick.

She finished long before I was done eating so she had time to think about dessert. We split a creme brulee, which I had always heard about but never eaten. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly. Like the best parts of a cheesecake in a bowl with that caramelized glaze on top. So yummy. I must have this dessert again. After the bill came, the hostess came to our table holding two tall shot glasses of something she said was from Portugal and on the house. My companion said it was amaretto, which I had never had thus had no frame of reference, but it was a delicious. I didn't see all of the couples getting such glasses. Maybe they're reserved for people who say it's their first time at the restaurant, or is a romantic gesture for two people who appear totally into each other over the course of the meal, or she just had to get rid of that little bit before she could put the bottle into the fridge.

Again, it was a good experience but I couldn't eat like that often. I don't want to. For that money, I want a lobster tail and a medium rare steak the size of my head next time.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

A Baquette with real butter, gouda, and slices of Cervelat. Together with a bowl of Greek Yoghurt with honey and my daily cup of coffee.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Sounds like a damn good breakfast.

[Jay 46,241]

Wojo that sounds pretty awesome!

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

Plain yogurt with blueberries and blackberries for breakfast. And some hot darjeeling tea.

[Ollie 1,375]

Frosted cherry pop tarts and 2 cups of fresh ground coffee.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

Plain yogurt with blueberries and blackberries for breakfast. And some hot darjeeling tea.

Darjeeling tea is amazing. Blackberries too; I had some last night.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

WOJO,

how was your meal the other night. are you still full.

It was good. An interesting experience, to say the least. Very expensive, but worth doing to learn what it's like, and now I can just save it for special occasions. $120 for two with tip is not an every week kind of meal.

Where to begin. They had a buffet line of cold food, like sushi, sashimi, shrimp, various pasta salads, hummus, various cheeses and meats and breads, and also some hot dishes that I really didn't look closely at because I wanted to save room for the main course(s). I was very perplexed why the buffet would have a sign that says something to the effect of "these dishes are made with the finest ingredients, please don't waste any" but there were no signs to indicate what each particular dish was. So as long as you know what it is, you know whether you want it, but if you don't know for sure, you have to taste-test to be sure and risk wasting food, or else ask the host what each item is. Doesn't make sense.

To drink, I tried a caipirinha, which is the national cocktail of Brazil. It uses fresh limes muddled with superfine sugar and cachaca, a popular Brazilian rum made from sugarcane, over ice. It was very tasty but I only wanted one, then I switched to water. She enjoyed a soft drink.

Then the entrees started showing up. Swordfish. Bacon wrapped turkey. Lambchops and lamb ribs. Flank steak. Two kinds of filet mignon. Thick cuts of bacon. Chicken (I know, boring). Garlic toast (very boring, but after saying "no" to that server three times, I felt bad). Ribeye. Probably a lot more that I just can't remember anymore. I would pile the plate up with meat and turn the coaster over to indicate I didn't want them to stop, but they would bring something past very tasty and I would turn it back over to snatch a bite. I know I ate more than I should have, and wanted to eat a lot more to get my money's worth, but there was no point making myself sick.

She finished long before I was done eating so she had time to think about dessert. We split a creme brulee, which I had always heard about but never eaten. Oh my gosh, it was heavenly. Like the best parts of a cheesecake in a bowl with that caramelized glaze on top. So yummy. I must have this dessert again. After the bill came, the hostess came to our table holding two tall shot glasses of something she said was from Portugal and on the house. My companion said it was amaretto, which I had never had thus had no frame of reference, but it was a delicious. I didn't see all of the couples getting such glasses. Maybe they're reserved for people who say it's their first time at the restaurant, or is a romantic gesture for two people who appear totally into each other over the course of the meal, or she just had to get rid of that little bit before she could put the bottle into the fridge.

Again, it was a good experience but I couldn't eat like that often. I don't want to. For that money, I want a lobster tail and a medium rare steak the size of my head next time.

Glad you had a good time. Sounds delicious, having been several times now I know that I can eat the salad bar and still try every type of meat that I want. Picanha is a style of top sirloin that was my favorite cut at the Texas De Brazil, would love to find a local butcher with that cut but its rare. I don't care for the Brazilian sausage or the lamb.

