annzeepark914

This looks good but I don't have a sheet pan (only a rimmed cookie sheet) and don't want to buy one. So, can the recipe be halved and then what size would be right for half the batter? I've made Ina's PB frosting and it's like mousse - quite lovely and delicious.

I loved reading Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted: And All The Brilliant Minds Who Made The Mary Tyler Moore Show A Classic by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong. It was fascinating reading about the struggles that the producers and writers had with CBS execs who felt that American audiences wouldn't accept a TV show about a divorcee (that's why Mary Richards came to Minneapolis after a broken engagement). The book also focuses on the number of female writers who incorporated parts of their lives into the scripts.

@Daisychain: I use a gas grill, turn it up to high so it heats up fast. Then when I'm ready to put the pork tenderloin on I turn it down just a little. Ina says to sprinkle the tenderloins generously with salt & pepper just before placing on the grill. I don't (knowing Ina's love of OTT salt!). I put a little S&P in the marinade & that's it. Some times I sprinkle in a little Penzey's Trinidad seasoning & a few dried red pepper flakes. I've never grilled 3 tenderloins, usually just one is enough for Mr. P914 & me. Since I'm not keen on fresh rosemary (I find it strong), I use mainly fresh thyme (I love lemon thyme) and some times add a little dried rosemary. Since you need to turn it a few times, you're keeping an eye on the pork as it grills (at a certain point I remove it from the grill & cut into the thickest part to check the color inside). I'm no expert at the grill so it's taken me a number of times to get the feel of how long to grill (and to adjust the seasonings to our taste). It's delicious!

@Mrs. P: You haven't missed much...Vertigo truly was a draaaaag (other than the opportunity to see the way San Francisco looked back in the 50's). Rear Window is a movie I can happily watch whenever I see it's on TV. The gorgeous (and beautifully dressed) Grace Kelly, so elegant. The suspense (especially w/ James Stewart in a wheelchair). The voyeurism (looking in one's neighbors' windows ;>)

Watermelon cubes filled with mascarpone and chocolate chips? This sounds like a SNL skit making fun of Giada, not an actual show. This gal has truly lost it! Haven't seen her new manicure - sounds awful. I've always admired Giada and Ina for having beautifully trimmed nails with a pale pink or peach polish. Their hands always looked clean while handling food (unlike Pauler and her long talons complete with heavy rings).

Amen! And let me add the dynamic duo of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler to my list of current unfunny celebs whose popularity (for some reason) keeps growing. Their mean-spirited, snarky attempts at humor complete with smirk-filled deliveries just aggravates the hell outta me. These two self-absorbed jerks ruined the tribute to Carol Burnett at the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain awards (poor Carol kept a grim smile on her face throughout each of their pathetic attempts to be funny). Back to Will Ferrell. I loved the guy when he was on SNL. And Adam Sandler as well (and Eddie Murphy). But once they left SNL? IMO they proved that their humor works great in skits but eventually stretches too thin in a full length movie.

The only reason I'll rewatch Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf is to see/hear Elizabeth Taylor look around her kitchen and say, "What--a--DUMP!" (then I turn it off)

Now I'll no longer feel a bit guilty for being relieved when Sean Young's character was pushed over the stairway landing by Gene Hackman in No Way Out. It finally ended her character's nonstop, very loud yakking that I found so irritating. When she landed with a thud, and there was finally a blissful silence, I thought to myself, "Thank God!" So glad I found this thread--so many unpopular opinions expressed here that I share (especially delighted to learn I'm not the only person sick of the constant, never ending adoration of Marilyn Monroe:>)

A movie that is rarely ever mentioned, Dead Man, has an awful scene that I found very disturbing: a man eating the cooked flesh from a human spine. I had to leave after that scene. I believe Johnny Depp was in this movie, along with Robert Mitchum. It came out at the same time as Dead Man Walking. The opening scenes (travelers on a train moving across the country) are fascinating as the passengers keep changing.

I had to read Gone Girl for my book club and loathed it from the very first chapter. Smug, immature characters and the ending reminded me, in a way, of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. Also disliked Harry Potter (must confess I only read the first in the series but that was enough for me--the corny names, IMO, were meant to appeal to very young readers only). I'm glad it got lots of kids reading but I don't understand its popularity with adults.

I've enjoyed many of the authors mentioned in this thread. Also wanted to add my admiration for David McCullough's bringing American history to life. Like some others have mentioned here, I found his descriptions of the various battles and efforts during the American Revolution to be very suspenseful (had to remind myself of the positive outcome a few times). Some other authors I enjoy are: Charles Todd (the Inspector Rutledge series and the Bess Crawford series, both of which take place during WWI, mostly in England but sometimes in France); John Lescroart's wonderful Dismas Hardy series that takes place in San Francisco (we fans have forced him to stick with Dis & his family, fellow attorneys, & other fascinating characters); Lisa Scottoline's interesting female attorney sleuths in Philadelphia; Archer Mayor's unusual Joe Gunther police procedural featuring several interesting main characters with most stories taking place in Vermont; Patricia Houck Sprinkle's "Thoroughly Southern Mystery Series"...I found myself more interested in the wonderful characters who live in the main character's hometown than whodunnit. I can't leave out John LeCarre, especially Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy & Smiley's People.

