Cook the Book: 'Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin'
"Grumpy." "Cantankerous." "Grouchy." "Unreasonable." "Foul-mouthed." These are just some of the pejorative terms often used to describe Kenny Shopsin, author of this week's Cook the Book selection, Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin. Nevertheless, I bet I would enjoy him. After all, how much can you dislike a man whose restaurant menu lists 76 varieties of waffles, 47 different milkshakes, and 24 kinds of grilled cheese sandwiches?
Really, though, what I find most impressive about Kenny are the pearls of begrudging, licentious wisdom he dispenses throughout his culinary memoir-cookbook. Forget the recipes, which are usually nothing more than tongue-in-cheek instructions, and which often contain ingredients that would make food snobs shudder (Aunt Jemima pancake batter, Good Seasons Italian salad dressing mix, Fox's U-Bet Syrup). The real gems are in his prose. Consider Kenny's thoughts on being a chef:
"It's like when you have sex: You approach it each time to do the best you possibly can, as if it were the only time. You don't have to think about what you're doing because you are 100 percent in the moment—and each time it turns out just a little bit different."
That's not to say that there aren't dishes worth making. Ed describes Kenny as "a really good cook" (even if he did sign his copy of Eat Me: "F--- You, Ed. Ken"). The Senegalese Chicken Soup is a lovely dish, redolent with apples and spices; and the Gazpacho Salad is an inventive, eclectic mix of vegetables including beets and peas. But above all, Kenny's food is about surprise, whimsy, and humor—"an experience and an expression of his imagination"—and that's how home cooks should treat his recipes.
Win 'Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin'
We'll be excerpting a recipe from Shopsin's book each day this week. In addition, you can enter to win one of five (5) copies of Eat Me for your own. Simply tell us in the comments section below: Have you ever invented a dish? If so, what was it?
Five (5) people will be chosen at random from eligible comments below. Comments will close Monday, October 6 at noon ET. The standard Serious Eats contest rules apply.

Comments are closed: 251 Comments:
I invented some good breakfast food once- mix a couple eggs with some mashed corn chips, add some parmesan and garlic powder, and maybe a little hot pepper. pour it into a frying pan to brown, and melt a couple slices of cheese on top. Season with Salt and pepper. Awesome.
DanielJ at 1:19PM on 09/29/08
Not sure if seriosly drunken concoctions count but on a Memorial Weekend college trip we made some pretty delicious (to our very buzzed taste buds) mixes of Cool Ranch Doritos, Sun Chips, potato chips, Fritos, and Easy Cheese!
This book looks great!
bobcatsteph3 at 1:33PM on 09/29/08
i started making zucchini pancakes about 30 years ago, long before they were fashionable. i grate and squeeze zucchini, add salt, pepper, chopped garlic, eggs, matzo meal, and some grated cheese, and fry them. i serve them with applesauce and sour cream, just like potato pancakes.
cybercita at 1:33PM on 09/29/08
When I was 11-ish I made some awesome marshmallows.
I took a chunk of baker's chocolate and a gob of peanut butter and melted them together. I poured that over a giant marshmallow and sprinkled it with powdered sugar. It was so good, I kept making them over and over until I almost got sick.
It was rich, melty, and chocolate - totally satisfied my young cravings!
Tara Tot at 1:36PM on 09/29/08
I invented a turkey pie for a turkey deli shop I worked for. It contained the turkey, the stuffing and the cranberries.
ssommerville at 1:42PM on 09/29/08
"potato eclairs"
mashed potato cakes shaped like eclairs stuffed with chicken fried steak instead of bavarian creme and brushed with gravy on top.
Ingredients: chicken fried steak nuggets made from leftover chicken fried steak inside mashed potato cakes made from leftover mashed potatoes. pretty good, but needed lots of gravy and the chicken fried steak isn't crispy, but it was left over and not crispy anyway.
intheyearofthepig at 1:44PM on 09/29/08
we invent dishes all the time- who follows the recipe exactly anyhow?
monicabg at 1:51PM on 09/29/08
Eggs a la Martin. (Recipe proprietary.)
