Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

is this really up for discussion? Ugh...

how about lime zest/peel?

Hey...I know where to find you....

Healthy steak? I marinate filets in a bag with powdered Ranch dressing and EVOO, or marinate with Cajun seasoning and a little pepper, or sesame ginger marinade...and ALWAYS grill. Poaching is for...bland chicken...

and @hungrychristel, putting venison in milk is normal down in TX to reduce the game taste, but it's still best on the grill or in chili...

@PB...we will indeed make you laugh!

I admit...I do use some good 'ol pasta sauce - as a BASE. I doctor mine every time - with fresh basil, garlic, a jar of my Granny's tomatoes if I have them, and a pinch of Garli Ghetti from the Gilroy Garlic Festival. I like Ragu (or something similar) - Six Cheese or Parmesan/Romano flavored. I grew up on the canned stuff my mom used to mix with ground beef, and swore never to go back again, but I'm a cheater nonetheless :)

I've never done a potluck (although at all our family gatherings we always all bring something!), but I agree with EtherMaiden. Unless something is a duplicate, we set out everything and graze. One thing I always do at parties, though, is get place card holders, and use business card perforated stock to print out descriptions of the food. I keep a cheap set of holders for Christmas, hearts for bridal showers, etc...luckily my and husband's families are alike in our food tastes, so everything gets split up and taken home!

As for store bought items, I see no problem in that. My mother in law is not a cooker - with the exception to a couple of family recipes - and always brings dips, salads, etc. that are pre-made. If it's close family we serve it out of the container, if it's a mixed crowd we just plate it on crystal!

My favorite is not at all local, so I order it by the case - Italian Scallion dressing. It's from the Gilroy Garlic Festival - I've been eating it for 4 or 5 years and can't get enough! VERY strong, but if you like garlic, this is for you!

Other than that, I always keep a bottle of Kraft Catalina in my fridge - great with celery sticks as a snack! I also peruse the clearance aisles at my local Target for oddities - seems like the berry/fruit-type vinaigrettes are always marked down to 99 cents!

@huneybumper - thank you! I'm dying for a store in North Houston - they bought out Wild Oats, and one was supposed to go in just a couple miles away...when that merger occurred it fell off the map...

Bojangles rocks - that's my husband's fave and unfortunately there's not one in Texas yet! My 2 are Whatabuger (triple meat jalapeno cheeseburger) and Taco Cabana (fajita nachos) - can't beat 'em...

rock on - loving Grumpy Old Man! I agree - gotta use the real Mexican vanilla, none of that imitation crap. Anytime a friend or family member hops over the border from TX I get a bottle. It's strong and lasts forever.

Just bought some yesterday - it was looking pretty measly at the stores until then! I bake mine at 350 for 20-30 with some salt, pepper, and olive oil. Then I top it with balsamic syrup (I can't make my own for the life of me so I just buy it!). Yummy goodness...then asparagus pees ensue. I really didn't believe they existed when a friend told me, but lo and behold...