I will relate my experience with my DW bought in 1996 and this current one purchased in 2006. For the previous one Electrasol tabs with jet dry cleaned just fine, but they created a lot of suds. If I opened the door there was at least 1/2 inch of suds on top of the water. I stopped using them and switched to Electrasol powder with chlorine bleach. The manual for my previous DW said not to use Gels or liquids so I never tried those in that machine. I don't care for the scent of Cascade powders so I've tried them but usually won't buy them due to the scents. Anyway the new machines allow you to use tabs or liquids because there are settings for different types of detergents. The machine will adapt its behavior to the settings. If you use a tablet with rinseAid built in it will not dispense rinse aid and it will also adjust the cycle for hard tablets. I have say that on the box of tabs containing Jet Dry it says that you may still need to use a separate rinse aid if your water is hard. I used the the tabs with jet dry which were purchased in 2007 and there were no suds, and use the new red ball tab also without suds. That said I don't think there are any more detergents sold in the USA that contain rinse Aid. The new formulation of Electrasol tabs does not contain jet dry rinse aid, at least not by reading the description on the box. I still have boxes of the old formula and have compared the composition of the tablet as described on the box. The old formula: white layer contains detergent blue layer contains presoakers the little white ball contains Jet Dry rinse agent. The new Red Ball formula: white layer contains detergent the blue layer contains Jet Dry rinse agent action the little red ball contains presoakers. the tab contains etch protector From this I don't think containing Jet dry and having Jet Dry rinse agent action is the same thing. Maybe I am being to critical but the box says "3n1 100% clean plus Jet-Dry shine" I also use Electrasol gel pacs and get very good results. These also have Jet Dry rinse agent action and enzymes in the gel. The only thing about pacs and most tablets is that you cannot control the dosage. I did a dissolve test using a water temp of 104F which is the temp of the short wash. I shook the solution in a bottle which may not be as vigorous as the action inside the DW. I found that: ElectraSol tabs would not dissolve in 104F. Cascade powder would not dissolve in 104F Miele tabs completely dissolved at 104F ElectraSol powder almost completely dissolved at 104F. The manual says not to use tabs with the short wash. So at least with this current model it has sittings for tabs so I guess Miele is saying you can use them. If anyone knows of a detergent that still contains rinse agent I would like to know. It seems that all detergents now contain some form of etch protector and not rinse aid..I wonder if there is something in these new formulations that increases the chances for etching, thus the protection has been included to help mitigate? One last thing. I have used Electrasol powder with chlorine bleach in this machine. I used it in the previous one. It works for normal soil, but it does not always clean stuck on baked on items as well as an enzyme detergent. A few weeks ago I tried Electrasol Gel - also with chlorine bleach. It left a white film covering everything in the DW - don't know why but I am not using it again. So for Gels Cascade Gel and, Electra Sol Gel pacs(no CB) work good in my water conditions. Electra Sol tabs the old and new formulations work well, Miele tabs work well, Cascade action Paks work well. Ecover left grit all over everything including the insides of the machine...NEVER AGAIN. Cascade powder works very well too I just don't like the scent I smell when I dispense it.

I am another who just loves Sharon's Salmon Quiche! Yum! And I adore Deborah's Paella Salad, too! I wouldn't have hurt feelings if someone wasn't too crazy about a recipe I posted as long as they don't "bash" it and just nicely state that it wasn't for them. We all have different tastes as is so obvious by this thread alone! But I do see Sherry's point, too. There are a couple of recipes I've tried that many of you rave about and I just scratch my head and go "huh?", but we'll leave those be. I tried lots of new recipes this year, and just some that made my "keeper" file: Pear & Candied Walnut Salad....Rachel Ray Stuffed Pork Chops...The Neely's Chicken Alfredo Pizza....Cooking Light Great Lakes Salmon Chowder....Midwest Living Magazine Ultimate Shrimp Scampi....from allrecipes Roasted Carrots with Thyme & Garlic....rosemarythyme Capuccino Mousse....Midwest Living Magazine Peppermint Bark....Sharon (Chase) Pork Saltimbocca with Polenta....Cooking Light The only bomb I can remember was a knock off recipe that really tasted nothing like it's namesake, Boston Market Meat Loaf. But I try lots of new things and if we don't like them I simply toss the recipe so I don't remember most of the others. Linda

Joe, I have no idea what makes it "Cuban" but it sounds so good, I don't care LOL! And ghohunter, great explanation about the Opera Cake - I love it! I am attachingthe link to the original recipe for anyone that is interested...... Here is a link that might be useful: Cuban Opera Cake

More for your perusal: CRANBERRY COFFEECAKE 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. almond extract 2 cups flour 3 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup sour cream 1 can (8 oz.) whole cranberry sauce 1/2 cup chopped nuts Glaze: 1 cup confectioners sugar 2 Tblsp. milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla Heat oven to 350° F. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan. In large mixing bowl, cream butter. Gradually add sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well. Mix in almond extract. Stir in flour alternately with sour cream. Pour batter into prepared pan. Spoon cranberry sauce evenly over batter; spread slightly, but do not try to cover batter. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cake pulls slightly away from sides of pan. Drizzle with Glaze. Serve warm. Glaze: Combine all ingredients and stir until smooth. CREAM CHEESE & STRAWBERRY COFFEE CAKE 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup seedless strawberry preserves Sifted powdered sugar In a large mixing bowl beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, and butter or margarine with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add half of the flour, the eggs, milk, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat for about 2 minutes or until well mixed. Beat in remaining flour on low speed until well mixed. Spread batter evenly in a greased and floured 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Spoon preserves in 8 to 10 portions on top of batter. With a knife, swirl preserves into batter to marble. Bake in a 350° F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool slightly on a wire rack. Sift powdered sugar on top. Cut into squares; serve warm. Garnish with fresh mint and strawberries if desired. Makes 12 servings. KILLARNEY CAKE 1/2 cup butter or other shortening 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 cup sour cream 1 tsp. vanilla Topping: 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 Tblsp. cinnamon 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup chopped nuts Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease and flour a 9 x 13 baking pan. Cream sugar and butter. Alternately add eggs and flour with dry ingredients and sour cream. Add vanilla (batter will be thick). Spread half of batter in bottom of pan. Sprinkle with half of topping. Spread other half of batter and sprinkle remaining topping over the top. Bake for 30 minutes. YEASTED CAKE MIX COFFEE CAKE 1 pkg. (18.25 oz.) yellow cake mix, divided 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 pkg. Active dry yeast 2/3 cup warm water (120° to 130° F.) 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 can (21 oz.) fruit pie filling of your choice 1/3 cup cold butter Glaze: 1 cup confectioners sugar 1 Tblsp. Corn syrup 1 to 2 Tblsp. Water In a large mixing bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups dry cake mix, flour, yeast, and water until smooth. Stir in eggs until blended. Transfer to a greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking dish. Carefully spoon pie filling over top. Place remaining cake mix in a bowl; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350° F. for 35 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over coffee cake. Yield: 12-16 servings.