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Saturday Open Thread

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:45:36 AM EST
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I'll be out most of the day. We're expecting a huge freeze tonight for the rest of the weekend so I'm going to stock up on necessities in case I decide to hibernate.

What are you up to? Christmas shopping, or something fun?

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    Back to Philly for a few days (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by andgarden on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:59:33 AM EST
    Thankfully, Amtrak is as convenient as ever.

    Today's Met broadcast: (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:15:28 PM EST
    Renee Fleming and Thomas Hampson in Massenet's Thais.

    The Distracted's life will be replete with (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by easilydistracted on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:24:18 PM EST
    distraction beginning today: the cornucopia of stimuli includes finishing up with Santa (that jolly old chump); cheering against Jerry Jones' mob this evening (what better gift than to see that stadium close with a loss); a bath for Haley and Dakota (the dalmatian and chihuahua that permit my wife and I to share a room with); two grandchildren arriving Monday; and a host of relatives arriving Wednesday.

    So, before things get real hectic, I wanted to take a few minutes and pass along this post as a "happy holidays" card to TL and its readers. My hope is for all to have safe and enjoyable holidays with their family and friends.

    Before you get too distracted (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:40:56 PM EST
    A request from my Spotty One: do you have a pic of Haley?

    Thanks for the heads up on the game tonight! I hope Romo has a crappy night. He's on the opposing team in my FF league this week {evil grin}, so I'll be cheering against the mob also.

    Parent

    Hey, I do have a pix of Haley, or two or .... (none / 0) (#21)
    by easilydistracted on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:50:31 PM EST
    you get the drift. Dals are special! Haley is a rescued dog, which makes her even more special. Ill arrange for a link or something to handle her pix. Romo: what a smug chump. Don't ya just despise that smirk of his? Sorta reminds one of that other smug chump that calls the lone start state home -- Bush.  

    Parent
    Cool! (none / 0) (#25)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:06:03 PM EST
    Mine's a rescue also. I wasn't planning on getting a dog, but she had other ideas {grin}

    Romo is a chump, but I do like how he can make my opponent howl. Hoping for lots of that tonight, lol!~

    Parent

    Cooking (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by liminal on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:25:46 PM EST
    I'm having people over for dinner, and am making Eggplant Lasagne with Parsley Pesto.  The recipe is url="here[/url].  Delicious stuff.

    I'm also making cookies.  The peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal are finished, and I'll be on to the chai snickerdoodles once I get the lasagne assembled.  

    Ooh. (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by liminal on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:26:38 PM EST
    That link worked REALLY well.  Grr.

    Here is the recipe.

    Parent

    Save me a plateful, sounds good! (none / 0) (#7)
    by easilydistracted on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:27:05 PM EST


    Parent
    Shoveling snow (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by DFLer on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:41:23 PM EST


    Same here! (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 04:22:07 PM EST
    The storm yesterday that was supposed to clobber Boston and the southern part of Vermont decided to edge northward a bit, and I got about a foot instead of the 6-8 expected.  Shoveled out my paths and my car and a route for the wheelbarrow to get to the remaining outside firewood stacks of 6+ inches two days ago, shoveled out 12 inches today, expecting another 12 to 16 by Monday morning.

    Depressing as heck to be shoveling like crazy only so the amount you have to shovel the next day will be just as bad instead of twice as bad.  Arrggh.

    At least the temperatures are back in reasonable territory in the teens.  My little woodstove can't keep up when it gets down to the low single digits and below and I use up horrifying amounts of wood just to keep indoor temps in the mid to high-60s.  I don't even need a thermometer.  When the cats are sleeping on the stone hearth right in front of the stove instead of the cozy warm chairs a few feet away, I know there's too much chill creeping in from the adjoining rooms.

    Parent

    Have you tried micro-raschel throws (none / 0) (#36)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 04:29:49 PM EST
    for the kitties? I design for a company that produces them, so I have a boatload. The cats radiate heat when they sleep on them and do not huddle around the radiators. I used to have one big cat pile (8 cats!) around the kitchen radiator next to the stove. Very hard to cook! Now I have these throws in every room. Dog loves them also  :)

    Do your cats automatically understand not to jump on the wood stove? I have a 1920's stove/oven that gets hot and nobody jumps on that, but they were raised with it. I worry about the woodstove in the new place . . .

