623286 Thu May 28 11:25:56 -0700 2009 247 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4722331 What's the one thing that you can't just get enough of lately? Maybe it's a drink you just tried for the first time, or a rekindled love for a favorite appy, or a spice that you now put on everything... What ever it is, what's your current addiction? For me, I recently started making my own hummus... I probably make 3 'batches' a week with slight tweaks. (Maybe a little amateur-ish) Your turn! Thu May 28 11:25:56 -0700 2009 232735 Chow_Down 1 4722564 Natto - yeah, those sticky, slimey soy beans! I eat them on toasts, rice, or by themselves. Just can't seem to stop. I'm thinking about making my own batch. Has anyone made natto before? Thu May 28 12:32:07 -0700 2009 4722331 216618 Anomay 2 4726840 I hear you ... straight out of the little styrofoam packets. Have you tried it with a raw egg mixed in? My sister swears by it, but I'm into just straight up style myself. On toast? That's hysterical! I don't know about making them yourself ... I think you need a special bacteria? Let us know how you go ... Fri May 29 19:18:30 -0700 2009 4722564 155106 Tsar_Pushka 2 4730647 My mom used to make it in the days where you couldn't readily buy it at stores and when pilot lights were standard on most ovens. The heat generated by they oven's pilot light was just enough to turn cooked soy beans into natto. I would imagine that if you have access to a yogurt maker or something similar (or even an oven with a pilot light), you could do the same. I've even heard of folks using incandescent light bulbs for a heat source. You can use store-bought natto for your seed material. Look online for details - I'm sure there are plenty of detailed recipes. Good luck... Sun May 31 15:29:12 -0700 2009 4722564 64003 bulavinaka 2 4747624 Considering what others have written, the classic Easy Bake Oven might work too (though with a 15-30 watt bulb instead of a 100) http://www.hasbro.com/easybake/default.cfm?page=Products/Detail&product_id=22205 Sat Jun 06 03:12:09 -0700 2009 4722564 224238 Caralien 1 4723124 Only once have I ever had hummus in a restaurant that I liked more than the kind I make at home. But my recent obession is jalapeno stuffed olives. I don't even usually like spicy that much, but lately I just crave them. Thu May 28 15:22:33 -0700 2009 4722331 90988 hyacinthgirl 2 4986635 The same thing happened to me! I don't really like spicy that much, but then I started craving jalapenos on everything. So strange. Fri Aug 28 13:27:39 -0700 2009 4723124 155466 canadianbeaver 1 4723140 I have started making a substitute for spinach pie using escarole instead of spinach. No phyllo. Less feta and more ricotta. Thu May 28 15:29:55 -0700 2009 4722331 28638 phantomdoc 2 4726594 recipe please? Fri May 29 17:17:22 -0700 2009 4723140 18011 Jacey 2 4730801 Can you share the recipe please? Sun May 31 16:38:15 -0700 2009 4723140 13523 michelley 3 4737600 Here is my jumping off point. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe-Tools/Print/Recipe.aspx?RecipeID=18417&servings=5 I modify to my particular circumstance. 2 onions chopped fine as i fine tune my knife skills. A bunch of green onion is not an exact measure, so, I usually use 3 bunches. 5 cloves garlic chopped or pressed 2 pounds escarole or more (I do not really measure. 1 bunch of parsley. any kind any quantity that the store bunches up. 3 eggs dropped into the blender A cup and a half to two cups ricotta. Also in the blender. Half cup of crumbled feta, limits the saltyness. Any pieces of leftover cheese either dropped in blender with the eggs and ricotta, or chopped up with the crumbled feta. I usually have some cheddar or Reggiano to toss in. i use no phyllo. I fry the veggies in the following order . first the onion 5-10 min., then the garlic, scallion, parsley, escarole. I fully cook the escarole in the pan before combining with the eggs/cheeses. Top with 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs (optional) and 2 oz. oil. Put into an oiled corning ware casserole. Bake for an hour or so at 350. Tue Jun 02 19:40:43 -0700 2009 4730801 28638 phantomdoc 4 4748433 Thanks! Sat Jun 06 12:36:17 -0700 2009 4737600 13523 michelley 5 4784520 Let me know if you try it. Thanks Works well without the breadcrumbs Thu Jun 18 09:54:23 -0700 2009 4748433 28638 phantomdoc 1 4723185 Clif Bars (chocolate peanut butter). Thu May 28 15:45:16 -0700 2009 4722331 11583 ipsedixit 2 4749499 Love Cliff Bars! I am a fan of the Chocolate Chip. Great meal replacement. Sat Jun 06 21:50:56 -0700 2009 4723185 80736 Nestra 3 5053893 Luna Bars - made by Clif but lighter, fewer calories, etc. Wed Sep 23 19:06:46 -0700 2009 4749499 1110862 hundwalden 1 4723241 Making homemade bagels a la Smitten Kitchen: http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/09/bronx-worthy-bagels/ They're AMAZING! But, I hardly ever eat them/indulge. Mostly enjoy baking them for the family. Thu May 28 16:08:19 -0700 2009 4722331 197210 jayaymeye 1 4724132 Barbara's Peanut Butter Puffins... I cant get enough of these!!! Thu May 28 23:01:19 -0700 2009 4722331 275231 aweintra 2 4767397 Could not agree more. The only thing I eat more than those are the Honey Nut Puffins. I bring a box home, start snacking, and they are gone. Fri Jun 12 12:37:53 -0700 2009 4724132 101707 yankeefan 1 4724865 Ritter Sport. I need to break this addiction! Fri May 29 08:19:51 -0700 2009 4722331 12233 Pia 2 4725069 OMG... I LOVE the Ritter Sport Coconut :-) Fri May 29 09:13:11 -0700 2009 4724865 10506 DiningDiva 3 4725207 Agreed! Love Ritter Sport Yogurt. Having withdrawls since I left Germany, glad to see there are a few varieties here, still need to track down yogurt though (which, btw- tastes nothing like yogurt). Fri May 29 09:57:44 -0700 2009 4725069 220645 mjhals 2 4726866 I love the Ritter Sport with the cornflakes. What a unique combination. Fri May 29 19:29:03 -0700 2009 4724865 290845 KristieB 2 4741204 Dare I ask? Wed Jun 03 23:28:42 -0700 2009 4724865 137755 Sal Vanilla 2 4749501 My favorite is the Ritter Sport with the biscuit layer. So good. Sat Jun 06 21:51:34 -0700 2009 4724865 80736 Nestra 1 4724912 cold-brewed coffee. it's coffee, it's concentrated, it doesn't kill my stomach if I drink more than a little on an empty stomach, it's smooth and lovely tasting, and I'm gonna accidentally give myself a heart attack eventually after not realizing that I just drank two gallons of coffee in one day. but I'll die happy and hyper, so I guess it's not a terrible way to go lol! Fri May 29 08:31:32 -0700 2009 4722331 285186 Popkin 1 4725084 Umm, let's see... Yakult Zhenda Gypsy Teas (Plum White tea and Coconut Chai) Kettle Chips Chipotle flavor PopChips Wasabi Fri May 29 09:16:07 -0700 2009 4722331 10506 DiningDiva 1 4725109 Morir Sonando. Just discovered it. Fri May 29 09:26:09 -0700 2009 4722331 130115 demigodh 1 4725144 Following a post on the Home Cooking board, I've recently been obsessed with Chicken Adobo. Had never heard of it before, but now my husband and I can't get enough. So easy to make and so delicious! Fri May 29 09:36:15 -0700 2009 4722331 111441 gillyweed 2 4725191 Which version, Mexican or Filipino? Fri May 29 09:52:11 -0700 2009 4725144 10506 DiningDiva 3 4725194 Filipino - soy sauce, vinegar, onions, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, honey. Fri May 29 09:55:04 -0700 2009 4725191 111441 gillyweed 1 4726031 This has been a long time addiction but I can't get enough of putting hot peppers and banana peppers on my sandwiches. They're just so good! Fri May 29 13:59:29 -0700 2009 4722331 282981 foodlover23 2 4768294 OMG me too!!!! I :accidentally had them put on my tuna sandwich at a local shop when I asked for it loaded last month, since that day I have not had any sandwich without them. Fri Jun 12 17:39:37 -0700 2009 4726031 54116 gryphonskeeper 3 4768887 If you're in LA, Jons Marketplace had the jar of banana peppers (Mazzeti's? Marzetti's? Whatever that brand is called) for $1. Fri Jun 12 23:14:23 -0700 2009 4768294 212582 schrutefarms 4 4770991 great price!! i too love banana peppers on sandwiches -- and pizza. i think the brand i have right now is mt. olive. i have three versions: hot, regular, and hot and sweet. Sun Jun 14 00:20:40 -0700 2009 4768887 105717 alkapal 1 4726256 Preserved lemons. I saw a few recipes calling for them and couldn't believe the exorbitant cost, so I started making my own. I have easy access to a couple