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Non Smiley Smile Stuff => The Sandbox => Topic started by: undercover-m on May 09, 2016, 07:09:27 PM



Title: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on May 09, 2016, 07:09:27 PM
Inspired by that other thread.

I don't feel like being in my apartment (because sometimes I'm just unsocial + roommates can be frustrating). So instead of cooking in my apartment, I'm sitting in a coffee shop eating this vegan wrap that had tofu and cabbage and pretty decent peanut sauce, plus drinking a latte.

On a regular basis I eat a lot of bread, avocados, omelettes, and stir-fry. I mostly cook for myself because cooking is fun and a good skill to have.
Baking your own bread is fun. I made a really good loaf once and I can kind of do it sometimes, but lately it's been meh. I think I need to let the dough rise more.

Also feel free to post your favorite recipes here. I'll post the bread one that I use.
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/no-knead-crusty-white-bread-recipe


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on May 10, 2016, 03:12:29 AM
Nice to see this thread up and running. Good call, u-m.

I don't think I've ever made bread. Lasagna is my speciality. This is lifted from "my" other forum: 


Lasagna alla Giovanni K

Ingredients (for two big eaters)

At least one packet of lasagna (not the green stuff)
5 oz. grated cheese (flakes of parmesan as an alternative)
11 oz. mincemeat
5 oz. chopped bacon
self-raising flour
3 onions chopped small
3 cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 small (thumb-length) tin of tomato paste (they call it puree over here)
wine to fill the empty paste tin
3 or 4 chopped celery stalks
16-24 oz. deep-frozen spinach
milk
margerine (or something resembling it; I never use olive oil for lasagna)
pepper
salt
papripa powder
nutmeg

Instructions

Preheat oven at 180 degrees Celsius.

Grease largish oven dish thoroughly, especially the bottom (inside).

Melt spinach on a very low gas.

Heat margerine in frying pan. Throw in finely chopped garlic and then onions. When fairly brown add mincemeat seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika powder and a dash of nutmeg and fry for 5-10 minutes. Add bacon and chopped celery. Fry for a further 5-10 minutes, stirring as you go. When all this looks good, add tomato paste and wine in paste tin. Stir well and put on low gas.

Heat margerine/whatever in small pan, stirring in flour to thicken and then milk bit by bit. You should make enough sauce to cover three layers in the dish. When almost ready add a knob of butter and a generous sprinkling of nutmeg to taste.

When the frozen spinach is melted and warm, drain thoroughly in a sieve, add to the contents of the frying pan and mix well.

Now, fill up the dish with three sets of alternate horizontal layers of lasagna (break to cover entire surface), the spinach/fried mixture and the sauce (this should be the last layer). If in doubt, cover just the central area of the two lower layers with sauce so as to have enough left to cover the entire top layer.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top and consign to the oven for about 30 minutes or when the cheese is melted and nicely brown.

Enjoy!

Recommended beverage: white wine

I can't be precise about the quantities of milk, margerine and flour, basically because I don't know what they are. This began as a standard recipe and evolved along the way, the way recipes do. So will yours. Good luck!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Amanda Hart on May 10, 2016, 09:20:38 AM
From scratch bread and lasagna? Now you're in my wheelhouse!

I do nearly all my cooking from scratch, including breads and pasta. My whole wheat brioche buns are becoming a weekly thing now, and I've got it consistent and efficient now - for any bread making it just takes a lot of trial and error, getting a feel for the dough, knowing when it's the right amount of wet/sticky. Rise time is a critical part of that, for sure, Undercover. Based on that recipe, I know at least with the humidity in my kitchen, I would need much longer than 90 minutes for the second rise if the dough has been refrigerated. If you have the time and don't need to mi your dough ahead of time, I wouldn't refrigerate it. For my brioche breads, I give them a first rise of about 2 hours some place warm, then shape it into buns, rolls or just in a loaf pan, and let them rise again for just over an hour. Then, egg wash and bake. Another bready recipe I love and that goes over great at parties are garlic knots.

For my lasagna, I make my pasta from a combo of unbleached AP and whole wheat flour. Once you eat fresh lasagna noodles, you'll never go back to the box. I have the pasta roller attachment for my Kitchen Aid and I roll my dough after it's rested as thin as possible and cut it by hand. Then, blanch it, stick it in an ice bath to stop cooking, and rinse it in cold water to wash off the excess starch. It sounds like a lot of work, but it actually goes really fast, plus I think it's fun and rewarding. Then I layer it with my bolognese, and the most important ingredient that I'm shocked isn't in your recipe John K - fresh ricotta. Again, fresh makes a huge difference. I get it hand dipped from a cheese monger, but if you have to get the kind in the tub, do yourself a favor and hang it in a cheese cloth while everything else cook to get the excess moisture out of it. Then, once everything is layered together, it only needs to back for about 15 minutes. So incredibly good.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on May 10, 2016, 12:42:51 PM
We had lunch at our local, restored to its 1930s glory, municipal airport. Had a bowl of chicken and sausage gumbo with a side salad, while watching the planes and occasional corporate jets take off/land.

Have been watching a cooking program hosted by Annabel Langbein that's quite enjoyable, so was tickled pink to see that her cookbook, Free Range Chef- Simple Pleadures, arrived in the post today. Her recipes look wonderful, healthy, with easy to procure ingredients. Will be trying these out.

We have an Eat Local challenge going on; over the next month participants will try to, as much as possible, eat only what was produced within 200 miles or so. Not too difficult - to be completely faithful, however, would have to not eat most grains except rice and corn, as wheat, oats, rye etc aren't grown around here.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on May 10, 2016, 01:08:12 PM
For my lasagna, I make my pasta from a combo of unbleached AP and whole wheat flour. Once you eat fresh lasagna noodles, you'll never go back to the box. I have the pasta roller attachment for my Kitchen Aid and I roll my dough after it's rested as thin as possible and cut it by hand. Then, blanch it, stick it in an ice bath to stop cooking, and rinse it in cold water to wash off the excess starch. It sounds like a lot of work, but it actually goes really fast, plus I think it's fun and rewarding. Then I layer it with my bolognese, and the most important ingredient that I'm shocked isn't in your recipe John K - fresh ricotta. Again, fresh makes a huge difference. I get it hand dipped from a cheese monger, but if you have to get the kind in the tub, do yourself a favor and hang it in a cheese cloth while everything else cook to get the excess moisture out of it. Then, once everything is layered together, it only needs to back for about 15 minutes. So incredibly good.

Yours sounds scrumptious, Amanda. Don't be shocked. I get the impression that there are as many recipes for lasagna as there are lasagna cooks. My extended family swears by my lasagna. I'm sure eaters of your lasagna feel the same way. What a dish!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Amy B. on May 11, 2016, 06:39:07 AM
Not today, but yesterday: Cauliflower risotto. I'm not low carb or whatever, but I was looking for something different. I got a recipe off the Internet and then modified it.
I sauteed garlic and thyme in olive oil (wish I had shallots too, but I didn't), then added white beans and chicken broth. Then added cauliflower I had chopped and run through the food processor. Added artichoke hearts because I had them. Then I added salt and a bunch of parmesan cheese. Pretty easy, and it tasted good too.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Amanda Hart on May 11, 2016, 09:08:41 AM
Yours sounds scrumptious, Amanda. Don't be shocked. I get the impression that there are as many recipes for lasagna as there are lasagna cooks. My extended family swears by my lasagna. I'm sure eaters of your lasagna feel the same way. What a dish!

You're in the UK, right? That might be the difference - in America I don't think I've ever seen a lasagna without ricotta. For anyone interested in Italian cooking, pick up Marcella Hazan's Essentials of Italian Cooking. It's not just a cookbook - it does have recipes - but there is a lot of valuable information about techniques and food background. One of the things she covers is how different western countries interpret Italian food, and there is a pretty big difference between American Italian food and English Italian food.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on May 11, 2016, 10:17:03 AM
Yours sounds scrumptious, Amanda. Don't be shocked. I get the impression that there are as many recipes for lasagna as there are lasagna cooks. My extended family swears by my lasagna. I'm sure eaters of your lasagna feel the same way. What a dish!

