December 19, 2006
The Mic Is On: What’s Your Favorite Food?
ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:59 pm
It’s Like Open Mic Only Different
Here’s how it works.
It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME
The rules are simple — be nice.
There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.
What’s food do you love? You are hungry - aren’t you?
We might also talk about
- foods we hate
- our favorite recipes
- foods we have never tasted
- our traditional holiday foods
AND THE EVER POPULAR,
Basil the code-writing donkey, and Milton the Skinny Moose.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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237 Comments to “The Mic Is On: What’s Your Favorite Food?”
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Joe said
Hey All,
Sorry, I am in and right out. Just had to stop by to say hi…
Joe
Char said
I’ll start us out with a nice, rich, bowl of soup:
http://casualkeystrokes.com/recipe-curried-butternut-squash-soup/
I am hosting Christmas Day for our family this year. We won’t be doing a formal sit down dinner, rather yummy appetizers all day long!
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I’m not sure how long I will be around, but I do want to come and say hi!
Joe said
Oh, and Strawberries. mmmmm
Jesse said
My wife and I came across a good quickie for after work:
9×13″ Corningware dish
1 package of pre-made ravioli (about 1lb)
1 can of Hunts spaghetti sauce (we like 4 cheese)
pepperoni and mozzerella to your liking
Bake at 300 for about 5-10 minutes for the cheese to melt, broil for a minute if you want the cheese to burn.
It even makes good leftovers.
ME Strauss said
Hi Joe!
What’s on? You going out for dinner?
ME Strauss said
Char,
That soup sounds more than wonderful!
Char said
Jesse - that sounds like something that would be a hit in this house.
ME Strauss said
Doug,
Not hungry?
ME Strauss said
Jesse,
You’re making me want to bring out my Italian, Prego!
Char said
Liz - the lime crema on the top of the soup makes it. It is so easy and oh, so good.
Do you have a recipe for us?
Jesse said
Doggone!!! I’m getting hungry now, and we’re still stuck at work :
ME Strauss said
Char,
You’re asking whether I cook? HA!
I’m a baker . . . there’s some extra buttery chocolate chip cookies that I know about . . .
Trisha said
I like trying foods I’ve never had before, especially Asian food. We went to a place a while back that had a big buffet, it was really big and I was able to try lots of new things.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Not really too hungry. I eat to live, not the other way around.
ME Strauss said
Hi Trisha,
What was the special feast delight?
Trisha said
I hate cooking, so I don’t really have any favorite recipes.
Jesse said
How about this one:
Pan-sear boneless, skinless chickenbreast with light vegetable oil until internal temperature of 185 degrees F.
Mix 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 tsp chives, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp lime juice, and some dillweed if you have any (we bought dillweed powder)
Drizzle the lime juice mix on the chicken, best served with rice or steamed veggies powdered with red pepper.
I’ve fixed this for the whole family (9 people at once!) and it was a hit.
Char said
I don’t really enjoy cooking, but over time I have developed a decent short list of recipes that are always hits.
I love the Chicken Korma that the local Indian restaurant makes - that sounds good right now.
HART (1-800-HART) said
Here’s an oldie recipe .. during my W/W daze ..
chicken salad in whole-wheat bread bowl
~wave Greetings to All
Jesse said
MMMMmmm…bread bowls rock!!
Trisha said
I’ve really been liking Thai food a lot lately, unfortunately we don’t have one real close to where we live.
ME Strauss said
Chicken is such staple recipe at our house. I never eat it in a restaurant. I only eat red meat when I go out.
Char said
And your reasons, Liz…
HART (1-800-HART) said
Today I had a great Mongolian Stirfry for Lunch .. although, I consider that a healthy Lunch ~ And, it will be all salads for the rest of the week as we seem to have been talked into dinners every day starting Saturday thru to Tuesday. Uggh .. I should buy new pants with rubber expanding belt buckle tomorrow
Chris Cree said
Chocolate, coffee and Klondike bars!
I love the watermelon photo, Liz. Classic!
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I eat fish mainly when I go out. Salmon is the best.
Jesse said
Do any of you have good meat markets in your areas?
I found a place on my way home from church that has 4 filet mignons for $20. We like to get that for special dates when we go out, and it’s usually $25/plate. Talk about thrilled.
ME Strauss said
Char,
I don’t go out much and when I do, I do for something the opposite of what I get to eat at home.
Char said
Ah. I like ordering fish when I go out, because I never cook it at home but I love it.
I knew Chris would be here - with Klondike bars! Yummy~!
Char said
Chris - how is the disaster recovery coming?
Francie said
Thanks for the invite, Liz!
I’m new at blogging, but been eating for a long time…
Someone mentioned salmon - I love it. Farm raised isn’t supposed to be as good for you as the wild organic for some reason. But I eat it anyway.
I like fresh veggies, but not cauliflower (yccch, blah!!)
Chris Cree said
Char, I’m actually just now starting to go through through my email and reconstituting “The Lost Posts”. Fortunately there weren’t that many. Too bad I can’t get the comments back.