of prolific lemon trees, so the cost is almost nothing. Now I cook with them, give jars away for gifts, and just plain enjoy the sight of them in my fridge. Fri May 29 15:16:00 -0700 2009 4722331 12789 pcdarnell 1 4726603 cottage cheese--but I've had this obsession for a long time. I love adding different sweet mix-ins to make it a healthy "dessert." Fri May 29 17:19:06 -0700 2009 4722331 18011 Jacey 2 4730852 I absolutely love cottage cheese with a bit of sugar and salt! Everyone thinks I'm strange for putting sugar on it. Sun May 31 16:53:31 -0700 2009 4726603 154024 nimeye 3 4733765 i think it's stranger to add salt to it! Mon Jun 01 16:26:31 -0700 2009 4730852 116047 The Professor 4 4733811 Actually, most cottage cheese has added salt to it. If you're going the savory route, salt makes sense. I tend to go the sweet route, though. Mon Jun 01 16:43:49 -0700 2009 4733765 18011 Jacey 5 4734664 back when i could still eat it, hold for *tear*, i used to mix in sweetener, cinnamon and vanilla. and really back in the day, i'd mix in a little cooked barley for a barley/rice pudding concoction. occasionally for savory, i'd top it with salsa. i was never a fan of fruit with cottage cheese... the whole idea of those knudsen's doubles pairing pineapple with CC... ooohhh, gives me the willies just thinking about it. Mon Jun 01 22:23:25 -0700 2009 4733811 15572 Emme 6 4735904 Fruit in cottage cheese sounds gross to me too! I eat mine with salt and pepper. Sometimes I add diced tomato. Tue Jun 02 10:29:22 -0700 2009 4734664 212582 schrutefarms 6 4739033 why can't you have it anymore? Wed Jun 03 10:14:23 -0700 2009 4734664 18011 Jacey 5 4735985 True, they do have salt in there...I just couldn't see adding any more. One thing I do love to add though is a sliced up plum. It's my favorite c-cheese/fruit combination. Tue Jun 02 10:50:01 -0700 2009 4733811 116047 The Professor 3 4789535 When I was a kid, we ate cottage cheese with apple butter mixed in it. I haven't seen apple butter since....that was about 50 years ago. If you can find it, it's delicious. Sat Jun 20 02:54:56 -0700 2009 4730852 1082387 riverwalk 4 4804869 That is such a good combo! With some cinnamon sprinkled on top too. I also eat pumpkin butter with cc in fall/winter time Thu Jun 25 07:31:15 -0700 2009 4789535 151336 BaltoPhilFood 5 4855921 I eat--in all seasons--Libby pumpkin mixed in with a some pumpkin pie spice and splenda. I also add a few drops of maple syrup. It's delicious. Mon Jul 13 20:42:09 -0700 2009 4804869 18011 Jacey 4 5040348 Our local Dillman Farm makes apple butter and sells it commercially. Apple butter is also available at many local restaurants in lieu of jam, with toast or biscuits. I'm sure you can find it online. Fri Sep 18 13:04:34 -0700 2009 4789535 11995 pikawicca 2 4750989 Clabbered cottage cheese and guava jam on toast - sooo good! Sun Jun 07 15:49:39 -0700 2009 4726603 22474 soft tofu 3 4751367 Try putting it under the broiler or in the toaster for a few moments. Sun Jun 07 18:29:47 -0700 2009 4750989 18011 Jacey 2 4789679 cottage cheese with kimchi! Sat Jun 20 05:45:19 -0700 2009 4726603 14974 BeaN 2 4798531 Ok I'm here for a weird factor, cottage cheese and french dressing with pepper. Tue Jun 23 11:09:33 -0700 2009 4726603 1086258 jchamberlain 3 4855765 Not so weird - I used to eat it with 1000 Island dressing. Mon Jul 13 19:39:30 -0700 2009 4798531 253542 cycloneillini 1 4726686 Broccoli & cheese strata--I'm stuck on this since I've made it 3 weeks in a row! Rhubarb syrup & Pellegrino Sriracha tartar sauce Rhubarb--what can I make with it next and when can I get another bag of it? :) Fri May 29 17:48:59 -0700 2009 4722331 249664 kattyeyes 2 4742086 Did you make your own rhubarb syrup or did you find it in a store? Sounds delicious! Thu Jun 04 09:16:22 -0700 2009 4726686 151336 BaltoPhilFood 3 4743100 Made my own as a by-product (?!) of making rhubarb custard. There's a teaspoon of ginger in it and we used 1/2 cup of sugar instead of 1/4 cup. Here's the whole recipe if you'd like to check it out: http://www.recipespin.com/recipedetail.aspx?id=877 Thu Jun 04 14:41:34 -0700 2009 4742086 249664 kattyeyes 1 4726710 Margaritaville Artichoke Garlic Jalapeno Dip from Sam's club on bagel crisps...I have ate three things full in the last 10 days! Fri May 29 18:06:18 -0700 2009 4722331 11854 LaLa 1 4726826 Dancing Deer Cherry Almond Ginger Chew Cookies, so yummy Fri May 29 19:10:28 -0700 2009 4722331 183241 misnatalie 1 4726873 Firstly: BLT sandwiches. On toast. I could eat at least one a week. Even in the winter months where I use grape tomatoes as they taste the most like summer tomatoes that time of year. Secondly: Plain old tomato sandwiches. Mayo, salt and pepper and tomato on bread. Fri May 29 19:32:06 -0700 2009 4722331 290845 KristieB 2 4726889 Re your second item, you'll want to check out (if you haven't already!) alkapal's tomato sandwich thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/550332 Fri May 29 19:41:47 -0700 2009 4726873 249664 kattyeyes 3 4726922 Thanks for the tip!! I knew there were other tomato sandwich lovers out there!! Fri May 29 19:56:13 -0700 2009 4726889 290845 KristieB 2 4741203 Whatever you do, do not... I repeat, do NOT try tomato and pimiento cheese open faced sammiches. I had an 8 year affair with that and breaking up was hard to do. Wed Jun 03 23:28:07 -0700 2009 4726873 137755 Sal Vanilla 1 4728346 home-baked cookie bars with reeses peanut butter cups and peanut butter chips in them. i use 2 rolls of pre-made cookie dough, press it a pan with the candies (2 layers) and bake them for half an hour. then i cut them into squares. i have to bake a batch every few days... yummy! Sat May 30 14:24:43 -0700 2009 4722331 174054 trishyb 1 4728414 Mexican paletas! Sat May 30 15:02:42 -0700 2009 4722331 140140 mrbigshotno.1 1 4728968 Powerade Zero - trying to get off the diet pepsi Sat May 30 20:05:53 -0700 2009 4722331 73756 enbell 2 5035888 The purple one is pure crack. Wed Sep 16 20:51:38 -0700 2009 4728968 92744 invinotheresverde 3 5056711 I know, right...the best :) Thu Sep 24 19:43:50 -0700 2009 5035888 73756 enbell 1 4728996 Vietnamese food. I go through food phases. Sat May 30 20:19:38 -0700 2009 4722331 134437 salsailsa 2 4734064 I'm basically between there and Thailand foodwise, at moment. The concept of Italian seems weird to me. Though I might make a run for cooking Moo Goo Gai Pan tonight. (In L.A., not an Asian.) Once in awhile we do go exotic and get Mexican seafood though. Mon Jun 01 18:07:10 -0700 2009 4728996 40486 Cinnamon 1 4729271 i'm so dull, but i got on the kick of this freshly ground Onion Salt... found the grater at the 99 cent store. it's quite surprisingly enjoyable. also, created a new chocolate toffee cookie recipe last week, and have made it twice since for different occasions. since i can't eat them myself, they're not exactly my *eating* addiction, but somewhat of a cooking addiction. Sat May 30 23:46:58 -0700 2009 4722331 15572 Emme 1 4730544 Triscuits, jalapeno jack cheese and pepperoni. Now half of my office is eating these like crazy but everyone has a different flavor Triscuit they "must" use. Me, I like the original. Sun May 31 14:41:47 -0700 2009 4722331 119816 MysticYoYo 2 4735856 The caraway rye Triscuit is very good - I also love the original one but rye fanciers should give this one a go. Tue Jun 02 10:19:41 -0700 2009 4730544 13709 buttertart 3 4748732 Just in case you are health-conscious (or ever become that way) AND love Triscuits, they have a "hint of salt" variety now...I almost live on them. With the toppings MysticYoYo describes, who gives a damn, but just in case you love them otherwise.... Sat Jun 06 14:56:33 -0700 2009 4735856 11983 Val 4 4749495 do kid yourself, the "hint of salt" are just as useless for your body as the regular one. Sat Jun 06 21:49:02 -0700 2009 4748732 18011 Jacey 5 4749793 May I ask, are you saying that whole grains are a waste nutritionally? Sun Jun 07 06:26:25 -0700 2009 4749495 11983 Val 5 4751432 I'm trying to understand the Triscuit hate too.....3 ingredients.....whole wheat first....what's so offensive about them, if you don't mind? Sun Jun 07 18:53:46 -0700 2009 4749495 55495 carminabee 6 4751705 I can't imagine anyone hating a Triscuit!!! They are perfection, and while I generally dislike microwave ovens except for reheating leftovers, Triscuits hold up really well under microwave torture covered with a bit of cheese and tabasco. Sun Jun 07 20:52:30 -0700 2009 4751432 116047 The Professor 7 4751858 Yech. I hate Triscuits. It's like chewing on a Brillo pad. Sun Jun 07 22:52:27 -0700 2009 4751705 212582 schrutefarms 8 4751946 A salty Brillo pad. Mon Jun 08 01:08:16 -0700 2009 4751858 93538 Passadumkeg 8 4757942 Yeah, they taste like cardboard with salt sprinkled on it--but still cardboard. Tue Jun 09 16:39:31 -0700 2009 4751858 18011 Jacey 2 4795264 yes! absolutely delicious - but i prefer no pepperoni and franks instead of tobasco. Mon Jun 22 11:52:22 -0700 2009 4730544 257352 bflobear 1 4730789 My extremely loose interpretation of banh mi, which is baked tofu, homemade pickled daikon & carrots, avocado, cilantro (because it's taking over my window box and it MUST BE STOPPED), sriracha sauce and mayonnaise. On a bialy. Did I mention it was an extremely loose interpretation? Sun May 31 16:32:03 -0700 2009 4722331 13722 small h 2 4742100 sort of off topic- but can you give me more info on growing cilantro in a window box? location? morning or eve sun? BTW-your sandwich sounds amazing Thu Jun 04 09:19:10 -0700 2009 4730789 151336 BaltoPhilFood 3 4742667 The box is on my balcony, which faces east and gets about 4 hours of sun, mostly indirect. I started with a small plant, and I expect a couple more weeks of craziness from it before it gives up growing and tries to reproduce instead. I wish I could say that I made some reasoned and conscious decision about the best way to grow cilantro in Manhattan, but I didn't - I just made do with what was available. If you post this question on the gardening board, though, you'll get responses from people who know much more than I do. Thu Jun 04 12:21:00 -0700 2009 4742100 13722 small h 4 4742769 Thank you! Thu Jun 04 12:47:28 -0700 2009 4742667 151336 BaltoPhilFood 1 4731162 I have two. I've been on a kick for about two weeks for "Artichoke and garlic" Rondele on Triscuit's. I'd argue the artichoke is nearly non-existant though and what little there is, is overpowered by the garlic. I think the next tub, I may chop and add a heap of artichokes to beef it up. Thankfully it's waning but for about a month I had a craving for chocolate cake with really fudgy rich frosting. Every trip to the grocery I was going through the bakery scanning for anything chocolate that might fit the bill. I hate to admit it but I even grabbed a pack of Zinger's at the corner store (blech, hard chalky "something" on top and dry cake). I have a very good recipe but the hubbie and I rarely will finish even a half cake and when this craving started, I didn't know it was going to last for a month. Believe it or not, the best I have found are the single pieces of cake that are sold in the cold bakery cases at Wal-mart. Rich, moist and a great thick fudgy frosting. Incidentally, their New York Cheesecake is also my favorite I've found in this area. Hmmm, I think I may have an errand to run near Wal-mart tomorrow.... Sun May 31 18:59:00 -0700 2009 4722331 282257 Alicat24 1 4733028 Vietnamese coffee. 2 oz of dark delicious imbibable liquid Crack. Thank goodness I didn't have any sweetened condensed milk when I fell down the rabbit hole or I'm sure my addiction would be far worse. For the moment I've managed to contain my 3pm fix to fat free half half and a little sugar but god help us all if (when?) I crack open the emergency La Lechera can I've got stashed in the back of my cupboard. Mon Jun 01 12:27:57 -0700 2009 4722331 197943 stephle 2 4768955 Hahahaha, I broke out the emergency rations when a Vietnamese coffee attack struck a few weeks back, but I didn't have any sweetened-condensed, just cajeta. That toasted caramel goodness and coffee, woohoo! Sat Jun 13 00:43:35 -0700 2009 4733028 278936 chromacosmic 1 4733706 Feta/Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. The Hummus Of The Gods. Extra garlicky and lemony skordalia. On everything. The asparagus jones is still running fast and furious. Cay Mon Jun 01 16:00:31 -0700 2009 4722331 49525 cayjohan 1 4733934 Freshly dug steamed clams (W/ cold beer.). Ahhh, summer is here! Mon Jun 01 17:22:42 -0700 2009 4722331 93538 Passadumkeg 2 4789696 I just love clams and folks don't seem to eat them much here in NC. Sat Jun 20 05:54:11 -0700 2009 4733934 14974 BeaN 1 4734148 Salads. Never minded them much before, but found them a time-consuming bore to make. Then all these different greens started showing up in the markets, and I discovered stuff like Belgian endive, frisée, mache, and all those lovely wild-type greens that people are now growing commercially. The very best discovery, though, was Tony Bourdain's recipe for the classic frisée aux lardons, with freshly-cooked chunks of bacon tossed in the pan with torn-up frisée, then dished up, and each serving topped with a tender poached egg. I bumped it a bit by deglazing the pan with a small splash of vinegar before tossing in the greens, so the bacon fat and the vinegar made a sort of vinaigrette, like my mom's old classic wilted lettuce only not so wilted, and with an egg instead of the half-and-half. Mon Jun 01 18:36:00 -0700 2009 4722331 11478 Will Owen 1 4734473 Cured meats of all types...brined, dried, simply spiced and salted, or bathed in bacterium. Salumi/salami from every culture and the various preparations made using some of them. It's become a bit of an obsession, kept in check by concern for my arteries. Mon Jun 01 20:27:20 -0700 2009 4722331 116047 The Professor 1 4734590 Chicken Schwarma with garlic paste, hummus, cucumbers, pickled turnips and loads of tabbouleh. I have been eating a whole lot of spinach and portobello mushrooms. I'm finding lots of ways to eat them - mostly pizza and pasta but when I do it's mostly spinach and mushrooms not carbs. Mon Jun 01 21:26:35 -0700 2009 4722331 152043 TampaAurora 2 4808917 My doc just told me I had to cut out my spinach habit - he thinks it may be the reason I ended up with some suspected kidney stones. It's been a very painful and sad week for me. Fri Jun 26 11:45:42 -0700 2009 4734590 152043 TampaAurora 3 4808974 Oh Im so sorry! I can definitely imagine how sad that is for you! Spinach is definitely a staple. Is it just cooked spinach that was causing the stones? I hope youre feeling better now! Fri Jun 26 12:01:50 -0700 2009 4808917 180029 fmcoxe6188 3 4809998 Drink LOTS of water. Go to the head often - this will happen automatically if you follow the first rec. :) Moderation is the key when it comes to certain foods. If you're obsessed with some particular food, this will usually lead to problems that are specific to overeating that item. I don't think you need to cut it out - just cut back. This is assuming you had the typical most common type of kidney stone: if your diet is high foods containing oxalic acid, you should pull back on those foods and increase your intake of calcium at the same time. Oxalic acid will bind with calcium. This is where the water comes into play. If you're drinking enough water, the calcium bound with oxalic acid should wash out of your system regularly. Fri Jun 26 19:41:02 -0700 2009 4808917 64003 bulavinaka 4 4810230 Unfortunately, no one knows what is really going on and won't until specialists come in to the picture this coming week. For safety sake, I cut it out until we know more. I also regularly drink lots of water anyway, but still have significantly changed how much more I drink. What other foods contain oxalic acid? Fri Jun 26 22:50:45 -0700 2009 4809998 152043 TampaAurora 5 4810485 Kidney stones are usually blown off as, "Oooh - I bet that's painful - I've heard it's as painful as having a baby..." Being a guy, I guess I'll never know. But many eventually pass the stone(s) and all is well. But if you're one of the unlucky ones, the stone, due to its shape and/or size, can become lodged somewhere between the kidney and the bladder - usually in the ureter. This can potentially become life-threatening, as the resulting obstruction can severely reduce or even completely restrict urine flow, which will eventually distend or even cause the kidney and ureter to burst open. Very scary, and I'm assuming much more painful than giving birth. The list of foods known to have oxalic acid can be pretty lengthy. Aged cheeses, aged wines (as opposed to say a bougelais nouveau), chocolate, many nuts, many vegetables/greens, berries, and basic tea. Another cause of increase in oxalates is from the metabolism of ascorbic acid. The lists below cover most items but definitely ask your urologist for a list of items to be concerned about. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/Other/oxalic.html http://www.foodandhealth.com/cpecourses/kidney.php http://alternativehealing.org/food_high_in_oxalic_acid.htm As you can see, spinach is high in oxalic acid, as are other dense green vegetables. Good luck with your stone - been there, done that - if you suffer severe pain, go straight to the ER - don't be a hero... Sat Jun 27 06:12:55 -0700 2009 4810230 64003 bulavinaka 6 4814941 Haha. I woke up my poor husband at 4 AM after almost passing out from the pain and called my dr's emergency line. I finally spent a whole day without pain, and am very grateful for your lists. Until I know more, I'll be very careful about what I consume. Newest addiction - pizza! I have been using my bread machine to make pizza dough about once a week and always have some extra dough in my freezer. My most recent was a chicken, corn and tomato pizza on whole wheat. Mon Jun 29 09:31:37 -0700 2009 4810485 152043 TampaAurora 7 4816726 The first time where the pain subsides for any length of time is like having your life handed back to you - I feel for you! I hope they can get some imaging soon so you can get an idea of what you're in for. Surprisingly, white wine is considered friendly for kidney stone-prone folks. Unlike red wine, it doesn't inhibit your body from properly utilizing calcium. So pick a nice white to go with your pizza! Mon Jun 29 19:24:38 -0700 2009 4814941 64003 bulavinaka 5 4820406 tampaaurora, blessings and healing to you. not to play m.d., but for everyone to know, my niece's husband got kidney stones, they say, from drinking way too many soft drinks all the time. Wed Jul 01 04:35:48 -0700 2009 4810230 105717 alkapal 6 4823136 One of the assistants at my ophthalmologist said the same about his relation with kidney stones and excessive soda drinking. Stress seems to be a common thread to many kidney stone victims, as was the case with this person. Sip that water - whenever you get a chance! Wed Jul 01 19:34:56 -0700 2009 4820406 64003 bulavinaka 7 4823269 Drink water all day - soda is too sweet. The Dr said my symptoms confused him so I go for testing on Monday. Maybe we should start a kidney thread? Wed Jul 01 20:33:30 -0700 2009 4823136 152043 TampaAurora 8 4829526 Maybe add some fresh lemon juice to that water? A co-worker of mine has kidney issues and his urologist tells him to drink lemonade during the day at work--it's Crystal Light. I believe that I've read that lemon cleanses kidneys and liver, but, of course, do check with your doctor. Co-worker said there has been improvement but I don't know if he had issues with soft drinks originally. Sat Jul 04 12:04:33 -0700 2009 4823269 11983 Val 9 4832503 val, some urologist is recommending crystal light w/ aspartame and artificial flavorings *instead* of real lemon juice in pure water? am i getting this right?!? if so, that's NUTS!!! Mon Jul 06 05:40:53 -0700 2009 4829526 105717 alkapal 10 4832782 Outside of my scope of practice, but, I would never condone aspartame for anyone. As to avoiding spinach, see my post above substituting escarole for spinach in a spinach pie recipe. Side note, Cranberry has hippururic acid that is not neutralized by the lung, so the acid makes it to the urine, and acidifies the urine making it anti bacterial. Mon Jul 06 07:29:27 -0700 2009 4832503 28638 phantomdoc 11 4835702 phantomdoc: ah, so that's why cranberry juice can help with a threatening bladder infection! it has never occurred to me that lungs play a role in neutralizing acid in foods! neat! ~~~~ ps, phantomdoc, did you weigh in on that thread where lgss (a vegan) couldn't eat certain greens, and she was looking for alternatives? Tue Jul 07 04:52:48 -0700 2009 4832782 105717 alkapal 10 4832921 Just googled and apparently 'potassium citrate' is favored for helping with kidney stones now, and guess what has potassium citrate on the ingredients list? Abstract: http://journals.lww.com/co-urology/Abstract/2009/03000/Update_on_the_medical_management_of_stone_disease.16.aspx Lay message board post: http://askwaltstollmd.com/archives/kidney/72272.html Mon Jul 06 08:17:05 -0700 2009 4832503 40486 Cinnamon 10 4832970 Alkapal: Yes, I said to him: Why not just water with lemon in it instead of all that sweetener? But he said that's what the doctor suggested. (maybe there's an issue with him giving up sweet drinks, I don't know) Mon Jul 06 08:36:19 -0700 2009 4832503 11983 Val 11 4835706 wow, val, that *is* bizarre! Tue Jul 07 04:53:32 -0700 2009 4832970 105717 alkapal 10 5041708 Yes, my husband's urologist urges him to drink crystal light as well. He says it has some ingredient that helps (I wasn't there to hear it first hand) - my husband sips G2, Water and CL during the day (after he had 2 bouts with kidney stones- so ver ver very painful) I was really surprised. Sat Sep 19 06:44:50 -0700 2009 4832503 110426 Boccone Dolce 11 5045654 hmmm, now i'm really curious! Mon Sep 21 07:42:42 -0700 2009 5041708 105717 alkapal 3 4861483 It's not kidney stones!!!! No diet changes are needed. Thank you all for your help. I'm now back on the spinach bandwagon but I have added zucchini too. Indian foods are my obsession but I don't get to eat it as often as I'd like (every day). Wed Jul 15 12:46:37 -0700 2009 4808917 152043 TampaAurora 4 4863246 tampa aurora, i'm so glad that got sorted out! ;-). Thu Jul 16 04:39:45 -0700 2009 4861483 105717 alkapal 1 4735923 I can't get enough lemon and garlic pita chips with roasted red pepper hummus. Also, Cederlane brand cous cous and veggie frozen "burrito". Found them buy one, get one free at Ralphs last week-I can barely close my freezer now! :) Tue Jun 02 10:32:32 -0700 2009 4722331 212582 schrutefarms 2 4736000 Smoked Chipotle Tabasco, I put in everything, mix it with my ketchup when I have fries, add it to baked beans, buffalo wings, chili. Now my wife is hooked on it... Tue Jun 02 10:52:55 -0700 2009 4735923 24648 Sean 3 4736052 I like it on canned fried hash! Tue Jun 02 11:07:50 -0700 2009 4736000 249664 kattyeyes 4 4736931 hmmm...THAT sounds really good! Tue Jun 02 15:15:03 -0700 2009 4736052 116047 The Professor 5 4741208 I think it smells like dog food. Still, I keep a can in the pantry. it reminds me of my grandaddy. Wed Jun 03 23:30:18 -0700 2009 4736931 137755 Sal Vanilla 6 4743109 It certainly doesn't smell like dog food when it's cooked! Thu Jun 04 14:42:47 -0700 2009 4741208 249664 kattyeyes 3 4748604 My boyfriend loves that Chipotle Tabasco! He puts on everything as well. Sat Jun 06 13:58:54 -0700 2009 4736000 75862 newfoodie 1 4736959 Wickles, hoagie & sub sandwich relish; it make turkey sandwiches, burgers and meat loaf edible, no delicious. Tue Jun 02 15:29:32 -0700 2009 4722331 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4736987 caprese salad! it's partly because i bought a huge head of basil the other day and have been trying to use it up before it goes bad. i have about five big, sun-ripened tomatoes in my fruit bowl, a big ball of buffalo mozzarella from murray's cheese shop that's so soft and velvety and sweet that it could make you cry, a fantastic zesty mini bottle of olive oil from picholine (they sent us home with it as a party favor), and a nice, aged balsamic from zabar's that i got on sale for a pittance. we've had it almost every day for a week and i'm still going strong! Tue Jun 02 15:44:11 -0700 2009 4722331 64215 cimui 2 4737678 Has to be the picture of crown roast of hot dogs I saw on another thread. Tue Jun 02 20:15:51 -0700 2009 4736987 223367 nvcook 3 4737693 oops! the above comment was supposed to be on the most frightening foods thread. My fingers just got away from me. Tue Jun 02 20:22:09 -0700 2009 4737678 223367 nvcook 4 4737774 hilarious. admit it, nvcook! you're addicted to that crown roast of hot dogs. ;) Tue Jun 02 21:00:07 -0700 2009 4737693 64215 cimui 3 4768306 lol. I saw that thread and picture as well... with all the other weird old card recipes from the 70s... Fri Jun 12 17:47:34 -0700 2009 4737678 54116 gryphonskeeper 3 4798590 which board is this on? I have seen many references to it and I am curious. Tue Jun 23 11:23:48 -0700 2009 4737678 1086258 jchamberlain 4 4804871 i think the website is candyboots Thu Jun 25 07:31:51 -0700 2009 4798590 151336 BaltoPhilFood 5 4836222 You have just introduced me to my new love. Hmmmmmm...candyboots. Tue Jul 07 08:36:03 -0700 2009 4804871 1086258 jchamberlain 2 4738178 just had this salad