Brettsy at 1:56PM on 09/29/08
its nothing really special but all my friends really love it: Its called "American Turkey Tacos". Its gound turkey meat with a secret combonation of spices that includes among opthers cumin and Spicy Garlic Sauce from Buffalo Wild Wings, haha! It has to be in a thick hand made wheat tortilla. Then for the toppings its cheddar cheese and carmalized onions and slices of tomatoe. Spalash on Franks Red Hot and your set. Same way every time and its a hit!!
hoff_83 at 1:56PM on 09/29/08
i invented a cake that was plain vanilla cake with marscapone frosting, almonds, date, and orange zest. yum!
missmicker at 2:00PM on 09/29/08
not terribly original, but i concocted a pretty awesome roasted pepper-grilled corn/squash/eggplant orzo dish a few days ago. ohmygod delicious.
sarahlucy at 2:06PM on 09/29/08
Ah...my Sunday Morning Pre-Football-Leftover-Special
Two pieces of French Toast (challah French toast preferred) with scrambled eggs, capicola ham, American cheese, and cinnamon & sugar in between.
I have no idea if Shopsin would approve.
lawofmurphy at 2:07PM on 09/29/08
I invented the big mac.
davey at 2:07PM on 09/29/08
when i became pregnant i craved (and invented) a dish of frozen corn with mayonnaise, garlic salt and black pepper. i could go through bags and bags of corn a day!
dmarina at 2:07PM on 09/29/08
I "invent" different types of cookies and muffins on occassion-- I like playing with different flavor combos. My favorites are pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and dried cherry, almond and ginger cookies.
Laurel E at 2:08PM on 09/29/08
Rolled venison leg with a mushroom ragout. Not satisfied with the copious amounts of pork fat in the ragout, I draped bacon over the whole roast to ensure maximum flavor!
hungryinhouston at 2:11PM on 09/29/08
It's kind of like an aloo gobi chicken pot pie. We make it when it's cold out. Brrrrrrrr!
Stufsocker at 2:17PM on 09/29/08
I never invented a dish, that's why I try to win cookbooks from you people!
cdziuba at 2:17PM on 09/29/08
Hells yes I have! On accident, of course....
I called it kalbi-style beef with cocktail onions, but it really had 3,000 other ingredients... spring peas, spinach, tons of ginger and garlic.... 4 kinds of fish and oyster sauces [in small amounts... don't doubt me here] - and...it was AWESOME! The whole thing really made me look at cocktail onions in a completely different way - it's amazing what those darling little pickl-y guys'll go with!! :D
sakuraa at 2:24PM on 09/29/08
I don't think I invent...I MODIFY.......over the years, I've changed recipes to make them my own....my vegetarian chili is the best......!
starsmom at 2:24PM on 09/29/08
I invented a salad dressing this weekend -- honey, sushi vinegar, good olive oil, salt, and pepper. Not very hard to come up with, but for some reason it really impressed my husband. And it was delicious on a fig and pancetta salad.
verbafacio at 2:25PM on 09/29/08
You mean besides inventing the internet???
Poverty is the mother of invention. I call them casseroles, dips, tacos, pasta dishes, fish burgers, grill mix, salads, stir fry, mom's pizza...and on and on.
PerkyMac at 2:28PM on 09/29/08
I honestly can't claim this as my own, since I got it from an internet friend who lived/lives in Winnipeg, Canada, but it's darn good. I haven't made it in years, though.
It's peanut butter pasta sauce. All you do to make it is heat up a small can of tomato paste and then add a big dollop of peanut butter, then stir until the peanut butter melts. You can add some curry powder if you want it spicy, but it's fine without it. Serve it over pasta - spirals seem to be best.
Now I'm hungry. And nostalgic.
maryofdoom at 2:32PM on 09/29/08
I am going to assume I invented it because I haven't seen it anywhere else: cheesesteak and eggs, all cooked and chopped up together into one awesome sandwich
billrein at 2:38PM on 09/29/08
yes i am always experimenting with new ingredients to spice up dishes
mverno at 2:46PM on 09/29/08
Spice Rubbed Pork Chops: cinnamon, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, chipotle powder, white pepper, garlic powder, terragon, oregano, parsley, and the sweet and spicy McCormick spice mix.
fatitalianbroad at 2:46PM on 09/29/08
I tried to come up with something for a Pillsbury bake-off. It was some kind of apple cinnamon rolls with maple icing. And it was a complete disaster. They totally fell apart in the oven and the icing tasted completely fake. UGH.