Chris Cree said
Tell y’all what. Klondike bars all around tonight. On me!
Liz, here’s a stash for the freezer for those folks who get here tonight after I leave. (It was a good bonus this year!)
Rick Cockrum said
Hi all!
Any food I don’t have to cook is on my favorites list. Fish tops it, though. And peanut butter. I think peanut butter would be a gourmet food if it weren’t so common.
Francie said
Someone said “chocolate, coffee and Klondike bars” Yes, I second that!
And, what about eggnog - just had some cinnamon eggnog - yum! My mother used to make it from scratch with real eggs and the hand eggbeater. Now they say you can’t do that
Char said
Since coffee is a food group for many of us - what does everyone prefer?
My choice - Newman’s Own Extra Bold with a single french vanilla creamer that goes through my Keurig coffee machine.
Second place - Starbucks gingerbread latte
Valeria Maltoni said
Hi Liz, hi everyone:
I can offer an entry I did on the Joys of the Palate with link to my secret favorite cookbook from my region - http://conversationagent.typepad.com/conversation_agent/2006/10/made_in_italy.html
I confess that I can’t cook, but am a master baker.
ME Strauss said
Welcome Francie!!
Glad you came. I’ve got chocolate! It’s right here. Thank you, Doug!!!
ME Strauss said
Hi HART!
I didn’t mean to miss your sandwich.
~~waves~~ I’d like to order one now if I might. ~~~~ waves ~~~
Valeria Maltoni said
The book also provides information about the ingredients so that you can find local (US) equivalents. The result is very close if not the same as you would taste in Italy.
Francie said
Thanks for the Klondike bars, Chris. But, it’s too cold this time of year for me to eat them. I only indulge in those in summertime.
Might have to fix a hot cup of cocoa -mint flavor.
ME Strauss said
Chris,
I guess losing a little sleep might be worth a truckload of Klondike bars. Geesh the sidebar refrigerator is making the while blog list to the left by 20 degrees.
Sandy picked out the watermelon man.
She’s so good.
Valeria Maltoni said
Char: my coffee is Lavazza Crema e Gusto prepared in a little manual machine I brought from Italy.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
I don’t cook much at home. I’m not a good cook and it’s quite annoying to cook at home.
Liz, did you send my holiday card I sent out to my readers?
http://www.serviceuntitled.com/happy-holidays-from-service-untitled/2006/12/19/
ME Strauss said
Hi Rick,
I got your card in the mail this week. Thank you for the thank you. That was nicer than chocolate.
Rick Cockrum said
Thank you for the Klondike, Chris.
Coffee is a major food group - dark roast, black. Hot chocolate comes in second.
I’m in a drive-by visit to night. The power supply has gone out on my laptop, and the battery has about 10 minutes left. Bye for now. Enjoy the meal.
Valeria Maltoni said
Francie: I love eggnog. I have an old recipe to prepare it only if you’re staying home — there’s enough alcohol to make you happy for a loooong time.
And it goes with wipped cream on the top and a sprinkle of cocoa. Yum!
Francie said
Wow! You’ve all got some high falutin’ coffees. I usually get mine at the gas station/covenience store in the morn.
I like to mix half plain coffee with whatever flavored cappuccinos they have in the dispensers. Today it was 1/2 coffee, 1/4 french Vanilla and 1/4 Double Mocha.
I like trying different ratios.
Nneka said
I’m from Trinidad. My favorite dish is okra and rice with salted pig tails and pumpkin. Sounds kind of gross, but it’s delish.
Chris Cree said
Francie, I’m with you. I go for quantity over quality where my coffee is concerned. When it comes to coffee and chocolate I am a true child of the MTV generation. Too Much is Never Enough!
ME Strauss said
Nneka
Welcome,
You’re right, it does sound kind of gross!
ME Strauss said
Valeria,
That cookbook sounds heavenly. But I wonder does it have any banana recipes for Seth?
Char said
I never drank coffee until I was about 28 - something about having to be at the office at 6 in order to beat traffic taught me to love it.
Starbucker said
Hi everybody! Hope you all are having a great evening. Here’s my favorite food list -from an “evolutionary” perspective (that is, by decade of my life):
1) 1960s - McDonalds cheeseburger
2) 1970s - Pizza (with sausage)
3) 1980’s - Mexican
4) 1990s - Sushi
5) 2000’s - Indian
Quite a migration!
ME Strauss said
Char!
I’m the same way! I never drank coffee until I was almost 30. Most of my friends said I was too naturally wired to go near the stuff.
Francie said
Hi Nineka. Yeh, salted pig tails sounds really gross, but it’s interesting.
I’m not very good at trying different (or gross) food much. Although I did try sweetbreads years ago. Those are organ meats (I think the thymus gland) yuccch.
Valeria Maltoni said
Liz,
I am writing about my experience just tonight. I had to spend a whole week letting it soak in… and will be linking to your fabulous post from June.
Funny
Made in Italy *is* the banana.