    Parent

    I'll look for those (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 08:27:48 PM EST
    Thanks for the tip.  My guys all have those sort of cup-like fleece beds they curl up in, but I guess sometimes that's not enough.

    I have to laugh about your cats and the radiator!  My mother had a cat who would recline with his nose stuck between the slats of the radiator next to the little settee he usually slept on for hours.  You'd think they'd get brain damage from all that heat, but too much is never enough for them.

    I was a little worried about the woodstove, too, but I've only had one slightly nervous moment with a new kitten eyeing the stovetop from her perch on the windowsill.  My older cats explored the stovetop when it was cold and decided it wasn't worth bothering with.  The same kitten is very eager to sniff the tip of the poker, too, so I've made a habit now of sliding it under the stove after I use it.

    I'm also religious about not leaving the stove door open even a crack to get a fire going unless I'm sitting right there with it.  The cats are smart enough not to jump onto the stove itself, but they don't quite grasp the concept of the necessarily clearances for combustible materials, however many times I explain it to them.

    Otherwise, I just make sure my woodstacks outdoors, in the woodshed and the day's supply by the hearth are as stable as possible.  I'm actually more worried about one of the cats bringing a stack of logs down onto itself than I am about the stove.

    Parent

    I can see my youngest taking down (5.00 / 1) (#63)
    by nycstray on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 12:49:36 AM EST
    a wood stack! Almost 3yrs and he's still trying to get up and sit on the crown molding, lol!~ Oy.

    They're usually pretty good about the hot stove/oven, but I have had them jump up when I check on something in the oven and once or twice jump down from the cupboards on top of the hot oven. They are usually headed towards the floor coming down from the cupboards, so it's quick. I worry they'll see the top of the wood stove as kind of a radiator. I burn myself on both, so I couldn't tell ya which is hotter, lol!~

    Combustible materials should be fun also {grin}

    Parent

    Climbers (none / 0) (#68)
    by gyrfalcon on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 09:00:14 AM EST
    Oh, boy, some cats really are.  I had one like that I named Sir Edmund Hillary.

    If there's a high place from which they're tempted to jump down onto something dangerous (or just forbidden), I fill up that space with something so they can't get there to begin with.

    If your stove is cast-iron or steel, I really doubt there'll be a problem with the cats because they get searingly hot.  Mine is soapstone, so although plenty hot enough to burn if you touch it, it radiates a more gentle heat that doesn't seem as dangerous from a foot or two away.  But they still don't try to jump on it.

    Parent

    And getting ready to shovel more (none / 0) (#9)
    by Cream City on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:03:56 PM EST
    with half a foot more coming tonight, after 14 inches that finally ended yesterday, which went atop at least half a foot in five earlier storms in this ridiculously early winter again here.

    So the last shopping expedition is today, for just a few more things still left on the list . . . since tomorrow's shoveling will be brutal, with the storm also bringing dangerous winds -- and dangerous wind chill temps to 20 below or worse.

    Not that the shoveling will be done, because the winds also will cause the dreaded "blowing and drifting" of the couple of feet of fluffy stuff already making it look as lovely as a postcard here -- as long as we're inside by the fire, looking out at it all!

    At least it warms up to the 20s again Tuesday, when more than two dozen sibs and progeny arrive for our annual Dysfunctional Family Christmas.  (Title of the funniest "carol" on the old SNL.)

    Parent

    Have you seen the new French (none / 0) (#10)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:10:21 PM EST
    film "A Christmas Tale"?  We decided our families were almost functional compared to Catherine Denueve's.  

    Parent
    Did you enjoy the movie? Brief synopsis? Thx. (none / 0) (#13)
    by DeborahNC on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:28:47 PM EST


    Parent
    I thought the movie was worth seeing, (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:03:27 PM EST
    but must confess I miss the opportunity to see French films set in beautiful old houses and starring truly fine actors.  The story involves the matriach's need for a bone marrow match and her kids who do not get along. Denueve is one thick-skinned, emotionless person in this film--kind of a change.  The actor who plays her husband is so interesting to watch and hear.  A master.  

