US Tells Pregnant Women Don't Eat Shark, Swordfish WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pregnant women should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish because they may contain enough mercury to damage the fetus's nervous system, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday. Young children, nursing mothers and women who may become pregnant should avoid those fish as well, FDA said in a consumer advisory. A National Academy of Sciences report issued last July estimated up to 60,000 children a year were born each year who had been exposed to during pregnancy to levels of mercury that could interfer with development of the brain and nervous system. Even so, seafood, a naturally low-fat source of protein, can be an important part of a balanced diet for pregnant women and women who may become pregnant, FDA said. "You can safely eat 12 ounces per week of cooked fish," the FDA advisory said. "You can choose shellfish, canned fish, smaller ocean fish or farm-raised fish -- just pick a variety of different species." Consumer groups wanted fresh tuna, used in sushi or served as tuna steak, added to the warning list as well. "We shouldn't be ignoring the risk there," said Michael Bender of the Mercury Policy Project. "The question is why fresh tuna steak were not included on the list because they can also pose a risk," said Caroline Smith DeWaal of Center for Science in the Public Interest. Mercury enters the environment naturally and through industrial pollution. Nearly all fish contain trace amounts of methyl mercury but longer-lived, larger fish that feed on other fish, like shark or swordfish, accumulate the highest amounts of methyl mercury and pose the largest threat to people who eat them regularly. In a related announcement, the Environmental Protection Agency said pregnant women, women who might become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children should eat only one meal per week of freshwater fish caught by family members or friends. The agency said a meal for adults should be six ounces of cooked fish and for children, two ounces. EPA said consumers should check with their state or local health departments for specific advice about local waters. Six states -- Connecticut, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont -- have issued warnings on methyl mercury in fish. Minnesota, for example, advises pregnant or nursing women against eating swordfish or shark while saying up to seven ounces per week of canned tuna is safe if no other fish containing mercury is eaten.

What on earth is tilefish??

I'll check for you - never heard of it. Misc Cooking Tips (Thanks Mike!) If you want a crisp brown crust on roast or boiled chicken, rub mayonnaise over the skin. ******************************************** Heat lemons well before using and there will be twice the quantity of juice. ******************************************** When celery loses its crispness, place it in a pan of cold water. Slice a raw potato and put it in the pan. Let stand for a few hours. Remove the celery from the water and you will find its regained its original crispness. ******************************************** The tannin in tea is a tnderizer, cook tough cuts of meats in strong tea instead of water when cooking stews. ******************************************** A small amount of baking soda added to gravy will eliminate excess grease. ******************************************** Muffins will slide right out of tin pans if the hot pan is first placed on a wet towel. ******************************************** Meatloaf will not stick if you place a slice of bacon on the bottom of the pan. ******************************************** Anything that grows under the ground, start off in cold water - potatoes, beets, carrots, etc. Anything that grows above ground, start off in boiling water - peas, greens, beans, etc. ******************************************** When rolling cookie dough, sprinkle board with powdered sugar instead of flour. Too much flour makes the dough heavy. ******************************************** something to remember; Green pepper may change the flavor of frozen casseroles. Clove, garlic and pepper flavors get stronger when they are frozen, while sage, onion and salt get milder. ******************************************** Instant Potatoes are a good stew thickener. ******************************************** Marshmallows can be used for candle holders on cakes. ******************************************** Season with seeds to add flavors Caraway Tangy & slightly sweet Cardomon Spicy Celery Strong, use sparingly Cumin Slightly bitter Dill Pungent and strong in flavor Fennel Licorice flavor Mustard Dry mustard is a mixture of ground seeds of several mustard varieties. Sesame Sweet, nutty flavor. ******************************************** When making rice, instead of cooking in plain water, cook in water heated and steeped with tea first. Experiment with different flavors; almond, orange, raspberry, etc. ******************************************** Biscuits will be crisp on the outside and flaky in the center if you roll the dough and then fold it over once before cutting out biscuits. They'll also split open easily when your ready to butter them. ******************************************** Red cabbage will keep its bright color if you add 1 TBsp vinegar or lemon juice to the cooking water. ******************************************** Substitutions for a missing ingredient 1 square chocolate (1 oz) = 3 or 4 TBsp cocoa plus 1/2 TBsp fat 1 TBsp cornstarch (for thickening) = 2 TBsp flour 1 cup all-purpose flour = 1 cup plus 2 TBsp sifted cake flour 1 cup sifted cake flour = 1 cup minus 2 TBsp all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder = 1/4 tsp baking soda plus 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1 cup sourmilk = 1 cup sweet milk or buttermilk plus 1/2 tsp baking soda (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp vinegar) 3/4 cup cracker crumbs= 1 cup bread crumbs 1 cup cream, sour, heavy= 1/3 cup butter and 2/3 cup milk in any sour milk recipe 1 tsp dried herbs = 1 TBsp fresh herbs 1 cup whole mlk = 1/2 cup evaporated mlk and 1/2 cup water or 1 cup reconstituted nonfat dry milk and 1 TBsp butter 2 ounces compressed yeast= 3 (1/4 oz) packets of dry yeast 1 TBsp instant minced onion, rehydrated= 1 small fresh onion 1 TBsp prepared mustard= 1 tsp dry mustard 1/8 tsp garlic powder= 1 small pressed clove of garlic 1 lb whole dates= 1 1/2 cups, pitted and cuts 3 med bananas= 1 cup mashed 3 cups dry cornflakes= 1 cup crushed 10 miniature marshmallows= 1 large marshmallow ******************************************** General Oven Chart Very Slow Oven 250 - 300 degrees F Slow Oven 300 - 325 degrees F Moderate Oven 325 - 375 degrees F Medium Hot Oven 375 - 400 degrees F Hot Oven 400 - 450 degrees F Very Hot Oven 450 - 500 degrees F