ME Strauss said
Hi Starbucker,
I couldn’t help but imagine when you get really, really old and that list ends with applesauce.
Valeria Maltoni said
Hi Starbucker,
Good to see you here. Love the list. Indian seems to be the way US companies are going too these days…
ME Strauss said
Ah yes,
Valeria, I do agree.
Italy IS THE banana. I wonder whether Seth knows THAT!
Chris Cree said
*snork* @ Liz!
Y’all and your late life coffee drinking. I started when I was 15 working in the horse barns by 5 AM.
I think it stunted my growth.
Scorpia said
Evening, everyone. Just dropped in for a little while (before all the food talk makes me hungry ;).
I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was in college and had classes at the unholy hour of 8 AM.
I still drink it, but usually only one cup in the morning.
Francie said
Starbucker, that’s a novel way to categorize them. Huh. Of all your categories or decades, pizza is the only one that falls in my favorites. Love it!!
Although, I think I had more than my share of Mickey D’s cheeseburgers (and fries) in the 60s too. Wouldn’t go near them now!
Starbucker said
Good one Liz! Yep, that’s where I’m headed. But maybe I can get one decade in there with something challenging - any ideas? Hi Valeria!
Starbucker said
Hi Francie- same here; I haven’t walked into a McDonalds in over 10 years. As for coffee…..I think my name says it all!
ME Strauss said
Starbucker,
Phil Gerbyshak could have a contest. . . .
What will Terry eat in the 2010s znd 2020s???
Scorpia said
Organ meats, ick! I stay with the flesh. Don’t offer me anything from inside the critter.
Otherwise, I enjoy all sorts of cuisine, and I’m always willing to give something new a try.
Valeria Maltoni said
It worries me that there’s no Italian on your list, Stabucker. Not that I’m partial…
In Italy coffee is an excuse to take a break (or many) with a friend in a trendy cafe’ — sitting outside when it’s nice, and possibly have a smoke (now only outdoors there as well). So the value is in the bean *and* the company, especially the company.
ME Strauss said
Hi Scorpia!
Welcome to the food fest . . .
Starbucker said
Yes Liz, you should pass that on to Phil
No worries Valeria, I do enjoy Italian quite a bit; it’s in the top 5 for sure. A contender for #1 in the 2010’s. Linguini and clam sauce……num!
Scorpia said
What I miss is a good toasted coconut donut. There used to be a place in my neighborhood where I’d buy one now and then. But that whole block came down (sold for something else), and there’s nowhere else that sells those donuts.
But I’m hoping for chocolate mousse cake for Xmas (or close to it).
Starbucker said
Oh Scorpia, chocolate mousse cake……that’s heavenly. A top 5 dessert, for sure. Dig the donut too - love anything with coconut.
Francie said
Valeria, that reminds me then - coffee beans. Do you know the origin of the tradition of putting 3 coffee beans into a sambucca?
I used to bartend, and was always afraid someone would choke on them (the beans). Never drank that stuff, but it smelled great (licorice?)
ME Strauss said
Oh Chris that neighborhood Mexican restaurant where they make their own chips. . ..
Kian Ann said
hey people! i’m always missing out on open mics because i’m sleeping as you are chatting!! its so fun!
i’m not going to miss this one though - if its about FOOD, i’ve gotta be here!
anyway, i’m no cook, but i made my own smoothie with my mum’s blender. haha… she must be furious when she knows i’m playing with her kitchen toys
Scorpia said
Yeah Starbucker, especially the cake I can get from a local pastry shop. Absolutely fantastic stuff! Coconut is pretty good, too. I’ve always loved Mounds bars, one of my three favorite candies.
ME Strauss said
Kian Ann!
Welcome! Thanks for staying up to come!
Char said
I love coconut, too! And sambucca - it’s wonderful if you sip it slowly (and like licorice).
Char said
Kian Ann, it’s great to see you here. I bet your mom makes good food - what’s your favorite?
Trisha said
I starting drinking coffee when I was really young, don’t drink it now at all though.
Chris Cree said
I haven’t had real Mexican food in a long time. (Moe’s doesn’t count as authentic in my book.)
Then, after my trip to the frozen north, the first place I eat is a local Mexican eatery. Go figure.
Scorpia said
Licorice, that’s another of my top three. But only Panda licorice (the only one I’ve found so far that doesn’t have a lot of added junk).
ME Strauss said
Trisha,
How young is really young?
Starbucker said
Char, I’m also a sucker for licorice - I like the flavor so much I use toothpaste that tastes like it (so I can at least get the essence)!
Valeria Maltoni said
Francie,
I don’t know where that came from. I suspect it’s the oil on the bean reacting with the licorice in the Sambuca that blends nicely.
I don’t drink Sambuca, but there are people who will have coffee only with a splash of liquor — they call it ‘corretto’ (=corrected). Even in the morning.
Char said
Scorpia - where do you find Panda licorice? I love Bassett’s Licorice Allsorts.
Francie said
Kian Ann, I love to make smoothies too!
