What are the outstanding Chicago restaurants specializing in seasonal & local food and/or charcuterie for the broke-ass epicure? I'm planning a special birthday dinner at the end of the month. I'd like to spend $30-$40 for two people before drinks and a tip, so while I'm not going to settle for a Vienna Beef, I'm not exactly ready to book reservations at Alinea. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Dec 28, 2009 - 12 answers

Pepperidge Farm used to sell Brownie Chocolate Nut cookies. It has been years since I have been able to find them. They were on the crispy side and had a very nice chocolately nutty taste. Anyone know of a similar recipe for cookies like those.
posted by cellar on Dec 28, 2009 - 1 answer

Need suggestions for a vegetarian appetizer similar to Little Smokies- more details inside. [more inside]
posted by aabbbiee on Dec 28, 2009 - 21 answers

What low-GI, high-protein, portable food can I cook on Sunday night and then reheat for breakfast Mon-Fri? [more inside]
posted by Vorteks on Dec 28, 2009 - 37 answers

What to eat in San Francisco/the Bay Area that I can't find in Chicago? [more inside]
posted by AceRock on Dec 24, 2009 - 40 answers

How to spend NYE in Redding, CA? More generally, what are great local, non-chain places to eat at in Redding, Mt. Lassen, and the Shasta Lake region? Any nice, "fine dining" options for NYE, or are we looking at just burgers and barbecue and the like? Good food more important than atmosphere, although if there's a suggestion for a nice romantic restaurant, I'm all ears. Also let me know if there's some trail or some sight or some activity we must do in the area. We'll be there from Dec. 29 to January 2nd and staying at a hotel in Redding. Thanks!
posted by dhn on Dec 24, 2009 - 4 answers

How would you make the most of 3.5 days in Patong, Phuket? [more inside]
posted by gttommy on Dec 23, 2009 - 1 answer

I recently bought a share of a pig from a farmer, and it came wrapped in various cuts. One of the cuts is a large, meaty, bony one called "chine end roast." How should I cook this? [more inside]
posted by Miko on Dec 22, 2009 - 4 answers

Why doesn't my cannabutter work? [more inside]
posted by moorooka on Dec 21, 2009 - 5 answers

Hi all; so my parents bought be a nice le creuset tagine for xmas, but I'm not quite sure what to use it for as a vegetarian. I'm sure I could make something like ratatouille but I'd really like to try some recipes that are specifically meant for a tagine and am getting the impression that lamb and chicken are going to feature prominantly in most of the recipes I find online. To that end, can anyone recommend some vegetarian tagine cookbooks?
posted by mizike on Dec 21, 2009 - 7 answers

Northern Minnesota experts? Searching for good eats - the kind you buy and take home with you, not restaurants - between Two Harbors and Minneapolis. [more inside]
posted by nanojath on Dec 21, 2009 - 14 answers

Blueprint artwork for recipes . . . has anyone seen these? [more inside]
posted by bookmammal on Dec 20, 2009 - 7 answers

identify this Indian dish: looks like mashed sweet potatoes and tastes sweet. vegetarian. (bonus points for a great recipe).
posted by Jason and Laszlo on Dec 20, 2009 - 8 answers

Recommend a cookbook that features recipes with many different grains and legumes. [more inside]
posted by gregb1007 on Dec 20, 2009 - 15 answers

In some religions (at the very least Catholicism), eating fish on Fridays is (or at least was) a requirement and seems to remain a bit of a tradition. I was raised by some strict Catholics, but never understood what the real rule was. Do you have to eat fish, or do you just have to not eat meat? And how exactly is "meat" defined in this situation? [more inside]
posted by tastybrains on Dec 18, 2009 - 40 answers

Ravenously hungry in the middle of the night, lazy, and bored with my known options. Also: eating plenty in the daylight. Bonus round: I'm poor. [more inside]
posted by bilabial on Dec 17, 2009 - 20 answers

We're going to be in Vancouver BC in late December, and would love your restaurant recommendations. [more inside]
posted by rabinowitz on Dec 17, 2009 - 29 answers

My family isn't doing presents this year. Instead, each of us will cook a spectacular feast for the others during the upcoming holiday break. I want to cook a Japanese feast!! Difficulty: must be vegetarian. [more inside]
posted by Cygnet on Dec 17, 2009 - 21 answers

Train ride from Portland to Chicago. In coach. I don't want to buy food on the train. What should my food strategy be? [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel on Dec 16, 2009 - 22 answers

My salad wants to be dressed to impress. Save my Ceasar salads' soul, Mefites. Ceasar salad is so oOold school. Shake up my Ceasar salad dressing with some truly twisted, exotic, unexpected tastes and ingredients while remaining somewhat true to the modern interpretation consisting of egg, parmesan, olive oil, mayo, mustard, lemon, anchovy, Tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce. Thats 'modern' Ceasar to me. I know the 'original' was a far cry from this more or less standard list of ingredients in the current modern interpretation. Be wild... be creative! Lets rock Caesars world. [more inside]
posted by Muirwylde on Dec 15, 2009 - 18 answers

Does anyone know an actual store where I can buy Dolly Madison (now Hostess) Zingers in the greater Seattle area?? [more inside]
posted by evilcupcakes on Dec 15, 2009 - 6 answers

What are some good fancy-pants gourmet food delivery websites? [more inside]
posted by KathrynT on Dec 15, 2009 - 10 answers

