Coffee Break: Wanda Wedges

51 Comments

1. I love eating fish at restaruants but I can’t figure out how to make it well at home- it’s always under or overcooked. I usually buy frozen fish, if that makes a difference, though I’d be open to buying fresh. Sometimes it tastes too “fishy” at home too

   My doctor said to incorporate more fish in my diet instead of always having chicken/beef , so if anyone has any good recipes too, that would be awesome.

   1. Yay! I love this wedge, but I do NOT want to be a fashion SLAVE just to please MEN! FOOEY! Now the manageing partner told me I should wear a HIGHER hemline b/c it is summer, but I think it is just b/c he think’s the Judge want’s to see more of my leg’s. I hope that is NOT the case, but if it is, I worry b/c a shorter hemline acentuate’s my tuchus. FOOEY!

      As for the OP, you can make good fish at home if it is FRESH. Dad cook’s all the fish at home b/c he say’s mom does NOT know how to pick out fresh fish which HE learned when he was with the Army. He can tell if a fish is fresh w/o smeling it! I say if it stink’s, it is NOT fresh, and he agree’s, but he says even fish that does NOT stink is not as fresh as other fish. He say’s to look at the eye’s to see if they are glaazed over–all fish eye’s look the same to me. But if you go to a store, they will show you the fish eye’s if you ask b/f you buy it.

      Then, dad say’s to cook the fish THAT DAY. DO NOT, he says keep it overnite or it will stink. He know’s and he make’s a lot of fish for mom b/c mom need’s more protein. He also know’s a guy who catche’s fish in the Ocean, and he knows it is fresh when he gives it to dad.

      So good luck with the fish, and do NOT buy fish that you do not see the eye’s first. YAY!!!

   2. I think “fishy” usually means overcooked. To test doneness, use a fork and test a little of the thickest part on the side. If it’s ready it should flake off easily but not be too dry inside. Start checking 1-2 minutes before you think it’s done. Remember that it will keep cooking another minute or two after you turn off the flame. If you’re not sure, turn it off and leave it in the oven or in the pan for an extra minute, but err on the side of undercooked – you can always put it back on.

      For the easiest way to cook fish, use the oven. For thicker fish like cod or salmon or swordfish, the broiler will be your best friend. For thinner ones like tilapia or sole, try parchment paper pouches in the oven. If you have an electric griddle – use that. I have a little Cuisinart one and it makes the best fish with no effort.

      This is one of my favorite recipes and it’s almost impossible to mess up. http://www.marthastewart.com/315091/herb-crusted-salmon-with-spinach-salad

   3. I’d get fresh. I can’t ever get frozen right unless it starts thawed. My go-to prep method (I’m partial to salmon & halibut) is to put a 6oz steak in a parchment packet. I put any number of combos on top – dill & lemon, tomatoes & onion, just lemons & other herbs, tapenade, salad dressings, whatever I’ve got lying around). Make a closed up packet & bake for 15-17 mins at 375-400. This is usually done and not overcooked, but I check it.

   4. My new favorite way to cook fish: steaming. I prefer non-oily fish (cod, grouper, etc.), so I know those types of fish work well with this cooking method, but I haven’t tried it with something like salmon. Get a steamer basket – something with a flat bottom. Put down a layer of parchment or cabbage leaves. Once the water is simmering and there is steady steam, put in the fish filet and steam between 5-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. I usually drizzle a little sesame oil and soy sauce on the fish. Bonus, your place won’t smell like fish afterwards.

      1. I also use fresh fish for this. I am really picky about preparing fish at home, so I buy fresh fish from places where I trust the quality. I will put it in a container with ice/ice packs in the fridge and then cook the fish within two days.

   5. I started cooking fish a couple of years ago. I found that oilier fish (salmon, trout, etc.) were a lot more forgiving in slightly over/under. My favorite methods are broiling and making foil pouches with wine, lemon and herbs.

      I also love fried catfish. delicious, but not so great for you.