    Parent
    There was a movie out several (none / 0) (#24)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:55:26 PM EST
    years ago. I want to say Holly Hunter was in it? Anyway, they showed it on the plane when folks were returning from their Christmas holidays. It was pretty funny (or was it the de-stressing drinks everyone was enjoying?!) and a good move by the airline, lol!~

    Parent
    I remember a holiday movie with Holly Hunter and (none / 0) (#28)
    by DeborahNC on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:22:31 PM EST
    Robert Downey Jr. That was years ago and I can't remember the name of it, but it definitely had the dysfunctional family part down to a T.

    It's supposed to be a comedy, but it definitely has its dark moments. It's both funny and sad. Also, had Anne Bancroft.

    Parent

    "Home for the Holidays" is the movie (none / 0) (#32)
    by caseyOR on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 03:10:53 PM EST
    directed by Jodi Foster. Starring Holly Hunter and Robert Downey, Jr. IIRC the holiday in question is Thanksgiving, but the story is applicable to both big family gathering holidays.

    Parent
    Yes, that's the one. I liked the movie, but some (none / 0) (#70)
    by DeborahNC on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 10:27:31 AM EST
    folks have told me that they didn't like it very much.

    A person's expectations can potentially spoil what s/he might otherwise consider a very good movie. If people went into that movie, "Home for the Holidays," expecting a cheerful, holiday-style movie, they likely left feeling somewhat disappointed.

    Parent

    Cream (none / 0) (#12)
    by DFLer on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:22:02 PM EST
    Ah course...not to forget the dreaded berm left by the city snowplows at the end of the driveway!

    My neighbor's gone this weekend and I'm covering his walk for him (or should I say uncovering?)

    Luckily, he left a bribe in the form of a gift cert for the local co-op where we get our coffee.

    Parent

    Grammar police violation: guilty! (none / 0) (#26)
    by DFLer on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:06:34 PM EST
    I should have written:

    ...the dreaded berm left at the end of the driveway by the city snowplows.

    Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss is a wonderful and funny book to read.

    And, of course, you can't have too many copies of Elements of Style.

    Parent

    Ah, yes, the upside of finally seeing plows (none / 0) (#27)
    by Cream City on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:10:48 PM EST
    on our side street tends to be ameliorated by knowing that it means getting out there again to shovel out the detritus of snow from up the street then pushed across what we already cleared. . . .

    Plus, the certain knowledge that the cute li'l 20-something, oversalaried, first-time homeowners at the corner will again this year refuse to do the duty (yes, by law here) of corner-lot homeowners, which is to clear the corners from those plowing berms.  That leads to the certain knowledge that, when I walk to work to compensate the environment for their cute matching SUVs, I will fall on my butt numerous times in months to come.  At least I've learned how to fall away from the street, so I don't slide under oncoming wheels of some other gas-hogging vehicle.  

    Parent

    Don't make it sound like Christmas shopping (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by scribe on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:19:02 PM EST
    can't be fun.  Already today, I've slept in, taken the wonder setter for an extended session of romping in the snow and eating every snowball there is, drank coffee, paid a bill or two, wrapped and mailed some presents, and bought some more presents (wine, for colleagues who appreciate wine).  And I put in another iteration of simmering for candying orange peel (recipe below).  After reading through here, Emptywheel's place, FDL, Kos and TPM, commenting here, and fiddling with a couple computer games, I'll be going to buy another present (cigars, for a colleague whose vices tend toward tobacco and away from the grape) and letting the wonder setter romp some more.

    Later, it will be finishing up the orange peel, baking some thumbprint type cookies, a linzer and a coconut-pineapple-chocolate bar cookie thing.  By that time, I will have to decide whether to sleep or not.

    For the candied orange peel:
    the peel of one large orange (keep it as intact and not shredded as you can)
    2/3 cup sugar
    1/4 cup water
    1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
    more water

    In a saucepan with lid, cover the orange peel with the "more water".  Covered, bring to a low simmer and let it go that way for a good half hour.  Drain the water, replace it with "more water"  - fresh and cold - and repeat.  By this time the peel should be quite tender.

    Drain the peel and discard the water it simmered in.

    In a small saucepan with a lid  (for this part, small is better), mix the 1/4 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar and the corn syrup. Reserve the other 1/3 cup sugar for later.
    Bring this mixture to a low simmer - all the sugar should dissolve into the water just at the point of simmering.

