Category: Thoughts

Is the Expensive Vanilla REALLY Worth It??

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The other day I was poking my way around Ina’s website and I realized that she uses vanilla that costs around $33 for 4 fluid ounces. It’s from Madagascar and I’m sure it’s excellent.

But….

Is it REALLY worth that much money? How does it compare to the McCormick one that I buy and use?

I know she wants us to use the BEST ingredients, but I can’t bring myself to spend more than a tank of gas on vanilla extract. To me, it doesn’t really seem worth it. After all, you use so very little in each recipe. In fact, I remember one day I made chocolate chip cookies (not Ina’s, Tollhouse actually) and I forgot to add the vanilla to that recipe and I couldn’t even tell the different.

So really, it doesn’t seem necessary to spend that much money on something that usually gets overpowered by other flavors.

However, there may be a time when I have some extra cash that I’d be willing to buy it. After all, four ounces will last for quite a bit of time if you’re just using a teaspoon or two here and there.

Luckily it’s also sold at the Williams-Sonoma I went to last week, so I can get it easier.

But for now, I’ll stick to the McCormick brand and pretend that I can justify spending all that money on dark brown vodka.

Cookbook Analysis

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As I’ve been going through each one of Ina’s cookbooks to enter the recipes into my spreadsheets, I’ve come to the conclusion that I think I’m going to analyze each of them. I’d discuss the complexities of the recipes and how each one seems to have their own special “tone.”

So, I plan to do one each week starting next week for the next 12 weeks. I will probably go in order of publication. So next week I will discuss The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.

Another thing I’ve noticed as I’ve been inputting these recipes — there’s a lot!

Well….I knew that. After all the number appears in the heading of this site. But now it just seems so overwhelming.

*sigh*

But I’m up for the challenge! And I hope you’re ready for the journey.

Today, I am planning to make at least one other recipe. Not sure what or from which book, but the wheels are turning. Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Cooking and Food Thoughts

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There are days when I love my job. And by “my job,” I mean my day job. I work with the public. But it’s not always bad. If I’m kept busy, it’s great and the time goes by quickly. If I’m not too busy, then the days begin to drag and my thoughts start to wander.

And that’s what’s been happening lately. My thoughts are beginning to wander throughout the day. Those wandering thoughts are often related to this project and to be honest, I couldn’t be happier with that. Some of the thoughts deal with “What am I going to make next?” “When can I buy [insert item?” “Should I spend enough money to fill my gas tank on vanilla extract or just use the one in the grocery store?

I end up having so many thoughts that I’m actually surprised when it’s time to go home.

Does anyone else wish their day job was food-blogging related? Sometimes I do.

Ina & Raspberries

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In order to help me keep track of recipes and so that I can get a sense of what I would need to purchase equipment-wise, I have begun the process of making a list of off the recipes by book. One of the things that I have noticed, even after only completing three of her cookbooks, is that Ina must LOVE raspberries!

It seems like there are at least 10 different recipes calling for them among these three books. There may even be more than 10, I didn’t really count. I just noticed the word “raspberry” kept popping up in the titles.

I guess those recipes will have to wait till summer to be made.