Sarajahii at 2:48PM on 09/29/08
When I was a kid I thought I had invented ice cream soup. Wait for the ice cream to melt or just stir furiously, then sip out of a large spoon. Since then I have improved upon my inventions. My favorite is mango and goat cheese enchiladas with chicken. Yum.
foodandscience at 2:50PM on 09/29/08
i'm convinced that i am responsible for creating the delicious toasted peanut butter and bacon sandwich... so. flippin'. good.
factorygirl1976 at 2:51PM on 09/29/08
I think everyone makes up a dish or two, they probably just don't realize it at the time. Me, I do a few things, that just came to me, like a honey lavender ice cream, because, of course, I like those things, and I said, sure, put them together.
The two things I've really, purely invented: the (just to be funny) Deep Fried Turkey Napoleon, which is just layers of my deep fried turkey, mashed potatoes, and wild rice stuffing. Even used a pseudo-ring mold.
And the Triple Decker PBJ Plus, three slices of bread, a slathering of peanut butter and jelly (two each, of course), and slices of banana throughout. Good on its own, not bad grilled, either. The King would love it.
DeepFriedWonder at 2:53PM on 09/29/08
eh, i guess. more inventive than actually inventing. there was this one time that i microwaved puffed pastry and sprinkled cinnamon sugar. i had a sweet tooth but only healthy food in my kitchen. it actually did the trick.
_greenbean at 2:54PM on 09/29/08
many, but my favorite is probably the tequila-shot truffles!
http://gonzogastro.wordpress.com
vinovamp at 2:57PM on 09/29/08
I "created" an awesome sandwich with scrambled eggs, fried Spam, and ketchup. Trashy but delicious!
cochon at 3:03PM on 09/29/08
Chicken ala Elli: Put the chicken breasts in a skillet with salt and pepper, brown, smear dijon on both sides of the chicken and then saute another few minutes on each side. Deglaze with Madeira and mix in some more mustard. Throw in some chopped scallions and you have a delicious, fast, and super easy chicken dish. Sometimes it even looks pretty!
ellimac at 3:11PM on 09/29/08
Chinese Chicken Noodles: rice sticks, sliced chicken, broccoli slaw, scallions, and soy ginger dressing. What started as a collection of leftovers became a favorite meal!
shalomblack at 3:12PM on 09/29/08
I created a very decadent chocolate lavender tart - a classic tart crust filled with a layer of chocolate whipped cream with crushed lavender folded in, then topped with dark chocolate ganache. It was heavenly!
Risha at 3:12PM on 09/29/08
The first one that I remember was a seafood omelet with green pepper, shrimp, scallops, some lump crab meat, and plenty of old bay seasoning.
The second is smoked salmon in a brown butter sauce with Parmesan, thyme and garlic over angel hair pasta. The most recent was a sandwich for my nephew that was peanut butter and honey with doritos in the middle.
jboylan at 3:14PM on 09/29/08
I have never invented my own dish! Hopefully some day soon.
rffoodie at 3:14PM on 09/29/08
Shirt tacos...using ground turkey, diced onion, tomato sauce, pepper, other spices, taco sauce
toastworthy at 3:17PM on 09/29/08
I can't imagine not inventing dishes- especially when you've had some issues in the month and you're low on cash so you're eating out of your pantry. I also learned how to cook while in high school, and my mom did the shopping, didn't ask me what I thought would work, but I cooked dinner most weeknights. It teaches you to work with what you have on hand! (I think she had a similar system with her mother when she was in high school)
My biggest problem is getting on a kick and eating the same thing over and over again.
cmtigger at 3:20PM on 09/29/08
after making fried chicken, i had a bowl of leftover egg and a bowl of leftover bread crumbs. that night, "breggs" were born. so delicious.