    Take the peel and slice it into strips about 2 inches long by 1/4 inch wide.  Once the syrup mix is clear, put all of them into the syrup and simmer slowly (really low heat) under cover until the syrup is about half its original volume.  Turn off and let it rest overnight or all day.

    Come back, and return the syrup and peel to a low simmer over really low heat.  Simmer until almost all the syrup is absorbed.  Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Put the reserved sugar from before into a plate or bowl and toss the peel in.  Save the remaining syrup.  Keep tossing the peel until it is all coated well with sugar, then prop the peels up so they will air-dry.

    After the peels are dry to the touch, knock off the loose sugar and save it.

    Store the peels in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.  Use as a stand-alone candy, in fruitcake, or with your candied yams.

    Use the orange-flavored sugar and syrup in your oatmeal or farina tomorrow morning (rather than tossing it out and wasting it).

    This beats the heck out of the senseless waste that is tossing the peel from an orange and missing all that flavor.

    I love love love (none / 0) (#15)
    by liminal on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:34:47 PM EST
    candied citrus peel.  I did lemons and oranges last week, and will do grapefruit tomorrow.  The leftover simple syrup also makes great drinks - alcoholic and non-alcoholic.  Yum.  And we eat the sectioned fruit as a fruit salad alongside our fruitcakes.  

    Parent
    I'm making extracts with my peels :) (none / 0) (#20)
    by nycstray on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:47:51 PM EST
    I may try some oils also. Another thing I do is zest them into the fresh squeezed juice and then freeze in ice cube trays for recipes. I'll have to try your recipe. I hate wasting peels!

    Parent
    raking kabillions of leaves (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by txpolitico67 on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:32:13 PM EST
    i have 14 trees on my property.  we have had some pretty amazing windstorms down here lately.  me being so OCD, I had to get out there and clean up at least the front yard.  15 bags of leaves.  ugh.  i hired tree pruners last yr to do some essential cutting back.  i think i am going to get them to come back out here and start hacking away, again, so my leaf raking can be minimalized.

    all my xmas shopping is done.  i am going to go linger at some of my fave thrift stores and get some more xmas chocolates.  i am having my family over for the holiday(expecting about 30+). should be fun.

    the weather here in fort worth is nice.  kinda warm/balmy.  might be a good night to ck out the scene and be merry and bright.

    Please bring your OCD self to my house to rake. (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by DeborahNC on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:53:01 PM EST
    My husband hired someone to rake, but the guy just stopped and left about half of my back yard covered in leaves.

    What type of trees do you have around the Dallas/Ft Worth area? I lived in Houston for a while, but they had scrubby little trees or trees that didn't produce that many leaves. I'm living near Chapel Hill, NC now, and we have LOTS of leaves.

    Your Christmas shopping is done? Wow! If you come up here to rake, I'll prepare a huge meal for you and yours. ;-)

    Parent

    hilarious! (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by txpolitico67 on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:04:12 PM EST
    one of my dearest friends lives in Chapel Hill, so I would have to rake hers first.  

    I have nothing but oak trees in my yard.  The tree people that came out last year informed me that one of the trees in my backyard is well over 300 yrs old (b4 tx was a state or the USA was around!)

    just got back from my food shopping and the weather here has dropped at least 20 degrees.

    Parent

    Well, I guess you'd have to rake your friend's (none / 0) (#71)
    by DeborahNC on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 10:38:29 AM EST
    yard first! Sigh. Good people just seem to be so popular.

    I've been offline for a couple of days trying to get the rest of my "stuff" done. I'm almost there. I just have a few decorating items to complete.

    Oops! I still have a few more gifts to get too. Oh well, if you do come, I'll have to get our meal catered. That's okay with me. ;-)

    Has your friend lived in Chapel Hill long? Does s/he like it? Hope your holidays are wonderful!

    Parent

    small shriek (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by zyx on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:45:37 PM EST
    Made shopping attempt this a.m. (before crowds got too bad). I just suck at shopping. Fortunately, our family is pretty low-key at Christmas. But I do need to make an effort for one or two people who are hard to get something for. Blech.

    Got Christmas tree at Target this (none / 0) (#44)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:38:01 PM EST
    afternoon, as previously-patronized lot seems to not be set up this year.  Guess what:  Target guys don't put those wooden braces on the bottom, alleviating the need to get the tree straight in those horrendous stands.  Also, for legal reasons, guy why stuffed the tree into my car trunk could show me how to tie the trunk lid but wasn't supposed to actually do the deed himself.  But--money talks.  