You're in the UK, right? That might be the difference - in America I don't think I've ever seen a lasagna without ricotta.

I'm a Brit living in the Netherlands. I took a Dutch recipe for lasagna and ran with it, you might say. Not a smidgeon of ricotta in sight... :=)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: alf wiedersehen on May 18, 2016, 08:29:22 PM
I made some penne arrabiata for dinner. I wish to do more pasta cooking.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Amanda Hart on May 19, 2016, 12:30:01 PM
I've got a pork butt in the crock pot right now that I'll turn into pulled pork sandwiches for dinner tonight


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on May 19, 2016, 03:41:58 PM
My CSA had burdock this week, which I've never prepared or eaten. In fact, while I'd heard of it, I couldn't have told you what it was (beyond "food") until I got the pre-pickup email yesterday. So while I have no idea yet what I'll do with it, I do look forward to figuring something out.

Re the previous discussion about lasagna and ricotta, purists may be amused (or horrified) with this tidbit: in rural Minnesota some 30 years ago, people used cottage cheese where most people would use ricotta. Hamburger, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, noodles, a little cheese on top, and that's about it. There's something fabulously awful about Midwestern American food from, say, postwar to the past 15 years or so. I've gone through my parents' and grandparents' old church cookbooks, where congregants would submit recipes. Everything was combinations of canned veggies, canned soups, hamburger...that's almost it. Spices? Herbs? Fresh ingredients? Not often.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Emily on May 19, 2016, 04:51:13 PM
Inspired by the condiments thread, I bought some white bread for the first time in about a decade and had yum a cheddar mayo and tomato sandwich.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Rob Dean on May 19, 2016, 05:35:26 PM
Well, a fucking great big breakfast (too much) in Cardiff this morning after seeing Brian & Co last night - Great gig and superb munch in the morning  :lol


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on May 29, 2016, 04:22:17 AM
Very simple recipe of egg-free biscuits:

butter - half bricket
sugar (big/tiny) - 3-4 table spoons
rye flour - 3 cups
baking powder/lemon juice-apple vinegar w/soda
cinnamon, vanilla, coconut flakes etc. - optional
Milk - a little, 100 ml

Stir butter, add sugar, mix. Sift flour 1 cup, mix. Then the next. When adding the last cup, it's time for soda w/ vinegar. Mix for 10m. Then pour milk to glue it as before it was kinda dry. If you add much milk, sift a little flour. Beat the dough with rolling pin, make it flat about 1 cm. Take a glass to get round shaped biscuits. Prepare stove. I usually bake in a wonder oven. It's vintage Soviet cooking device:  (http://tdbt.ru/published/publicdata/TDBTDB2/attachments/SC/products_pictures/chudo_pech2_enl.jpg)

paper and stuff isn't required, you just put them. In 30m the 1st batch is ready. Next batch will be in 20-22 etc.

NB: once I filled them with coconut flakes but they weren't as delicious as "Raffaello" at the end. I couldn't spot the flakes. Drat.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on June 23, 2016, 04:05:32 AM
Chocolate
In the cup mix 100 g of cocoa with sugar powder (2 table sp.). Boil the water (half cup). Add to the mix. Leave in the fridge for hour. Enjoy.

NB: you can replace water with butter/margerine.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on June 23, 2016, 06:13:45 AM
My CSA had burdock this week, which I've never prepared or eaten. In fact, while I'd heard of it, I couldn't have told you what it was (beyond "food") until I got the pre-pickup email yesterday. So while I have no idea yet what I'll do with it, I do look forward to figuring something out.

When I lived in the UK we had this weird soft drink called Dandelion & Burdock:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion_and_burdock

I remember it tasted unspeakably evil.

Anyway, good luck with the recipe. :lol


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: The Shift on June 25, 2016, 12:21:30 AM
My CSA had burdock this week, which I've never prepared or eaten. In fact, while I'd heard of it, I couldn't have told you what it was (beyond "food") until I got the pre-pickup email yesterday. So while I have no idea yet what I'll do with it, I do look forward to figuring something out.

When I lived in the UK we had this weird soft drink called Dandelion & Burdock:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion_and_burdock

I remember it tasted unspeakably evil.

Anyway, good luck with the recipe. :lol

Now now, John, Dandelion & Burdock is the north's equivalent of Coca Cola. It is to us what Irn Bru is to Scotland, what Coke is to the US, or what Buckfast is to Glasgow! Made properly, fermented with natural ingredients (like dandelion, and burdock) it's a very ancient drink. And it's delicious!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on June 25, 2016, 09:00:17 AM
Now now, John, Dandelion & Burdock is the north's equivalent of Coca Cola. It is to us what Irn Bru is to Scotland, what Coke is to the US, or what Buckfast is to Glasgow! Made properly, fermented with natural ingredients (like dandelion, and burdock) it's a very ancient drink. And it's delicious!

Ha. I think the key words here may be "made properly"l I remember the stuff I tried was an alternative to Tizer (the appetizer). And this was in the south. ;D

I read all about it (shortly before you posted) and felt a bit foolish. Anyway, next time I'm up north I shall make a point of trying it again.   


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on June 30, 2016, 06:46:11 PM
Having gone to the local Farmer's Market, I decided to make a popular local dish using the ingredients purchased. The dish is called maque choux. This is a dish made with sweet corn (maize) plus other vegetables. Sometimes seafood such as crawfish is added, or perhaps sausage (which is how my sister makes it). However, it does not contain beans, as that would make it another popular American dish, succotash.

This was just for my Mom and myself.  Adjust amounts and ingredients at will!

Shuck 2 ears of corn. Using knife, cut off kernels. With other side of knife press hard while moving down each ear to get out any "milk" in the corn. If corn is old or you are using frozen corn, some broth or cream can be added.
Peel and dice a tomato.
Dice a pepper (I used a sweet banana pepper)
Add chopped onions; I used a heaping handful.
Add some garlic
A bit of black pepper
Teaspoon of sugar
(I didn't add these since my Mom is on a special diet, but can add some salt to taste. Also, a bit of hot sauce is also traditionally used.)

Put a bit of oil in a pan. When heated put in ingredients and stir so that the mixture has coating of oil. Cover and cook on medium to medium low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Might have to add a bit of liquid.
Mom loved it, so it was a success.

After this, after reading about succotash, looked at the video for Deee-Lites "Groove is in the Heart" which I haven't seen in over 20 years. Watched it because the word "succotash" is in the lyrics

Those not in the US might not be familiar with the words maque choux or succotash. Do you use sweet corn in this way?

PS: Will be giving a Dandelion and Burdock a try, as it looks to be available here. Must expand my horizons !  :)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on July 04, 2016, 07:26:16 AM
Remembered these very useful links from watching the Learning Station dance vids:

Korean cuisine: https://www.youtube.com/user/Maangchi
South Asian: https://www.youtube.com/user/ShowMeTheCurry
Desserts: https://www.youtube.com/user/CupcakesandCardio  (lots of playlists, incl. "Food impostors" & "Cake decorating")
Cooking & Crafting: https://www.youtube.com/user/CookingAndCrafting


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on July 12, 2016, 01:11:07 PM
I had my first helping of haggis last week. And very tasty it was too.

Another delicious first while in Scotland was Irn Bru, the drink John Manning described as the Scottish Coca-Cola. Far superior to Coke in my opinion. Never found Dandelion & Burdock though. Oh well---another time perhaps. 


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on July 12, 2016, 04:30:07 PM
Hi all, john.

Just googled that food, haggis - the pictures do not look as if it's tasty. Anything with Cola flavor is boring. Imo of course.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on July 12, 2016, 08:16:46 PM
Ate haggis once, in Scotland. Wasn't nearly as bad as I feared it to be.

