SMF

I'm a big fan of Rancho Gordo beans. Unfortunately, they're not cheap for beans but they're excellent. They're never mealy or mushy. I usually cook them with onions, carrots, celery and some chicken or hambone broth. Their chick peas are good too. I use Clifford A. Wright's hummus recipe: http://www...

Well this post inspired me to order T&H Limes cream.

I've been using soaps for a long time but I really like this. I might switch back to shaving cream. I'm a big fan of Trumper so I might order the violet cream.

Hard Rain Falling - Don Carpenter

I find reading to be an escape. I gravitate to the adventure/war/crime etc. books. I have to read (and write) serious and boring stuff in my work, so I avoid technical/ philosophical/biographical/political material at all costs. A pursuit similar to thinking about and exploring the wet shaving hobb...

Just finished Joyland by Stephen King.

I bought a small package of boneless beef short ribs at Whole Foods. I'm going to cook one for 36hrs in the water bath. After that I'll hit it with the Searzall and hopefully remember to post a photo.

I finally set it up, seasoned it, and then seared a steak. I like it a lot. It left no propane flavor on the meat whatsoever. I made sure the small filet was very dry and then I just went at it almost full blast. I'm impressed and can't wait to give it a go with other food items.

I tried some 48hr baby-back ribs in the sous vide. Unfortunately, I adjusted the temperature too high and they basically fell apart completely. I misread the recipe. The flavor was there after torching the pieces of meat that I could (I seared some of the bbq sauce). Next time I'll lower the temp by...

I have the larger sized SVS and the water doesn't circulate. I'm fine with it - it's all self contained. I probably would go for a circulator next time around though and then just insulate a plastic bin or use a modified cooler in the event I want to cook larger amounts of food. I'll try and post a ...

I've used the Iwatani too. This device does something to prevent the propane odor from reaching the food. I'm not sure how it does it though but people seem to say if you set it up correctly that you won't create food with off flavors. What do you like to cook Sous Vide? I've done so many things. Po...

Are any of you using this? If so, how do you like it? I ordered one. I live in a relatively small condo and don't have access to a grill. I cook in a water bath (Sous Vide) on a regular basis and I think this will be a decent way to sear. Of course, I could use a hot pan and set off my smoke detecto...

One day while I was at the library I picked up a CD audiobook copy of Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea." I popped it into my CD player and the guy introducing the audiobook company started talking.... and then he began narrating the book. Although his voice was fine it didn't do the bo...

Here goes: Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo We are Pirates by Daniel Handler Firebreak by Donald Westlake (I love the Parker series) and The Readers' Advisory Guide to Mystery Devil in White City Erik Larson I've got several going at once. Some I'm skimming... (especially children's books) and I ...

How about the older version of Rive Gauche or American Blend (similar, but mentholated - by Fine Aftershaves)? From what I hear the newer release of Rive Gauche in the square bottle is close enough to the old version in the cylindrical cans so that might work too. A member on another forum said he t...

The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life

Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski

Terror management theory...

I came across a Youtube channel entitled "CookinginRussia" some time ago. I have no ties to it but I think it's worth sharing. I'm going to make the Sicilian Eggplant recipe next week. His stock recipes seem to be especially good. His French Onion soup recipe looks to be very authentic - h...

I remember the old Schwepps bitter lemon extremely well. They made a bitter orange and bitter lemon that was quite nice also, but the BL was best IMO. I'm keenly interested in how you make out with that. You didn't ask, but I find a similar problem with ginger beer. The stuff I find today is delibe...

I have a bottle of this now. It's great and will make for a good Spring and summer scent. I bought it at Neiman Marcus... I'd previously bought a sample from a discounter. The sample smelled terrible compared to this - not even close. I'm wondering if it was a fake. I think SMW is a "clean"...

Snails!

Medallions (not gold).