    Parent
    Hello I'm new (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by SOS on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:49:19 PM EST
    Were not shopping or buying any stuff this year. As for fun . . . . uhhhhh trying to pretend everything is great?

    LOL sorry to be scrooge like.

    You want some stockings? (none / 0) (#31)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:55:48 PM EST
    I'm giving my family one measly pair of smartwool socks apiece.  Of course, my family has never been fond or capable of laying out loads of cash for gifts or lavish celebrations.  We always managed to put something in a gift wrapped box, even if it was only underwear and socks.

    Parent
    Late to the party (5.00 / 1) (#45)
    by cal1942 on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:50:50 PM EST
    Took care of fine points left over from yesterday's snow removal and bracing for more snow due late tonight and tomorrow.

    Watched Michigan State beat Texas in Houston on TV. This was a somewhat encouraging win given that it was done in spite of poor production on the line, getting beat on the boards, against a pretty good Texas team and on the road.

    We haven't seen the plow yet. If we get clobbered again tonight and tomorrow the plow's first visit will leave behind a wall completely blocking the driveway.

    Just pulled my sweatpants out of the dryer (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by caseyOR on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 06:01:44 PM EST
    and put them on. The warmest I've felt all week. We are getting 6 inches of snow that will be immediately topped with the freezing rain that is coming in overnight. Oh, and massive gusting winds.

    Our pitiful west of the Cascades Northwest winter is supposed to involve rain, not all this snow.

    I feel for you guys getting the bad weather (none / 0) (#64)
    by Amiss on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 02:36:48 AM EST
    Low here tonite is supposed to be 61. But our weather is supposed to change tomorrow as it is the first day of winter.

    Parent
    Studying Palin (2.00 / 1) (#16)
    by glennmcgahee on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:39:40 PM EST
    Aren't you Jeralyn? Reproductive rights? Gay/lesbian rights? Rick Warren, Obama's minister of choice? Oh, but Palin's got a constituent that was busted for drugs. She's Badddd! Very Baddd! Lets all laugh at her. Meanwhile, Blogovich, JJ jr. Caroline Schlossberg all get a Senate seat. Why? They can really pull in the money for the next election. Who cares about the little people. I'll tell you and Obama. Get religion outta my government. You all act so surprised at the Warren choice. I watched The Gospel Tour, The Faith Tour and listened as Obama promised to expand Bush's Faith Based Initiative. Bet you beleive in Santa too.

    Xmas shopping done (none / 0) (#2)
    by jimakaPPJ on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 12:04:30 PM EST
    and all via the Internet. With zero problems.

    Now all I have to do is wait for a dry spell and get the rest of the leaves up and dumped.

    And here's to the Titans and the Broncos in the AFC Championship!

    I'm planning an itinerary for shopping to make the (none / 0) (#18)
    by DeborahNC on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:44:26 PM EST
    most efficient use of my time. I procrastinated more than usual this year.

    Also, I'm adding some more decorative 'stuff' to my Christmas tree, e.g. birds, bird nests, silk flowers, etc.
    I still have a few other decorative chores to do for the house. I love candles at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. A local candle shop is going out of business, and she's selling her entire inventory; so, I want to catch the end of the sale.

    Then, I'll do more Christmas shopping later this afternoon.

    Energizer canary? (none / 0) (#23)
    by Spamlet on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 01:54:06 PM EST
    This animation is outstanding--and it keeps going, and going, and going . . .

    Attempted to do shopping. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 02:42:28 PM EST
    Did my meat run:
    hanging tenders - if you eat red meat, this is a cheap cut but the flavor is great!
    ham steaks - from actual smoked hams, and just huge!
    I don't think I'll be able to eat brine cured, water added ham again.

    pork for pork and sauerkraut, hungarian style
    sauerkraut, barrel cured for the above dish
    bacon

    My two kids now trail after me like ducklings.  Such an improvement over having them literally get lost.  It takes a long time to go anywhere when you have to tote your bags and look forward(to see where we are going) and backward(to make sure the kids are still there), plus stops to round up the herd or go fetch a stray.