Still trying to find the dandelion and burdock cola. Did buy some "Curiosity Cola" from Fentiman's. The taste was - interesting. Definitely different from the colas made in the US.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on July 28, 2016, 06:22:03 PM
Mom wanted to eat cabbage. I usually don't fix cabbage this time of year (except for cole slaw), usually waiting for Oktoberfest season and beyond.
Anyway, I bought a small cabbage and fixed it tonight. This makes a "one pot" meal.
In a cast iron Dutch oven, sauté a fair amount of diced onions, two diced celery sticks, and 2 chopped carrots.
After a few minutes add small red potatoes (known as "new potatoes") which had been quartered.
Then a container of chicken stock.
Sliced Polish sausage (wanted Bratwurst but store didn't have it). But this sausage worked well, smoked but not particularly spicy (Mom has trouble with really spicy foods)
Finally, shredded cabbage is added. Let it come to a full boil then cover and reduce heat to medium/low. I let it cook for about 45 minutes.
Took care of some chores then relaxed and listened to, of course, "Vege-tables."
Then removed lid from pot, added 1/8 tsp of anise seed (could also use fennel seed). Turn heat up for a few minutes and stir everything making sure the essence of the anise seed permeates everything.
It was delicious as is. Could add pepper if desired, or more salt.
Other times of year might use apples, or add some cream. When I do those the fennel/anise seed isn't added.
I'll be eating cabbage leftovers for the next few days.

On Saturday hope to make blueberry jam with honey and lavender.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on August 02, 2016, 10:48:05 PM
I started this thread and never really followed up with it :P.

I ate a banh mi sandwich today, and it was great. I sort of panini'd it to make it better.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on August 11, 2016, 10:52:21 AM
Yessss!!!!! This evening I excelled myself with baked spuds, leeks and blue cheese sauce in vast quantities!!!!!

For those who don't know what blue cheese sauce looks like, here it is:

(http://whatscookingamerica.net/Sauces_Condiments/GarlicSauce.jpg)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on August 20, 2016, 12:23:13 AM
Do you eat "blue cheese" at breakfast, dinner & supper? There is evidence you like it that you posted in many subforums that food. f.ex. general music. pictures show it's very bad.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on August 20, 2016, 02:42:29 AM
Do you eat "blue cheese" at breakfast, dinner & supper?

Yes and in the mid morning we take our coffee with a massive chunk of Blue Stilton. Yummy!

(https://www.lewisandcooper.co.uk/theme/images/stilton500.jpg)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on August 22, 2016, 06:13:01 AM
You've got unusual taste in food. usually, people think it's inedible to eat blue cheese due to molds.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on August 22, 2016, 06:32:58 AM
You've got unusual taste in food. usually, people think it's inedible to eat blue cheese due to molds.

If there's a problem at all with blue cheese, it's flatulence. But that's alright with me.   


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on August 22, 2016, 07:42:16 AM
I'm not interested in aftermath, it's just it's very uncharacteristic for people to taste food with mold, in this case cheese, & like it too much that it's "yummy".


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: KDS on August 22, 2016, 07:47:22 AM
You've got unusual taste in food. usually, people think it's inedible to eat blue cheese due to molds.

Personally, I think blue cheese is disgusting, but my wife loves it. 


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on August 22, 2016, 09:03:35 AM
I'm about to go to the store to get some milk and cream for my Mom.
With all this cheese talk will pick up a package of our local Creole Cream Cheese. It's usually mixed with sugar and fruit. Creole cream cheese ice cream is also popular. Or, for a savory change, spread some over slices of ripe tomato and top with pepper.

This cheese is very easy to make - just need skim milk, buttermilk, rennet, and cheesecloth. The curds are used for the cream cheese and the whey can be used for ricotta cheese.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on August 22, 2016, 10:04:42 AM
I'm not interested in aftermath

I should hope not.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on August 22, 2016, 10:05:26 AM
I'm about to go to the store to get some milk and cream for my Mom.
With all this cheese talk will pick up a package of our local Creole Cream Cheese. It's usually mixed with sugar and fruit. Creole cream cheese ice cream is also popular. Or, for a savory change, spread some over slices of ripe tomato and top with pepper.

This cheese is very easy to make - just need skim milk, buttermilk, rennet, and cheesecloth. The curds are used for the cream cheese and the whey can be used for ricotta cheese.

Sounds great, Elizabeth. Enjoy!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on September 14, 2016, 09:32:15 AM
There's been a brouhaha down here concerning a video Disney posted on FB yesterday, supposedly a recipe for "gumbo."
They tried to make it "healthy", using whole wheat flour, etc.
Then they added crushed bay leaves. What? Bay leaves are what you put in, whole, because you have to take them out or you can get quite sick.
Then kale!
Then, the horror, Quinoa!

This abomination was not gumbo. Everyone knows that to make a real gumbo, one must make a roux (pronounced "roo") first. A roux is an equal mixture of flour (white flour, whole wheat flour doesn't work!) and oil/butter. The fat is heated then the flour added gradually, then stirred until the color desired (a medium to dark brown). this can take 10-15 minutes to do. What this video showed was adding some whole wheat flour to other ingredients.
And serving the "gumbo" with quinoa - oh, the horror! Only rice will do!

People down here have been doing videos making fun of this video, and Disney took it off FB.

Here's a video on how "NOT" to make gumbo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9cAqYa8Izw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9cAqYa8Izw)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on September 14, 2016, 07:59:29 PM
Made some delicious french toast the other day.

We're gonna make some french toast kebabs one of these days... bites of french toast layered with stuff like eggs, hash browns... dip the bits in real maple syrup... it's gonna be exciting.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on September 17, 2016, 07:19:56 AM
Something i make for my  :smokin friends

Vanilla ice cream 2 half gallon(any brand)
Box of oreos crushed
4/8 vanilla pudding cups
Cool whip or equivalent knockoff

Mix all together makes for a great but sugary snack kinda lke dirt pudding but tweaked some


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on September 17, 2016, 07:21:43 AM
Made some delicious french toast the other day.

We're gonna make some french toast kebabs one of these days... bites of french toast layered with stuff like eggs, hash browns... dip the bits in real maple syrup... it's gonna be exciting.

Folks around here would LOVE the french toast kabobs with maple syrup... Theres a Maple festival every year in chardon where my bro lives


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on September 20, 2016, 06:24:33 PM
Happily still warm enough here to keep harvesting jalapenos and tomatoes, both of which I used in some beans for burritos. Also pulled some savory, oregano, lemon thyme, and parsley in there.

Fingers crossed that warm temps linger until the dozen or so tomatoes and maybe two dozen jalapeno and cayenne peppers ripen. Or at least get to the point that, if necessary, I can pick them and let them ripen inside.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on September 23, 2016, 03:26:17 PM
If I may say what I will (or plan to) eat tomorrow...

I plan to roast diced celeriac, onion, and (honeycrisp) apple with some garlic, adding some diced bacon and garlic in the final minutes, and then toss them in (real) maple syrup.

There's also some sugar dumpling squash on the counter that I need to use this weekend. It's not impossible that I dice that up and add to the aforementioned. Or maybe I'll stuff them with peppers and rice. I'm pretty excited about them, though.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Scaroline No on September 23, 2016, 03:36:04 PM
Standing in line to get into a comedy festival show eating free sushi and drinking super expensive beer.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on September 23, 2016, 09:10:24 PM
Leftover macadamia nut + coconut flake pancakes;
Veggie sausage + basil omelette;
& phad thai (delivered).


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Jay on September 23, 2016, 10:18:32 PM
Spanish rice.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on September 25, 2016, 06:01:24 PM
Pizza made on black pepper focaccia for lunch. & Burger King for dinner


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on September 25, 2016, 06:16:05 PM
There's also some sugar dumpling squash on the counter that I need to use this weekend. It's not impossible that I dice that up and add to the aforementioned. Or maybe I'll stuff them with peppers and rice. I'm pretty excited about them, though.

I hadn't heard of that type of squash before. Read about it and it sounds wonderful, small, and great for stuffing.
Don't recall seeing this at our local farmers market
Will see about getting some seeds.