This morning I made one with plain yogurt, 1 banana, fresh blackberries(I splurged) sprinkle of cinnamon, teaspoon of flaxseed and a splash of OJ - yummy!
(and good for you)
Scorpia said
I’ve had Mexican food. Ordered Mole Pablano because I just had to try the sauce. It was surprisingly good. But it’s been a long time since I’ve eaten in a Mexican place.
There’s a Tex-Mex restaurant in my area that isn’t bad.
Kian Ann said
Well, she seldom cooks, and I know its tough on her - to be working in the day and then coming home to cook after work. But when she cooks occasionally, I’ll eat whatever she cooks!
Chris Cree said
Mmmm… That Klondike bar is going down good. I think we might have seen 80 degrees here in Savannah!
Scorpia said
Stop that, Chris! I’m starting to get the munchies!!
Kian Ann said
I’m going downstairs to grab my breakfast now… be back up in a short while!
*my tummy is growling*
Marti said
Howdy!
Does anyone remember Western Sizzin’ Steak House restaurants? They had a dish called Malibu Chicken that is really easy to make at home.
Bake boneless chicken breasts, then lay a slice of deli ham and a slice of swiss cheese on top. Pop under the broiler for a minute or so until cheese starts to melt. Can be drizzled with honey mustard if desired.
Scorpia said
Sounds a little rich to me, Marti. But an interesting combination of flavors there.
Service Untitled - Douglas said
Phew, just wrote tomorrow’s post for Service Untitled. It’s going to be a good one (I hope)!
Francie said
Chris, you talking Savannah GA? 80 degrees?
I’m in NH. It’s about 26 degrees tonight. Too cold for those Klondike bars.
But have you had their cappuccino version- my favorite. Peppermint patty comes in next, after that, plain old Klondike, vanilla filled with chocolate covering. But, brrrr.
Starbucker said
Hi Marti, you reminded me of the old Ponderosa Steak Houses my parents used to take me to. That was my first exposure to the “help yourself salad bar”. Boy did I take to that. Years later, in college, I took my salad bar fixation to the local Wendy’s near campus. For $2.99, I could really put it down. The manager never liked to see me walk in!
Chris Cree said
Francie, Yesterday we got to 77. I don’t know what today’s high was, but it felt warmer to me. Normal for us this time of year is about 60 or so.
Char said
Chris - Savannah is such a fun city to visit. We have been there a handful of times - always fun
I have to tuck everyone into bed - I’ll be back in a while.
Scorpia said
Ice cream, for me, is strictly a summer treat (one of the few good things about summer).
Years ago, Chambord put out an ice cream line, and one of the flavors was Chocolate Raspberry Truffle. Chcolate ice cream with dark choclate bits and raspberry stuff swirled through it.
I’d wait until the end of summer and buy a pint. Put a scoop in a dish, drop a splash of Kahlua over it, and savor.
I miss that ice cream.
Starbucker said
Douglas, how ya doin? I can’t imagine your post not being good.
Marti said
Cold here in Mazoorah, too.
Chris Cree said
Folks, I’ve got to turn in myself. I hear a pillow calling my name! Have a great night. And…
Merry Christmas!
Scorpia said
Happy holidays, Chris!! Enjoy!
Becky McCray said
Hi, all!
Bye, Chris!
Starbucker said
Nite Chris (when can we chat?)!
Marti said
Nite Chris
Francie said
This has been fun! Can’t leave without mentioning Christmas cookies. Definitely a favorite this time of year.
I have a bunch of baking to do in a couple of days.
Right now, I’m going to make myself a real hot cup of cocoa and warm up.
Happy Hollidays All!
Carolyn Manning said
I must be a little late. Good night Chris
Becky McCray said
I brought Mistletoe Kiss Champagne, courtesy of my Mom.
Mistletoe Kiss Champagne
Makes: 1 serving
Start to Finish: 2 minutes
Ingredients
o 1/2 cup chilled champagne
o 1/2 cup pear juice
o Mint sprig & tiny tree ornament
o Drop of green food coloring
Directions
In a champagne glass combine chilled champagne, pear juice & color. Garnish with mint sprig and tiny tree ornament.
Becky McCray said
It says one serving, but I brought plenty!
Scorpia said
Cheers, Francie! Enjoy the cookies and cocoa! Happy Merry and all that jazz
ME Strauss said
Hi Marti!
Good night, Chris!
Sleepy swell!
Starbucker said
Hey, gotta run - it’s snuggle time for me and my beloved. I wish all of you a happy and wonderful Holiday Season!
ME Strauss said
Hi Becky!
Thanks for coming!
Chris Cree said
‘Night all. (Starbucker I shot you an email.)
Scorpia said
Starbucker, have a Merry one!
Becky McCray said
Hi, Liz. Have some of the champagne!
Trisha said
I was pretty young, don’t know exactly, but I’m sure I was less than 10.
I’m way too lactose intolerant to eat any ice cream.
Becky McCray said
Scorpia, I like the way you make ice cream! A liquor store owner’s dream.