TILEFISH http://www.ocean.udel.edu/mas/seafood/tilefish.html The tilefish is sometimes referred to by names such as golden bass or golden snapper. It is olive green or dark tan above, changing to yellow or rose on the lower sides. The back and upper sides are dotted with brilliant yellow spots, and the belly is white. The tilefish is further characterized by a fleshy protuberance on its back, just in from the dorsal fin, which looks like a miniature rudder balanced on its head. Although this species can reach 50 pounds, tilefish are usually marketed at 4-8 pounds. Crabs and crustaceans are their favorite foods. Tilefish occur from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of Mexico and are most abundant from Nantucket to Delaware Bay. They are known to occupy a narrow band of the ocean floor on the upper part of the continental slope where a belt of warm water is found. A significant commercial fishery exists, especially off the Mid-Alantic coast. CULINARY DESCRIPTION According to the New Jersey Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service ("From Catch to Kitchen or Catching and Cooking Your Own Fish Dinner"), "If you love lobster, you'll like tilefish". This expression has been making the rounds. But those who know how tasty tilefish is and how well it sells have turned this saying around to "If you love tilefish, you'll love lobster". Tilefish has firm, pinkish white flesh that provides a lobster- or crab-like taste. Once cooked, the meat is mild-flavored and succulent. The meat remains very moist after cooking; therefore, it is ideal for baking or broiling. Tilefish is delicious in seafood stews or chowders. This fish is excellent poached or microwaved, then cooled and used in a salad.

Great tips for cooking/baking!!! I am shocked that I have never heard of this fish, considering I live exactly where it's primarily fished and eaten. Striped bass (we call it rockfish), yes; red snapper, yes; but never heard tell of a golden bass or snapper and I live on the bay. It's just as well, I guess, since I'm not supposed to be eating it anyway! Like I really need to get addicted to something toxic that tastes like lobster.

Which Bay, Autumn?

The Chesapeake--largest estuary in the world. :-)

It is indeed. Long may it flourish!

Aw shucks, Marcia!

Helpful Hints 1. Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive. 2. Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. 3. Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords in. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to. 4. For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. 5. Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease that is!). 6. Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel. 7. Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical and now a box of S.O.S. pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way! 8. Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc.,with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and get the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I give it a good twist and off pops the lid! 9. Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! 10. Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak. 11. Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. 12. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen. 13. Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning. 14. To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm! 15.. Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. 16. Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you'll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time. 17. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. 18. To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling. 19. Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers. 20. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing. 21. To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop. 22. Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains. 23. When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. 24. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up." 25. Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. 26. Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. 27. Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it. 28. When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness. (Works for carrots, too.) 29. To determine whether an egg is fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water. If it sinks, it is fresh, but if it rises to the surface, throw it away. 30. Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. 31. Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. 32. If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. 33. Potatoes will take food stains off your fingers. Just slice and rub raw potato on the stains and rinse with water. 34. To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief. 35. Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. Borax acid powder also works if you spread a thin line in the crevices that are not visible within the cabinets. See for yourself. 36. Use air freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine. 37. When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. 38. Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china. 39. Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or crafe or coffee pot, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets. 40. Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. 41. Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary.) 42. Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

Yes, I know this is supposed to be about food and such but this one is too good to pass up. Need a cheap resuable or disposible shower cap (hair all done but need a shower?!) Get the large Saran bowl covers - they come in a container with about 10 for about $1.70 in Hawaii. Walmart carries them. I found them better than hotel ones and much cheaper than ones in the stores.

