Recipes / Food - Drink

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I am happy to try that, as now i have a time, though a temp would be good as well. I very rarely bake potatoes at all and just needed an idea of how long to pre-cook them.

400 degrees is a good start. this is good potato advice. I am pretty instinctive cook, and rarely follow recipes anymore except to get an idea of proportions. have fin!

[WT Sharpe]

What did I have for dinner last night, you may ask? Chocolate-flavored chicken, mashed potatoes topped with chocolate, and a chocolate brownie with golden kernels of corn baked right in.

Do they even have quality control people at the TV dinner plants?

Here's the recipe, if anyone's interested:

List of ingredients: 1 Chicken TV dinner with brownie.

1) Remove the Chicken TV dinner with brownie from the carton. Don't let the fact that what you see in the tray doesn't match the lovely picture on the box cover upset you. Just consider it icing on the potatoes.
2) Ignore the directions on the carton to remove the plastic from everything except the vegetables and instead remove the plastic entirely. Otherwise you end up with enough water in the vegetables to have soup as a side dish.
3) Microwave on high for a minute to a minute and a half longer than what the directions on the box say, because your microwave is probably an under-powered cheapo model, or old and on its last legs, or like mine; both.
4) Remove the brownie and continue cooking the dinner for an additional three and a half minutes to four minutes, or until you smell smoke.
5) Allow to cool for two minutes.
6) Enjoy.

This is my own recipe, as I altered the directions on the box a bit. Hope you like it. It's about as complicated as my cooking gets.

[Latinandgreek]

I'm thinking of making this recipe for a friend's party next week:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/cu...olossal-cheer/

and maybe adding walnuts / cutting down on the chocolate a smidge. And using brown sugar in the sugar /cinnamon mix, instead of white sugar.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I'm thinking of making this recipe for a friend's party next week:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/11/cu...olossal-cheer/

and maybe adding walnuts / cutting down on the chocolate a smidge. And using brown sugar in the sugar /cinnamon mix, instead of white sugar.

Mercy that cake looks rich. I'm not sure i could handle it in more than an inch square at a time.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

Mercy that cake looks rich. I'm not sure i could handle it in more than an inch square at a time.

I know, eh! That's why I was thinking of taking out part of the chocolate and replacing it with something healthier. This recipe has been tempting me for a while now.

[BenG]

Hot Cocoa Mix

Makes about 20 servings

3 cups nonfat dry milk
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1-1/2 cups Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1-/2 cups white chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon Salt

Combine ingredients in large bowl. Working in two batches, pulse ingredients in food processor until chocolate is finely ground. Store in airtight container for up to 3 months. To make hot cocoa, stir 1/3 cup of this mix into 1 cup of hot milk. Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows.


The white chocolate chips give it the texture that's missing from commercial hot chocolate mixes.

[beppe]

In spite of the diet we had friends for dinner. Wife was out visiting her father that is not well so it was me fixing it. Which is not big news as it is me that worries about grocery and cooking anyhow (she does the clothes and the laundry among other things, including reading the paper and drinking Campari's on the rocks while I toil in front of the kitchen range).

Entrée: Foie gras and water crackers (the round ones. I precut the foie gras with a warm knife so that a slice fits exactly on a cracker and that gives a very juicy and tasty bite), raw artichokes in thin slices with olive oil and drops of lemon juice and thin slices of Parmesan cheese, palm hearts just out of the jar (it is my trick not to use bread). VeuveCliquot. Everybody happy.

Main course: veal roast from the end of the cote (15 minutes at 235, than 175 C until it reached 70°C on the meat thermometer) on a bed of thick slices of celery roots, beets and carrots that become very tasty in the juice of the roast), buttered fresh spinaches steamed and stirred in the pan with sweet butter. For them french fries (in the oven a la Ea). Crozes Hermitage 2006. Signs of genuine appreciation.

Fresh goat cheese received as a Xmas gift by a friend that lives in the mountains near by and one of those Jule times cakes filled with nuts, dried fruits and fancy grains that the same guy thought that we would have been happy with (we were actually). Moscato del Friuli that as I have given up drinking I do not mind to put on the table for others to appreciate. Normally I would have kept it to celebrate the imprisonment of my worst enemy or for an other very joyous occasion. I had only 3 bottles left of the meditation nectar, but as I do not drink any more who cares. Just wonderful.

Coffee and liquors. Wife sported that bottle of Ron Antiguo de Solera Santa Teresa that I just gave her as an impromptu gift. Cognac and whiskeys were offered but Ron was preferred by all. I had a tiny glass of it and found it worth.

I ate and drunk sparingly but with intense satisfaction, enjoying both all the steps of the cooking (I started at about 5 with the cleaning of the artichockes, so it took about 3 hours to prepare the dinner, but I took it easy and little daughter helped me peeling the roots), the food and the drinks and the company, wife had set up a nice table, relax but very pleasant and gay, little daughter behaved bravely and admiringly well (she adores foie gras). Resisting to the desire of smoking was just an added pleasure. Overall we were at the table from 8 to 1.30. That is the standard for a pleasant dinner with friends in Northern Italy. Conversation peak was about the new Internet culture among the young generation. I was the oldest, the others in their early forties.

An interesting note. I set up a nice basket with fresh assorted breads and focaccia. As it is my habit I did not take any. I was pleasantly surprised that nobody did, for solidarity I imagine.