Valeria Maltoni said
Scorpia,
I worked in those boutiquy Italian ice cream shops for the better part of high school summers. 30+ terrific flavors delivered fresh daily. I used to scoop up a swirl of my favorites when just made.
You wouldn’t believe the aroma, and the taste. Cold yet so flavorful. Yummy!
Becky McCray said
Your name, Valeria Maltoni, sounds like the perfect name for an Italian ice cream seller!
Marti said
Wanted to wish all of you a glorious holiday season!
Scorpia said
Trisha, that’s tough luck.
Betsy, hehe. I only did that with the Chambord Ice Cream. Otherwise, I like my Kahlua straight.
Valeria, sounds like an ice cream lover’s dream. How much did you gain while working there?
Kian Ann said
Goodnight people!, and yeah have a wonderful Christmas!
(while I have my breakfast)
Becky McCray said
Thanks, Marti! The same to you and yours.
ME Strauss said
Becky,
I think that champagne sounds dreamy. I’ll have some with a bit of Scorpia’s ice cream please!
Becky McCray said
Well, no Chambord brand ice cream, but we do have some regular delicious Chambord here… We’ll just have to make do!
Scorpia said
Okay Becky, email me a bottle! I won’t say no
(While we’re at it, add in a bottle of Glenlivet, too
Carolyn Manning said
Ya know what? I thought I was gonna jump right in tonight, but I’m staring at the screen waiting for it to change. Sorry to hit and run, but it’s lookin’ like time to sleep.
Scorpia said
Happy Merry, Carolyn!
Char said
Becky - the champagne sounds divine - I love pears. Love your blog, too - I’ll be checking it out over the next few days
Valeria Maltoni said
Hi Becky,
I had my fun and it was hard work. Those places are spotless for one reason: the folks who work there wipe it down every single end of shift.
Time for me to hit the sack.
Merry Christmas everyone. If you have a chance, I posted a “What do you want for Christmas” entry on my blog today and hope to get lots of comments to create a sort of document I can share. Hint: it’s about making *that” special idea happen in the world.
ME Strauss said
That’s fine, Carolyn,
Sometimes talking isn’t the most fun.
Sweet dreams . . .
Becky McCray said
If we can ever figure out the technical aspects of emailing bottles, we are going to have the next killer app!
Good night, Carolyn
Char said
Hi Carolyn - have a good night
Scorpia said
Buon Natale, Victoria!
Meikah Delid said
Hello Liz… how are you? Hi everyone!
Wow food!!! 
I love all food, especially seafood …
Valeria Maltoni said
Buon Natale a tutti. Grazie Scorpia.
HART (1-800-HART) said
Do you get this site? (or is it membership only?)
Weight Watchers - Top Ten Best/Worst Holiday Foods
I’m back. TV shows over. What’s happening? // going to check out some earlier links now!
ME Strauss said
Hi Meikah!
Here comes trouble!!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hey guys — how’s everyone doing?
Just catching up!
Leon said
Hi Everyone, Liz this topic is making me HUNGRY!
Becky McCray said
Hi Meikah and Ben
ME Strauss said
Hi Ben!!
Want an orange?
Leon said
Hi Ben.
ME Strauss said
Hi Leon,
What makes you say that?
Meikah Delid said
Hahaha
Liz! Double trouble bec just had breakfast and now I’m hungry! I’d like some potato salad or grilled rosemary chicken sandwich + brewed coffee please… 
Ben Yoskovitz said
Sure, I’ll take an orange, sounds tasty. Thanks Liz.
Char said
Here’s another incredibly easy, always requested recipe I have planned for every family gathering
Put a 5 lb bag of pre-made, frozen Italian meatballs in a crockpot (slow cooker). Add 2 jars of Heinz chili sauce and a jar of grape jelly.
Let cook for 4-5 hours and serve. Guaranteed to have no left overs.
HART (1-800-HART) said
Hi Liz .. I left you a sandwich in the fridge, lower shelf ..
Scorpia said
Hart, I was able to see the WW link, no problems.
Not sure about some of those substitutes, though
Scorpia said
Grape jelly and chili sauce??? Eeyew! Sounds awful, Char.
Becky McCray said
Ben, are you here to collect wishes?
Leon said
Liz, I was blogging up a storm just now and discovered I was thinking of pasta. My stomach growled but I said I have to stop by open mic for a bit. Then I saw the topic.
HART (1-800-HART) said
Thanks Scorpia .. I was curious. I logged out and couldn’t see My recipes that I have been saving.
My wife has been making these great cheese ball recipes .. with chili chipotle or raspberry jelly seasoning and a few other secret ingredients … Yuuummmy with Triscuit Crackers.
ME Strauss said
Oh HART,
Thanks I like foods that I don’t to use utensils. I like food I can make friends with.
Ben Yoskovitz said
Becky — yes I am. *smile*
Just changed my website URL to http://www.gifter.org.