I'm LOL because S. brings me the hotel shower caps (he travels pretty frequently) to use as bowl covers! It's a symbiotic relationship, eh?

They don't have them anymore in hotels here!!! Not on the west coast either!!! That is why I hunted for alternatives! That iS funny!

Most of them are from Sheratons (that's seems to be the hotel of choice for his office), so they might be the only ones left who still carry them. Remember when you used to get little sewing kits?

Yup I remeber the little sewing kits that looked like match books! Here it is chocolates and orchids along with the little bottles such. Subject: Candle Warning This was forwarded to me & I thought it useful to pass on. Please read: My former secretary had a terrible thing happen to her and her family last week, and I wanted to share it with all of you so that you could be warned and warn your friends and family as well. She had a gel candle burning in her bathroom... it exploded and caught her house on fire...the house burned down and they have lost everything. The fire marshal told her that this is not the first incident where a gel candle has exploded and caused a fire. He said that the gel builds up a gas, and often times it explodes and sets fire to the room it is in, which is what happened to her. The fire was so hot it melted the smoke alarm, and they didn't discover the fire until there was an explosion, which was her toilet blowing up, and then it was too late...the entire upstairs was engulfed in flames. Smoke damage and water damage have destroyed what wasn't destroyed by fire. I know that there are roomies and friends that I don't have on this list because I can't remember how to spell their screen names...please pass this along to anyone I missed. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. Her family is devastated. All their mementos and everything of value and meaning are gone. I'm not trying to bring anyone down... just a friendly warning to all of you about the use of gel candles left unattended. Thanks and take care! NOTE: Marty and I know a lady who loves the gel candles. She had one burning on her mantle and it caught fire just like in the message above. She was at home at the time and saw it happen and grabbed the candle to keep it from setting her home on fire and it came apart in her hand. She saved her home but suffered 3rd degree burns to her hand and 3 fingers! Please, if you or anyone you know have these candles, don't light them, they are dangerous. Please, pass this on. Kathy Mullins Michigan State University Marketing & Supply Chain Mgt N370 North Business Complex East Lansing, MI 48824-1112

Before you toss out your gel candles, check: http://www.snopes2.com/toxins/gel.htm http://urbanlegends.about.com/science/urbanlegends/library/blhoax.htm They were sent to me by my ex and my future daughter-in-law. I should have checked in the first place.

Thanks to Jsk for this one: 1) Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive. 2) Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. 3) Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to. 4) For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. 5) Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes of with little effort (elbow grease that is!). 6) Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel. 7) Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way! 8) Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid! 9) Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works ever time! 10) Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak. 11) Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen. 12) Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning. 13) To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm! 14) To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop. 15) Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains. 16) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. 17) Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. 18) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness. 19) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away. 20) Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. 21). To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief. 22) Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself. 23) Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine. 24) When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily. 25) Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. * Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China. * Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets. * Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes. * Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary). * Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

*Tongue in cheek* Martha's Way vs. My Way Martha's way: Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you'll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time. My way: Buy the precooked kind you nuke in the microwave for 30 seconds. The hard part is getting them out of the plastic bag. ***** Martha's way: To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. My way: Buy Hungry Jack mashed potato mix and keep it in the pantry for up to a year. ***** Martha's way: To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard boiling. My way: Who cares if they crack, aren't you going to take the shells off anyway? ***** Martha's way: When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake. My way: Go to the bakery. They'll even decorate it for you. ***** Martha's way: Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks. My way: Celery? Never heard of the stuff. ***** Martha's way: Brush some beaten egg white over pie crust before baking to yield a beautiful glossy finish. My way: The Mrs.Smith frozen pie directions do not include brushing egg whites over the crust and so I don't do it. ***** Martha's way: Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it. My Way: Brown sugar is supposed to be "soft"? ***** Martha's way: Don't throw out all that leftover wine. Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. My way: Leftover wine?

Today's Recalls ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tennessee Establishment Has Recalled Pork Products Reason: They contain undeclared monosodium glutamate (MSG). Distribution: NC, TN, OH, SC, NY, GA and Minnesota. http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/f/02/f0000106.htm Read Article

Hi Honey! I finally found out what that chiffonade of spinach you were going to make is all about. I finally get the Food Channel. I suppose you wield a very sharp knife and can shave with same after you have honed it to a keen edge.