This thread is fun!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on September 26, 2016, 05:50:02 AM
There's also some sugar dumpling squash on the counter that I need to use this weekend. It's not impossible that I dice that up and add to the aforementioned. Or maybe I'll stuff them with peppers and rice. I'm pretty excited about them, though.

I hadn't heard of that type of squash before. Read about it and it sounds wonderful, small, and great for stuffing.
Don't recall seeing this at our local farmers market
Will see about getting some seeds.

This thread is fun!
it was delicious. I only heard of it & got through my CSA.

I mixed my two ideas and diced the squash and added it to the other idea: celeriac, Apple, bacon, maple. A little cumin, cinnamon and nutmeg, a little chile diced in there. My oh my...


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on September 27, 2016, 04:40:07 PM
I'll come clean: I'm a beans and rice kind of person. There is glory in a one-pot meal, for one thing, be it casserole, stew, or whatever. But there is something about the flexibility of beans and rice that I just love. Anyone else? (I mean, judging by names, how could NOLA BB Fan not be on board?)

So tonight I'm doing a beans and rice dish with brown rice and kidney beans, plus chicken, onion, garlic, yellow and orange peppers, red and green jalapeno peppers, diced tomatoes, oregano, and savory, plus chicken stock and a spice mix of paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, coriander, and S&P. I wish I had fresh sweet corn but the season is passed. I might add some frozen corn toward the end.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on September 27, 2016, 04:52:14 PM
That dish you have planned for tonight sounds heavenly!

Oh yes, beans and rice. Red (kidney) beans, navy beans, large butter beans are my favorites.
Like all other beans, except lima beans.

Louis Armstrong ended his letters with the following:
"Red beans and ricely yours"


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 06, 2016, 04:42:05 PM
Squashes, squashes, so many squashes.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 09, 2016, 07:05:36 AM
Squashes, squashes, so many squashes.

And so I made soup of them. I roasted a few different types: kabocha, butternut, and sugar dumpling. Added the flesh to already sweated onion, garlic, and a diced cayenne pepper. Seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and coriander (and S&P), and added chicken stock. Threw in a few thyme sprigs and some sage. Once it was done, I blended it and added maybe a half-cup of half and half. I had some last night with warm homemade light rye bread and froze the rest. (Frozen soups are my go-to work-lunch option, as no work whatsoever is required in preparation.)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on October 10, 2016, 03:33:59 PM
Squashes, squashes, so many squashes.
Where do you buy squashes from? Farmers markets? Grow them yourself?


I'm currently eating a tuna sandwich with mayo and mustard, and I'm enjoying myself.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 10, 2016, 04:21:15 PM
I'm in a CSA, so I get what they bring. And that tends to include a lot of different types of squash, not just the butternut and acorn you most often see in grocery stores.

The good part is fresh, organic, and amazing vegetables, many of which are varieties you don't see on a regular basis in stores, and sometimes things I'd never even heard of. The bad part is that sometimes you get more than you want of something and struggle to think of uses. (Ahem, edamame. Nettles. Sweet mini peppers. All great, but seriously, there is a limit to what a guy can use.)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 13, 2016, 03:33:17 PM
Tonight I'm going to try to make aloo chana (potatoes and chickpeas), having had a version from an Indian restaurant the other day that knocked me out and wanting to mimic it. I'm moderately confident. What I expect the most trouble with is the sauce, which in the restaurant version was a thick, almost (but not quite) paste of a sauce, or a gravy, a deep brown color, spicy and fragrant as you'd expect. I think I'm going to start from the aromatics and spices, but once they're sauteed, I am going to puree them. I haven't seen that in recipes but I know the version I had, there was nothing identifiable in chunks other than potato, chickpea, and a few bits of tomato. The rest was either so finely diced that it more or less melted away, or had been pureed.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on October 13, 2016, 07:10:51 PM
Folks abroad seem to be very into vegetables & herbs. Much of the titles is new to me. Today's menu - frozen chicken hearts. To extend 780 g for weeks, I boiled 50 gram with half-glass of rice. This I divide to eat for dinner & supper. At breakfast, 2 squares of chocolate with orange fresh.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on October 13, 2016, 07:33:44 PM
Do you cook any seasonings with your chicken hearts?

When I think of chicken hearts it reminds me of a funny routine by the now disgraced comic Bill Cosby. It's about a giant chicken heart that's going around attacking people (not really happening - it's a radio program) and the little boy takes it seriously and tries to protect his house, in the process causing much more damage than that chicken heart would have done.

And chocolate for breakfast with an orange - will have to try that. Tired of my breakfast, cereal with milk or yogurt, and a banana.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on October 14, 2016, 12:51:45 AM
Quote
Do you cook any seasonings with your chicken hearts?
Yes, bay leaves (very popular in Russia) & smidgen of salt.
NB: liked the Louis Armstrong bit, did he really sign his letters with "ricely yours"? A bit funny.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on October 24, 2016, 06:36:18 AM
My CSA had burdock this week, which I've never prepared or eaten. In fact, while I'd heard of it, I couldn't have told you what it was (beyond "food") until I got the pre-pickup email yesterday. So while I have no idea yet what I'll do with it, I do look forward to figuring something out.

When I lived in the UK we had this weird soft drink called Dandelion & Burdock:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelion_and_burdock

I remember it tasted unspeakably evil.

Anyway, good luck with the recipe. :lol

Now now, John, Dandelion & Burdock is the north's equivalent of Coca Cola. It is to us what Irn Bru is to Scotland, what Coke is to the US, or what Buckfast is to Glasgow! Made properly, fermented with natural ingredients (like dandelion, and burdock) it's a very ancient drink. And it's delicious!

Well, sir, I got as far as seeing someone else order this purplish can of D&B when briefly in Whitby last week. But I'd already ordered a beer so what can one do? :lol

I'm bound to be back in due course (a truly brilliant part of the world) so I'll do my best to remember to have one then----promise!   


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on October 27, 2016, 08:45:19 AM
Last Saturday, I bought some kind of magical tomatoes at the farmer's market and made the best pasta sauce ever with Bubbly Waves.

There was also Trader Joe's tortellini and Field Roast vegetarian sausage (I don't eat meat) thrown in there. But really, I just want those tomatoes again.

We've also made some sourdough bread bowls with clam chowder inside. Both of those were store-bought, although it's been awhile since I've baked my own bread, and I've yet to make my own sourdough.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on October 27, 2016, 08:47:46 AM
I'm in a CSA, so I get what they bring. And that tends to include a lot of different types of squash, not just the butternut and acorn you most often see in grocery stores.
My university actually has their own CSA, amongst others in the region. It's a good idea that I've been meaning to get into... local produce at a fairly decent price as far as I can tell.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 27, 2016, 03:17:26 PM
I'm in a CSA, so I get what they bring. And that tends to include a lot of different types of squash, not just the butternut and acorn you most often see in grocery stores.
My university actually has their own CSA, amongst others in the region. It's a good idea that I've been meaning to get into... local produce at a fairly decent price as far as I can tell.

I've been a very big fan of the one I'm in: I think this is year four or so. Do your homework up-front to make sure you're getting things you'll use and sufficient diversity. But if you find a good one, go for it.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on October 27, 2016, 05:58:03 PM
The CSA closest to me includes produce from a lot of local farms, so usually get a nice variety of items. It's still warm down here so eggplant (aubergine), and tomatoes are in this week's box, but also cooler season ones such as turnips,  mustard greens, kale (of course!) green onions (scallions), Brussels sprouts and arugula (rocket). Plus sweet potatoes and satsumas (a citrus crop grown locally; I call it nature's candy).

The brouhaha about celebrities' signatures brought back memories of when Chef Paul Prudhomme (RIP) came to our school while I was working there. He was one of my boss' patients, and as a Thank You he treated the faculty, staff and residents in my department to a delectable lunch prepared on site. Everything was wonderful, but I remember that the chicken and sausage gumbo was to die for.
While preparing the dish, all our mouths watering from the aroma, he spoke about how one should strive to allow for multiple taste experiences while eating. How to explain - in a great dish there will be the initial flavor, then as the dish is eaten more layers of enjoyment come through.
I know that we all experienced that in eating that gumbo!
Afterwards I bought his classic cookbook, Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen, and he signed it for me.

