Southern Spirit Hunters

Gardening => In The Kitchen => Topic started by: duh on Jun 09, 2016, 10:42:52 AM

Title: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 09, 2016, 10:42:52 AM
On sparkpeople.com there is a challenge that I have joined and I thought I would share it here.

It is to try one new food (recipe) each week.  This week i plan to do two new foods.  i'm going to try my very first mango.  Then i have the ingredients for Crystallized Ginger Pears. 

If you would like to join me in this endeavor all it takes is a new recipe and a willingness to try something new. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 09, 2016, 06:27:44 PM
I was mistaken in the name.  It is Baked Ginger Pears

2 cups water
1 cup splenda
1 inch of vanilla bean
1 lemon cut in half
6 pears
2 tbsp ground up crystallized ginger

cook water, splenda, vanilla bean, and juice of half a lemon; stir until splenda dissolves, then allow syrup to boil for 2 to 3 minutes.  Peel each pear and cut them in half vertically.  Remove the core and rub exposed surfaces of pears with other half of lemon.  Place halves of pears, syrup, and ginger in a covered baking dish.  Syrup should cover pears; add water if necessary.  Bake at 350F for 20 to 30 minutes until the pears are tender.  Serve warm with cold ice cream or whipped cream.  Yields six servings.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 10, 2016, 04:27:04 PM
I loved the baked ginger pears and hated the mango.  won't do that again.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Jun 10, 2016, 06:35:18 PM
Funny!  I like mangoes alright but I can't bear pears. There is just something in their texture, raw or cooked, that I just don't like. And that extends to the flavor too.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 11, 2016, 12:20:13 PM
That is interesting, but it is our differences that make the world go round.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 12, 2016, 05:13:56 PM
I did a roasted broccoli recipe and it was awful.  So hot i couldn't eat it.  Some I'm not batting a 1000 right now.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Jun 12, 2016, 06:27:25 PM
I've tried plenty of failed recipes in the past. I got pretty good at looking at the herbs and spices and deciding if they would work for me.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 12, 2016, 08:49:50 PM
I hope I'll get there at some point.  I hate the idea of wasting food
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 13, 2016, 08:54:45 AM
I think i'll try the stuffed mushroom recipe I found on sparkpeople.com  I do love my mushrooms.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Jun 13, 2016, 09:03:45 AM
Working at the Health Department and having a lot of Latino friends I've tried mangos many times because they keep telling me "you must have got a bad one".  I do NOT like them.  Everyone I've tried tasted like gasoline to me.  I'm with you duh won't do that again.  Working with them I tried a lot of food I would have never even thought of eating.  Most of it good.

I can't join the challenge because Johnny will only eat a certain set up food and I'm not cooking special for myself.  Too lazy.  Don't know how you do it.  But I like reading about your successes and failures. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 12:25:50 PM
I tried a balsamic vinegar chicken recipe.  Wasn't worth the effort in my opinion.  It was one of those marinades.  But then I was out of thyme so I used marjoram instead so maybe that was the problem.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 12:26:31 PM
Today at the store I bought a Golden Honey Dew melon.  That will be a new item for me.  I've never eaten one.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Jun 23, 2016, 01:10:08 PM
I like honeydews. I hope you do also.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 03:18:59 PM
I also bought petit fours.  I know they are just cake and frosting but I've never eaten them before in the little bite sized pieces so I'm counting them.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 04:07:07 PM
I'm trying the squash and potatoes.  i'm out of onions so none this time but if I like it I'll add it in the future.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 06:01:37 PM
didn't care for the golden honey dew melon.  It might not have been completely ripe.  it's hard to know when I'm trying something new.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 23, 2016, 11:45:42 PM
The squash and potatoes were good.  Thanks for the recipe.  I'll definitely add onions next time.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 24, 2016, 02:03:33 PM
the petit fours have a cream like layer yum.  I'm eating way too many.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 25, 2016, 04:22:57 PM
The stuffed mushroom recipe didn't get made because the mushrooms went bad before I got to them.  That happens to me a lot which is why I didn't buy much fresh produce.  But I plan to get better at using it while it is still fresh.  I have a tomato that I have to slice and eat today before it goes bad and some peppers to blanch and cut up to freeze so they aren't wasted.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Jun 25, 2016, 05:12:03 PM
I don't like honey dew either?  Glad you liked the squash and potatoes.  Can you have salt?  We usually don't use salt but this is one thing that needs salt in my opinion.

Do you ever roast your vegetables?  Sliced up squash, Chinese egg plant (the other kind is too tough), onion, zucchini, a little olive oil, salt, baked for about 40 minutes?  

Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jun 25, 2016, 05:45:49 PM
I don't do it regularly but i do like it.  It really caramelize the veggies.  Wonderful flavor. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jul 04, 2016, 08:00:54 AM
I bought turkey legs for the turkey cheese puff casserole and cooked them up last night.  This afternoon I plan to cut them into slices and fix the casserole and cook it.  I hope this goes well or I'm going to grumbling in the dinner thread for a while.  It should make about 8 servings.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Jul 05, 2016, 11:19:44 AM
How was the turkey?  Years ago one of my sisters put herself on a budget and bought turkey legs to cook for dinner because they are so big and cheap.  Did not go over well. :)
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jul 06, 2016, 07:04:12 AM
I used a recipe that called for par-frying the legs and then finishing them in chicken broth so they tasted like chicken.  I did not find them any cheaper than any other cut of meat.  The casserole was not a success for me.  I'm not fond of cooked broccoli.  The savory meringue was to little so it didn't rise.  It was like someone tried to take a meat pot pie and turn it into a casserole without the pie crust topping.  it was somewhat rubbery. 