Another success grilling Ina's Herb Marinated Loin of Pork. I love using my fresh lemon thyme (also have lime thyme this year that I also tossed into the marinade). In bad weather I've made it in the oven but it's so much better grilled outdoors :>) I was just looking through the cookbook where this recipe is and noticed French Bistro Steaks w/ Provencal Butter. Has anyone made this? I need to make this, along with some French fries (she says her recipe for Matchstick Potatoes is in her Barefoot in Paris cookbook).

@Lura: I sure hope you scraped it off and ate the crab anyway :>) I looked up apple butter the other day and noted that it's nothing like butter. How did it get named apple butter? Based on the ingredients, it's closer to apple sauce.

In case folks missed this a few weeks ago, here's the link. Now that I've done the grill- in-foil prep and it turned out very well, I'm going to try some of these recipes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/articles/50-things-to-grill-in-foil/things-to-grill-in-foil.html Happy 4th of July!

Just looked at her recipe and not only does it have mustard, it also has yogurt (that's the turn off for me). I was going to post my recipe for ranch dressing but noted it too has Dijon mustard in it. I'd look for a recipe online (there are lots) that doesn't have mustard. I used to make one I found at foodtv.com that called for a scallion, garlic clove, mayo and buttermilk + S&P to taste, all made in a food processor.

To everyone who's in the path (or nearby) of Arthur, take care! I've never tried apple butter nor pickled eggs (I've seen those eggs in big jars, though, sitting on counters in delis and general stores). Would those two foods be considered "real American" (i.e., not transported from the Old Country)?

I never had pepper jelly until I lived in NC and it was one of the appetizers at a potluck supper. You spread cream cheese on a cracker, then top it with a bit of pepper jelly (I think it was green...could've been red...whichever it was--it was delicious!)

Wow--grilling peaches for peach shortcake; I love that! Won't be doing much since Mr. P914 is away this week so I'll enjoy reading about everyone's 4th of July food adventures. I did make those grilled foil pack veggies tonight and they were delicious.

@vera charles: This sounds interesting. Is there a specific recipe or do you just slice potatoes, onions and bell peppers and put them in foil packs? Gosh, I admire anyone who can go a week w/o a trip to the supermarket, just using up what's on hand in the freezer and pantry (both of mine are overloaded!).

Skillet Brownies? I love Ina but IMO she's getting desperate here (to create/introduce a new type of dessert). Each guest gets his/her own 5" skillet with a brownie/molten chocolate cake that was baked in it. I know I'd have to wait 3 hours after a good (Ina :>) dinner before I might have room for this lollapalooza! http://www.barefootcontessa.com/blog.aspx

So...has anyone here made fried green tomatoes? I bought a few green tomatoes the other day and can't find my recipe for them (haven't made this dish since--geez--maybe 2001?). I'm not a southerner; first made them in 1998 and loved them (after seeing that fabulous movie--it inspired me ;>) I just found a recipe at allrecipes.com which looks good (got lots of great reviews from southerners, which, IMO, counts!). I remember I served the fried green tomatoes with aioli (my own version). Think I'll give this a try (with a few twists like some garlic powder & a bit of parmesan): http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Best-Fried-Green-Tomatoes/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=fried%20green%20tomatoes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Home%20Page&soid=sr_results_p1i1

@Lura: Go to a cheese shop (or the cheese dept in your supermarket) and ask them for a very mild feta (that's what I do--don't care for the briney, OTT tangy stuff). I think what I get is made from cow's milk (Mr. P914 thinks it's too bland). Or, toss in a soft cheese that you like--maybe a fresh mozzarella would be a good substitute; it just needs to be able to melt a little when the "sauce" hits the hot pasta. Or, skip the cheese altogether. This sauce is so delicious it doesn't have to have the cheese IMO.

Thanks for the link. Hmmm...I wish FN had made a show about Michael Symon and Sammy Hagar cookin' together--two characters in a kitchen!

I sure didn't enjoy this last evening of watching Louie. The scene in which they were taking photos of their underwear was so stupid that I changed the channel (returned 10 minutes later). The only good part for me was when she told him to get his own TV show (instead of being jealous of his friend).

What does Louie see in Pamela? The scene in Central Park was wasted on me since I was constantly worrying about them getting mugged (or worse). I did enjoy the art gallery and its absurdities (some of which looked a bit familiar).