Picked up the guitar and tried practicing. That piece of shit serves better as a drum or ass beater, I asked my sister how much she bought it for... 30-40 euros. My fingers are in agony, you need the power and blood of Jesus himself to press the strings down.

(September 16, 2016 at 2:58 pm)RobertE Wrote:

(September 16, 2016 at 2:49 pm)Nymphadora Wrote: Thanks

I'm really proud if how it turns out a rich red color and the flavor is so rich. My ancestors would be proud that I still start with homegrown tomatoes. It's a day long process which is why I make it in such large batches (18 pounds).

Then I freeze it off in containers.

So, instead of buying normal tomatoes, you actually grow your own....? Shame the internet doesn't have a smellavision..... As for the quantity, that is a massive amount. I only have a small stomach so, I wouldn't be able to appreciate large quantities. Either way, as we say in France, "chapeau." 

The tomatoes in the store are shipped to us from across the country. Prior to shipping, they are pumped with gas while they are still green, so that by the time they reach the stores, they are a red color. You can definitely see and feel the difference. And you can taste the difference too. A tomato that has been allowed to ripen on the vine, in its own time, has a much better quality and flavor to it than one forced to ripen pumped with gas and sitting in a dark truck.

If my own yield isn't big enough, the farmer less than a mile from me will sell me 35 pounds for $12.00. An excellent price to pay considering g the stores want $2.99 a pound for their crap ones.

(September 16, 2016 at 3:19 pm)Nymphadora Wrote: Yeah, we rent our house so we're stuck with the appliances that come with the place. But I digress, I would much rather cook with gas.

Nothing wrong with renting a house. There are obvious dangers associated with natural gas of course, but as far as cooking is concerned, to regulate the temperature, it is fantastic.

(September 16, 2016 at 3:20 pm)RozKek Wrote: Picked up the guitar and tried practicing. That piece of shit serves better as a drum or ass beater, I asked my sister how much she bought it for... 30-40 euros. My fingers are in agony, you need the power and blood of Jesus himself to press the strings down.

Ask Hank Marvin for some lessons in guitar playing and how to keep the strings down. 

(September 16, 2016 at 3:25 pm)Nymphadora Wrote:

(September 16, 2016 at 2:58 pm)RobertE Wrote: So, instead of buying normal tomatoes, you actually grow your own....? Shame the internet doesn't have a smellavision..... As for the quantity, that is a massive amount. I only have a small stomach so, I wouldn't be able to appreciate large quantities. Either way, as we say in France, "chapeau." 

The tomatoes in the store are shipped to us from across the country. Prior to shipping, they are pumped with gas while they are still green, so that by the time they reach the stores, they are a red color. You can definitely see and feel the difference. And you can taste the difference too. A tomato that has been allowed to ripen on the vine, in its own time, has a much better quality and flavor to it than one forced to ripen pumped with gas and sitting in a dark truck.

If my own yield isn't big enough, the farmer less than a mile from me will sell me 35 pounds for $12.00. An excellent price to pay considering g the stores want $2.99 a pound for their crap ones.

That is a great deal, but it depends on what type of tomatoe you are buying. I love the cherry tomatoes (the small ones), then there are the regular-sized tomatoes which are quite juicy and go quite well with a nice cheddar slice. As for the large ones, I think they lack a certain flavour and indeed a certain colour, and are less juicy.

These naked spiral cooking rings? Only in America...

I recommend buying a single transportable induction cooktop. Mi padres just got an induction stove and man it is fast. I almost burned the food because I'm used to being able to go away and tend to something else after I switch it on, but not here!

(September 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm)Alex K Wrote: These naked spiral cooking rings? Only in America...

I recommend buying a single transportable induction cooktop

Not all pots work on those, though...
But I gotta agree...that's the best thing!

(September 16, 2016 at 3:32 pm)RobertE Wrote:

(September 16, 2016 at 3:20 pm)RozKek Wrote: Picked up the guitar and tried practicing. That piece of shit serves better as a drum or ass beater, I asked my sister how much she bought it for... 30-40 euros. My fingers are in agony, you need the power and blood of Jesus himself to press the strings down.

Ask Hank Marvin for some lessons in guitar playing and how to keep the strings down. 

(September 16, 2016 at 3:25 pm)Nymphadora Wrote: The tomatoes in the store are shipped to us from across the country. Prior to shipping, they are pumped with gas while they are still green, so that by the time they reach the stores, they are a red color. You can definitely see and feel the difference. And you can taste the difference too. A tomato that has been allowed to ripen on the vine, in its own time, has a much better quality and flavor to it than one forced to ripen pumped with gas and sitting in a dark truck.

If my own yield isn't big enough, the farmer less than a mile from me will sell me 35 pounds for $12.00. An excellent price to pay considering g the stores want $2.99 a pound for their crap ones.

That is a great deal, but it depends on what type of tomatoe you are buying. I love the cherry tomatoes (the small ones), then there are the regular-sized tomatoes which are quite juicy and go quite well with a nice cheddar slice. As for the large ones, I think they lack a certain flavour and indeed a certain colour, and are less juicy.

Ahh... This is where knowing your fruit (yes, tomatoes are a fruit) cones in handy. The ones the farmer sold us were large ones, but being vine ripened, they were meaty (not a lot of seeds) and rich with flavor. Normally I'd use Romas, as those are the best kind for sauce. But I made the big ones work

Robert, the next time you get a chance to get tomatoes from a farm, I'd suggest that. You'll taste the difference between those and the store bought ones.

(September 16, 2016 at 3:52 pm)pocaracas Wrote:

(September 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm)Alex K Wrote: These naked spiral cooking rings? Only in America...

I recommend buying a single transportable induction cooktop

Not all pots work on those, though...
But I gotta agree...that's the best thing!

I have never seen those things.

(September 16, 2016 at 3:59 pm)Nymphadora Wrote:

(September 16, 2016 at 3:52 pm)pocaracas Wrote: Not all pots work on those, though...
But I gotta agree...that's the best thing!

I have never seen those things.

It never ceases to amaze me how some things just don't seem to cross the pond... (it works both ways, though)

https://www.amazon.com/Max-Burton-6000-1...B000MVN1M6

Damn that's expensive!
I think mine cost less than 50€.