[Wojo 2,458]

That reminds me, they did have sausage in the selection of meats, as well as some kind of veal. I probably should have sat with a notepad and recorded each item that they presented, since taking photos would have been cumbersome (and not very polite). I liked the sausage but she didn't, so I finished hers. I'm not really a big fan of lamb, though. I don't understand why. I love venison and elk even though they're gamey, but lamb is "too" gamey for my tastes.

Wojo that sounds pretty awesome!

Jay, for the cost of two La-La Land Medal of Honor box sets, it had better be pretty awesome!

[Jay 46,241]

Nothing wrong with an expensive meal every once in a while

[Wojo 2,458]

I didn't imply there was. You know as well as I how awesome it is to connect with that special someone and have her appreciate a little extra spending on special occasions.

[Jay 46,241]

Yea, I'm currently trying to find a nice restaurant to take her to for our 2 year anniversary in January

[Wojo 2,458]

Then I won't be of much help. The only restaurant in your area that I ever visited was the replica Cheers at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, back in 2003.

[Jay 46,241]

That place is always packed to the brim!

[Wojo 2,458]

It wasn't that busy when I went, it was the middle of the afternoon on a Friday. If I looked at an NCAA schedule for 2003, I could nail the day. I had a cheeseburger, bowl of clam chowda, and a Bloody Mary.

I also bought a beer mug that I need to dust off and put into the rotation of my dishes, so I can play Sam when I entertain company, 'cuz I ain't playin' Woody.

[Jay 46,241]

Norm!

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Fried whole belly clams, now that's expensive.

to all the Euromembers or the nonAmerican members have you had much turkey to eat. I don't know how available it is outside the US as it's not native to anywhere but North and Central America.

What do you think about turkey? Personally if they sold the birds at a 6 or 7lb size I'd eat it several times a year.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

The turkey I've had was ok. But I fail to see it as anything but slightly dryer chicken.

[Wojo 2,458]

The taste difference between turkey and chicken is night and day! Black and white!

Sorry, too soon?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Never too soon for you my dear!

I find chicken in general fairly bland meat, and turkey is much the same.

[Wojo 2,458]

I'm Wojo, not alice.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

But you know I love you all the same....

[hornist 1,261]

I never prepared turkey by myself at home. I have tasted it couple of times in US, last time at Christmas Eve 2010.

It was local restaurant's "Traditional Roast Turkey Dinner" in Grand Canyon. I liked it.

I'm planning to have turkey instead of the traditional ham for the Christmas dinner some year.

First I have to learn how to prepare it... Google will help...

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

The thing is. If turkey is sooo nice, why do people only have it during holidays?

[Jay 46,241]

I eat turkey and chicken year round

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I eat chicken year round. There really isn't much of a turkey tradition here.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

I eat chicken year round. There really isn't much of a turkey tradition here.

again it's not native to Europe.

The reason we don't eat it as much is it's a very large bird. The average is probably 12 pounds. Its not very expensive. I like to buy fresh, you can tend to get a smaller bird. Last year I got a 8 pounder, a few years back a 6 pounder. I pay about 1.69 a pound.

Hornist, there are many ways to cook a turkey, roast it, smoke it, fry it. When I say fry it the whole turkey, unbattered, is deep fried in a turkey fryer. It's very expensive way to cook one. It's best to fry several because the amount of oil is to fry a turkey is huge.

I love smoked turkey but not for Thanksgiving. For Thanksgiving or Christmas I like to roast. There are many ways and theories to roasting a large turkey so that you can get the dark meat done and keep the white moist. One thing that often works it placing the white meat to the bottom instead of the top. It generally works, But that doesn't allow the beautiful skin of the turkey to brown and crisp up. The broth of a roasted gravy is wonderfully rich and delicious. I save my broth for my cornbread dressing or stuffing, but stuffing is evil.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I believe turkey for Christmas is a tradition in England too.

[Wojo 2,458]

When I say fry it the whole turkey, unbattered, is deep fried in a turkey fryer. It's very expensive way to cook one. It's best to fry several because the amount of oil is to fry a turkey is huge.

