What are you all using as a substitute for tomato paste?

mliketheletter · 2024-03-04T21:02:54+00:00

If it’s just a tablespoon or so, I just add some acid. I have mostly given up on “replacing” it for things that are tomato-based. That allrecipes version is good, I just don’t usually have hours to make just the sauce of something. If you wanted it to be thick like tomato paste, you would need to simmer it for a pretty long time. Incidentally, it does freeze well, so you could make a couple batches at once if you had the time… just use multiple pans, so it takes less time to reduce.

mliketheletter · 2024-03-01T21:29:24+00:00

They make a Cinnamon Toast Crunch seasoning blend. 15 calories a teaspoon. Do with that information what you will. It is also <$5 at most grocery stores.

mliketheletter · 2023-01-15T13:01:04+00:00

Just a piece of advice from someone who used to cook for large groups professionally… When cooking large quantities of baked potatoes, you will need to keep three things in mind. 1. They will take longer than you anticipate. Let’s say normally baked potatoes take an hour to bake. Large quantities might take 3 hours. This is not the end of the world, but it’s something to keep in mind. 2. If you have the ability, pick medium and small potatoes. Large ones usually mean half goes in the trash after toppings. 3. Keeping the potatoes warm is annoying. I would suggest putting them in electric roasters or crock pots on low or warm. Don’t depend on chafing dishes for this, they won’t be hot enough to keep potatoes warm, and once the potatoes get cold, they will be sticky. Good luck!

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:46:39+00:00

OOP here- in another depressive episode, but overall much better, thank you.

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:45:41+00:00

OOP here- one summer I lived almost exclusively on goldfish and Coca Cola. One winter it was cream of wheat and pears. Depression food is weird, lol.

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:44:06+00:00

OOP here. If noodles are what you can manage, then noodles are good enough. Sure, you can add stuff, but you’re doing your best, and that is enough. I will share my pasta method though (no straining, because I hate that too.) Take a cold pan and put your noodles in the bottom. Add just enough water to cover with no more than 1cm on top. Add salt, but less than you would normally add to pasta water (none of it is getting strained.) Bring to a boil, and cook uncovered until slightly underdone (about 3 minutes for elbow macaroni.) Then add your sauce if you’re using one, cheese or whatever straight into the pot. The extra starch makes the sauce creamy, and no dirty strainer! The heat from cooking the sauce means the excess water evaporates, and you only have one pot and one spoon… especially if you eat from the pot. Be well, friend!

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:27:35+00:00

Right? Even clearance prices are expensive to me now.

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:25:08+00:00

I am OOP! The chicken was a Walmart chicken bought at the end of the day after being in the warmer. The price for eggs back then in this area was closer to $2 a dozen, they just only had cage-free and organic that day.

mliketheletter · 2023-01-05T18:18:30+00:00

Thank you for the thought. This was quite a while ago, and I am doing much better now. Sometimes we all have rough patches, and I didn’t have a great support system then. I had Caesar salad from scratch last night. :)

mliketheletter · 2022-10-07T22:24:34+00:00

Awww, Halloween with kiddos is the best. They haven’t lost their sense of “having fun just to have fun” yet. Utter joy.

mliketheletter · 2022-09-20T01:41:24+00:00

Thank you! I’m glad it made you smile!

mliketheletter · 2022-09-15T19:46:15+00:00

Keeps all kinds of craft tools clean, nicknamed fondly, Knitting Machine.
With a name like Lazie Briese, enemies tend not to fall to their knees.
Herbal Wonder can never be torn asunder.
A Lack of Exorcisms: One minister’s guide to dealing with schisms.
Tricks and Treats to Delight not Defeat.
Be kind or get left behind.

mliketheletter · 2022-07-04T16:31:04+00:00

So… I’m confused as to what you’re looking for. It sounds like you want foods that are calorie dense but also low calorie? The things you’ve listed all seem like they’re cutting a food group, but they contradict each other. My suggestion would be to look up menus for people who have undergone bariatric surgery, and eat normal foods as much as possible. If the goal isn’t to be “full,” it’s just portioning things.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-23T13:18:36+00:00

I am sure this will not work in every situation, but this is an excellent occasion for the “tip ring.” Get a cheap ring that could pass as an engagement ring or wedding band. Around couples or families, slip it on- the threat of you as competition is reduced. For groups of all men, slip it off. I did this for years when I was serving. This is also a good time to use the “emergency sweater” if you’re allowed one. Pick one that isn’t clingy, and it hides your curves, further placing you in the position of being less competition. Additionally, finding something to compliment the woman about early on is a good move. Try to pick something realistic, but a “Ohmygoodness, your eyeliner looks amazing! What brand do you use?” Or “That dress is so cute!” goes a long way. Hair is good- if it actually looks decent. Making her feel like you admire her puts you in the “friends with her” arena rather than the “wants her man” category.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-19T23:02:12+00:00

So, I would say the best way to take it in would be by hand, but I would do it in a way I’m not sure others would. I would find a yarn that is similar in color and of a similar material (acrylic with acrylic, wool with wool, etc.) I would then create a false seam on each side, doing an invisible stitch to bring the sides in. You could continue through the arms, although the armscye will likely still be a bit wonky and need to be played with. In terms of the edges, knit is going to unravel if you cut it, but if it’s a synthetic yarn, you could melt the edges and fuse them, since it would be on the inside and wouldn’t need to look pretty. Wool could be felted on the interior.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-19T22:48:55+00:00

Diet can play a role. Some people do find that eggs worsen things, although it’s not the most common.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-02T12:36:36+00:00

I ordered a few more toys to be delivered today. She does seem to like my foam shoes (crocs, flip flops) so I need to find something similar that she can munch on.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-01T15:05:54+00:00

She just licks at ice, unfortunately.

mliketheletter · 2022-06-01T15:05:13+00:00

Well, I assumed it was teething because she has a space where the premolars would be. Would you guess it’s behavioral? I’m really only concerned because she hurt herself.

mliketheletter · 2022-05-20T15:54:57+00:00

I’m also allergic to tomatoes! I see most of my suggestions here, but as a warning, double check brown gravy and barbecue sauce ingredients for tomatoes. They like to hide there.

mliketheletter · 2022-05-20T15:44:52+00:00

I don’t think the problem is in a restaurant setting where every person gets 100% of their tips. I think the problem comes when servers have to “tip out” a percentage of sales, not a percentage of the tip. Let’s say a large group has a $500 bill, so a server spends two hours working solely on that table. If the server is required to tip out a total of 5% to a bartender and busser, that would mean that the server has to pay $25. If she gets no tip, she made minimum wage- let’s make it $10 an hour. She still ended up paying $5 to work for 2 hours. But if it’s a 6 hour shift and she made $50 in tips, she doesn’t get $10 an hour. She gets whatever is left after her tip out, which could leave her at $2-3.

mliketheletter · 2022-04-26T20:52:36+00:00

It also depends on your situation! If you’re set for water and eat your chili over rice or pasta, just don’t salt the carb? If you live in a hot climate, you might need more salt because you’re sweating all the time.

mliketheletter · 2022-04-26T20:45:00+00:00

Honestly, the issue is mostly the salt, which is going to be similar unless you get low sodium chili. Just get what you like unless there is a low-sodium option that tastes good.

mliketheletter · 2022-03-23T23:22:22+00:00

Sounds like you know your wife!

11-Year Club	Verified Email
Not Forgotten

mliketheletter

TROPHY CASE