I highly recommend that book. If you wish to try out the gumbo, in your favorite search engine type "Paul Prudhomme Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo" and you will get the actual recipe from the book, and some others that make modifications. In place of andouille one can use a good smoked sausage that isn't too spicy.

P.S. Reading that "eating with multiple layers" part, reminds me of how I appreciate Brian's music. So many layers to enjoy.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 27, 2016, 06:10:43 PM
I picked ours up today: red onions, garlic, sorrel, arugula, mixed salad greens, russet potatoes, carrots, beets, nettles, and festival squash. (Yes, our climate is a bit different than yours!)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on October 27, 2016, 06:33:41 PM
Nettles? Have never seen them here.
We'll be having the carrots and beets in the next couple of months.
Am really looking forward to Swiss chard. I have some growing in my garden but they are too beautiful to harvest LOL.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 29, 2016, 01:46:06 PM
I've got a light rye bread in the oven and am doing a cabbage and bean soup. Very autumnal.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SMiLE Brian on October 29, 2016, 01:50:02 PM
The Captain is quite the Renaissance man! ;D


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on October 29, 2016, 02:05:54 PM
Man cannot live on basketball and Trump-mockery alone.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 12, 2016, 06:25:45 AM
Not today, but last weekend I made some borscht. I love making soups--I do one almost every weekend, especially through autumn and winter, as they freeze well and make perfect lunches at work--and had an overabundance of beets from my CSA, so it was a natural.

The trick to it was making it vegetarian, as my girlfriend doesn't eat meat. (Well, fish, so technically pescetarian. But that's annoying to say.) This makes me more or less vegetarian, which I don't mind. So this particular borscht used onions, celery, carrots, garlic, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, and mushrooms. I used a veg stock, some tomato paste, and infused some flavor from a bouquet garni of rosemary, parsley, thyme, and savory, as well as dry dill. After all that effort ... it was SPECTACULAR. My best soup of the season (meaning it competed with a pureed squash soup, potato-leek, potato-broccoli-cheese, cabbage and bean, and chili, at least. Maybe others, I don't know.) I'll be sad when we've depleted our stockpile.

So what will this weekend's soup be? That's to be determined. Possibly a vegetable-barley, or something with dumplings. I like dumplings. (Who doesn't like dumplings?)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on November 12, 2016, 01:52:16 PM
Not today, but last weekend I made some borscht. I love making soups--I do one almost every weekend, especially through autumn and winter, as they freeze well and make perfect lunches at work--and had an overabundance of beets from my CSA, so it was a natural.

The trick to it was making it vegetarian, as my girlfriend doesn't eat meat. (Well, fish, so technically pescetarian. But that's annoying to say.)

Are you sure you guys aren't an older version of Bubbly and I? (I don't eat meat, I mean except for some fish, but yeah, it's easier to say vegetarian. I should try to just eat sustainable fish anyway.)

Quote
This makes me more or less vegetarian, which I don't mind. So this particular borscht used onions, celery, carrots, garlic, beets, potatoes, tomatoes, and mushrooms. I used a veg stock, some tomato paste, and infused some flavor from a bouquet garni of rosemary, parsley, thyme, and savory, as well as dry dill. After all that effort ... it was SPECTACULAR. My best soup of the season (meaning it competed with a pureed squash soup, potato-leek, potato-broccoli-cheese, cabbage and bean, and chili, at least. Maybe others, I don't know.) I'll be sad when we've depleted our stockpile.

So what will this weekend's soup be? That's to be determined. Possibly a vegetable-barley, or something with dumplings. I like dumplings. (Who doesn't like dumplings?)
But yeah, this sounds delicious. I applaud you for all of the herbs you used.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 12, 2016, 02:07:55 PM
Pretty sure, and no applause necessary.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on November 12, 2016, 02:51:09 PM
Pizza Hut its national pizza day


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 13, 2016, 09:54:41 AM
Today (the lady away) I'm marinating some cubed lamb in white wine, olive oil, a sh*t-ton of garlic, diced white onion, a diced jalapeno, and rosemary, mint, parsley, and oregano. I made some tzatziki the other day and have some spinach and acceptable/decent pitas on hand. The question remains whether to mix in a bit of tomato sauce or paste to change the flavor of the meat, but I'm not sure yet. These are the decisions that stress me out. Because I'm fucking weird. I'll just get drunk in the interim and watch the Vikings (probably lose again) and wait for the spirit to move me.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on November 14, 2016, 03:31:06 AM
The question remains whether to mix in a bit of tomato sauce or paste to change the flavor of the meat, but I'm not sure yet. These are the decisions that stress me out. Because I'm fucking weird.

Cap'n, we're all fucking weird in our own way----if it's any consolation.  ;D


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: wilsonart1 on November 14, 2016, 06:10:11 AM
Captain think you sat within reach of me at Brain's Mpls, show. Did you eat this meal before the show?


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 14, 2016, 06:32:51 AM
No, I think I ate a soft pretzel and two Surly Furiouses at a nearby bar.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on November 16, 2016, 02:06:38 PM
who else here is a fan of eggplant, and how do you like to cook it.

(I've only made it in eggplant parm and stir-frys.)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: SurfRapGrungeFiend on November 16, 2016, 02:53:12 PM
Buffalo Wings and fries

buffalo sauce recipe i think i got off a back of a bottle of A1

-Half stick of butter or margarine
-1 cup of hot sauce (red hot)
-Half cup Catalina dressing
-Half package of dry Italian dressing
-Half a cup BBQ sauce


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 16, 2016, 03:06:02 PM
who else here is a fan of eggplant, and how do you like to cook it.

(I've only made it in eggplant parm and stir-frys.)

I love it. And--sound like a familiar theme for me?--I get quite a bit through my CSA. Various types, too.

I've done eggplant lasagna, at different times with the eggplant in the role of both the filling.meat, and in the role of the noodles (just thin-slicing eggplants lengthwise).

I've made the Indian dish baingan bharta.

I've made the dip babaganoush.

I've done some eggplant curries.

I've sliced eggplants crosswise so they are discs and grilled them like hamburgers, seasoned with salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. You can also top it with cheese if you like. Far better burger replacement for vegetarians than fake meat, in my opinion. (I am REALLY not a fan of fake meat either in theory or practice.)

A week or two ago, as part of a vaguely Middle Eastern feeling dinner, I did another dip of eggplant, onion, garlic, chilis, and pomegranate syrup cooked and pureed, with coriander, clove, cinnamon, a little cumin, and lemon juice to finish. It was like babaganoush but not quite. It was also fantastic! We had it with raw sliced vegetables and warm pitas, and also had some homemade tzatziki as a second dip.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on November 20, 2016, 05:12:44 PM
who else here is a fan of eggplant, and how do you like to cook it.

(I've only made it in eggplant parm and stir-frys.)

I love it. And--sound like a familiar theme for me?--I get quite a bit through my CSA. Various types, too.

I've done eggplant lasagna, at different times with the eggplant in the role of both the filling.meat, and in the role of the noodles (just thin-slicing eggplants lengthwise).

I've made the Indian dish baingan bharta.

I've made the dip babaganoush.

I've done some eggplant curries.

I've sliced eggplants crosswise so they are discs and grilled them like hamburgers, seasoned with salt, pepper, cumin, garlic, and olive oil. You can also top it with cheese if you like. Far better burger replacement for vegetarians than fake meat, in my opinion. (I am REALLY not a fan of fake meat either in theory or practice.)

A week or two ago, as part of a vaguely Middle Eastern feeling dinner, I did another dip of eggplant, onion, garlic, chilis, and pomegranate syrup cooked and pureed, with coriander, clove, cinnamon, a little cumin, and lemon juice to finish. It was like babaganoush but not quite. It was also fantastic! We had it with raw sliced vegetables and warm pitas, and also had some homemade tzatziki as a second dip.
All of those sound pretty tasty. I've had Trader Joe's eggplant hummus, and yesterday I ordered pizza with eggplant in it.