yesterday - so simple, so perfect! We have enough cheese for tonight, may have to run out and buy more. I am also currently very addicted to French Echire butter. I have been eating this butter on any slice of carbohydrate, and I have been smearing it on as if it was cheese. I haven't had butter this good in years. I like all butter, but this butter is a step beyond my regular butter. I don't toast the bread, I don't melt the butter in any way, I just enjoy it in its natural state. This is a bad thing. I don't think I can afford to buy it regularly, as it is stinking expensive! But while I have this batch, it'll be bread and butter day and night. Dang, just smeared some Echire butter on the computer. It must not be wasted... why do I post while eating? Wed Jun 03 05:05:38 -0700 2009 4736987 89969 moh 3 4738555 ooh, lucky 'hound! beurre d'echire isn't still contraband in your parts is it? (a ridiculous policy... hopefully it's gone.) it's as delicious to me as foie gras and i've managed to convince myself that it's healthy (better for you than foie gras... nominally), inexpensive (less expensive than foie gras... nominally) and humane. you ought to feel virtuous for eating the stuff. :) i hope you licked it off the computer. i would have. Wed Jun 03 07:47:27 -0700 2009 4738178 64215 cimui 4 4741069 Cimui, Montreal abounds in contraband items, hence its nickname, City of Sin... We are indeed fortunate that we can purchase it here. I get it in one of my favorite cheese shops in the city, which overflows with raw milk cheeses. So stinky, so wonderful! I may have a chance to visit NYC soon, and would be willing to smuggle some in. Your other option is to come up and visit us in the Great White North! And of course I licked it off the computer (hee hee hee!). The whole world is one big plate. Wed Jun 03 21:17:47 -0700 2009 4738555 89969 moh 5 4742807 oh my, what a kind offer! but it would probably make more sense for us ny-ers to bring it to you, since it's legal, here (i think...). i believe one can find it at fairway, as well as in the butter ramekin at jean jeorges. but do come to nyc to visit, anyway. a lot of us nyc 'hounds would be *so* thrilled to take you out or, better yet, lure into our homes for a meal. Thu Jun 04 12:58:40 -0700 2009 4741069 64215 cimui 1 4738344 Fuze Slenderize Blueberry Raspberry drink. nicely berry flavored, 20 cals per bottle. A nice appetite quencher for me. Wed Jun 03 06:38:20 -0700 2009 4722331 65780 jujuthomas 2 4738994 all the slenderize flavors are very good. Wed Jun 03 10:04:19 -0700 2009 4738344 92286 vttp926 3 4741091 Agree. Love the Tropical Punch too. Recently tried SoBe Lean in a couple flavors (like mango) and those are nice too, but different. Wed Jun 03 21:28:50 -0700 2009 4738994 40486 Cinnamon 4 4741423 this is only the second flavor i've tried - the cran raspberry didn't have enuf flavor for me... seemed watery. I just checked their website, and it seems they've changed the flavors. I'll have to try the others. :) Thu Jun 04 05:38:29 -0700 2009 4741091 65780 jujuthomas 5 4743909 Just in case, my faves are, largely in order: tropical punch dragonfruit lime blueberry raspberry strawberry melon (have to be in the mood for it) tangerine grapefruit (likewise) They also have a couple diet teas - not a fan of the pomegranate though. One has to be careful w/the labels as it's easy to mistakenly pick up the nondiet varieties. Thu Jun 04 20:03:52 -0700 2009 4741423 40486 Cinnamon 6 4743928 i haven't seen the dragonfruit lime or the tangerine grapefruit. i think those are going to be my next 2 to look out for. but my favorite has to be the pomegranate acai, then blueberry raspberry, strawberry melon. Thu Jun 04 20:14:26 -0700 2009 4743909 92286 vttp926 6 4744301 you really do have to be careful... the others have way more cals. I'll have to keep an eye out for the other flavors. :) Fri Jun 05 04:00:05 -0700 2009 4743909 65780 jujuthomas 1 4738609 My friends and I were just joking the other day how I haven't so much gotten over my addiction to taco truck tortas as much as replaced that craving by substituting Jamaican beef patties as my crack of choice. Wed Jun 03 08:01:14 -0700 2009 4722331 68363 JungMann 2 4738641 One of the Jamaican places in my town makes a mean one with beef AND CHEESE! Have you had this combo? Must get one again soon (with a Ting, of course)--thanks for reminding me. Wed Jun 03 08:10:38 -0700 2009 4738609 249664 kattyeyes 3 4738710 Some places will put a slice of cheese on your beef patty here in NYC. I'm not sure how authentic it is or even what kind of quality the cheese and patty are, but the combination is indeed the best thing you can eat at 2am after a night out. Wed Jun 03 08:32:36 -0700 2009 4738641 68363 JungMann 4 4738730 This one has the cheese *in* the patty--and if I had to guess, it's just American cheese--but a winning combo for sure! Wed Jun 03 08:39:48 -0700 2009 4738710 249664 kattyeyes 5 4745370 I went yesterday and had two different patties--one spinach and cheese (new and very tasty!) and one beef and cheese. I asked about what kind of cheese it was and was told, "Jamaican cheese!" I didn't know there even was such a thing--who knew? ;) The woman behind the counter said they might be selling it soon as it's a favorite on buns (maybe coco bread?). Also finally tried pink Ting. I like both, but agree with the counter lady--original Ting is best. Ironically, I told her Ting tastes a bit like the rhubarb soda I've been making and she didn't know what rhubarb was. So I'll have to make some and bring it in the next time I go. ;) Fri Jun 05 09:51:37 -0700 2009 4738730 249664 kattyeyes 1 4741202 I am a sangria making fool. I am also strangely fixated on toffee making lately. A couple months ago i was all about trying to make tofu taste good. My husband demanded I stop. Hummus is not amateurish. Have you tried adding black beans or roasted red peppers? I put tons of lemon and garlic in it and sometimes togarashi seasoning. It keeps muchers out of my stash. I am a hummus hog. I have aslo been back on the crostini kick. And tapenade. I have olives coming out the ying yang. Mostly I am about my sangria and toffee. Wed Jun 03 23:26:34 -0700 2009 4722331 137755 Sal Vanilla 1 4741212 Recently its been red grapefruit with crunchy peanut butter....can't seem to get enough of it and the sweet, salt combo is perfect Wed Jun 03 23:35:49 -0700 2009 4722331 283388 waytob 2 4741231 no - no! Thu Jun 04 00:01:34 -0700 2009 4741212 40486 Cinnamon 2 4745955 Sounds really interesting! Can't wait to try it tonight! Fri Jun 05 12:18:52 -0700 2009 4741212 166743 pinkprimp 2 4751929 Still on the grapefruit-peanut butter kick (which is now dessert after my latest kick), but since last week have moved onto salad...but this one is more of an empty out the kitchen drawers version, and i absolutely love it. Make a large bowlful for dinner, and wind up having it for 2 more days: Diced green pepper, diced red pepper, diced red onion, can of sweet corn, diced cucumber, diced carrot, dced celery, bit of rucola, torn mixed salad leaves, fresh coriander and cubes of mature cheddar. Dressed with balsamic, EVOO, few drops of toasted sesame oil, sea salt, black pepper and ground toasted cumin. Yum yum yum Mon Jun 08 00:13:40 -0700 2009 4741212 283388 waytob 1 4742109 Smooze frozen fruit snacks, in guava/coconut and Trader Joe's plain frozen yogurt topped with almonds, cinnamon and vanilla agave. Experimenting with different toppings/mix-ins is definitely part of the fun! Thu Jun 04 09:21:54 -0700 2009 4722331 151336 BaltoPhilFood 1 4745241 Jalapeno poppers - cheddar, cream cheese & sausage stuffed, bacon wrapped, grilled or broiled. Don't know why I'm on a kick, but I want the all the time. Fri Jun 05 09:16:50 -0700 2009 4722331 20991 shanagain 2 4747422 Jalapeno poppers are the perfect food. They include most major food groups. Vegetable, dairy, meat. Now you have me craving them, too. Fri Jun 05 21:23:57 -0700 2009 4745241 168777 crabby_cakes 3 4752595 Oh yeah, I love them!!! Mon Jun 08 08:00:14 -0700 2009 4747422 324495 Tacopedia 2 4747653 here is a good looking popper: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/ and if you like bacon-wrapped goodies: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/604944 Sat Jun 06 04:16:30 -0700 2009 4745241 105717 alkapal 3 4748638 The Pioneer Woman makes everything look good, I think. That's almost exactly how I make mine, but I make more of a "boat" with the jalapenos, reserving the leftovers for jalapeno-stuffed, bacon-wrapped dates. (Try it - salty, spicy, sweet = grown-up candy.) Sat Jun 06 14:12:13 -0700 2009 4747653 20991 shanagain 2 4798937 that post actually made me drool. I love even the heavily processed bar versions. Tue Jun 23 13:02:44 -0700 2009 4745241 1086258 jchamberlain 2 4855997 One of my favorite treats . . . my sis makes hers with cream cheese mixed with some other grated sharp cheeses, then rolls the whole tooth-picked mass in finely gated parmesan and bakes them until the bacon is crisped up and the cheese is gooey. Lots of cheese runs out onto the pan and makes the best cheese crispies! Mon Jul 13 21:19:04 -0700 2009 4745241 293998 vday 1 4747238 odwalla's "strawberry c-monster" drink. expensive, but i crave it! <maybe i should try making my own, now that i see it's just strawberry puree, orange, apple & grape juice!