I'm making a grocery list. I'm tempted to revamp my pantry.

I'm happy to say that, according to that list, I have a Bittman-approved pantry except for canned beans and TJs stock, which I don't plan on giving up anytime soon.

I do miss getting fresh spices from Sahadi's. Cheap and very fresh. I haven't found any place here that compares.

I am going to print that list out and use it for when I move. Gotta start fresh!

Cutting back on food is good in theory, but in practice leaves one rather grumpy.

However, for a nifty snack, anyone with access to decent cheese shops/gourmet groceries, chevre with cranberry and cinnamon is surprisingly good. [link]

Hey Perkins-is it too late to meet you at Kabul????!

Ah, man. I was already on the way home from the sushi place when you posted that. Maybe another day this weekend?

Um, pretty, but um: [link]

Barb, I just got a slow cooker, any particular recipes or cookbooks you care to recommend? My sister got me a huge cookbook to go with, but the recipes are mostly of the condensed soup, taco seasoning, and Velveeta variety.

I'll give up my canned black beans when I die. Last minute black bean soup with chile and chicken and onions and cinnamon, I don't have to plan ahead. But then again, my freezer is stocked with individual frozen veggie lasagnas. I seem to be allergic to planning ahead.

Barb, I just got a slow cooker, any particular recipes or cookbooks you care to recommend? My sister got me a huge cookbook to go with, but the recipes are mostly of the condensed soup, taco seasoning, and Velveeta variety.

I've still been playing around with mine, megan, but any soup or stew recipe can be translated to a slow cooker. Things I've made so far are chili, split pea soup, and beef stew.

If you want a really interesting overall stew/soup cookbook, I like this one:

[link]

Let me browse my shelves and see if anything else comes to mind.

chevre with cranberry and cinnamon is surprisingly good

That looks very very tasty.

Any good vegetarian recipes for a slow cooker?