Ginger Tea This brew is good for mornign sickness, a spring tonic, sea skickness or just to ease and heal you from a nasty cold - and it is delicious and warms you. Heat 3 cups of water to just barely boiling. Remove from heat. Add: 3 sticks of cinnamon 1/4 cup of grated fresh ginger Steep in the simmering water for 20 minutes. Strain into cups or silver mounted glasses. Add to each cup, one teaspoon of honey. Stir and enjoy.

I have had so many requests for this recipe - well, not really but someone might just appreciate it: http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/cookbook/cookbook.html Look here for his Squambo recipe. * Squambo is a regional dish popular in the KY/TN/VA area, and originated in Waco, Kentucky around the 1920's. This version is meatless other than the stock, but traditional versions usually feature meats such as squirrel, opossum, groundhog and coyote.

That recipe isn't at that url anymore, so I'm wondering is Squambo like Burgoo?

hmmmm... I am wondering if that stuff is what shrimp is mixed with and glopped on a pile of rice. It ruins the taste of the poor innocent shrimp, but it is a favorite here!

That sounds like Shrimp Etouffe(sp?), or Shrimp Creole, or Shrimp Gumbo.

I was going to say gumbo.

That HAS to be it. Gumbo. It even looks like it sounds. It tastes strongly of black pepper. They do interesting things with little balls of seafood (with breading binder and spices) - it all seems a bit gummy. If only they did it like the Kentucky fried chicken, That is always crunchy and juicy. I am thinking that okra needs parboiling before frying. Any suggestions how long? Ice water plunge to follow then drying before the hot oil, of course... I guess I am a purist. I like horseradish and cocktail sauce for shrimp.

This I am sure you will know. What on earth is the white gravy which has the sausage in it for biscuits and gravy? Plain old white gravy? Hmmm... It tastes better than it sounds to those who have not yet tried it. I'll bet it is on the cardiac no-no list, however.

Please, what is the difference between "Cajun" and "Creole" flavored food?

A lot of this stuff I take warily. My stomach is used to boiled things or raw things. Spicy is not either colonial fare of my parents nor blandness of Hawaiian and Japanese cooking.

Cajun and Creole are different because of the ethnic groups that the two grew out of--Creole (correct me if i'm wrong). Cajun food is spicy but the spice isn't what takes over the taste of the food (a lot of folks think cooking cajun means over powering the dish with cayenne pepper). have to do some research on creole before i go running off at the mouth. i think you were talking about jumbalaya or etouffe (the latter being one of my least favorites) up there (shrimp and rice)...gumbo tastes a whole lot better than it sounds if it's made right. the trick is the roux and a lot of patience standing in front of the stove.

here's a neat website with some definitions: http://ccet.louisiana.edu/Cajun_and_Creole_Hour/Cajun_and_Creole_Links.html

and in 131--i was going somewhere with the creole part but left it off :-)

Thanks, Wolfie! I rather thought Creole had large dollops of African heritage in the mix and Cajun was French-Canadian in origin, but like any other "American" cuisine, we mix things with others a lot! Don got really tired of two scoops rice with every meal in Hawaii. Me too. I have rediscovered the joys (and calories) of potatoes.

in re Response 128: Cream gravy, basically, is a bechamel sauce.

Ok Thanks !!! Is there any way to redeem hominy? I'm so glad to see you back !

*whispering* what is hominy? is it from corn?

Hominy is corn that is soaked in lye !!! I guess it was dried first. It is usually very large kernels. Then it is cooked. I can still taste the lye (I hear it is potash that is used) but if you can stomach it, it is more nutritious for you. I'll look elsewhere for my sources of niacin. OK where is WER when we need him. I know on google there are hundreds of sites telling me way more than I need to know about what hominy is but this laptop can't play music, let me write here and keep track of weather systems and earthquakes at the same time !!

you need more memory! the AM's laptop was always locking up and we finally looked at how much memory was on it---not enough!

The cooler temps in this room are making it less prone to lockup. I do have it sitting on fan-cooled platform made just to cool off hot laptops. This one is the largest one made and has a full sized keyboard built in and a 17 inch screen. I love it but it is very prone to heat lockup. I can hardly wait for winter !

I did get the extra memory... when I first bought this laptop. I'm not sure I'd ever get another laptop for daily use. I am just too multi-task oriented (plus listening to music and downloading photos from my son) to make anything other than a tower pc practical.