I hope everyone will take a look and post a comment on the Million Dollar Blog Post with their 1 wish for the world. Super fun / great cause…
Scorpia said
Sounds enticing, Hart. Save a couple for me
HART (1-800-HART) said
btw … Has anybody tried that new Heinz Beef Gravy in a can yet? I was quite interested to taste it - and I’m impressed. In our family there has always been two types of gravy .. the oily dark brown roast beef gravy, or the thick nicely golden brown smooth gravy. Heinz filled #2 job.
Scorpia said
Just tried the URL, Ben, and got some weird error.
Char said
Scorpia - trust me, when the three ingredients mix, they make a tasty combo. I have the pickiest family and they love them.
Hey Ben! Good to see you here, too,
Leon said
“I like food I can make friends with.” - hehe, I am like that and they like me too.
Ben Yoskovitz said
URL:
http://www.gifter.org
When I put a . at the end it messed it up.
Try it now!
Scorpia said
Well Char, I’ll take your word for it.
I’m gonna be leaving in a few minutes myself. Stayed longer than expected tonight. Must be the virtual armoa from all the food
HART (1-800-HART) said
Hey Ben .. ~waves
Is that website for real? or just linkbait? I dugg it anyway (to 45) …
Scorpia said
Okay, this time it worked, Ben. Interesting concept. I’ll have to take a closer look in there later.
Ben Yoskovitz said
HART - that website is totally real. I’m helping the guy that set it up.
I appreciate the digg. I hope you’ll leave a wish.
And you can donate money to any charity you want. Just put GIFTER.ORG on the receipt or check and post it online somewhere (blog, Flickr) and let us know. We’ll get you on our sponsorship roll and thank you many times over.
Any help promoting the project is hugely appreciated.
Scorpia said
Folks, it’s been fun (and chewy
but I have to pop out now.
Happy Merry to everyone, whatever you’re celebrating! May Santa bring you all the goodies you want, or at least half of them!
Bye all!!
::poof::
HART (1-800-HART) said
You know … I was thinking Ben .. that’s one site I probably would recommend *NOT* subscribing to their comments
just in case they do get a million commentors!
Ben Yoskovitz said
HART - that’s exactly the point though! I’d love to see tons of people subscribe to that feed.
It’ll be the most positive feed ever, that’s for sure…
Thanks for the digg + wish…
HART (1-800-HART) said
Ben .. it sounds like a good project, although I am too poor to sponsor something like that. I do donate to Canadian Cancer Society though .. and to Canada Revenue Agency in lieu of penalties and interest on my late paying income tax ~
Ben Yoskovitz said
Hehe. I hear you on the Canada Revenue Agency…they’re always knocking on my door.
Remember, you can donate $10 to a charity, label it GIFTER.ORG and that counts. You don’t have to toss around big dollars…
Leon said
Thanks Char and Ben… I followed links to “WHAT I LEARNED THIS YEAR”. When I do my review I’ll passit on and mention the project.
ME Strauss said
Ben,
You are a whirlwhild of generous idea!
Ben Yoskovitz said
Thanks Liz. I’ll hop off my high horse for now (hardly very high) and pass around some chocolate covered organic cookies. Just picked them up at the grocery store … impulse buy. They’re not bad!
HART (1-800-HART) said
Ben .. // I did something else … I posted on both http://PetLvr.com/blog/ and http://1800HART.com/blog/ a GOTO message!
ME Strauss said
More chocolate! This is turning out to be a very good night!
HART (1-800-HART) said
oop/ 2 links, I’m in moderation queue .. And, that’s what my wife always says on Xmas Eve .. with my food and alcohol intake
Ben Yoskovitz said
Much appreciated HART!
Marti said
(Marti’s evil twin takes over - the one who pushes her work at Squidoo - LOL)
I have a new lens that is about the best boxed chocolates. We’ve got a new module called Plexo, and you can vote the list up or down, like Digg. You can even add new choices.
scot herrick said
Hello, everyone!
Here’s the trick Jo and I used for our wedding reception we had here at the house a few weeks ago: we watched the Hearty Boys on Food Network (they are caterers from Chicago-land) and then used their recipes for our reception based upon how easy they were to make and how good the food was.
We had rave comments. I’d recommend the trick.
(Beats camping food; we’ve been doing some of that without power here in the Pacific Northwest…).
Scot
HART (1-800-HART) said
Hi Marti .. nice chrissmassy makeover! I have to get out more often.
Marti said
Bad Marti, everyone is quiet……
HART (1-800-HART) said
Hi Scot, and correct me if I’m wrong .. but, is a CONGRATULATIONS in order? Not that the “our wedding reception” comment was any clue or anything like that…
HART (1-800-HART) said
Marti .. it’s not you .. it’s Evil Twin Marti that’s the problem *geeesh*
Char said
Yes, Marti - it looks nice.