That is the best way to cook a turkey! A deep fried turkey is like candy. It's so good I can't stop eating it.

[gkgyver 1,647]

I pretty much only eat chicken, I forget about turkey completely. But when I try it instead, I think about how I should replace chicken with turkey more often.

I never do, however.

[Koray Savas 2,260]

I find chicken in general fairly bland meat, and turkey is much the same.

You can prepare chicken in so many different ways it's crazy. A very versatile meat, and utterly delicious when done right. Peruvian chicken is my favorite.

[gkgyver 1,647]

Last week I got a whole chicken from our farmer's market, weighing around 5 pounds.

Stuffed it with mushrooms, roasted chestnuts and sausage meat, and put some herbs under the skin, had it in the oven for 2 hours with some fennel bulbs and mangelwurzel (if that is the right word), and served it with a mustard sauce.

Fed the whole family (4 adults).

Tonight, I'm having homemade pumpkin soup with curry and ginger.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

Pasta with chicken

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Last week I got a whole chicken from our farmer's market, weighing around 5 pounds.

Stuffed it with mushrooms, roasted chestnuts and sausage meat, and put some herbs under the skin, had it in the oven for 2 hours with some fennel bulbs and mangelwurzel (if that is the right word), and served it with a mustard sauce.

Fed the whole family (4 adults).

Tonight, I'm having homemade pumpkin soup with curry and ginger.

I notice you seem to have mustard sauce with almost everything.

[gkgyver 1,647]

Well, it wasn't a 100% mustard sauce since it had lots of lovage, but it's certainly true that I love mustard. I use up a tube per week or so. Creamy mustard sauce I have with almost everything except red meat. The taste is great, it fits with almost anything, veggies, chicken, fish, sometimes even pasta ... and it's ridiculously easy to make.

I also love mustard dressings.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

Well, it wasn't a 100% mustard sauce since it had lots of lovage, but it's certainly true that I love mustard. I use up a tube per week or so. Creamy mustard sauce I have with almost everything except red meat. The taste is great, it fits with almost anything, veggies, chicken, fish, sometimes even pasta ... and it's ridiculously easy to make.

I also love mustard dressings.

it's just an observation. It's a product I don't use much in my cooking. It's more of a sandwich spread for me than anything.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

And I only use turkey for bread and sandwiches, never for cooking.

[gkgyver 1,647]

I assume you use "real" mustard (dijon) instead of the bright yellow stuff? For me, a tablespoon of mustard must be able to clean out the nose and sinus cavities to be good.

For cooking, dijon is the only way to go because it looses half of its hotness when it's heated. I tried some of that stuff you eat with sausages once, it just tastes odd.

For meat, I love a crust of herbs and mustard. Some soft butter, parsley, thyme, garlic, breadcrumbs and a tablespoon of dijon.

[JoeinAR 1,957]

I assume you use "real" mustard (dijon) instead of the bright yellow stuff? For me, a tablespoon of mustard must be able to clean out the nose and sinus cavities to be good.

For meat, I love a crust of herbs and mustard. Some soft butter, parsley, thyme, garlic, breadcrumbs and a tablespoon of dijon.

for me real mustard is yellow mustard, it gets the most use. I like spicy brown mustard, and dijon is okay, We have yellow, brown, dijon and one that is rustic and all full of mustard seeds in the fridge. I tried that last one in a cooking recipe recently but it didn't fare well. I also have ground mustard powder and mustard seeds in the pantry. I make my own chinese hot mustard with the powder and the mustard seeds are great in dressings.

[gkgyver 1,647]

I used mustard seeds (the yellow ones) for some time, but eventually stopped because their taste is a bit neutral for me. I prefer strong spices. The mustard with whole seeds isn't my cup of tea either. Yellow mustard is too sweet for me. I use only this stuff:

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,383]

I have a chicken recipe with Dijon mustard and maple syrup I need to try. Maybe this weekend.

What I do like about American recipes is that they tend not to use exact measurements. (grams, ounces etc) but rather "one cup, two tablespoons" etc...