> and the food that i must often get a "fix" of is the thai dish "pad kee mao" with good wok char -- paired with some killer som tum. Fri Jun 05 19:40:28 -0700 2009 4722331 105717 alkapal 1 4747339 Vietnamese Pancakes (Banh Xeo) - so yummy and fresh-tasting during the summer that i don't even look at the shrimp salad rolls (Goi Cuon) anymore ... Chicken Biryani - It's like crack. Everytime I have it, the flavor lingers and I stay up that night thinking about the next time I can have it... Talking Rain Peach/Nectarine - Sparkling water with an essence of nectarine. Fri Jun 05 20:23:07 -0700 2009 4722331 56183 soypower 1 4747677 Breakfast green chile tacos. Tacos in general. A big addiction. Sat Jun 06 04:47:48 -0700 2009 4722331 93538 Passadumkeg 1 4749170 Fuji apples. Crispy and the perfect balance of sweet and tart. Sometimes I cut them up and drizzle with honey and a dash of cinnamon. A sprinkle of raisins lifts it to another level. Sat Jun 06 18:35:02 -0700 2009 4722331 271842 Cookiephage 1 4749180 Oh, and red peppers. Raw, grilled, pickled, stuffed, sauteed- I love it all. Sat Jun 06 18:36:52 -0700 2009 4722331 271842 Cookiephage 1 4749506 I have a few addictions right now: 1. Tuna Sashimi - if I could find sushi grade tuna at the market, I would buy it in BULK and eat it every day. I know, mercury and all that, but I love it! On that note, if you know of a place to buy fresh sushi grade fish in NW Arkansas, I would love to know! 2. Gruyere cheese sliced very thin and eaten with thin slices of green apple. 3. Melissa's brand Soyrizo (vegan chorizo) cooked with an egg and served in a warm tortilla with cilantro and fresh salsa for brekkie. Sat Jun 06 21:57:11 -0700 2009 4722331 80736 Nestra 2 4749829 Dig your Emily Strange avatar with Sabbath, too! :) No kidding re tuna, though I think buying it in bulk would ruin it for ya (i.e., you'd want it fresh). I'm with you in sentiment, though. LOVE it! Sun Jun 07 06:47:09 -0700 2009 4749506 249664 kattyeyes 1 4750154 Tortilla chips and fresh salsa. I could eat them every day for dinner and be happy doing it. My more surprising addiction, though, is Jiffy Pop popcorn with just a touch of butter and salt. After working at a movie theater for years in high school and college, I swore I'd never go back to stovepop popcorn, but now that it's been several years and I've lost the taste for the oily stuff, I can finally start eating it again. Sun Jun 07 09:23:35 -0700 2009 4722331 113376 Olallieberry 1 4750490 lay's "natural" corn tortilla chips & homemade salsa....always lately: thinly sliced vidalia onions marinated in olive oil, lemon & salt...put them on everything! Sun Jun 07 12:16:08 -0700 2009 4722331 165622 terkalin 2 4750528 that is what i'm gonna do with that vidalia in the kitchen! thanks, terkalin! Sun Jun 07 12:32:35 -0700 2009 4750490 105717 alkapal 3 4784818 add some cilantro! a local grocer sells that combo. I like it over chopped tomatoes and canned tuna. Thu Jun 18 11:09:50 -0700 2009 4750528 61392 sparkalina 4 4786407 i've enjoyed the vidalia in oil and lemon with salt. i left it out of the fridge for a day or so (in a closed tupperware). do you think the onion has the same issues as raw garlic not being safe in an anaerobic environment? if so, i'll throw it out. Thu Jun 18 21:26:46 -0700 2009 4784818 105717 alkapal 1 4751442 for me, it's mostly certain seasonal ingredients - i can't get enough asparagus, California avocado, leeks, radishes & fresh mint. and i'm *dying* for the strawberries & tomatoes to get REALLY good. Sun Jun 07 18:58:43 -0700 2009 4722331 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 4751937 Quite possibly the most boring offering so far: Steel cut oats before bedtime. Pretty embarassing, right? I eat them every single day for breakfast with blueberries, but now I'm snacking on them too. I'm staring at the empty bowl as I write this... Mon Jun 08 00:46:44 -0700 2009 4722331 130233 sf toronto 2 4752463 Boring, maybe, but I wish my addictions/cravings were as healthy as yours! Mon Jun 08 07:19:11 -0700 2009 4751937 249664 kattyeyes 1 4752575 Choripan with a glass of red wine... Or, vegetable empanadas from Argentina with a glass of red wine. I'm in a very Argentinian period, trying every Argentinian spot in my city...(monterrey, mexico) Mon Jun 08 07:55:02 -0700 2009 4722331 324495 Tacopedia 1 4758583 Hollow, soft, glutinous but browned black sesame buns from the Korean bakery. hey are probably mochi-based, there might be tapioca involved. I am still trying to track down what exactly they are besides delicious. (They are not the overly sweet poor excuse for a danish stuffed with red bean paste that I found at Marukai, an L.A. Asian grocer. But a Japanese bakery does seem to make something similar that is definitely mochi based.) Tue Jun 09 20:15:53 -0700 2009 4722331 40486 Cinnamon 1 4758607 Didn't read all the posts - making me hungry - but I'd like to add potato chips on my sandwiches (forgot how delicious!) and manhattans. I was off bourbon for a while, lost the taste for it, but one of my favorite spots here in Philly makes one that I need to have weekly these days, or rather, twice weekly Tue Jun 09 20:23:19 -0700 2009 4722331 263586 LPhila 1 4759359 Two things for me on my current "Must have" list: Pho (or any vietnamese / S.E. Asian soups bun rieu, bun bo hue). I can not go more than 3 days without eating a bowl. Luckily, we have a huge S.E. Asian population in the midwest, comparitively speaking. Also, saw this mentioned already, but fresh salsa or pico de gallo. Some mildly salty, crisp chips and some good salsa and I am in heaven. :) Wed Jun 10 06:55:00 -0700 2009 4722331 1081544 Inthewater 1 4760953 Baked Dorito's, Sobe Lifewater (pear flavor) still digging "Better than Peanutbutter "- must have every day with apples, Salted peanuts mixed in chocolate pudding over vanilla ice cream(Sugar free) Wed Jun 10 14:22:14 -0700 2009 4722331 136241 six dower 1 4761457 Stacy's "naked" Pita chips--if I open the bag I'm in trouble... Pickle juice, I keep having to throw all my pickles out because I drink all the juice and they start shriveling! Sliced cucumbers sprinkled w/ chili limon, it's a summer thing. Wed Jun 10 16:48:17 -0700 2009 4722331 20475 twisterp 1 4762268 I have three- Making daube glace (a common NOLA dish) and experimenting with different versions, BLT sandwiches slathered in Mayo and with toasted bread, and any and all drinks containing creme de violette. These three do not go together in any way shape or form, just three intense loves at this point. Wed Jun 10 22:57:14 -0700 2009 4722331 276431 ScarlettNola 1 4768347 Lately I've been obsessed with fresh lebanese dates with an unripened white cheese called Akawie that I found at the local Halal store (never had it or heard of it before...it's a bit briny like feta, but with a slightly smoother texture). The velvety sweetness of the dates and the briny-ness of the cheese is soooo good. Fri Jun 12 18:03:28 -0700 2009 4722331 287356 lainekerr 2 4770994 lainekerr, i think dates are sublime -- the Good Lord's own candy ;-). do you know where the akawie cheese is from? Sun Jun 14 00:23:11 -0700 2009 4768347 105717 alkapal 3 4809848 I couldn't agree more! :) The akawie cheese I bought was made in Canada, but I actually don't know what the origin is. Very nice though...would be great in salad or maybe crumbled on pizza or something as well! Yum :) Fri Jun 26 18:17:47 -0700 2009 4770994 287356 lainekerr 4 4820405 lainekerr, this cheese "sounds" like yours, but the description is a ewe's milk cheese that is *hard*: