http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman RSS Feed for Jim Coleman en-us Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:02:32 GMT http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080904_Jim_Coleman__Sure-fire_treats_for_kids__lunches.html Q. I am looking for any back-to-school lunchbox recipes. My son, 14, and daughter, 11, are not picky eaters, but they would rather have a packed lunch than order lunch at school. We all enjoy your TV show, and I'm sure your recipes would be well received. Many thanks. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080828_Jim_Coleman__Yams_vs__sweet_potatoes__Are_they_really_the_same_veggie_.html Q: I am part of a group of male amateur cooks, and we have a question for you that we couldn't go ask our wives and girlfriends. What is the difference between yams and sweet potatoes? Some group members think they are the same, but I don't agree. There is such a thing as sweet potato pie, but I've never heard of yam pie! We read your articles and follow your TV show, "Flavors of America," so everyone in the group will respect your opinion. Thanks. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080814_Jim_Coleman__Going_gluten-free__Mom_seeks_recipes_for_child_with_celiac_disease.html Q. I receive many magazines a month with wonderful recipes. These national magazines rarely mention gluten-free recipes. I wanted to say thanks to you because you have provided some gluten-free recipes. I am the parent of a child with celiac disease, so it's nice to see a chef take notice. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080807_Jim_Coleman__A_dash_of_insight_about_salt__Is_one_type_better_than_another_____and_what_about_sodium_.html Q: Hi, Mr. Salt Guy. I'm hoping that someone who throws that much salt on the floor can help me with a few questions I have about salt. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080731_Jim_Coleman__Steakhouse_sizzle__How_to_get_that_great_restaurant_taste_at_home.html Q: I cook at home a lot and enjoy all types of cooking, especially grilling. How in the heck do you get a steak at home to taste like a great restaurant steak? Is it even conceivable? http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080724_Jim_Coleman__The_secret_is_citrus_when_dressing_avocado.html Q: I am looking for two salad dressings that involve avocados. First, I want to find a recipe for a good dressing for an avocado salad - not your typical vinaigrette, something that will enhance the flavor of the avocados. The second dressing is one like my mother used to make that had avocados in it. She called it Avocado Goddess Dressing. Other than avocados, I know it also had anchovies, and it was creamy. Thank you for your attention. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080717_Jim_Coleman__Fearless_grilling.html Q: I would like to try to grill fish whole. I've heard it is pretty easy, but I have never done it before and I'm a little nervous. Do you have a foolproof method or recipe for cooking whole fish? Regards. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080710_Jim_Coleman__How_to_start_smokin__salmon__It_s_all_in_the_curing.html Q: I would like to smoke salmon fillets on my barbecue grill. What do I need to do to the salmon beforehand? Also, how long should it smoke and over how much heat? What kind of wood chips do you recommend? Looking forward to your tips and recipes. (P.S. Would another fish work better?) http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080619_Jim_Coleman__Recycle_that_stale_brew__Use_beer_in_baked_products__on_veggies_and_in_malt_vinegar.html Q. I have four cases of beer in my garage that are probably no longer drinkable, but I don't want them to go to waste. I would like to use them in cooking. Is this OK? What's the best way to use them? Any recipes would be appreciated. http://www.philly.com/dailynews/columnists/jim_coleman/20080612_Jim_Coleman__How_hot_is_too_hot___You_can_figure_out_when_a_pan_or_grill_is_ready_to_cook_food.html Q: A lot of recipes begin with preheating a pan to various temperatures such as low, medium low, medium, medium high, etc. Most grilling recipes have the same instructions. How do you determine the heat of a preheated frying pan or grill? Is preheating a saute pan really necessary?