| Sweet, sweet caramel welcome addition to apples, flan, everything
Toss a pile of sugar in a saucepot. Turn up the heat. Wait. It'll happen. Look for a puff of steam bursting through the sandy grains, followed by a burble of molten brown. That's the recipe for transmogrifying simple white table sugar into caramel, a complex concoction of flavors and aromas — nutty, coffee, even chocolatey notes that emerge from foods when natural sugars (and proteins, in the case of meat) get really hot. "Caramel is essentially just white sugar plus heat," said Tacoma, Wash., chef Gordon Naccarato. "Yet think how amazingly caramel tastes in your mouth versus a spoonful of white sugar. It is the difference between what grilled salmon tastes like versus poached salmon. Poached beef versus a browned, crusty roast ..." Add butter, cream and vanilla to the recipe (carefully, of course) and you've got one of the most versatile creations in any confectionary kitchen.
Foreign policy vacuum
I guess it's just too much for you "pundits" to accept how wrong your predictions have turned. Who told you Hillary and her Republican counterparts (mcain, Guiliani, et al) were that popular? Their supposed popularity is merely an illusion projection by people like you. .
American Opinion
On the holiday journey West just taken, the one Marathon we visited was so awful we didn't stop at any others in that chain nor chains we couldn't trust to live up to their claim: "Clean Rest Rooms." Don't these Interstate-exit-based establishments know what draws the customers? Take Cracker Barrel. Now there's a place of comfort available at almost every main exit on any Interstate in the country. It's warm, inviting, has beautiful rest rooms, a nostalgic sense of timelessness and good food. We like the breakfast-all-day menu. But about six months ago they must have changed their coffee supplier because it's no longer robust - you know, a beverage to get you up and out and on the road again. With all they have going for them, how could they not see coffee as a major draw toward their front doors each morning at seven? We discovered driving north and then west that nothing changes but the weather.
Room built, bone broken
A reader in Sunman, Ind., requested a "cottage cheese pie" recipe. This is a favorite in our home. COTTAGE CHEESE PIE 16 ounces cottage cheese 1 cup sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Dash of salt 3 eggs, separated 1 12-ounce can evaporated milk 11/2 cups milk Two 9-inch unbaked pie crusts (pastry or graham cracker) Place cottage cheese in strainer and let drain for about 1 hour or until most of liquid has been discarded. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine all ingredients except egg whites; mix well. Beat egg whites until firm. Fold into batter until smooth. Pour into pie crusts. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce oven to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.
May 2007 Archives
According to the National Enquirer, Tony has told Carrie that he needs some time without the songstress, blaming the looming football season. “Carrie thought that they were moving closer to a more committed relationship," a source tells the tab. The QB had asked Carrie to give him space for his career once before, and she did, but this time, she's not having it, says the source, who adds, “Carrie wants a firm commitment from Tony." Break out the Louisville Slugger, Carrie! .
Chinese dumplings contain insecticide
The gyoza, which historically originated in China but is one of Japan's most popular foods, is a steamed dumpling, generally with ground meat inside. JT Foods said an insecticide called methamidophos was found in the dumplings. Share this article What is this? .
Ely without the sweat and bug dope
ELY, MINN. -- One image of Ely is as a way station for outdoors enthusiasts, either on their way into the Boundary Waters to canoe, portage, hike and camp, or on their way back -- people in bicycle shorts coming into town for a respite, all sweaty and bug-dopey and high on their wilderness adventures. Ely doesn't have to be that way. You can do Ely without being in hiking or biking shape -- or attire -- and you can have a good time at it. There are walking trails and scenic drives on which you don't feel like an interloper and places where a few hours will yield knowledge you didn't have at the beginning of the trip. My family's recent week in Ely was such an experience, and there are things remaining on the list for next time.
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