    Went to the Japanese store for a knife for my sister.  They have the best selection of ready to go sushi in town.  Didn't find the knife, but got a great consolation prize.  I'll have to check one of the many other Asian stores in the area for the knife. (without the lure of sushi)

    Tomorrow, weather willing, is grocery shopping and hitting up Dave's sporting goods store for smartwool socks.  Possibly looking for a new christmas tree.  There's only one style of LED prelit tree out this year and I'm looking for a good price on it.

    Christmas is officially the 28th this year for the extended family celebration, so I'm not too stressed.  (Fingers crossed for good travel weather.) The official Christmas Day celebration is the traditional Chinese dinner and going to the movies.

    Eats (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 04:33:34 PM EST
    Szegedin goulash!  Is that what you mean by "pork and sauerkraut," or do you do them separately?  I love all variations of goulash, but pork goulash with sauerkraut may be my favorite.  I just fixed it myself for the first time a couple of weeks ago and almost fainted away, it was so good.

    What are "hanging tenders"?  That's a term I've never heard before.

    I deeply envy you the ham steaks.  Haven't had a real ham steak in decades, and I used to love them.  The only stuff I've been able to get since is totally blah, vaguely ham-flavored mystery meat.

    Parent

    Oh! Is that how it is spelled? (none / 0) (#42)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:33:11 PM EST
    Yeah, that's what we call it.  Love the mellowness the sour cream adds.  My mom's side is Hungarian but none of us speak a word.

    Hanging tenders are also called "hanging steaks".  It's a strip of under used muscle near the kidneys that is usually ground up.  What a waste!  Some people like it rare, but I just braise it until it falls apart.  Tossing a robust red wine or porter into the braising liquid is even better.

    You have to go to a butcher because it's usually turned into ground beef.  It has a nice, rich flavor to it and is almost fool proof to cook.

    Parent

    Hangar steak? (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by caseyOR on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:52:41 PM EST
    Is that the same cut as hangar steak? I've not ever seen "hanging" steak or hanging tenders. I have seen "hangar" steak at my grocer.

    Parent
    Time for a link. (none / 0) (#50)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 06:50:30 PM EST
    wiki link

    As you'll see from the picture, it is not a particularly attractive piece of meat.  There is a line of connective tissue that should be removed if you plan on cooking it rare.  (This is sometimes known as "butterflying" this particular cut.)  If you cook it as a well done roast as I do, the tough tissue becomes tender.

    Some people like this as a steak, but I prefer it as a roast.  People who like the bland flavor of feed lot beef might not like the more robust flavor of a hanger steak.  

    Parent

    That's it, Fabian. Hanger steak (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by caseyOR on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 08:25:33 PM EST
    is a popular cut here. My local organic grocer (locally owned, not Whole Foods) usually has it at the butcher counter. I've not ever tried it, though.

    So, Fabian, care to share a good braising recipe for hanger steak? Thanking you in advance.

    Parent

    I am not a cook. (none / 0) (#65)
    by Fabian on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 04:50:48 AM EST
    This is why I love hanger steak.  I do it up as a roast.  

    Salt, pepper meat.  
    Give a nice long sear on all sides.  
    Toss into braising pan or slow cooker.
    Add braising liquid halfway up the meat - water plus some red wine or a dark, hearty brew like stout or porter.  
    Cook for forever on lowest heat.  Overnight, while you are at work.  3-4 hours should do it.
    I like it falling apart.

    Since I cook it so long, I don't add vegetables because they turn to mush.

    Either pull it apart with a fork, or use a bread knife cut it cross grain while holding it firmly.

    Hanger steak is always well marbled and never dry.  I've never tried to remove the central seam of gristle in an uncooked steak because it is so irregular.  It would be worth the extra pennies to have it done for you.

    Parent

    Yes! (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 08:12:38 PM EST
    It's that combination of the browned meat, the zingy kraut and the sour cream that's just to die for.

    My local natural foods coop (like a mini-version of Whole Foods, very, very good stuff) for some reason didn't have sour cream and I was too beat to go to another store for it, so I got a little container of locally made oranic creme fraiche instead-- ohhhh, man!

    This "hanging steak" is totally new to me.  I'll have to ask at the general store down the road, which has a terrific little meat department and grinds its own divine hamburger, but I don't know if they get their meat in large enough hunks to include your "hanging steak."  I vastly prefer meat with some real flavor to it, so it sounds like I would like this.