   6. ha, i had the same thing. I hate fish, so it was a bit of a challenge for me. I’ve found that thawing the frozen fish and then cooking it, is really the best (at least for mahi-mahi). If I do it that way, it tastes almost as good as in a restaurant (minus the butter!).

   7. I buy the supermarket value frozen fish fillets with microwave instructions, put them in the microwave for the exact amount of time instructed with some herbs and spices, and while it’s cooking make up some couscous

   8. To decrease the fishy taste of frozen fish, thaw the filets first and then rinse them in cold eater. Letting the fish marinate for a few minutes in e.g. lemon juice, or soy sauce, will also add taste to the fish.

      1. I let it sit in milk for fifteen minutes- half hour and it greatly reduces the “fishiness”.

   9. This is my favorite salmon recipe; I usually buy frozen salmon filets at Target and thaw before cooking (leave in bowl of cool water for about half an hour to thaw). I also tend to adjust the proportions and use a little less salt and a little more cayenne pepper:

      Ingredients:
      1 lemon
      several sprigs fresh dill, plus more for garnish (or you can use 1 tsp dried dill instead of fresh)
      1 tablespoon kosher salt
      1 heaping teaspoon sugar
      pinch cayenne pepper
      4 6-ounce center cut salmon fillets with skin
      vegetable oil (I use olive oil)

      Steps:
      1. Preheat oven to 300F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil. Zest half the lemon into a small bowl. Finely chop the dill, about 1 tablespoon in all, and add to the bowl. Stir in the salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
      2. Lightly brush the salmon with vegetable oil. Evenly sprinkle the spiced salt over the top (but not the sides) of the fillets and place on the baking sheet, skin side up. Roast until the bottom is glazed, the sides are opaque, and the salmon is just ooked through, about 18 minutes. Transfer the salmon to serving plates with metal spatula or pancake turner. Add a sprig of dill to each and serve.

   10. I add a light coat of olive oil to fish and broil. I take it out after 8 or so minutes, brush with a store bought sauce (usually terriyaki) and broil for a few minutes longer. It works well with salmon.

       I always cook a large quantity of fresh fish at once and then eat over the next few days.

   11. How are you thawing? I put frozen fish in a baking dish of water (still in the plastic wrap)–in the fridge if I have all day, or in the sink with water trickling if I need it to thaw faster. Once thawed, remove from plastic and rinse well.

2. I’m going end of month…will be spending 2 days in lima and 3 days in cusco, before embarking on the Inca trail hike. Would love recommendations for things to see/experience/eat. Thanks!!

   1. They have a kind of stew there Lomo Saltado which has tomatoes, onions, peppers, rice, beef and potatoes – so satisfying and delicious, esp when it’s cold. Definitely drink the coca tea for altitude sickness, it really helps. And after the Inca Trail treat yourself to a nice massage.Have a great time!!!

   2. Just don’t drink the coca tea at night as it has caffeine in it. In Lima, if you have time, go to Chez Wong, Javier Wong’s restaurant. They are only open for lunch and you should make a reservation in advance. If you google Anthony Bourdain and Chez Wong, you can see a clip of his visit there. No one at the restaurant speaks English and you only eat whatever he is making that day. The food was wonderful. They will just keep bringing you dishes until you ask for your check. Make sure you share the dishes and don’t order one for each person as it is family style. You’ll need to take a cab to get there and it is at a house in the middle of a neighborhood with no sign outside. Take it easy when you first get to Cusco due to change in altitude and make sure you drink lots of water.

   3. I’ve only been to Lima for work, but the restaurant Central is great if you are looking for something on the more upscale side. Great ceviche! Peruvian food in general is excellent

3. my mom passed away earlier this year. i just found out i will be getting a modest ($25k) payout from a life insurance policy that is unexpected (i assumed it would all go to my dad, but i was specifically named as a co-beneficiary on this policy).

   i’m thinking of buying a chanel bag and then putting the rest of the money in a fund for my kids. is this weird? other better ideas to consider?

   i dont need the money and ive wanted the bag for a long time but never wanted to spend the nearly $5k that it costs. my thought is that this is the kind of bag i will use forever and think about my mom every time i do. and if i take good enough care of it, i can even pass it down to my daughter.