http://www.cheese.com/Description.asp?Name=Ackawi other research finds it is a mid-eastern brined cheese, related to feta, and very prominent and popular in syria, cyprus and lebanon. ooh, this says it's a good filling inside a pastry puff! http://www.mid-eastpantry.com/kaakch20oz.html Wed Jul 01 04:34:00 -0700 2009 4809848 105717 alkapal 1 4771463 Korean ice cream bars with red beans and a wafer outer part! Yummie! Sun Jun 14 08:21:14 -0700 2009 4722331 1083146 Sherri K 2 4771471 Here's a photo Sun Jun 14 08:25:11 -0700 2009 4771463 1083146 Sherri K 2 4771508 The photos make it--thanks for sharing! I want to look for these. Love red bean and love even more the idea of eating an ice cream bar that looks like that! :) Sun Jun 14 08:37:12 -0700 2009 4771463 249664 kattyeyes 2 4781879 That sounds completely delicious. Never seen that, but I'll look forward to try it. Wed Jun 17 12:55:14 -0700 2009 4771463 1084400 mokafeinomane 1 4781918 Beef ribs - my SO and I have been consuming them at a local korean resto, I have been making them in a crock pot with asian/jerk seasonings and getting them from a local chines take out that do them very thin with a soya and onion sauce. Not sure what it's all about but love the ribs. Wed Jun 17 13:03:03 -0700 2009 4722331 178869 juliewong 1 4784572 Brachetto d'Aqui (sparkling Italian wine) Haagen Dazs Reserve Fleur de Sel Caramel Ice Cream 505 Red Chile Sauce www.thelunchbelle.com Thu Jun 18 10:08:24 -0700 2009 4722331 110996 LeahBaila 1 4784799 French breakfast radishes from my garden. Every day I go out to see if more are ready. They are good sliced on a tomato sandwich too. Also..chopped liver. I cannot make enough. Thu Jun 18 11:05:57 -0700 2009 4722331 11408 melly 2 4786495 Those french radishes are yummy! I love them with a pat of good butter and some sea salt.... Very addictive indeed. Thu Jun 18 22:30:20 -0700 2009 4784799 89969 moh 3 4786501 how do "french" radishes taste compared with american radishes that i buy in the supermarket (sharp)? Thu Jun 18 22:34:42 -0700 2009 4786495 105717 alkapal 4 4786511 The french radishes I've enjoyed are much less sharp than the red round radishes we traditionally see here in North America, they are slightly sweeter as well. I can easily eat a handful of them, even with out the butter. Lovely lovely things, and they are relatively easy to grow, even for a bad gardener like me, although birds did once scavenge our seeds and we were left radish-less... Fortunately, they are popular here and are relatively easy to buy in the market. Thu Jun 18 22:39:24 -0700 2009 4786501 89969 moh 5 4786623 those are pretty http://beyondthelawn.blogspot.com/2008/05/french-radish-harvest.html and from what i understand, they're easy and quick to grow. Fri Jun 19 00:57:10 -0700 2009 4786511 105717 alkapal 1 4788352 Smoked eel rolls. Even at the supermarket I can't get out without one. Summer fruit pies, I am being cursed by the people I share a house with. My newest discovery was grilled cheese with mango chutney and sriracha. It is an interesting combination of sweet/ spicy/ gooey. I limit how many of these I eat. Fri Jun 19 13:47:43 -0700 2009 4722331 94635 adventuresinbaking 2 4788374 "My newest discovery was grilled cheese with mango chutney and sriracha. It is an interesting combination of sweet/ spicy/ gooey. I limit how many of these I eat." ...That sounds sooooooooo good!!!! :) Thx for sharing. www.thelunchbelle.com Fri Jun 19 13:57:43 -0700 2009 4788352 110996 LeahBaila 2 4797472 Try grilled cheese with green or Bombay chutney. It's got the spicy kick without the sugar, so you needn't feel guilty about having more! Tue Jun 23 06:30:02 -0700 2009 4788352 68363 JungMann 1 4790098 so i am not much of a peanut butter lover. but i just got a jar of jif peanut butter and honey. i have already gone through 1/2 the jar in less than 2 weeks. that is definitely not normal for me. just been eating it straight out the jar using a pretzel as a scoop for it. yum! that is definitely an addiction for me. Sat Jun 20 09:33:02 -0700 2009 4722331 92286 vttp926 1 4790135 Guiltless Gourmet baked black bean chips. They aren't so guiltless when you eat the whole bag. Yeah, it's a problem. Sat Jun 20 09:53:13 -0700 2009 4722331 222865 FoodChic 1 4796727 I too had the homemade hummus kick for quite a while but have now moved on to Tzazaki. I couldn't find one that was just perfect so I started toying around with it. And discovered I could make it with fat free Fage yogurt without a big compromise of flavor or texture. (I've been on a weight loss campaign for the last 6 months--25 ugly pounds GONE so far) and my other obsession is roasted tomatillo/garlic salsa. Every time I fire up the grill, I have to throw at least a pound or two or tomatillos on there to blacken them. I probably make up a thing of Tzaziki every week now and same with the salsa. And I put them on everything. Pour either one over grilled chicken and you are set. Also good on beef, pork or fish. Add them to a wrap, use them as a dip, use as salad dressing...I think I need some salsa RIGHT NOW! Mon Jun 22 20:15:29 -0700 2009 4722331 251994 vencogirl 1 4798770 Ive been obsessed with a healthy type tuna salad recently- I blend the tuna with some chick peas, shallot, parsley, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and dijon mustard- its a bit crumblier than traditional tuna salad with mayo but loads healthier. Its delicious on wheat toast with spinach, or in a wrap with spinach and sliced zucchini :-) Tue Jun 23 12:11:26 -0700 2009 4722331 180029 fmcoxe6188 2 4800014 That actually sounds pretty good.... if you added red wine vinegar it would be perfect! Tue Jun 23 18:39:16 -0700 2009 4798770 54116 gryphonskeeper 2 4800099 We crush the chick peas w/ the mustard then add the tuna; makes a more spreadable paste. Tue Jun 23 19:07:44 -0700 2009 4798770 93538 Passadumkeg 3 4808740 wow-great ideas! Ill have to try reversing the order- and Ill definitely have to check out the red wine vinegar addition! That sounds delicious! Fri Jun 26 10:54:41 -0700 2009 4800099 180029 fmcoxe6188 1 4803526 Thinly sliced raw zucchini, marinated in minced raw garlic, chopped roasted red peppers, olive oil, sriracha, splash of vinegar, salt and pepper. Killer at room temp, mixed in with cold leftover orzo or whatever ya got. I'll add chopped mozzarella and small bits of chicken and call it a meal. It's terrible how much of it I've managed to eat before my husband has come home tonight. No dinner for me! Wed Jun 24 17:55:18 -0700 2009 4722331 110426 Boccone Dolce 2 4807279 That zucchini prep sounds great! How long do you marinate for and is it your own invention? Thu Jun 25 20:51:41 -0700 2009 4803526 64215 cimui 3 5041714 Oops Cimui- I neglected this thread. If you still wanna know- it's sort of my own invention. I have one Aunt that is famous for marinated roasted red peppers in nothing but minced garlic and olive oil. I have another Aunt that used to do raw zuke the same way (I actually can't remember what else was in hers, but it just tastes so good w/the raw garlic and olive oil. I added the sriracha, and the mix-ins... I want some now!! Marinate at least an hour to let things get used to each other. It's better to me @ room temp. Sat Sep 19 06:50:31 -0700 2009 4807279 110426 Boccone Dolce 1 4806159 vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk Thu Jun 25 13:27:39 -0700 2009 4722331 1085281 mbnaso1 1 4806928 pumpkin butter and Greek yogurt Thu Jun 25 18:00:11 -0700 2009 4722331 36312 HillJ 1 4806948 I'm back to tomatoes and watermelon. The last 2 watermelons were blah (note to self: no more seedless watermelons!). I may try one of the watermelon feta salads now, even though I think they're somehow not right, but can't accept that because we were served watermelons with salt as children, so it ought to make sense! Tomatoes? Eat as one eats peaches or bosc pears. Or slice up and add to the pulled pork sandwich. Chop and add to a salad with fresh zucchini, olive oil, balsamic. Let sit. Slice another one open while waiting for the salad flavors to meld. Realise that there's a lot in common between the tomato and the watermelon. Eat more. Thu Jun 25 18:09:39 -0700 2009 4722331 224238 Caralien 1 4807211 My current obsession is dark chocolate M&M's in the following order. Green, Yellow, Brown, Orange, Red, Blue. Thu Jun 25 20:13:17 -0700 2009 4722331 60617 rednyellow 2 4807277 =P so do you eat all the greens, first, then all the yellows, then all