The burger replacement idea sounds ideal as well.
There aren't a lot of great fake meats out there, although I'd like to hear your reasoning for why you don't like them in theory or practice.
I enjoy Field Roast's link sausages. They're a local company and soy-free, which is nice. :)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 21, 2016, 04:42:35 PM
I've been tasked with a vegetable side for Thanksgiving. This is a thankless task, as nobody in my family particularly enjoys the non-tan/white portions of Thanksgiving. (Lots of fans of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and even the basic stuffings, but that's about all anyone seems particularly interested in.) Plus, most of my family is very conservative when it comes to recipes and ingredients, making my contributions traditionally picked-at at best. The main goal will be landing on something that we'll enjoy taking back home with us after nobody else tried it.

(Aw, it's just sour grapes.)

The plan will be to bring both a veg dish and a sweet potato dish, as there doesn't seem to be one of the latter on the menu. And that's just nonsense!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on November 22, 2016, 04:31:34 AM
I've been tasked with a vegetable side for Thanksgiving. This is a thankless task, as nobody in my family particularly enjoys the non-tan/white portions of Thanksgiving. (Lots of fans of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and even the basic stuffings, but that's about all anyone seems particularly interested in.) Plus, most of my family is very conservative when it comes to recipes and ingredients, making my contributions traditionally picked-at at best. The main goal will be landing on something that we'll enjoy taking back home with us after nobody else tried it.

(Aw, it's just sour grapes.)

The plan will be to bring both a veg dish and a sweet potato dish, as there doesn't seem to be one of the latter on the menu. And that's just nonsense!

Surely vegetables are an essential part of a turkey meal, otherwise it's so one-sided. At Christmas we eat swede, parsnips and Brussels sprouts as well as baked potatoes----Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without 'em!

Good luck with the "task". ;=)   


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on November 22, 2016, 05:29:57 AM

Surely vegetables are an essential part of a turkey meal, otherwise it's so one-sided. At Christmas we eat swede, parsnips and Brussels sprouts as well as baked potatoes----Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without 'em!

It's fun reading about what people eat in other parts of the world for holidays.
Also finding out different names for foods - didn't know what "swede" was so looked it up. Over in these parts it's known as "rutabaga".


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on November 22, 2016, 05:36:46 AM

Surely vegetables are an essential part of a turkey meal, otherwise it's so one-sided. At Christmas we eat swede, parsnips and Brussels sprouts as well as baked potatoes----Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without 'em!

It's fun reading about what people eat in other parts of the world for holidays.
Also finding out different names for foods - didn't know what "swede" was so looked it up. Over in these parts it's known as "rutabaga".

Now I understand what the Mothers are singing about (here at 1:04)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuSD7Q_hArs


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 22, 2016, 09:17:42 AM
I've been tasked with a vegetable side for Thanksgiving. This is a thankless task, as nobody in my family particularly enjoys the non-tan/white portions of Thanksgiving. (Lots of fans of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and even the basic stuffings, but that's about all anyone seems particularly interested in.) Plus, most of my family is very conservative when it comes to recipes and ingredients, making my contributions traditionally picked-at at best. The main goal will be landing on something that we'll enjoy taking back home with us after nobody else tried it.

(Aw, it's just sour grapes.)

The plan will be to bring both a veg dish and a sweet potato dish, as there doesn't seem to be one of the latter on the menu. And that's just nonsense!

Surely vegetables are an essential part of a turkey meal, otherwise it's so one-sided. At Christmas we eat swede, parsnips and Brussels sprouts as well as baked potatoes----Christmas dinner isn't Christmas dinner without 'em!

Good luck with the "task". ;=)   

I'd expand that to mean veggies are an essential part of every meal--or ought to be! Alas, at least with my family, veggies' presence doesn't equal popularity!

Big fan of rutabaga/swede, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts, myself.

I'm thinking of sliced root veg (carrots, parsnips and onions) sautéed with tart apples with ginger and cinnamon.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Scaroline No on November 22, 2016, 09:38:53 AM
Quote
I'm thinking of sliced root veg (carrots, parsnips and onions) sautéed with tart apples with ginger and cinnamon.

Mmmm, this would be amazing with roasted beets too! And super festive  :)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 22, 2016, 11:46:44 AM
I've got beets on hand...


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on November 24, 2016, 07:53:43 PM
Long day but it went well.

Was able to pace myself since my sister took the responsibility for cooking the turkey. She did a wonderful job - it was very juicy.
She stuffed the turkey with apples and onions.
I made Dutch apple pie and a pecan pie. Then made stuffed mirlitons with crabmeat.
A broccoli casserole. Also made cranberry sauce.
My sister also brought a sweet potato dish.
There were 7 of us and we were thoroughly stuffed. Plenty of leftovers for the next few days.

Afterwards talked about different food cuisines. One of my nephews is in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu. He and others stationed over there celebrated Thanksgiving by eating the national dish of Vanuatu, "laplap." Taro or some other starch is made into a dough and cooked with coconut cream and some form of meat.
Then somehow the conversation then turned to "whoopie pies" which are popular in the northeastern US.

Worn out but happy.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 25, 2016, 05:38:50 AM
I was at my parents' for Thanksgiving, as is typical for my family. My contribution ended up as sauteed sliced carrots, tossed at the last minute with a previously made pomegranate syrup (infused with ginger, cloves, and cardamom), cranberries, pecans, and thyme. I thought it was pretty good.

Otherwise? Turkey, mashed potatoes, a very basic (bread, onion, celery, etc.) stuffing, a corn/corn bread dish, a cranberry-raspberry relish, gravy, raw vegetable trays (pickles, green and black olives, carrots, grape tomatoes), and a pumpkin dessert. All was fine.

The highlight for me is coming out of it, though: my brother was pheasant hunting in South Dakota and gave me a smoked pheasant. I plan to make a sort of hunter's stew using it. I'd never tried pheasant before, smoked or otherwise, but it's quite good.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 26, 2016, 07:32:34 AM
The highlight for me is coming out of it, though: my brother was pheasant hunting in South Dakota and gave me a smoked pheasant. I plan to make a sort of hunter's stew using it. I'd never tried pheasant before, smoked or otherwise, but it's quite good.

This is in the works: smoked pheasant and some beef, with onions, celery, carrots, parsnips, beets, mushrooms, tomatoes, a few diced, dried sour cherries, and garlic, with half chicken and half vegetable stock (I had a couple cups of each in the freezer from previously made batches), with rosemary and thyme and a splash of red wine.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on November 27, 2016, 07:46:28 PM
My mom knows I'm vegetarian, but she still made my favorite Thanksgiving dish (stuffing) with chicken sausage in it. I mostly ate potatoes and pie instead. Which isn't terrible, but not what I was hoping for.

For that reason, amongst others, it's been a disappointing Thanksgiving weekend...


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on November 27, 2016, 08:32:53 PM
I'm not vegetarian (but would like to be).
One of my sisters is vegetarian. Like you, my Mom just doesn't seem to "get it." I do my best to have vegan and vegetarian options available when she visits, but Mom is basically of the opinion "why do I have to accommodate her crazy ideas?"


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on November 28, 2016, 06:53:05 AM
Around 2000, a friend of mine from the same rural Minnesota area as me (but by then living in Minneapolis, also like me) became a vegetarian. His parents asked if he was gay...

Awareness is better but in rural areas here you're still likely to get strange looks and questions like "so do you just eat lettuce/salad, then?"


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 06, 2016, 08:23:58 AM
Saturday night I had a dish that blew me away, one of my favorites in years. And it was wholly unexpected, a backup choice ordered only because the restaurant was out of my first choice, a seemingly mundane combination of ingredients.

Yigantes, a bean dish ordered at a Greek restaurant. Basically, it was a large, broad bean (they call them "Greek beans," and specified on their website that they aren't lima beans, aren't fava beans, etc.) braised in a veggie stock with onions, carrots, celery, tomato (paste, I think), and herbs. It was served with a chunk of feta. There was a lot of garlic and I identified oregano and cinnamon in there to flavor it.