petebakes at 3:21PM on 09/29/08
Oh, I better add something that I've invented. In high school I made all sorts of things from frozen, boneless chicken. Often it was simple with lemon, butter, green onions and mushrooms. Other times it could be more involved depending on what I had on hand.
cmtigger at 3:23PM on 09/29/08
I'm constantly trying to create new things -- especially now, having moved in with a Kosher vegetarian. Trying to adapt my (apparently) meat-centric dishes to versions that we can both enjoy has been a challenge, but it's always exciting.
kfarrel3 at 3:25PM on 09/29/08
I invent almost every time I cook dinner. It usually goes: search for recipe online or in book, figure out what ingredients I need, go shopping, change a diaper, feed the baby, start making dinner and end up winging it because I forgot to bookmark my webpage (or paper page) and can't be bothered to find it again.
francie at 3:28PM on 09/29/08
Back in college, I worked part time in the grill at a local sports bar. While waiting for my shift to start, I grilled up a chicken breast, basted it with garlic butter, tossed it on a croissant with some lettuce, tomato, and onion and topped it with some horseradish mayo and colbyjack cheese. I liked it enough that it became my typical lunch on days I worked. The owner liked it enough that he added it to the menu as the "Larry Bird." My claim to culinary fame, at least locally.
kuromu at 3:28PM on 09/29/08
My roommate and I invented (were inspired by) a bunch of different recipes centered around garlicky butternut squash and pasta. We added onion, sage, parmesan, and spicy sausage. It doesn't really have a name, except maybe That Pasta, as in, "you wanna make That Pasta again??"
LiveToEat at 3:37PM on 09/29/08
Most of my dinners for the first several months of living on my own after college consisted of a chopped up chicken breast, stir fried with various frozen veges, and over sauced from one Asian-themed bottle or another... if that counts.
iyamapotato at 3:40PM on 09/29/08
I made a sort of bread soup recently, pureed smooth and enriched with eggs. Delicious and creamy, if not exactly revolutionary.
I never follow recipes, generally, just apply a few basic techniques and whatever flavors I feel like and have on hand. In that sense, one could say I invent a dish almost every time I cook.
Nicholas H at 3:45PM on 09/29/08
I don't think I ever invented anything as exciting and groundbreaking as macaroni and cheese pancakes...maybe I need this book as inspiration!
orinky at 3:45PM on 09/29/08
I'm not sure this qualifies as inventing as I'm sure there are older dishes that are the same or at least similar but I never knew of them so I'm counting it. It was chevre, chopped fresh mint, vanilla extract and salt and pepper cut with a couple teaspoons of cream. that mixture was then spread over halved figs which were then broiled until bubbly and golden brown.
daveharrisoneditor at 4:07PM on 09/29/08
I am always inventing new dishes made out of leftovers. My favorite game to play is, "take everything from the fridge and turn it into one dish." It can get pretty creative, with good and bad results
beegoode at 4:16PM on 09/29/08
i've poured beer on my cereal before, does that count?
jimbojones at 4:17PM on 09/29/08
I invented a corn and chickpea salad that my family loves. It tastes very fresh but only requires fresh tomatoes. A great taste of summer for the middle of winter.
OneEyedMan at 4:18PM on 09/29/08
A salad of mixed greens with thyme beet cubes, gingered carrot cubes (beet and carrot juices, seasoned and gelled with agar agar), candied pecans, and a grapefruit and grapeseed oil vinaigrette
Traci7822 at 4:20PM on 09/29/08
mediterranean/italian breakfast: barely cooked fried egg, marinated artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese on top of crusty bread
musicalpandibear at 4:23PM on 09/29/08
When I was little I invented "potato balls." I can't really explain what they were but my siblings loved them.
kroehl at 4:25PM on 09/29/08
my creations are usually abominations that should never be served to humans, they need a label like the one for raw goats milk.
isol8d at 4:27PM on 09/29/08
In university I invented "Apple Delight"
You slice an apple, top with cinnamon and maple syrup (or honey)
Microwave 2 minutes and top with granola.