This is a should I eat it?* question of sorts. Exactly how is my Chinese take-out place attempting to kill me? [more inside]
posted by emelenjr on Dec 11, 2009 - 14 answers

What are some good, WARM snacks that don't take too much prep? [more inside]
posted by missmary6 on Dec 11, 2009 - 40 answers

-t and I are driving across the country to see the home folks! We'd like your suggestions on food to take on a road trip. [more inside]
posted by peachfuzz on Dec 10, 2009 - 11 answers

I'm visiting a friend in CoMo this weekend for a little less than a week and I'd like to immerse myself in some heartland goodness. What should I eat along highway 40 between KC and STL? [more inside]
posted by rhizome on Dec 9, 2009 - 18 answers

Can anyone recommend yummy yet affordable restaurants in Paris for non-French speakers?
posted by haikuku on Dec 9, 2009 - 26 answers

Where can I order authentic Estonian bakery and/or deli items directly from Estonia for the holidays? [more inside]
posted by tdabbott on Dec 7, 2009 - 5 answers

What cookies should I bake for my family this year? What have been your most successful cookies and/or cake or other holiday sweet? [more inside]
posted by SuzySmith on Dec 7, 2009 - 38 answers

I am looking for foods (dishes, sandwiches, entrees, desserts, salads, whatever...) that are unique to a particular region. [more inside]
posted by achmorrison on Dec 7, 2009 - 51 answers

Our office wants to give the UPS, Fed Ex and postal carrier food gifts this year. Any great suggestions? I have a catalog from Boston Coffee Cakes - looks yummy. What kinds of food gifts have you gotten that's been extra awesome? Thanks for the suggestions!
posted by Mysticalchick on Dec 7, 2009 - 22 answers

Know any great places to lunch in Sydney's CBD for under $15? [more inside]
posted by carnival of animals on Dec 7, 2009 - 9 answers

So I think I ate part of a mouse. What should I do? [more inside]
posted by razdrez on Dec 5, 2009 - 37 answers

I'm having a tacotastic dinner party for my boyfriend's birthday. What's a tasty cocktail/punch recipe that goes with the fresh, rich, spicy flavors of Mexican food? Simplicity is a plus; I don't mind making flavored simple syrup or finding juices or fresh ingredients but I'd like to avoid buying 6 bottles of liquor for one drink. [more inside]
posted by Juliet Banana on Dec 4, 2009 - 37 answers

Every week, a group I work with comes into possession of very large amounts of bell peppers (let's say 50-70) and bananas (100-150). What can we make with these on a weekly basis? Extra points for recipes involving other ingredients which are very cheap. [more inside]
posted by beerbajay on Dec 3, 2009 - 31 answers

This Christmas, I'm giving everyone the gift of delicious and healthy home-cooked meals, but I'm blanking on how to wrap and/or present them at the Christmas Eve festivities. Everything will be pre-frozen, which probably rules out putting them by the tree with the other gifts, and the only other solution I can think of is leaving them in my car and letting everyone take theirs on the way home, which is lame. There must be a better way. [more inside]
posted by anderjen on Dec 2, 2009 - 15 answers

What kinds of beer should by brother serve at his restaurant? [more inside]
posted by kirkaracha on Dec 2, 2009 - 39 answers

What can I do with an unwanted gallon of 2% milk? [more inside]
posted by k. on Nov 29, 2009 - 39 answers

Any suggestions for a 14-day raw food detox diet? What can I expect to feel like? [more inside]
posted by blackcatcuriouser on Nov 29, 2009 - 12 answers

How long can I safely keep steamed chicken wings in the refrigerator before baking them? [more inside]
posted by 0xFCAF on Nov 28, 2009 - 4 answers

Will be in NYC for Thanksgiving: Will things be open? Anything cool going on? [more inside]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel on Nov 24, 2009 - 12 answers

How can I best approximate a real Thanksgiving turkey— with chicken, a gas burner, and toaster oven? What other kinds of traditional fare can I make, given the limited ingredients available where I live? Help me have a real Thanksgiving far from home! [more inside]
posted by bookish on Nov 24, 2009 - 21 answers

What's the highest and best use of a duck and a goose, picked up last Saturday, but not destined for the table until our Thanksgiving meal on Friday? [more inside]
posted by paanta on Nov 23, 2009 - 5 answers

Quinoa salad at Mitsitam Cafe in DC--where can I find the recipe? [more inside]
posted by oflinkey on Nov 22, 2009 - 1 answer

Name-my-web-show filter: I'm launching a web show that features the places and foods of Singapore. I need a shot, snazzy title for it, ending with a .tv domain. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks so much!
posted by mordecai on Nov 21, 2009 - 10 answers

Where can I find Mother's Cookies (or something similar) in New York? [more inside]
posted by gchucky on Nov 19, 2009 - 3 answers

My very local farmer's market has started to sell cheap rabbits. Please recommend your most delicious recipes. [more inside]
posted by biffa on Nov 18, 2009 - 13 answers

What should I serve as dessert after a heavy risotto dinner? [more inside]
posted by angryjellybean on Nov 18, 2009 - 39 answers

Anti-nutrients: Do they pose any legitimate risks? [more inside]
posted by leotrotsky on Nov 17, 2009 - 15 answers

What is your favorite online source for recipes? I'm looking for reliable recipes. Bonus points for the ones with recipe ratings. [more inside]
posted by Neekee on Nov 17, 2009 - 31 answers