   1. I think that is a lovely way to remember your mother!

      1. +1. Love it!

         1. Agreed

   2. go for it. I love the idea of something to remember her by. Not every penny you get needs to go into savings or something practical.

   3. I don’t think that’s weird.

   4. this sounds well thought out and a beautiful way to remember your mom.

   5. There are going to be people here who’ll judge you for this, but I don’t think it’s weird at all, and I think you should absolutely do it if it’ll make you happy. You’re a big girl and what you do with your money is your business.

   6. Might be a good idea to set aside to help with Dad’s care when the time comes. The surviving partner isn’t just dealing with bills alone now, but he will be more likely to need assistance as he ages since he won’t have someone there for in-home care, driving, cooking, shopping, home repair projects, etc. if he isn’t feeling well like you do when you’re a couple. Keeping a safety net for him seems like the best tribute (and can be good leverage later if he is too proud –you can always say say “Mom would want you to have help with X, Y, or Z). If he ends up not needing it, then you can feel comfortable being as frivilous as you want.

      1. I disagree. There’s nothing to suggest the OP’s father is particularly impoverished. Suggesting that she save the money for him in tribute to her mother ? Her mother wanted her to have this. There’s no obligation for the OP to take care of her father.

      2. I think this is a good thought. Either way, the daughter would be setting aside ~20k in a savings account. Considering using it on her father’s care, if need be, is another good use of it.

         Setting up a fund for your kids is great. My MIL did that with her inheritance and it’s been wonderful for her kids. Originally it was intended as a college fund, but for various reasons not all the kids needed funds for college and so it’s be useful for helping with home down payments, paying for grandkid education, etc.

         Handbags aren’t important enough to me to be what I’d do with a portion of money, but I think spending ~20% to do something for yourself that you normally wouldn’t do is wonderful.

   7. I think that is so very lovely.
      I will also offer an alternative suggestion: jewelry. I bought a beautiful pearl necklace with money my gran left me. I also think of her every time I wear them, and I hope it will be a family heirloom. The only reason I suggest this is because jewelry would last longer in my family than a handbag. I can (hopefully) see it lasting for four or five generations (and interestingly, I have a cameo from my great grandmother that is very precious to me).

      That being said, I truly think the bag is a great idea. And it may be more suited for you personally than any type of jewelry. The number one consideration is to get something that YOU will love and cherish and use frequently — something that will make you smile and think of your mum. That’s more precious than a consideration of whether something will last two or five generations.

      1. i thought about this too, but i have all of my moms jewelry already (in fact, i try to wear one thing every day).

         and fwiw, my dad is taken care of. (he has sufficient funds, but my brother and i are also very involved.) the thought is a good one though.

   8. This is a great idea. Not weird at all.

   9. I’m in a similar situation. My dad was killed, I received a small settlement, and I purchased a Movado Bela watch. I’m thinking about getting it engraved if it doesn’t void the warranty or anything; haven’t looked into it yet. He loved buying his ladies (Mom and daughters) nice things, and bought me a watch a few years before he was killed that I wore for months after the accident. The watch is a fitting remembrance I think.

      I think it’s a nice way to remember someone, and I would have gone the bag route if I didn’t know I get tired of them after 6 months or so.

      Go for it!

   10. Assuming that you’ve paid off your student loans and have no credit card loans, this sounds like a good idea. Otherwise forgo the bag in favor of better financial health, which is not as romantic, but a much better legacy in my opinion.

   11. If you will fondly recall your mother’s memory each time you look at that bag, go for it.
       Of course some people will judge but it is your decision and not their business.
       We tend to always want to do the right, sensible thing but every now and then it’s great to do something “just because”.

