Here's one for you all. I need recommendations for a new dishwasher soap. My water glasses seem to come out with a translucent film on them no matter what I try. I don't think my water is particularly hard or mineral-y. I've used Palmolive Eco, and Method Smarty Dish, both with and without Jet Dry. Thoughts?

Mrs. Meyer's clean day liquid dishwasher detergent in lemon verbena. It makes your whole kitchen smell great.

I want to tackle braised short ribs this winter-but I need a dutch oven. I don't want to buy an expensive one and I've checked places like Homegoods, with no luck-I'm considering the Martha Stewart Dutch Oven at Macy's. Any thoughts?

I got the Martha Stewart Dutch Oven for Christmas and I love it. Very heavy duty and works great. I made beef bourguignon in it the other night and it came out fabulously.

i cook short ribs in the slow cooker and they come out wonderful. Give it a try if yo have a slow cooker.

my main goal this winter is to eat lighter... less meat and more veggies and grains. i've been making more vegetarian meals and experimenting with all different veggies. Brussel sprouts have turned into a HUGE family favorite! Roasted in the oven with garlic, evoo, salt and pepper and then tossed with some brown rice, parsley, lemon zest and juice... YUM!

i'm roasting beets tonight...wish me luck

@lasiciliana i looooooove roasted beets. nature's candy!

I have the Mario Batali 4qt one and I love it. Target also has Dutch ovens that get good reviews from Cooks Illustrated and they are producing a Giada DeLaurentis line that looks really nice. I've heard that thrift shops, garage and estate sales are great places to pick up an inexpensive Le Creuset and TJ Maxx often has clearance of them. Good luck.

I don't have a dutch oven either! BUT, I have cheated in the past using one of my IKEA 365 stock pots. The 11qt one is too tall to go in the oven, but my 5 qt one fits nicely and is just big enough for a whole chicken or other cuts. I've only used it once to do Jamie Oliver's Chicken in Milk, but it worked perfectly!

The 365 stock pots are all-metal, even the handles, have a thick, heavy bottom that I love, and have steam vents on the all-metal lids. They are stainless steel and only $30-40. Such a steal! I use mine all the time, but mostly for stovetop cooking. I'm going to use it again next time I want to roast chicken, though. Sooo good!

This is perfect. I just wrote about a winter salad I made with leftover grilled calamari from Restaurant Week dinner. I combined the grilled calamari with black beans, mixed greens, orange segments and red onions. YUM.

Click here for photos :)

I have the Chefmate Dutch Oven from Target - it's my go-to pot. At $40, it was a deal. Not sure they still sell them.

Speaking of Mrs. Meyer's, I noticed my local Marshalls and TJ Maxx selling wipes and dishwashing liquid -- but in Geranium and Baby Blossom scents only. I got some of the Iowa Pine scented products at Target over the holidays, and really like the counter spray.

I recently got the Martha Stewart 5.5 qt dutch oven and I love it. It was on sale, too! Hopefully, it still is...

I'm going to make Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic in my dutch oven this weekend (for friends). Any tips on making it perfectly delicious? (btw, I can't do the J Oliver recipe b/c I have a friend with lactose issues).

elizsn, if you can find it, Glass Magic is awesome at removing that film that the dishsoap leaves behind. It's found near the dishwasher soap at the grocery store. Just throw some in the bottom of your dishwasher along with your usual soap. Squeaky clean and no film every time.

We found out about it when we lived in an apartment with very hard water. Works like a charm.

I just posted on an Indian snack food that combines, yogurt, chickpeas, potato, tamarind and coriander chutney, cilantro and onions. I don't know if I would call it a salad, but its definitely refreshing and healthy. enjoy!

http://www.abcdsofcooking.blogspot.com/

Thank you SO very much on the recommendations for Dutch ovens!!!!

I've been price shopping and review-reading.:)

I got my kitchenaid dutch oven at costco and I love it, I use it all the time.

anyone know what to do with porcini flavored salt? i got some for christmas. i'm mostly a vegetarian, so no meat ideas please!

I am on a mission to eat lighter, healthier, and get some time in to maintain a steady exercise habit - lofty, I know. I have recently rediscovered my 2-decker bamboo steamer and love how quick and simple it is to create healthy complete meals. I have mastered a good garlicky ginger flounder and greens... any inspired bamboo steamer meal ideas out there?

Any good recipes that include anise seed? I bought a jar on a whim and am trying to figure out how to best use it.

I have a Martha Stewart dutch oven and I love it! I've used it about once a month for 2 years and its holding up great.