Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Living in Houston for 30 years, I am all too familiar with the need for hurricane preparedness. One of my best friends during a power outage is my little propane burner I got at the restaurant supply. I use it to make coffee (boil water, use a French press!) and to heat everything without having to turn on a huge grill.

We stockpile a lot of tuna and peanut butter - great for making sandwiches when it's just too hot to heat anything. Neighbors all get together and we grill everything in our fridges and freezers together and share. Makes the meals a lot more fun!

There are a gazillion items you can store for this type event. Make sure you have lots of water, too! Our water went out last year after Ike and didn't come back on for days!

@kmitch - I agree completely. I knew when they started with that ridiculous apple-peeling that it was gonna be bad.

Carla should have told Casey no and to shut the hell up. Casey, girl, I liked you but you should be ashamed of yourself. You were there to help, not ramrod something that *you* wanted to cook!! Bad move.

The fact that they don't consider the entire season's worth of cooking/challenges is asinine. The show may as well be "Chopped"...WTF is the point in HAVING an entire season if one night's meals can determine who the Top Chef is????!! It doesn't make any sense. Hello??? Producers?????? Anyone home? Or are they listening to Casey-esque types who are taking them totally down the wrong road? I bet your ratings were down exponentially this season and will continue that slide unless you change the format to one that makes sense. Oh, and while I'm on the subject - stop with the catering-focused challenges. That's stupid, too.

Um, there's no global warming guys....all this crap is just a huge money-grab by the guvment. The nanny state is not really trying to protect you, but is an excuse to take away even more of your and my hard-earned money. Sorry to be politically incorrect. But it's the truth.

Oy vey, that should have read "a tablespoon of SUGAR"!!! That's what I get for posting while watching TV!

Ummmmm! Add finely chopped shallots, some butter and bacon fat. Shredded, like Indy Gal, please :)

I hope being embarrassed FOR someone counts.

I had this job interview for a really great position in a really great company. I really wanted this job! My potential boss wanted to meet at an upscale restaurant for lunch. We ordered and were having a good conversation, I felt the interview was going well until they brought the food.

This man had the most horrendous table manners I have EVER seen....slurping, glurping, dropping sauce on his shirt, talking with his mouth full, shoveling food like a 2-year-old! He had food on his face. The napkin never left the table. The people around us were literally STARING AT HIM. It was horrific! It was like that Tide stick commercial where the stain on the shirt is talking to the guy and he can't concentrate on the conversation. I had no idea what he was saying...I couldn't speak, couldn't form words, just sat there, I'm sure with a stunned look on my face and I know my face was blazing red.

I didn't get the job and I'm positive it was because I said nothing for the remainder of the "interview" meal. OMG I was SO embarrassed!!!

This was almost 20 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.

I own a Personal Chef and Private Catering business.... after having spent 25 years in corporate America in the marketing field.

@lambowner: I read sheeats, too! She's hilarious!! I loved her Tombstone pizza vending machine thread......very, very clever!

Some of us have no Trader Joe's :( even tho we have pitifully called and emailed the company begging for just one store. I guess we're stuck with expensive Fage or making our own. Although, here in Houston, Phoenicia carries Fage and it's a bit cheaper (also HEB has it at a lower price).

Last time we were there, we stayed at The Algonquin. I've stayed in many a fine hotel through the years, and this one was truly one of the best. Historical, funky, beautiful and a great location in Midtown. We actually took the subway to Per Se....everything is close using the public transporation.

Here's the website

http://www.algonquinhotel.com/?src=google_brand&gclid=CKaJ-tWLxZUCFQv7agodDTznig

I liked it immensely and am totally making those caramel tomatoes! Who knew one could caramelize tomatoes?!

Completely and totally revolting. Can I have mine with no mustard, please?

They clearly don't care. A pox on them.

@therealchiffonade: They have lost me for good. I literally never turn them on...even when there's something on I want to watch, I forget about it. For some weird reason, they grew to hate their core audience (????!!).

And AMEN huneybumper and Markbb!!