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by beppe

In spite of the diet we had friends for dinner. Wife was out visiting her father that is not well so it was me fixing it. Which is not big news as it is me that worries about grocery and cooking anyhow (she does the clothes and the laundry among other things, including reading the paper and drinking Campari's on the rocks while I toil in front of the kitchen range).

Entrée: Foie gras and water crackers (the round ones. I precut the foie gras with a warm knife so that a slice fits exactly on a cracker and that gives a very juicy and tasty bite), raw artichokes in thin slices with olive oil and drops of lemon juice and thin slices of Parmesan cheese, palm hearts just out of the jar (it is my trick not to use bread). VeuveCliquot. Everybody happy.

Main course: veal roast from the end of the cote (15 minutes at 235, than 175 C until it reached 70°C on the meat thermometer) on a bed of thick slices of celery roots, beets and carrots that become very tasty in the juice of the roast), buttered fresh spinaches steamed and stirred in the pan with sweet butter. For them french fries (in the oven a la Ea). Crozes Hermitage 2006. Signs of genuine appreciation.

Fresh goat cheese received as a Xmas gift by a friend that lives in the mountains near by and one of those Jule times cakes filled with nuts, dried fruits and fancy grains that the same guy thought that we would have been happy with (we were actually). Moscato del Friuli that as I have given up drinking I do not mind to put on the table for others to appreciate. Normally I would have kept it to celebrate the imprisonment of my worst enemy or for an other very joyous occasion. I had only 3 bottles left of the meditation nectar, but as I do not drink any more who cares. Just wonderful.

Coffee and liquors. Wife sported that bottle of Ron Antiguo de Solera Santa Teresa that I just gave her as an impromptu gift. Cognac and whiskeys were offered but Ron was preferred by all. I had a tiny glass of it and found it worth.

I ate and drunk sparingly but with intense satisfaction, enjoying both all the steps of the cooking (I started at about 5 with the cleaning of the artichockes, so it took about 3 hours to prepare the dinner, but I took it easy and little daughter helped me peeling the roots), the food and the drinks and the company, wife had set up a nice table, relax but very pleasant and gay, little daughter behaved bravely and admiringly well (she adores foie gras). Resisting to the desire of smoking was just an added pleasure. Overall we were at the table from 8 to 1.30. That is the standard for a pleasant dinner with friends in Northern Italy. Conversation peak was about the new Internet culture among the young generation. I was the oldest, the others in their early forties.

An interesting note. I set up a nice basket with fresh assorted breads and focaccia. As it is my habit I did not take any. I was pleasantly surprised that nobody did, for solidarity I imagine.

You've painted a lovely picture of the evening for us. Thank you!

[lilac_jive]

I just made this delicious dinner! Now my house smells yummy!



Baked Tortellini with Bacon
Ingredients
Serves 6

4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small white onion, diced medium
1 garlic clove, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 packages (8.8 ounces each) cheese tortellini
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
Directions
Heat broiler, with rack in top position. In a medium saucepan, cook bacon over medium until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel to drain. Add onion and garlic to pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Add tortellini and bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until liquid has thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in bacon and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Transfer to a 2-quart broilerproof baking dish and top with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Broil until top is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

The only thing I didn't do was broil it - I've never broiled before and I'm nervous I'll burn my house down (I have issues). So I let it bake at 400 degrees for about ten minutes.

Very easy and tasty! Keep it cheap and use frozen tortellini (I paid $2.19 for 19 ounces of the store brand).

[kindlekitten]

a tip for broiling, cock the door open just a tad (they are designed to do this, you will find there is a logical point at which to open it) and stand right there. when you are broiling for brown-ness/crispy it goes quite quickly and you can decide when to take it out. doing the high heat bake like you did, tends to dry out the dish

[lilac_jive]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

a tip for broiling, cock the door open just a tad (they are designed to do this, you will find there is a logical point at which to open it) and stand right there. when you are broiling for brown-ness/crispy it goes quite quickly and you can decide when to take it out. doing the high heat bake like you did, tends to dry out the dish

Thanks for the tip

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

Thanks for the tip

anytime! ;o)

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I just made this delicious dinner! Now my house smells yummy!



Baked Tortellini with Bacon
Ingredients
Serves 6

4 slices bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
1 small white onion, diced medium
1 garlic clove, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
2 packages (8.8 ounces each) cheese tortellini
1/2 cup grated Parmesan (1 ounce)
Directions
Heat broiler, with rack in top position. In a medium saucepan, cook bacon over medium until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel to drain. Add onion and garlic to pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
Slowly add milk, whisking constantly. Add tortellini and bring to a boil over medium-high, stirring occasionally. Reduce to a simmer; cook, stirring often, until liquid has thickened, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in bacon and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Transfer to a 2-quart broilerproof baking dish and top with 1/4 cup Parmesan. Broil until top is golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

The only thing I didn't do was broil it - I've never broiled before and I'm nervous I'll burn my house down (I have issues). So I let it bake at 400 degrees for about ten minutes.

Very easy and tasty! Keep it cheap and use frozen tortellini (I paid $2.19 for 19 ounces of the store brand).

Sounds great, I'll be trying that out!

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

400 degrees is a good start. this is good potato advice. I am pretty instinctive cook, and rarely follow recipes anymore except to get an idea of proportions. have fin!

I tried this... and the potatoes were indeed impossible to then cut. They were pure mush. Clearly i overcooked, but i've learned my lesson now.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I tried this... and the potatoes were indeed impossible to then cut. They were pure mush. Clearly i overcooked, but i've learned my lesson now.

;o( how often did you check them?