Random Monday Thoughts

The Fiesta Casserole on page 311 of the America's Test Kitchen cookbook is outstanding! It also makes a huge amount so I'd either plan on using the aluminum foil trick for freezing some for later consumption or halve the recipe. Double star and sticky note on the page.

The Tramontina 6.5 quart enameled Dutch Oven is apparently a myth. Not to be found anywhere! If there's some at your local Walmart, I'd run and not walk to pick one up. I haven't totally given up but may wind up picking up the Lodge one which has also gotten very high ratings. They were downgraded for being .5 quart less in size an $15 more in price. I'd love to understand why the red version of the Lodge is $20 cheaper than any other color. Isn't that weird?

I picked up the 12" Tramontina all-clad style skillet at Walmart for $20 as everything I have is non-stick. Love the weighted bottom. ATK and the Barefoot Contessa are correct---browning in these pans is ever so much better than non-stick and you get those little brownie bits at the bottom they always make stuff with. They're also correct that this is NOT a pan to make eggs in as they stick to the bottom like Elmer's. Unless your name is Faye in which case it's the perfect pan because you get the broken and battered eggs after they're scraped from the pan.

I have way too much to do around the house and not enough time to do it. Yeesh.

Bed Bath and Beyond has the Oxo box grater for $17.95.

We saw Last Chance Harvey. Very predictable story you've seen 50 times but Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson were really good in it. Absolutely worth a matinee. I wouldn't pay full price. We still want to see Gran Torino and Frost/Nixon but haven't.

Whole Foods Market carries the real Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. There's one in Lakewood by you. They say buy only what you'll use for a week or two and store it wrapped in foil or parchment paper. Parmigiano is one of the lowest fat highest nutrient cheeses available---who knew? There's a Whole Foods by my office so I'm going to give theirs a try. They have a parmigiano crisp recipe at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/parmigiano-reggiano.php that sounds like it would be totally awesome served with a stew or hearty beef soup.