I read this story in the Washington Post. Sometimes drinking bottled water is not optional. People who have undergone transplants or are undergoing treatment for cancer have strict dietary requirements, including not drinking tap water. My brother-in-law is one such patient, he has undergone a transplant and been…

A very long time ago, I worked at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco as an audio-visual tech. Watching the kitchen team prep for dinner for 500 in the Grand Ballroom was something to see. It was all about timing. Everything had to be prepped right before service, to prevent soggy salad, cold entrees. Chef Matsuhisa…

I had to adjust the playback speed to .85 to be able to follow what Oliver is saying. I admit I haven’t watched him in a while, but is that how fast he talks in every episode?

In April 2020, as I was taking a walk around my neighborhood, I dropped my 4 month old Pixel 3a and cracked the screen. One month into the pandemic lock down, I was devastated. My options: local (San Francisco) repair shops (“We fix phones!”) with some hit-or-miss reviews. Google’s official repair provider…

I’ve used AppCleaner for over a decade. It has never failed, or deleted anything it should not. What I like is the pop-up list of what it finds. You can check or uncheck anything in the list. Also, it just moves everything to the trash, where you can right-click and select “put back”. Windows does a good job with its…

For uninstalling Mac programs, just dragging the app to the Trash isn’t enough, it leaves a bunch of stuff behind. I have always used AppCleaner. Once you install it, turn on the Smart Delete preference. When you do drag the app icon to the Trash, App Cleaner scours your system for all the supporting bits, shows you…

Dry brining is very similar to the salting step in koshering meat. It’s why koshered poultry often tastes better than non-kosher.

Tell that to Matt, the turkey fryer for the ages. His frying skills are legendary, cooking multiple birds for the massive dinner each year. I carved all of these birds, plus two more that came later. Here’s to you, Matt.

I accidentally sent a payment to my Bank of America credit card (only use it occasionally) instead of my Capital One card. I called BofA, they refunded my payment, but only by check. All of my legal settlements (that Zoom one comes to mind), I choose to be paid by check. It costs them more than an e-transfer.

This report explains why my favorite chip is my favorite chip: Taco Works, made in San Luis Obispo, CA. It’s the seasoning that includes MSG and the thickness of the chip. Super regional, but if you are ever on the Cali Central Coast, stock up.

Not at my local Bell. I’ve posted about this before. They are a KFC/TB on the west side of San Francisco and I think that’s the difference. No discounts, no $5 box. no app ordering. Nachos bell grande is almost $10. No joke. The only stand-alone TB in the city is way across town near the ball park. May be cheaper, but…

A deep, deep bow of respect for what you have accomplished. What I would give to have been in your house when that was cooking, and at your table when it was served.

This kicks Stouffer’s spinach soufflé in the huevos! I hear a brunch calling.

My recipe database includes: Deviled Egg Crackers, Lemon Tahini Dressing, Protein Packed Cheesy Pasta Sauce, Tomato Ranch Dressing, Zucchini Dressing. All are sourced: Claire from Lifehacker. You succeeded with your goal to make our lives taste better. Many, many thanks for all your efforts and may your future be…

In my mind, PayDay started the sweet/salty/caramel thing. Thank you Hollywood Candy Company of Hollywood, Minnesota & Centralia Illinois! That there is some great American ingenuity.

I’m not sure which I love more, the fact that you found this food in the first place or that you couldn’t wait to try it and used the olive oil/bacon fat medium. Either way, we all benefit.

Procrastination isn’t only about tests and work related projects.

Sorry, but queso is too far down on the list. Aloha Burger in Santa Barbara (alas and alack, gone) made a sublime cheese sauce for their Maui burgers. Sweet Baby Moses in the bullrushes, it was a masterpiece. And no raw onion in sight.

I started using Capital One’s virtual credit card numbers. I assigned one to PayPal, then every service I use. They offer a browser plugin to generate a new virtual number when I make a purchase online and let you lock the card after a certain date. I don’t know if other cards have that, but it’s been a great benefit…

Since this is only the second time it has ever been tested, and it really hasn’t ever been used, I’m kind of glad they’re doing it. A reminder in my calendar 5 mins before avoids the surprise. It reminds me of the weekly tests they used to do in San Francisco, the outdoor sirens installed during WWII would go off at…