Like apple crumble but 30x faster - What a Delight!
PeanutButter at 4:33PM on 09/29/08
I like making instant mashes potatoes and throwing minced fresh garlic and dry herbs in the mix. I put that in a dish (like 8x8). Layer that with cheese. Then I cook ground turkey, onions, and peppers in taco seasoning. Layer that on top of the cheese to melt. Sometimes if I'm having breakfast, I'll put a fried egg on top of a serving. Not sure what kind of dish that is, but I like to eat it with sirracha :)
nycvivi at 4:37PM on 09/29/08
I came up with a couple of unique breakfast items
syoung68 at 4:47PM on 09/29/08
I like to make refrigerator soup using whatever is in the fridge.
tracker at 4:47PM on 09/29/08
"invent"? who the hell knows..looks like a fun read, though.
sloppy at 4:49PM on 09/29/08
I invent stuff all the time. Starting when I was a kid with an omelette of turkey bananas jack cheese and cornflakes. Fortunately things have improved since then.
karen r at 5:02PM on 09/29/08
Peanut butter chicken ramen noodle sandwiches. I can't believe I just admitted that.
aharste at 5:23PM on 09/29/08
I tried (many times) to make corned beef hash burgers,but I could never get them to stick together. They tasted good, though.
taxichick at 5:31PM on 09/29/08
I wanted to come up with a tiramisu type of dessert that would have more of a tropical feel and would go well with Mexican food...
So I pureed some super ripe mango and folded that into the mascarpone cheese mixture for the creamy layer. For the cake layer I used golden buttery poundcake sliced thin. I instead of dipping the slices in an espresso-brandy mixture, I topped them with a cinnamon-pineapple rum sauce. I layered it like a typical tiramisu and decorated it with more thinly sliced mangos....
It came out wonderfully, and was very very popular with my guests....
hmneilson at 5:52PM on 09/29/08
I do it all the time! Stuffed potato kugel, for one - potato kugel stuffed with sausage and onions.
brooke29 at 5:57PM on 09/29/08
No, not yet. I did make a treat with Nutella, I am not sure if someone already made it before.
MajaMeza79 at 6:04PM on 09/29/08
It's called yummy pasta and consists of a marinara sauce mixed enough heavy cream to make it go from deep red to a deep orange. Served over penne with sauteed chicken that are cubed.
jamesl8n at 6:11PM on 09/29/08
My mother invented "mexican crepes," an awesome bastardization of two cuisines, that was a favorite when I was a kid. I have invented tons of recipes, but they're mostly modifications of existing ones or some way to use up leftovers.
ScienceandtheCity at 6:23PM on 09/29/08
I invent dishes all the time. So the last one was I pureed baked acorn squash with some chicken broth. I threw it into a pan with some crushed garlic I sauteed in olive oil and some pine nuts I dry roasted. Added salt, pepper and nutmeg. Cooked until the squash caremalized. Poured in some goat milk and got it bubbling. Tossed in some undercooked penne, and when the pasta finished cooking in the sauce, I turned off the heat and added grated parmesiana reggiana, fresh marjoram from the garden and a drizzle of olive oil. Fairly tasty.
spanklin at 6:34PM on 09/29/08
all the time, a lot of times when i'm making soup out of whatever's in the fridge
mrsbao at 6:35PM on 09/29/08
We liKE Chinese, so I invented a recipe for fried rice with lots of vegies and brown rice and a little meat. Also My "Carols Bread" evolved from a classic Challah bread.
CarolHarrity at 6:37PM on 09/29/08
I create a dish every time I cook. While I may try to follow a recipe scrupulously my pinch might well be someone else's half a teaspoon. It has taken a lot of practice and courage and confidence, but I have finally removed demagoguery from my kitchen. I respect the recipes that are the germ of what I cook, and the people that provide the recipe, but ultimately everything that I fix bears my mark.