Anyway I won't do that again.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jul 11, 2016, 08:27:43 PM
I tried vegetarian spring rolls today.  They were pretty good.  I'll try those again from time to time.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Jul 11, 2016, 10:15:18 PM
I like vege spring rolls too.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jul 21, 2016, 07:53:21 AM
I made a baked mac & cheese.  It came out hard as a rock.  I'll have to work on that.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Jul 21, 2016, 08:17:16 PM
Did you figure out why?  I love mac & cheese.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Jul 22, 2016, 08:36:49 AM
to much cheese not enough milk would be my first thought.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 18, 2016, 04:42:24 AM
I bought some of the managers special at food lion.  It was asparagus wrapped bacon with a garlic herb butter.  Turning on the oven wasn't easy in the heat but the dish was worth it.  Very good.  I wrote down the recipe and the ingredients so that I can make it myself next time.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Aug 24, 2016, 07:52:23 PM
have you ever roasted heads of garlic?  Saw it on Martha Stewart.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 25, 2016, 08:13:41 AM
i never have.  it sounds very tempting doesn't it.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Aug 25, 2016, 08:22:30 AM
Roasted garlic is delicious.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Aug 26, 2016, 01:37:48 PM
Cut a thin (1/4-inch) slice from the top of each head of garlic; discard. Place garlic in a small baking dish. Drizzle with oil.  Sprinkle with thyme. Cover with parchment paper-lined foil or just plain foil; roast garlic until soft and golden, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Aug 26, 2016, 01:45:14 PM
Scoop out the garlic with a butter knife and spread it on toasted french bread and eat. Luscious and smooth.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 27, 2016, 06:21:16 AM
So you don't peel the garlic before cooking?
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Aug 27, 2016, 10:10:15 AM
No, and you don't remove the root end. The peels do soften a little but remain and sort of move out of the way if you use a spoon or butter knife to scoop the roasted garlic out. Or you can pick up the whole thing and squeeze out the innards for a recipe.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 28, 2016, 05:13:04 PM
Ok, Friday is payday and I plan to go grocery shopping I'll put garlic on the list. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Aug 28, 2016, 06:43:05 PM
Before you roast one look up a video online. I think you'll like it and its simplicity.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 31, 2016, 08:12:20 AM
Turkey breakfast sausage, UGH!...just my opinion.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Aug 31, 2016, 10:42:22 AM
never tried the sausage but I looked at turkey bacon in the store and there's not much of a reason to change from pork bacon.  I don't remember exactly but I think the turkey actually had a tad more saturated fat and it cost more.  Go back to the sausage you like.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Aug 31, 2016, 06:18:26 PM
I didn't like the turkey bacon either.  For someone who loves turkey i'll keep it sliced.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Oct 28, 2016, 04:17:32 PM
I just tried the honeycrisp apple.  I didn't like it.  It has a medicinal under flavor which I find objectionable.  Has anyone else tried these?
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Oct 28, 2016, 08:15:06 PM
Yes, they are not my favorite either.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Oct 29, 2016, 07:09:41 AM
I've got an ambrosia to try have you had them?  I'm hoping it will be ok.  Otherwise an apple a day is going to be a bad thing.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Nov 13, 2016, 05:47:59 PM
The ambrosia apple was not memorable at all.  The golden delicious even though they were green were good with salt.  The red delicious are not memorable even though I'm eating one right now. 

Make sausage dressing used italian sweet sausage.  Bad really bad.  The sausage turned into little nuggets of hard nothing.  Was I suppose to cook them first or not?  I'm thinking that I shouldn't have.  Please let me know.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Nov 13, 2016, 05:54:35 PM
I don't know, Tammy.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Nov 22, 2016, 01:30:48 PM
I read a few recipes for sausage stuffing and cooking the sausage is one of the first things that's done in the recipes I read.  Maybe you cooked it too long??
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Nov 24, 2016, 08:56:09 AM
It certainly could have been that.  Because I've got no clue.  The ones I read you ended up cooking the sausage until it was browned and I thought that was what I did.  It's ok regular stuffing is good and I can usually do that without messing up. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Nov 24, 2016, 11:08:39 AM
I wish recipes were more careful in their wording. Browning does not mean brown. It means with most of the pink gone. You'll often end up with rocks if you actually go for "brown". Cook until it's not raw and will finish cooking in the finished product.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: duh on Apr 10, 2017, 09:53:04 AM
I tried the roasted garlic recipe in my joy of cooking book.  It was awful.  I won't do that again.  The after taste was still with me this morning.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: Tina on Apr 10, 2017, 11:23:52 AM
I think it depends on the type of garlic and type of olive oil used, Tammy. I just skip olive oil any more and use coconut oil.
On a side note, it's good to hear from you again. It's been awhile.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bestofour on Apr 12, 2017, 01:26:05 PM
Interesting.  I don't eat garlic if I can help it because I can't stand the smell,  so I don't know what it depends on but 2 Saturday nights ago we ate at a friends house and another friend brought a roasted garlic, which I took a tiny taste of, and it tasted sort of sweet.  It smelled like garlic but tasted pretty good.  If it had smelled like it tasted I would have eaten a bigger bite. 
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: sunsoaker on Apr 12, 2017, 05:56:21 PM
I tried garlic once (not roasted) and couldn't eat it. Too strong, made my mouth burn.
Title: Re: join the new challenge
Post by: bayou girl on Apr 12, 2017, 10:07:26 PM
too much plain/browned/raw garlic does burn. it is spicy.  but in mild amounts, i like it.
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