4. I helped a former colleague/work friend get a job at the law firm I work at as a legal assistant. She originally loved the job and was so thankful for the help. She has some personal stuff going on (and maybe some mental health stuff) but she recently decided (about a year in) that she can’t take the pressure of the job and is quitting. (For what it is worth, her boss is super nice and not a jerk.) She gave her notice without talking to me and is now avoiding me. I learned from her boss that she is leaving. We still have to work with each other in the meantime but there is just this elephant in the room. I think she is making a huge mistake but it is her life. I wish she had the guts to just say to me “hey, I’m going to be leaving. Just wanted you to know.”

   What should I do? I want to approach her and say “hey, I heard you are leaving” but the fact that she hasn’t brought it up makes me think she can’t (emotionally) talk to me about it. She tends to have difficult conversations via email. Would it be appropriate to just email her and say “hey, I hear you are leaving and I’m sorry to hear that. I figured you don’t want to talk about it but I just want you to know, I’m sad to see you go.”

   She is leaving without another job lined up. I just hate to see her do this to herself when there is unlikely another lower pressure job out there for her.

   1. I’d just say “I heard you’re leaving!” and left it at that. If you “know” about her challenges officially, you might offer your support; otherwise, I’d stay silent. I wouldn’t add the “figured you don’t want to talk about it” – it seems presumptive.

      Also, it seems you’re pretty invested here. . . it’s her life and her choices, and the choice she makes today doesn’t have to be forever (noting it’s tough to get back in).

5. I’ve been in a big lull at work lately, but I found out today I’m going to be staffed on a huge, time-consuming project. Any tips for getting out of my bad internet-surfing and time-wasting habits so I can be really productive? (I know, stop looking at this site, for one!)

   1. This:

      Create a 5×5 List. Every night or every morning (before you turn on your computer), create a list of the top five things you have to do that day. List them in order of priority and then make it your priority to knock them out one by one. You can take breaks in between each item to respond to email, but you can’t go online and check Facebook, Twitter, or Google+ until they are ALL complete. Try this for a month and watch your productivity shoot through the roof.

      From Emily Bennington
      http://emilybennington.com/leadership/8-tips-for-anyone-who-wants-to-take-control-of-their-success/

   2. If there are certain times of day that you tend to slack off, try using Leechblock. I used to really struggle with slacking off in the morning, because I would get into the office and browse the internet while drinking my coffee. Now I save some mindless data entry for first thing in the morning and set Leechblock to block all my typical distractions from 8am to 10am. Once I get going I’m usually all set, but it is those first few hours that are critical to the rest of my day being productive!

      1. I need something like this! I’m going to give Leechblock a try.

      2. I like StayFocusd (Chrome)

6. I like wedges bc I’m on my feet a lot but I don’t like these kind of slingbacks. Once I had some and when the elastic stretched beyond a certain point, the straps fell down and I started stepping out of the shoes. Since then I always get the type of slingbacks with a buckle. Can you go to the shoemaker and just get the elastic replaced or s?

   1. I think so. I had a piece of elastic replaced on a strap once and it did the job. However, the sandal was plain black leather. If you need to match a specific color, it might be a problem.

7. How much should I expect to pay to have jeans hemmed? I just got a pair hemmed, original hem preserved, and it was $25 which seems expensive to me. I know preserving the original hem is more complicated, but I just added 25% to the cost of the jeans!

   1. $25 with the original hem preserved sounds reasonable to me. Normal hemming usually costs me $15-$20.

   2. Depends where you are. In places I’ve lived (DC and Bay Area) it’s typically around $20 with the original hem and $15 without. But I don’t think $25 is out of line if you don’t want to spend the time looking for a cheaper tailor. I get 90% of what I wear tailored, so I’m always looking for value and quality.

8. Has anyone seen ladypockets dot c o m yet? I think the r e t t e demographic will enjoy!

   1. Just took a quick look, and I love it – thanks for the recommendation!

   2. It’s great! It’s also inspiring as well.

   3. Wow, I love this! Thanks for the recommendation.

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