Anyone else had or like this dish? Anyone ever made it? Now I want to make it (assuming I can find the beans), and wonder if there's some secret. I found some online recipes and they all seem so white-bread, I can't imagine how it turns out so fantastic.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 06, 2016, 03:25:02 PM
I ordered two 14 oz. bags of dried "Greek" beans, which to the best of my knowledge seem to be called the same thing as the dish--yigantes, gigantes, or some variation--from Amazon. Two so the first effort can be improved upon with the second. If I don't feel good about it by then, I'll assume I lack the magic/secret and will continue to turn over my hard-earned pay to the aforementioned restaurant for their voodoo version.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 11, 2016, 07:07:33 AM
Yesterday--in which the snow that began and has yet to stop, some 15 hours later--I made some soup. What else to do on a cold, snowy day? It's mushroom, wild rice, and dumplings, with root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, and turnips).


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: Emily on December 11, 2016, 09:34:14 AM
Yesterday--in which the snow that began and has yet to stop, some 15 hours later--I made some soup. What else to do on a cold, snowy day? It's mushroom, wild rice, and dumplings, with root vegetables (carrots, parsnips, and turnips).
That sounds amazing.
Homemade Chinese restaurant style sesame chicken. Easier than expected and super yummy but chock-full of oil.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on December 11, 2016, 03:18:51 PM
It's been a while since I've had wild rice. (@the captain, your soups always sound so good...)

I just consumed a (very late in the day) breakfast sandwich: toasted sourdough buns, scrambled eggs with green onion sauteed in butter, some guac, and seasonings.

Banana bread might be made in the near future as well.  ;)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 13, 2016, 06:01:12 PM
For what it's worth, the soup was surprisingly bland. OK, but nothing special.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 18, 2016, 06:19:24 AM
As noted elsewhere, Minnesota is in a serious cold spell: -23F right now. The high today is supposed to be somewhere around -10, I believe. (This doesn't account for wind chill, with which we're in the -30s right now.) This means one thing, one obvious thing for those who follow this thread: soup.

Yesterday I did a day-long beef stew. I put it on the stovetop around 9:30 or 10, and ate around 7 pm. It was rich and deep of flavor. I trimmed fat and cubed a rump roast, salting and browning it on all sides in an old, large, heavy stainless steel soup pot I love to use for soups and stews. Deglazed the pan with maybe a shot or two of burgundy and added onion, shallot, carrot, and celery. After a few minutes I stirred in mushrooms, about a tablespoon or so of tomato paste, plus some dried spices and herbs (coriander, a tiny bit of cumin, paprika, black pepper, a tiny bit of cinnamon, and a dried herbs du provence blend), followed by chopped tomatoes and a cup or more of the aforementioned burgundy. After a few minutes, I added some fresh rosemary and thyme and some bay leaves, and some homemade beef stock. I let that simmer for hours. Eventually I added diced parsnips, potatoes, and turnips. A few more hours, a little reseasoning as necessary. This with a crusty garlic bread (garlic cloves baked into the crusty white bread, from a great bakery here)...this is a winter meal!

Today I am going to use some leftover marinated chicken wings to do a lighter, vaguely Asian-flavored soup. The chicken had been marinated and then baked in a sauce of soy sauce, oil, garlic, ginger, orange juice, and chili peppers. I'll use that (the chicken, which is still on the bone, and thus will help flavor the broth), plus the remaining marinade, with onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and udon noodles.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on December 27, 2016, 10:14:47 AM
Making chili. Red, yellow, poblano, and jalapenos; mushrooms; onions; garlic; kidney, black, and pinto beans; diced tomatoes; tomato sauce; veggie stock; a shot of burgundy; an herb and spice blend of smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, oregano, basil, and a little cinnamon. (And salt and pepper.) I absolutely love chili, and the gf has taken a shine to my veggie version (which I never really made prior to her presence, being a meat-loving omnivore, myself). I must admit, the veg version lacks nothing. I absolutely love it too. So there will be eight or 10 frozen servings soon.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on December 27, 2016, 11:12:25 AM
Oh I'd love to have some chili and what you are making sounds so delicious.
However it's still not chili eating weather here. The temperature will get up to around 25 degrees C (77 F) today.  Ridiculous.

We're planning for New Year's dinner now. Looks like we'll have pork loin, cornbread (if I can get my cast iron skillet back from a friend who borrowed it). And the crazy tradition that we MUST have black eyed peas and cabbage.

Have a craving for a Rueben sandwich, having seen it being mentioned on a cooking show earlier today. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately - that cooking show said a Rueben has around 1000 calories) they are not easy to find here


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on December 29, 2016, 05:24:21 PM
Spoke to my next door neighbor and told him to let me know if they would like some chives and/or lemongrass - I've got lots of both.
He asked if I'd like some carrots and I said "sure". Went into his backyard and he pulled out some nice looking carrots. Then he asked if I wanted cauliflower and gave me a nice sized one.

Decided to make cauliflower soup. Sautéed onions, garlic, celery and the carrots. Then added the cauliflower with broth, parsley, tarragon, Basil, salt and pepper. Simmered that for 30 minutes. In another pan mixed butter with flour, then added milk and cream. Cooked that for a while then added it to the soup. After cooking for some more time turned off stove and stirred some sour cream in.
The soup was served with some nice, warm country bread I got at the store. It came out very well.
Put a good part of it in a container to bring to my neighbor and family.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on January 10, 2017, 09:02:12 PM
Made some sort of homemade chowder with yellow onion, red potatoes, corn, and apple-sage (fake, Field Roast brand) sausage with a whole milk base. Threw some applewood smoked salt in there. I also baked "mock sourdough bread," which uses yoghurt instead of a sourdough starter.

Together, these items form an entirely homemade bread bowl. About to eat. Hopefully this is tasty.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on January 11, 2017, 03:42:14 AM
Hopefully this is tasty.

Please let us know if it was. It looks very tasty (hi there, Mari).

Whenever I feel the urge to salivate I browse this topic. It works every time! :lol


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on January 12, 2017, 10:39:18 PM
Hopefully this is tasty.

Please let us know if it was. It looks very tasty (hi there, Mari).

Whenever I feel the urge to salivate I browse this topic. It works every time! :lol
Hi, John. I feel as if I've been pretty absent from the internet lately; good to see you around.

I think it was pretty tasty. The "sourdough" was only a tiiiiiiiiny bit sour, but the bread seemed to be extra soft in the middle due to the whole milk yoghurt I used. Until I figure out a sourdough starter, I think I'll stick with my reliable no-knead bread recipe.


Speaking of yeast breads, I'm thinking of making a big ol' batch of yeast dough and keeping it in the fridge. Whenever the desire to eat fresh garlic bread or dinner rolls hits, I'll be prepared.

Also, Josh & I made some lemon snowball cookies  (http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2016/10/lemon-snowball-cookies/)tonight. Again, I'll have to report back and let you know how they taste. Lemon desserts are so underrated.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on January 13, 2017, 03:57:48 AM
Also, Josh & I made some lemon snowball cookies  (http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2016/10/lemon-snowball-cookies/)tonight. Again, I'll have to report back and let you know how they taste. Lemon desserts are so underrated.
This is cool! 3 things I like about that cookie: 1) citrus-based 2) egg-free 3) minimalistic. Thanks for the link & say how it was. :)


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on January 17, 2017, 06:28:59 PM
Also, Josh & I made some lemon snowball cookies  (http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2016/10/lemon-snowball-cookies/)tonight. Again, I'll have to report back and let you know how they taste. Lemon desserts are so underrated.
This is cool! 3 things I like about that cookie: 1) citrus-based 2) egg-free 3) minimalistic. Thanks for the link & say how it was. :)
Yeah, they're pretty easy to make. And they came out quite tasty! They're soft and slightly crumbly and melt in your mouth.