the browns, etc...? or do you eat one green, one yellow, one brown, one orange, one red and one blue. and then repeat until the whole bag is done? Thu Jun 25 20:49:48 -0700 2009 4807211 64215 cimui 3 4809681 All of one color, then all of the next color until all are gone. Fri Jun 26 16:50:15 -0700 2009 4807277 60617 rednyellow 4 4823486 that really is kind of obsessive compulsive -- but i like it. :) i used to drive my sister crazy by cherry picking all the chocolate chips out of our trail mix, first, then all the raisins and other dried fruit, then the banana chips, etc... until all that were left were the peanuts, which i didn't like. made the eatin' more fun, especially since it got on her nerves. Wed Jul 01 22:27:16 -0700 2009 4809681 64215 cimui 5 4831706 I'm totally OCD, just part of the magic that is me. Sun Jul 05 17:36:59 -0700 2009 4823486 60617 rednyellow 1 4809703 I've can't seem to get enough of the soy wasabi almonds from blue diamond. I bought them when they were on sale for $1.99 and after devouring all 4 cans, I'm sorry I didn't buy more... Fri Jun 26 17:00:06 -0700 2009 4722331 56183 soypower 2 4861306 Yay! Walgreens is having a sale on soy wasabi almonds...Buy one get one free! I can't believe how many of these I eat...They're like crack....And the jalapeno smokehouse ones are not bad... Wed Jul 15 11:58:29 -0700 2009 4809703 56183 soypower 1 4823474 Got a new one... in search of the perfect genmaicha (toasted rice and green sencha tea), I tried making it myself. I have some green tea leaves that I got in a sampler pack from a tea shop awhile back. I toss those in a dry frying pan or wok with about the same volume of sushi rice (black rice is what I have on hand), and I heat it till the tea leaves have toasted somewhat and many of the rice kernels have popped. (This is easy to see with the black rice - they turn white as they pop.) Then I put those in a big juice jar, fill it up with purified water (room temp, from our filter tap), put the lid on, shake it, and put it in the fridge. Within half an hour it has some taste. It's better if left overnight. By then usually the ingredients have settled to the bottom. I decant off all the liquid into drinking beverage bottles that I keep cold in the fridge, fill the jar up with water again, shake, and put back in the fridge. This works for several days before it gets too weak. It is light and toasty and SO good over ice. Wed Jul 01 22:15:13 -0700 2009 4722331 40486 Cinnamon 2 4823492 that sounds really fun to make. =) Wed Jul 01 22:28:19 -0700 2009 4823474 64215 cimui 1 4855632 Lately its anything carmel. I bought this bag of Carmels from Amazon and they are the best I have ever had. But Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream with Home made Carmel Sauce is divine. I also love this Peach Salsa its Amish made and I can only get it at this Amish store in my town. I love to mix it with cream cheese and serve with cinnamon tortilla chips or cinnamon pita chips. Another thing I love to make most can be bought at a Olive Bar. Take these slightly spicy Red Peppers(don't know the actual name) stuff them with Oil Cures Olives pitted ones, a piece of a mozzarella ball, and a bit of Anchovy. Yum its a great snack. Mon Jul 13 18:54:25 -0700 2009 4722331 229297 LEsherick2008 1 4855684 Saltine crackers, embarassingly enough. Mon Jul 13 19:15:50 -0700 2009 4722331 280668 charentais 2 5042630 LOL- When my son was old enough to stay home during the summer by himself, he spent a lot of that time eating. One day when I got home from work I realized he'd eaten two inner packs of saltines and a quarter-pound of butter that day! Sat Sep 19 15:43:38 -0700 2009 4855684 105625 EWSflash 3 5059301 Mmmm!!! I love saltines and butter!! My Dad would always put a plate of them out when we had tuna salad for dinner. Fri Sep 25 20:40:39 -0700 2009 5042630 212582 schrutefarms 1 4855815 tonight at kalustyan's a bought some amazing dried mango coated with very hot spices. it's isn't an addiction yet, but will be as soon as i finish this bag off Mon Jul 13 19:58:23 -0700 2009 4722331 135229 thew 2 4856161 Its what we call achari, and can really make your mouth pucker. Does it stain your fingers red? If you like those then there's another treat you will love...bunya. These are the tart dried seeds of the baobab tree coated in a sweet, chilli covering...an absolute addiction Mon Jul 13 23:00:37 -0700 2009 4855815 283388 waytob 3 4857006 sounds awesome. i'm on it..... Tue Jul 14 08:18:43 -0700 2009 4856161 135229 thew 1 4906280 Burnt Sugar! Only in the Sea Salt Caramel flavor. Oh my, it's totally addictive. It's kinda pricey, but worth double. It's from England, but you can find it at specialty stores here, and on Amazon. Amazing flavor. It's a crumbly fudge, Mmmmm. Great, now I have to go buy a box! Fri Jul 31 08:52:49 -0700 2009 4722331 1097518 veggiemelt 2 4908204 is it similar at all to penuche fudge? http://www.slashfood.com/2007/07/22/happy-national-penuche-fudge-day/ Fri Jul 31 21:36:36 -0700 2009 4906280 105717 alkapal 1 5035551 This: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2006/12/the_best_holida.html Spiced Pretzel and Nuts from David Lebowitz. Ohh... even with just pretzels (no nuts for me, most of the time), this is just so good and so easy to make!! Wed Sep 16 18:13:47 -0700 2009 4722331 197210 jayaymeye 1 5035703 this freakin can of mixed nuts that i keep saying "that's my last handful" about Wed Sep 16 19:36:42 -0700 2009 4722331 135229 thew 1 5036109 Lobster. At 2 bucks a pound, why not? A dozen last night for 4 people for 30 bucks. What a great way to go....pass the butter. Thu Sep 17 00:23:01 -0700 2009 4722331 93538 Passadumkeg 2 5039419 Where are you getting lobster at $2/lb?!?! $12.99/lb here.... I am currently on a home-brewed ice tea kick....and I am obsessed with grapefruits. I was thinking while eating my grapefruit the other day- Do we enjoy things like grapefruit, crab, and lobster more because they are a pain to eat? (e.g. cracking shells, picking the meat or cutting each little segment of grapefruit so you can eat it with a spoon?)..... Fri Sep 18 08:16:03 -0700 2009 5036109 108820 QSheba 1 5040093 Manchego cheese and Sidecars...not necessarily together Fri Sep 18 11:51:25 -0700 2009 4722331 323100 trvler 1 5040141 Chowhound Fri Sep 18 12:04:50 -0700 2009 4722331 324814 nomadchowwoman 2 5040237 Tell me about it... Fri Sep 18 12:33:35 -0700 2009 5040141 13709 buttertart 3 5040250 It's bad. When I stop cooking altogether and start having cocktails at the computer, I'll know it's time to stop . . . . Fri Sep 18 12:37:55 -0700 2009 5040237 324814 nomadchowwoman 4 5040366 Extremely addicted to pop chips (salt and pepper is my fav) http://www.popchips.com/ Averaging at least a bag a day with this awesome garlic dip my mom gets at local NJ craft fairs... Fri Sep 18 13:10:29 -0700 2009 5040250 1105037 BartenderMT41 4 5042330 Already there. At least the cocktail at the keyboard part. Sat Sep 19 12:58:40 -0700 2009 5040250 223367 nvcook 5 5042459 Idea for a thread: "What are you drinking right this minute?"! Sat Sep 19 14:12:15 -0700 2009 5042330 324814 nomadchowwoman 6 5043702 There is such a thread over on the wine board ...hic...oops, excuse me. LOLZ! Yes, CH is totally addictive...I'm in way too deep. Sun Sep 20 09:25:47 -0700 2009 5042459 11983 Val 1 5041666 Breyers Peanut Butter Overload Ice Cream with those tiny little peanut butter cups...I have never been addicted to any food, but this stuff is absolute heaven! Sat Sep 19 06:11:14 -0700 2009 4722331 1110426 dancer0707 1 5043091 Really sour-tart plain frozen yogurt, either by itself or with some toppings like strawberries, bananas & Captain Crunch. Very addictive, especially in hot weather. Sat Sep 19 20:43:08 -0700 2009 4722331 1099762 CookieWeasel 2 5043319 Neat combo. I never thought of topping froyo with the Cap'n. Cool! Always nice to see another Cap'n Crunch fan. :) Sun Sep 20 04:20:05 -0700 2009 5043091 249664 kattyeyes 1 5044634 Liberte Mediterreanean yogurt (8% fat) - lemon flavoured. I eat it with granola every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning (after the gym). Sun Sep 20 17:25:52 -0700 2009 4722331 131149 Jetgirly 1 5059564 Stichelton - an English blue cheese It's a rich, creamy verision of Stilton, but made with unpasteurized milk. it's basically dairy crack. might have to go and get some now.... http://www.stichelton.co.uk/ Sat Sep 26 04:54:44 -0700 2009 4722331 47922 foreignmuck