I have not heard of anyone using Pickle crisp in fruits, just pickled vegetables. To me, the taste of it would not be something I would like in fruits. I can taste it, sort of a bitter taste. It does make the pickles crisp, though. From the Ball company on Pickle Crisp: Pickle Crisp is a natural mineral salt that keeps cucumbers and vegetables firm; yields crisp "fresh pack" pickles. Not recommended for "fermented" pickle recipes. This product replaces the need for old-fashioned firming agents but it does not replace "pickling salt" used in pickling liquid recipes. Pickle Crisp is a dry granular product that is added to each jar after vegetables are packed and before the hot pickling liquid is added - before heat processing. Add 3/4 tsp (4 ml) Pickle Crisp to each 500 ml jar; 1 1/2 tsp (7 ml) to each 1 L jar and 2 tsp (10 ml) to each 1.5 L jar of fresh pack pickles. Each 78 g package yields 18 - 1 L jars. Each package contains three 26 g pouches, each yielding six 1 L jars, for a total of 18 1 L jars. Available in stores selling home canning supplies, also available online. Yes, if you use part fruit that is under ripe you will get a firmer gel due to the higher pectin. Here is a description of the different types of fruit spreads: KINDS OF FRUIT PRESERVES -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JELLY: is made from strained fruit juice. The product is clear and firm enough to hold its shape when turned out of the container, yet soft enough to spread. BUTTERS: are made by cooking fruit pulp and sugar until thick enough to spread easily. Spices are added depending on personal taste. The butter needs to be cooked slowly after the sugar is added to prevent scorching. Finer butters can be made by straining the pulp through a food mill and then through a fine-meshed sieve. JAM: is made from crushed or ground fruit and tends to hold its shape but is generally less firm than jelly. Jams are cooked until they round up in a spoon. They should be made in small batches and cooked rapidly until the sugar dissolves. CONSERVES: are jams made from a mixture of fruits, usually including citrus fruit; often raisins and nuts are added. Conserves are cooked until the mixture will round up in a spoon. They should be made in small batches and cooked rapidly. MARMALADE: is a tender jelly with small pieces of fruit or peel distributed evenly throughout. It should be cooked in small batches and brought quickly to the jellying point after the sugar is added. A marmalade commonly contains citrus fruit; part of the white rind should be cooked with the fruit for most of the pectin is found there. PRESERVES: are whole fruits or large pieces of fruit in a thick syrup, often slightly jellied. Preserves should be cooked in small batches in wide pans. If the syrup gets too thick before the fruit is tender and clear, add boiling water. If the fruit is clear and tender but the syrup is too thin, remove the fruit and cook the syrup rapidly to the desired consistency.

I agree that I'd skip regular bread with an asian salad. You can buy the crispy wonton noodles at most grocery stores--saving the mess and time of frying them yourself, although, freshly fried is always nice. Besides making sure peanuts are okay with your guests, you may also want to warn them that the salad has fresh ginger in it--I'm fine with the grated spice, but the fresh? Can't eat even a little bit of it. I do love asian salads, but I get some funny looks from waiters when I order them with honey mustard instead of the usual ginger dressing. Maybe, to be on the safe side, you could serve the dressing 'on the side' and have another option for anyone who prefers to skip the fresh ginger?

I love mashed potatoes! (And it shows) REAL TACO PIE (BS Recipes) 1/4 cup butter 2/3 cup milk 1 package taco seasoning mix - divided 2 1/2 cups mashed potato flakes (you could also use left over mashed potatoes and omit the butter and milk, but add the taco seasoning) 1 pound ground beef 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup salsa 1 cup shredded lettuce 1 medium tomato, chopped 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded Sour cream, optional 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter. Add milk and 2 tablespoon taco seasoning. Remove from heat and add potato flakes until incorporated. Press mixture into the bottom of a 10-inch pan. 2. Bake for 7-10 minutes until it just BARELY turns golden brown. 3. In a medium skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is browned and cooked through. Drain. Add Salsa and remaining taco seasoning. Cook until bubbly. 4. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. 5. Let cool for 5 minutes. Top with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cut and serve with sour cream.

I don't know yet...it's for dinner tonight. I'm a much better cook, so I do most of the cooking even tho I don't get home from work until around 6:30. It's challenging to find things that can be all but ready when I get home. I'll have him take the foil off for the last half hour.