Let's add the problem of trying to figure out how many grains a "pinch of salt" is

Obviously what you'd need in that case is one of those fancyshmancy sets of "pinch" and "dash" spoons. Then you could count.

Our math genius doesn't know it yet, but she's been given a recipe with inexact measurements. Will her head explode? Let's watch

I am fine with inexact measurements. Those are not inexact measurements, they're faux-exact measurements.

Yes, if you point it from somewhere opposite the corner, it can illuminate a line across the two walls, joined at the corner, but it does not "go around" the frickin corner, dammit.

I've wondered about that. Now I know.

Obviously what you'd need in that case is one of those fancyshmancy sets of "pinch" and "dash" spoons. Then you could count.

Yeah, but they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

If you still have your soul, you shouldn't even be shopping for them. They're obviously too high end for you.

Yeah, but they're probably name-brand-expensive-couldn't-find-them-even-if-you-sold-your-soul. That price is a bit too high for my, ahem, taste.

Nah. They came with my $20 measuring set at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Nah. They came with my $20 measuring set at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

I saw some beautiful plates in there, but each one was about $10 each. I bought my measuring cups and spoons at the dollar store. They sometimes have good stuff, sometimes not.

I saw some beautiful plates in there, but each one was about $10 each. I bought my measuring cups and spoons at the dollar store. They sometimes have good stuff, sometimes not.

After several years with my plastic set, I upgraded to stainless last year. I have no regrets, except perhaps not doing it sooner.

We're slowly upgrading what's left of our cheap cookware, with the idea that this way, we won't have to replace it for a really, really, really long time.

Speaking of, anyone happen to know what Cooks Illustrated recommends in the way of cookie sheets?

After several years with my plastic set, I upgraded to stainless last year.

I almost did that (and hadn't quite discarded the plans), but reading this reminds me of my stainless on stainless squick, so I have to remember not to do it.

Oh, and they recommended the Kaiser cookie sheet, which is a tinned steel/shiny silver jobbie for $6.99. They recommend against Ekco, WearEver, Nordic Ware, Calphalon and T-Fal.

Holy crud, part deux.

Tsunami toll tops 226,000

Toll soars by 70,000 who were missing >[link]

The global toll from the tsunami has soared to 226,000, after the Indonesian Health Ministry confirmed the deaths of a further 70,000 people previously listed as missing.

Following the latest reports from the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, the ministry now believes 166,320 people were killed in Indonesia -- having previously put the country's death toll at about 95,000.

But the precise numbers may never be known in Indonesia after its Social Affairs Ministry released contradictory figures, listing the toll at about 115,000.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the discrepancy to be cleared up as quickly as possible.

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