Marti said
Thanks, Hart! Did you like the Farting Frosty story? lol
HART (1-800-HART) said
Farting Frosty, Snowballs .. can’t get any better than that! hehe
Of course, my wife prefers diamonds
Marti said
Thanks, Char! I will try to visit y’all tomorrow. I’m tightening the buckles on evil Marti’s straitjacket right now - lol
Leon said
Cheery layout Marti. Btw chocolate is better than spam - Spurl got shut down today due to a DoS. Spam is like burnt food at a crappy restaurant.
scot herrick said
Hello, Hart. Nice to comment with you again. Yes, congrats are in order, but we’ve been together several years. So it is more like “better at the next level” than a newlywed thing.
We had a blast at the reception. Thirty people, I cooked Lasagna (meat and vegetarian) starting at 10:00 AM. Then we had five friends come over and they were all assigned a dish or two before everyone else got there.
Great friends, great conversation…and it saved us some work!!
Leon said
Well, it’s a race against time here. Will we make 200 comments before I have to go to a late supper?
Marti said
All forms of spam are evil…
ME Strauss said
Scot!
So great to see you!! Well and good I see and not smelling of fireplace.
Marti said
Congratulations and best wishes, Scot!
scot herrick said
He he…
Thought I would stop by and say hello. It’s been a long time and have been missing the crowd.
We’re doing fine after the storm. If I need another job, I can clean houses…!!
Leon said
Scot - I heard the storm was rough there. Some areas of Victoria lost power for days.
Char said
Good night all! Merry Christmas to all!
ME Strauss said
Good night, Char.
I can’t wait to see the tool box tomorrow!
Marti said
AH! The magic 200! Time for bed here as well.
Sweet dreams of sugarplums to one and all!
Leon said
Well, we hit 200 comments and I am hungry.
Bye everyone.
Thanks Liz. I still haven’t talked about “Basil the code-writing donkey”, or “Milton the Skinny Moose” but at least they aren’t on the menu!
Good night.
ME Strauss said
I keep thinking about stuff artichokes and pommegrantes..
HART (1-800-HART) said
I think I will say my official “goodnites” now too .. instead of vanishing into thin air, like I usually do!
I’m still online though, but multi-tasking.
scot herrick said
Hi Leon,
Yes, pretty tough here in Seattle-land. Over a million people without power on Friday and still over 150,000 today.
The restaurant I was eating in on Sunday was running out of food. I was literally one of the last five people to get hash browns. The list of what wasn’t available was longer than what was. (have to keep it on the food theme!!).
All of the service industries here were simply fabulous. People with no power coming into to restaurants and grocery stores to help, gas lines in order, owners working tables…it was really very good.
Here are some photos: http://www.king5.com/perl/common/slideshow/sspop.pl?recid=2362&location=www.king5.com
Some 4-6,000 homes have trees through the roof.
Back to our regularly scheduled food programming!
Scot
ME Strauss said
Like I told you, Scot, I’ve been evacuated I know it’s no party. I’m so sorry to hear you were and so glad you know are safe and back home again.
Sandra Renshaw said
Hi everybody,
Any food left?
Sandy
ME Strauss said
Scot,
I think it’s time to throw in the keys and get some pre-holiday sleep . . . I’m falling asleep at my keyboard. You must be dead tired too.
scot herrick said
And the best food was…home cooking in our house tonight…!!
And THIS is what the comfort food was tonight:
Apricot-Glazed Chicken with Dried Plums and Sage. The recipe is here (and it’s really good!):
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_30351,00.html?rsrc=search
Scot
Sandy said
Scot,
Sorry to hear about the evacuation. Your description sounds a bit like the floods of ‘93 in Des Moines. Pulled people and community together to help each other
scot herrick said
Hit the sack, Liz. It’s still a bit early — but close — here on the west coast.
Another half hour…then it’s sack time here after all the recovery work.
Sandy said
Oops. Goodnight everybody. I’ll just grab a few leftovers and head back to my desk. Thanks for all the recipes.
Sandy
Mike said
Austin, TX
Hancock Dr.
Jorge’s
An everclear margarita -straight up
A basket of chips and the best picante sauce in the galaxy
Samuel John Klein said
Hi! It’s me, back after a few weeks of being incognito…very busy, and we have our own travails here…
The favorite food around here seems to be those boxed mac and cheese dinners…but not unadorned. It turns out that you can get some real tasty stuff if you add stuff in.
Stuff such as: skillet-fried ground beef, tuna, Italian seasoning, stewed tomatoes…
To really show off my prole leanings, lets just say that heaven to me is boxed mac and cheese (not Kraft, mind, it seems better the cheaper you go–get store brand), cooked with ground beef, seasoned with Tapatio or Tabasco, and with a generous scoop of those textured soy “bacon” bits.
Thems (as we say where I grew up) is good eats.
Mike said
Dang! Late again. Goodnight Sandy! Goodnight Liz! If you’re falling asleep at your keyboard at this hour you’ve obviously found the pitcher of margaritas I left for you.
Mike said
Mr. Sam,
The store brand is the only way to go, and mix-ins (especially fridge finds) are the best!
