Weekly Cooking (and related issues)Thread

[Trillian]

I should have added how much water I add, since it wasn’t clear. It’s about 1 cup when rinsing out the can.
I have a newborn so I’m on little sleep and it shows when I type.

[Jamestown1630]

I’ve always enjoyed the Penzey’s catalog, but never purchased herbs by mail-order at all, so I don’t know of another company like that. I generally buy herbs in bulk from food co-ops, where the prices are very good. But those are more than likely to be on the ‘climate change’ bandwagon as well, whether it’s obvious or not; and of course they won’t have the wide selection.

Perhaps someone else here has a recommendation.

-JT

[Liz]

SHAKERATO--Iced Coffee, The Italian Way

An Epicurious recipe. While Italians love to linger over a meal, that same laid-back attitude doesn’t apply here. Italians don’t let hot coffee hang around to cool off and, Dio mio, they wouldn’t think of making cold brew. Their choice? Shakerato (shock-eh-RAH-toe): Hot caffè shaken w/ ice to chill it quickly. Here's the basic method for Caffè Shakerato.

For Two Italians or One American:

Combine 3/4-1 cup fresh-made espresso (2 long shots) or strong-brewed coffee with sugar to taste (hot espresso dissolves sugar quickly). Add to pint Mason jar 8-10 ice cubes (crack if large; about 1/2 cup total); shake vigorously til jar feels cold. The foam is prized; spoon off and reserve; pour the drinks, then divide up foam.

An American drinks from jar w/ straw.

An Italian strains it into two glasses (no ice).

[Jamestown1630]

I know a lot of people would like that, but I couldn’t get my Italian husband to drink it ;-)

-JT

[Liz]

Moda is the high-end Italian restaurant in London

They even offer a bread course.

Toasted bread selection, seasoned dipping oil and olives.

[miss marmelstein]

I’ll get my husband’s recipe tomorrow. He’s the Italian-American cook in the family (I do everything else except the grilling). He does a wonderful lasagna and we do an all-day lasagna party.

Hint: the ingredients must be the best!

Question: how do people feel about no-boil lasagna sheets? I’ve used them and think they can work. My husband says Infamnia!

[miss marmelstein]

That’s so London. Elegant, spare.

[miss marmelstein]

That looks fantastic.

What’s the name of the Italian dessert where you pour coffee over ice cream?

[miss marmelstein]

Kalustyans in NYC. They do mail order. It’s a small fantastic shop with a great spice collection. Only 3 blocks from my home in NYC so I can recommend. In NJ, I buy at our local Indian store, Patel Bros.

[Liz]

Affogato......drowning ice cream in coffee.....a true Italian invention.

[miss marmelstein]

That’s it! I first saw that in a London restaurant.

[Jamestown1630]

My MIL always used regular dry lasagna pasta as if it were the no-boil sort. She laid some sauce on the bottom, and then proceeded. I haven’t tried it, but she never had a problem with it - maybe her sauce was ‘extra juicy’ :-)

-JT