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    Is there a link to a recipe for this goulash? (5.00 / 1) (#57)
    by sallywally on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 10:17:25 PM EST
    I'd love to try it!

    Parent
    Here's the recipe (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 10:46:28 PM EST
    Szegedin goulash

    Be sure to heed the advice about paprika.  This will come out dead and awful with old paprika, or ordinary supermarket stuff.  Get the Szeged Hungarian brand in the red can that most supermarkets also carry.  Paprika loses its flavor within a few weeks.

    Parent

    Thanks so much! n/t (none / 0) (#69)
    by sallywally on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 10:32:28 PM EST


    Parent
    Let us know (none / 0) (#72)
    by gyrfalcon on Mon Dec 22, 2008 at 03:19:50 PM EST
    how you like it!


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    Meant to say (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by gyrfalcon on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 08:17:13 PM EST
    my family lived in Vienna for half a year back in the '60s and ate out a lot (literally for pennies, the dollar was so strong against other currencies back then) and even made an excursion to Hungary for a few days-- during the Cuban missile crisis, except we didn't find out about it until we got back and it was all over.  So we had lots of terrific Hungarian food, and Szegedin goulash was one of my absolute favorite things.  Also your basic chicken paprikas, which is vastly better with the super-flavorful free-range chicken that was about all there was there at the time.  Never thought I'd get to have that goulash again in my life, though, until I came across a recipe somewhere and gave it a try.

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    I grew up on all those wonderful (none / 0) (#66)
    by scribe on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 06:15:48 AM EST
    Austrian specialties, and made some chicken paprikas (with drop-knoedel) just the other week.  It's some of the best cold-weather food going.

    Sorry, I can't really give you a recipe, since it's just "some of this and some more of that" to me.

    And it's kipferl baking time, too....

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    Traditional chinese dinner... (none / 0) (#33)
    by vml68 on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 03:19:15 PM EST
    Wat does a traditional chinese dinner entail? Do you prepare it yourself or go to a restaurant?

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    Eat out! (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 04:17:12 PM EST
    That's what Chinese restaurants are famous for - being open on every holiday.  It's largely true, too.  

    Besides, with my picky kids, the only dinner that I could get everyone to eat is either sushi or pizza.  I'm not going all out to make a big dinner to end up with the kids ignoring it.  My husband would be happy with almost anything as long as there was a nice bottle of wine or beer to go with it.

    Parent

    Beware of excessive sushi. Google (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:34:49 PM EST
    Jeremy Piven and Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow."  But, I ask you, why is Piven's doctor on Good Morning, America?  

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    Sushi is a rare treat for us. (none / 0) (#51)
    by Fabian on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 06:57:53 PM EST
    And also about the only way we eat seafood.  So we aren't likely to OD on heavy metals!

    Once you restrict yourself to non-farmed and sustainably harvested seafood, the price alone will keep you from eating very much.

    Parent

    Getting ready to cheer on the Ravens (none / 0) (#40)
    by Anne on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:08:40 PM EST
    and hoping for a good game for Joe Flacco...I know the rookie QB darling of the sports media is Matt Ryan, but we here in Ravens country ARE Wacko for Flacco!  Can you blame us?  Go take a look at the QB's we've had on the roster since 1996, sheesh.

    Am compiling a bunch of "my" recipes for my daughters; it's kind of arisen out of the phone calls I get about how I make this or that, and the questions I get ("how do I know how much milk to add to the mashed potatoes?") - am typing them out, taping onto index cards and inserting them into what are supposed to be little photo albums.  Have only gotten my garlic mashed potatoes with cream cheese and my brownie recipes done, but plan to include chicken and rice, gravy (honestly, everyone should know how to make gravy), chicken piccata, a shrimp dish, and am thinking to include tips and tricks.  

    I think much of the shopping is done.  Now for the wrapping, the moment when one realizes just how much one has bought...and who one forgot to buy for!

    Will be making cookies while the game is on - it keeps me from going too insane and getting too nervous.

    No snow, but it feels and smells like it could at any moment.

    Please post your insights (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:11:14 PM EST
    on making gravy.  Much like Laura Bush, I've forgotten how to cook.