Mike
Mike said
Hmm. 15 minutes without a response. I guess they’re all asleep. I can pry that Klondike bar out of Chris’ hand if I’m careful…I’ll replace it with HART’s cheese ball…I’ll let Scot have his hash browns, but I’m nicking an apricot-glazed chicken wing…I’m sure Ben’s organic cookies will keep me regular…after I recover from Char’s meatball and jelly recipe…I think Char must have found the everclear margaritas first…I’ve never eaten a tree ornament, but after Becky’s concoction I might be tempted…if Trisha’s lactose intolerant she should stick to champagne…and tree ornaments…I make it a point not to eat rodents, but I might try some mole poblano on Scorpia’s recommendation…Starbucker appears to have run off the rails in the 90’s…one word: fugu…Francie: heimlich maneuver tiddly winks is a bar favorite…Nneka’s salted pig tail (the sugared ones are gross) sound good…I’ll take Jesse’s bread bowl full of fajita beef, courtesy of our gracious host who never eats chicken outside the home. No of your brought antacids; how inconsiderate!
Cheers, and Merry Christmas!!
Mike
Samuel John Klein said
Mike:
Yeah, true. And the mac n cheese was one of the first meals me and The Wifeâ„¢ shared when she was just The Girlfriendâ„¢ so there’s a lot of comfort and nostalgic value there as well.
Ah Pek said
Some says it smells like smelly socks. Some says it tastes like rotten eggs. But my favorite fruit is the King of the Fruits in my part of the world. It’s called the durian. Hated by many, but loved by all!
Mike said
Mr. Sam,
I have enjoyed many M&C meals with my kids, and plan to do the same with my (eventual) grandchildren.
When I first met my wife we enjoyed the occasional Happy Meal together!
Mike
Mike said
Ah Pek,
I have heard of the durian, but have yet to taste the King of the Fruits!
Mike
Samuel John Klein said
The only reason they call the durian the King of the Fruits is because it’s big, ugly, smells funny and will physically assault you if you make fun of it.
It’s not just nasty, it’s mean too.
They do say it tastes heavenly, but only if you can get. around. that. smell. Smells like dirty socks.
Another amusing use of durians is to make jungle animals drunk. Seriously! I saw this on PBS some time back (sorry I can’t provide a reference). A fact of nature is that some fruits, when left long enough on the vine/tree/whatever, will ferment within thier own rinds. Turns out elephants like a little nip…or a big one…ever so often.
Just plain wierd.
ME Strauss said
Hey, Mike,
Thanks for that pitcher of margaritas. That really did the trick. I was a happy little girl for the rest of the night. All of the food went superbly well with it.
My only argument is that I prefer the Oasis when I’m in Austin. You can call me a tourist, but I used to live just down the road from there.
ME Strauss said
Hey Samuel John,
I love it when you come by late on a Tuesday night. You always bring an interesting story or information that I’ve never encountered in my life.
I’d never heard of dorian, but I’m glad in this case that I’m glad I have no working sense of smell. If I behave with appropriate respect I might enjoy its flavor, which good because I don’t do well with foods that bite me back.
ME Strauss said
Thanks, too, Sandy,
for stopping by to check on things while I was going taking care of my computer and finding my way to my pillow last night. You’re a real trooper and I hope the leftovers held you over to this morning!
Mike said
Liz,
The Oasis? Nice neighborhood!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Thanks, Mike,
Austin was much smaller then. It was the early 90s. It was before the new airplort. The old airport still has carpet throughout it.
Mike said
Liz,
I lived there from ‘82-’86, when Austin was even smaller!
Mike
ME Strauss said
Mike,
Sorry to hear that we missed each other. Glad to know that we finally found each other here.
Joe said
Hey Liz,
Sorry for the very short stay last night. I buried my Mom on Monday and it was my first day to try to wind down.
I’ll be back next Tuesday will bells on (day after Christmas and all).
Joe
ME Strauss said
Oh Joe,
I’m sorry you said “Good bye” to your mom. That’s a sadness. You’re in my heart.
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Tim Singleton said
Well, I screwed up and began eating brown rice and a few things to help me be able to choke it down for two months on advice of my physician. Then I began liking it.
Taking off and going back to eating like I used to do (hey, it’s Christmas, right?) was like throwing a monkey wrench into a complex machine with lots of pulleys and such. It did not go well. The egg nog I so dearly love somehow turned into a rock hard volleyball that sat in the pit of my stomach for nearly 24 hours. Is there anything creamier and sweeter than egg nog that is ice cold? I will dearly miss it. Funny thing about egg nog…seems the more expensive it is the less tasty. Things just ain’t the same without all the artificial fillers and gums they use to thicken it up.
My two favorite foods? Steak and peppers, hands down. Second would be a large order of spaghetti with cheese covered garlic bread from Rocky’s Pizza and Sub in southside in Birmingham, Alabama. If you think you don’t like spaghetti, you ain’t had this.
Morning, Liz, and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
ME Strauss said
Hi Tim!
Good Morning! Merry Christmas!
I hope you’re feeling better . . . next time try some lime vodka in that egg nog (get the cheap sort). It sounds unusual, but tastes wonderful and looks lovely too!