I made some of that aforementioned no-knead yeast dough and made pull-apart garlic bread out of it. I roughly followed a handful of recipes to make this. This one (http://zoomyummy.com/2016/03/21/garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/) in particular shows you the steps. I didn't use the same dough, and I sauteed minced garlic in butter and added a bunch of spices (more garlic, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) for my butter mixture, and I baked everything in a cast iron pan.

Another tasty adventure. I'm hoping to make these (http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/healthy-dark-chocolate-chunk-oatmeal-cookie-bars-idiot-proof/) soon. I made them once before, and I could not stop eating them.

There's also leftover dough, so a pizza might be in the works as well.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on January 23, 2017, 08:11:04 PM
I modified a pre-existing recipe (the dark chocolate one I linked above, actually) and made some sort of cranberry oat cake. People think it's tasty, so maybe I'll post my recipe if anyone's interested.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on January 25, 2017, 06:14:08 AM
I modified a pre-existing recipe (the dark chocolate one I linked above, actually) and made some sort of cranberry oat cake. People think it's tasty, so maybe I'll post my recipe if anyone's interested.

Oh yes, please do. You've got us intrigued!


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on January 25, 2017, 02:27:52 PM
All right. I use a scale when I cook/bake, as mass provides more accurate measurements (especially with flour) than using measuring cups.

Mari's Weird Modified Oat Cake

200g / 1.6 cups flour
130g / 1.5 cups oats (plus more for sprinkling)
7g / 1 tsp baking soda
5g / 1tsp salt
85g / 6 Tbsp butter
123g / 1/2 cup plain yogurt
150g / 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs OR
- 14g / 2 Tbsp flaxseed
- 4 Tbsp / 60 mL water
as much dried cranberries or dark chocolate chunks or other mix-ins as you want.
a splash of milk

1. Preheat oven to 350º F/ 177º C.
2. Combine dry ingredients—the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt—into one bowl.
3. if using egg: skip ahead to step 4. If using flaxseed, read on.
    3.a) Heat up the water and mix in the flaxseed; set aside until mixture thickens (think egg-like consistency)
4. Melt the butter and dissolve the brown sugar. Mix in the yogurt and eggs OR flaxseed replacement.
5. Combine dry and wet ingredients, as well as your mix-ins. The batter might come out thick. In this case, add a little bit of milk until the batter resembles quick-bread batter (e.g. banana bread).
6. Grease a 9”x13” (I think this will work; I used a standard cast iron pan when I made it). Pour the batter in, and sprinkle a handful of oats on top.
7. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few crumbs.

note: I used Trader Joe's orange-flavored dried cranberries when I made this, but you could do anything. I think this recipe is better suited for dried fruit; the original is better for sweeter stuff like chocolate.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on February 09, 2017, 11:57:09 PM
i will never ever stop loving granola.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on February 10, 2017, 03:33:10 AM
i will never ever stop loving granola.

Agreed! We always have some kind of muesli in the house but this week I discovered to my great joy that the new packet contained GRANOLA!!! :spin   


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on May 30, 2017, 11:48:52 PM
I've been fighting off a lingering cold for the past week, and for some reason it's also causing me to eat less than I normally would. Regardless of this weird appetite loss, I made a delicious mix of pinto beans, yellow corn, Quorn crumbles, and sweet potato and put it all in a burrito with a freshly cooked tortilla (they sell raw tortillas in the refrigerated section that contain about 5 ingredients, as opposed to those filthy Mission ones that have sh*t in them) and salsa and guac. I'm full and I regret nothing.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on December 07, 2017, 02:36:06 PM
Wow it's been a while since anyone posted recipes.

Made some cranberry orange muffins. Like the combination of sweetness (but not too sweet) with the tart berries.
With actual cold weather here and even talk of the "s" word for our area early tomorrow morning, I made a pot of split pea soup.

Looking at recipes I saw one for plum pudding. Contains currants and raisins, but, er, no plums.
Calls for among other things, a pound of suet. Think I'll pass!

Think I'll try making the oat cake (recipe above in this page).


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on December 07, 2017, 03:03:46 PM
People usually keep secret the family & unique recipes they cooked up.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: NOLA BB Fan on December 07, 2017, 06:53:14 PM
People usually keep secret the family & unique recipes they cooked up.

Thankfully, undercover-m doesn't have that hangup! Her oat cake recipe will work well for the holidays and looks to be a lot healthier as well.

Holding back ingredients in a recipe brings to mind an episode of the old TV program, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Laura Petrie shared her peanut butter and avocado dip recipe with her neighbor, but purposely left out the mustard in the directions.
(People have tried without success to make an edible dip with these ingredients. The writers of that episode just thought up those ingredients on the spot).


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on February 07, 2018, 09:29:47 AM
Wow it's been a while since anyone posted recipes.

Made some cranberry orange muffins. Like the combination of sweetness (but not too sweet) with the tart berries.
With actual cold weather here and even talk of the "s" word for our area early tomorrow morning, I made a pot of split pea soup.

Looking at recipes I saw one for plum pudding. Contains currants and raisins, but, er, no plums.
Calls for among other things, a pound of suet. Think I'll pass!

Think I'll try making the oat cake (recipe above in this page).
Let me know how the oat cake goes! I haven't made it since I posted the recipe.

Btw, if you're a frequent soup-maker, you should invest in an Instant Pot. I recently got one, and nowadays I just throw ingredients into the IP, press cook, and the next time i wander into the kitchen there's hot food waiting for me! I didn't already have a slow cooker, and now it functions as a slower cooker/pressure cooker/rice cooker all in one. Also, pasta cooked in an IP seems to come out "fluffier;" it's weird (but delicious).

Last night, Bubs and I made massive sandwiches with:
herbed garlic loaves
avocado
grilled eggplant
fried eggs
alfafa sprouts
avocado hummus
"tofurkey"
red onions
tomatoes
& lettuce

oh, and we threw some turmeric, garlic, amongst other seasonings, and grilled that baby on a George Foreman grill. Good god I ate a lot last night.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: JK on February 07, 2018, 01:15:44 PM

Last night, Bubs and I made massive sandwiches with:
herbed garlic loaves
avocado
grilled eggplant
fried eggs
alfafa sprouts
avocado hummus
"tofurkey"
red onions
tomatoes
& lettuce

oh, and we threw some turmeric, garlic, amongst other seasonings, and grilled that baby on a George Foreman grill. Good god I ate a lot last night.

Hi, M. This takes the concept of massive to another level.  :lol

Sounds scrumptious though.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: undercover-m on March 09, 2018, 05:58:21 PM
I've been adding kimchi to everything lately after ordering a veggie dog with kimchi as a topping.

Currently eating a mix of veggies (potatoes, kale, a little cauliflower, and avocado) with my probiotic cabbage on top. Know that you should add it the very end of cooking or else you'll cook out all those beneficial bacteria :O


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: the captain on March 09, 2018, 06:11:03 PM
Haven’t quite mastered palak paneer, but I will. goshdarn it.


Title: Re: So what did we all EAT today? + recipes.
Post by: RangeRoverA1 on November 11, 2018, 03:48:26 PM
Went at friend Sonya's, Sonya's grandmother sometimes stays with her & cooks various nyam-nyam (= English "yummy") dishes. Not today - she baked tiny pies "pirozhki" with 3 cabbage fillings - usual, Brussels, broccoli. I didn't like the taste in 3. I dislike cabbage but without knowing tasted these pirozhki. I like this lady, she's friendly just with me & not the other Sonya's friends. Which is good, it must stay that way. Anyhoo, since I bit them, gave remainder to Sonya's dog when Sonya's granny went to the living room. What would you know, he saved me by eating them (trifle footnote: Then dogs if hungry can eat vegetables). Checked the fridge to find candies/ chocolate, maybe fish sandwiches - I like fish/ seafood - but instead discovered ketchup & rye bread with soup in saucepan. I checked which soup it is - it's cabbage soup. Cabbage day anybody? Then applied ketchup to rye bread slice, added to the above dill (think I use the right green?) & switched the microwave to 20 seconds to dry it little bit. It's nice. Sonya ate pirozhki. She's good granddaughter to her grandmother.