by Julia Schrenkler
Member since:
August 31, 2005

The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift are looking for your weeknight cooking questions!

March 14, 2008 03:19 PM UTC (Updated: March 21, 2008 01:18 PM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 12

The Splendid Table's Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift collaborated on a new book, The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper: Recipes, Stories, and Opinions from Public Radio's Award-Winning Food Show. Since the book is all about tasty, easy-to-assemble dinner dishes and kitchen tips, we asked them if they could take all that knowledge and answer some weeknight cooking and kitchen questions here on Gather…and they said yes!

 

Lynne and Sally won't be able to answer all questions, but will select some from the comments in this article.

TIME EXTENDED!
Post your questions in the comments here before MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2008. We'll contact you if they're able to address your question and will make sure you get to see the answer!

________________
Julia Schrenkler
Interactive Producer
Minnesota Public Radio
American Public Media
Objects in Mirror

Comments: 12

Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Mar 14, 2008, 9:54pm UTC
I'm not sure if this fits into the sort of questions you want, but I'm curious about the price per serving for the meals that I make for my family. What's the rule of thumb, or a general figure that I can use to figure out a meal budget. My wording this poorly.

On average, how much money should I allot per person for each meal? And to tie that in more closely with a foodie question, what are some tricks I can use to keep my costs down? I'm not willing to buy meat from a mainstream grocer, it must be a butcher I know so that I know where s/he gets the meat. And I almost only buy organic or free range sorts of food.
Susan Budig - Mindful Poet Mar 14, 2008, 9:56pm UTC
And let me add that I have two vegetarians in my home (teenaged daughters) and two sons with er, discriminating tastes.
Dorine H. Mar 15, 2008, 3:16am UTC
My church has at least one potluck a week--and this week 2--throughout Lent before the special Lenten Bible study convenes. I need some recipes that are Lent-friendly for mains and sides and contains no cheese in addition to no meat or poultry (fish is fine). I'd prefer heavy on vegetables but not necessarily vegetarian (as I said, fish is good). They also need to be easily carried in a casserole or similar dish and tolerant of the drive to church and sitting in the potluck table for a while. Not the sort of thing you have to east immediately.

I'd also like a suggestion for a good fish soup that definitely contains no tomatoes and preferably no dairy. Something involving fish broth, chunks of cod or hake or flounder or similar and some vegetables and travels well (to the church potluck table).
Connie C. Mar 16, 2008, 12:11pm UTC
I was raised with the idea that the family must eat dinner together each night. We also raised our children with the same idea. Our daughter is raising her children just as we taught her. I believe that it is very important to eat as a family. In today's society, there is so much going on that it can be difficult to get the family together for meals. Can you offer some tips on doing this?
Julia Schrenkler Mar 17, 2008, 10:13am UTC
These are good, diverse questions! Keep 'em coming...
Diana Raabe Mar 17, 2008, 12:37pm UTC
Here's the real problem: I'm not hungry! However, I want to eat dinner with my husband because I should - and for more than one reason.

What could we eat that seems like "not much" but is actually nutritious for someone who hasn't eaten all day and interesting for someone who has?

P.S. I really enjoy Can You be Stumped?
Hollie C. Mar 17, 2008, 4:52pm UTC
It's just me and my husband, we don't have kids yet. We both work and we both volunteer at our church for various activities. Sometimes we eat together, sometimes we don't. About 2-3 days during the week we'll have a real meal cooked from scratch. The rest of the time, it's on the go munchies, sandwhiches, fruit, etc. With the rising cost of food, amongst other things it's seemingly more difficult to get a bigger variety of recipes. I find that I am cooking the same things over and over (and it's getting old) just because it's cheaper. It would be nice to find a recipe book that uses basic ingredients, with a variety of recipes. I am an avid recipe hunter, always looking for simple, cheap and affordable. But most of what I find calls for items I don't have in my pantry or have never carried. It's frustrating coming up with nutritious meals that taste good.
Hollie C. Mar 17, 2008, 4:53pm UTC
Sorry, I guess I didn't really ask a question, I basicaly vented instead.
Julia Schrenkler Mar 18, 2008, 12:52pm UTC
Actually, that's a good point, Hollie. You're asking for ideas on variety, if I read it right.

Keep the questions comin'!
Shannon S. Mar 21, 2008, 12:56pm UTC
I am single and really don't cook much. I can make a pretty mean omelette and am better at "fixing" things than cooking dinner. I know making dinner at home would be cheaper and healthier for me. What is one quick, basic dish that I should try to add to my repretoire?
Dorine H. Mar 21, 2008, 3:52pm UTC
Julia may have better ideas, but I think mastering setw and its variations would be a good start. Lamb, beef, chicken, prok stews and vary the vegetables--making sure to use lots of vegs.
Jonathan S. Mar 21, 2008, 4:41pm UTC
To add to Connie's question, I work at home and my wife works in an office. I often go much of the day without eating (breakfast is a pot of coffee, lunch is whatever fits around the keyboard) and my wife is the opposite - she always eats cereal for breakfast and usually a substantial lunch.

I do most of the cooking in our house, and we run up against the problem that at the end of the day I am /hungry/ and want to make something substantial, whereas she'd be happy with a salad (and often, if I am traveling, doesn't eat dinner at all).

How do we compromise so as not to waste food and keep both of us happy?

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.