    P.S.  I recently re-discovered some recipe cards typed or handwritten by my mother and sent to me when I got married.  Very poignant.  

    Parent

    Ah...gravy (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Anne on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:28:40 PM EST
    Will never forget my niece, at some holiday meal, who, when offered the gravy, asked, "what's that?" since her mother - my brother's wife - had never made it.

    It's all about: Fat, flour and liquid.

    Ideally, you have roasted something - a chicken, a turkey, beef - and you have a pan with fat and "fond" - the dark brown, really flavorful part of the pan drippings.

    What I usually do is remove the meat from the pan, and put it on the platter to rest.  Then, I tilt the roasting pan to get an idea of how much fat there is.  I usually eyeball it - pouring off all but maybe 1/3 of a cup of drippings.

    I then position the pan over the front and back burners of the stove, and put the burners on to a low-medium setting.

    Get some Wondra flour or Pillsbury sauce and gravy flour - it's really finely milled - and shake some over the pan drippings and start whisking it in.  I usually just keep adding flour until I think there's a balance between fat and flour.  If, after you whisk in the flour, there is still fat "leaking" out of the mixture, you know you need to add more flour.  Scrape up the fond, which will add color and flavor, and cook the mixture for a few minutes with each addition of flour to get rid of the "raw" flour taste.

    Then, pour in some chicken or beef stock or broth, whisking the whole time, and then give it all a chance to thicken.  Keep adding liquid, whisking and then cooking, until you have a gravy that is the consistency you want it.

    I really have no set "recipe," and just go off how it looks and how it "feels" - and, of course, you have to taste, too.

    Practice makes perfect, but the most important element, in my opinion, is not be be afraid: it's just gravy!

    The Wondra/Pillsbury flour is really a help, because it is almost impossible to get lumps when you use it.  As long as you incorporate the flour into the fat before you add the liquid, you almost can't go wrong.

    Hope this helps!

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    In South Philly (none / 0) (#60)
    by andgarden on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 11:48:40 PM EST
    "gravy" is a red sauce.

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    In my 'hood also ;) (none / 0) (#61)
    by nycstray on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 12:28:14 AM EST


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    Went into a (none / 0) (#47)
    by lilburro on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:54:42 PM EST
    Barnes and Noble today...Rick Warren's crap was prominently displayed all over the place.  Don't know if it's a sign of his popularity or in response to his giving the invocation.  But it was maddening.

    That's what I saw by the cash (none / 0) (#48)
    by oculus on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 05:59:32 PM EST
    register Friday in an indie book store.  Salesperson, in my response to my inquiry, sd. no one had objected.  Surprising.

    Parent
    Will be interesting to see (none / 0) (#67)
    by lilburro on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 07:53:00 AM EST
    how Warren's book sales bump between now and invocation.  I'm sure he will make a hefty little profit from having been given the opportunity to "lend his voice" to the colorful chorus Obama is creating.  

    No doubt the GLBT marching band will make their millions too...not.

    Parent

    FUnny Torture VIdeo (none / 0) (#56)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 20, 2008 at 09:54:54 PM EST
    Frozen Waffles Have It Bad via robot wisdom

    End of the WH Bowling Alley (none / 0) (#62)
    by squeaky on Sun Dec 21, 2008 at 12:41:55 AM EST
    Mr. Obama -- whose jump shot earned him the nickname Barry O'Bomber at Hawaii's Punahou School -- has hired a team of cabinet members and aides with serious basketball backgrounds. Many of them are planning for regular court time with the president, according to Mr. Obama's transition press team.

    "I think we are putting together the best basketball-playing cabinet in American history," the president-elect said at a news conference earlier this week.

    During the campaign, Mr. Obama said he planned to replace the White House bowling alley -- installed by Richard Nixon in 1969 -- with an indoor basketball court.

    [...]

    National Basketball Association officials have reached out to members of the transition team to offer their services in installing a regulation court at the White House.

    If "there is an upgrading of the basketball facilities at the White House, you can be assured that the NBA and the players will be there," says NBA Commissioner David Stern.

    [...]

    Requests for pickup games are expected to go through White House chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel's office. Mr. Emanuel, or someone on his staff, would screen the requests, with Mr. Obama getting the chance to assemble his own weekly games

    .

    Link

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