Michael Z at 6:42PM on 09/29/08
No, ive never came up with my own recipes, i guess that i am not that creative.
rebbi511 at 6:43PM on 09/29/08
haven't invented a new dish worth bearing my name yet; but there's always time!!
aeschylus at 6:45PM on 09/29/08
No, But I remember when I was a kid, my sister used to take pretty much everything sweet or crispy out of the cupboard put it together and name it something.
Unfortunately, I was always the taste tester.
Silvia at 6:48PM on 09/29/08
I make a mean bacon, cream cheese and bagel sandwich. Not really kosher, but damn delicious.
Also as a kid, my sis and I used to take every ingredient/condiment on the table and dump it into water and dare the other one to drink it.
TodayIsTomorrow at 7:05PM on 09/29/08
Sure. Coquilles Saint Salvador Dali. Barely-pan-seared sea scallops (so they are still white but a bit blood-shot-looking; or, sear them around the round edge and leave the flat surface white), arranged in a shallow muddy-green puddle of lemony sorrel sauce. Place a large caper berry on each scallop. Disconcertingly delicious. Watch your dinner guests re-enact classic cinema. An "Andalusian" specialty!
maqloubeh at 7:06PM on 09/29/08
Yes well I dunno for certain this dish doesnt exist, but its certainly the first time I have had it and I have never heard of it. Its a very simple "salad", and I call it an endive salad when I serve it:
Endives split in half length wise, brushed with a small bit of olive oil and seared cut (flat) side down on a very hot cast iron pan for ~15-30 seconds, just enough for the endive to soften and the edges to carmelize/burn slightly.
Carmelized onions piled on top, drizzled with aged balsamic (or a balsamic reduction) and shaved parmesan (or any cheese you like I bet a strong blue would be good actually).
Super easy fast and if you do it right can be a very nice presentation.
NY_Amateur at 7:08PM on 09/29/08
I don't know if this qualifies as an invention, but I created a chinese chicken salad based on the ingredients at a local cafe.
farmkat at 7:16PM on 09/29/08
plenty, but my kids are fond of our raviolis with pumpkin sauce
agordon10 at 7:17PM on 09/29/08
A few years back, when I was still pretty green in the kitchen, I cooked at a small restaurant/bar. I had been at this place for about a year and was completely burnt out on the menu. Late one night as I sat at the bar after my shift I got to chatting with a very animated (and quite tipsy) young couple. They told me they had met just three weeks beforehand and were getting married the next week! They seemed very much in love and I congradulated them on finding each other. When they asked me where a great restaurant would be in the area I invited them back the next night for a three course meal made especially for them by chef me. (i might have been a lil' tipsy myself) They got very excited and promised to return the next evening.
Working the next night, which was very slow, I waited in anticipation for the couple, excited to whip up something new and exciting for them instead of making the same fifteen plates over and over. However, the night dragged on and I eventually gave up on the couple. They must have been too drunk to remember, I thought. Oh well, I was tired anyway. I was just getting ready to clean up and close the kitchen and guess who walks in ready for their custom made meal at 11:30 pm? Keep in mind that despite the fact I was excited about cooking for them, I hadn't actually put any real thought into what I would actually make. And it was late. And I was tired.
This is what I came up with:
First course- Like a nacho/crostini thing. Indidvidual tortilla chips layed out on a platter topped with tapenade, jack cheese, chevre, each garnished with a single cilantro leaf. This wasn't too hard to think up. Kins of a deconstructed nancho.
The couple, for some reason, loved it.
Main- This was where things got interesting. I really had no idea what to do other than I was sure it would be some type of pasta. I refused to make anything from the menu so...Did you ever start improving a dish and take it way too far? Adding some of this, a little of that, until you can barely recognize what you've ended up with? The ingredient list for the pasta dish I served the couple:
Linguine, roasted garlic, rosemary, thyme, chicken breast, tomatoes, marinara sauce, portabellos marinated in A-1, tapenade, cashews, spinach, jack cheese, chevre, heavy cream, basil, parsley, some other stuff i've forgotten and god knows what else. The color of this sauce was an ungodly orangey-brown like dumpster juice and smelled reall really strange. I was afraid to taste it. So I just sent it to the table...
I didn't hear anything from the servers as I finally cleaned up and closed the kitchen. I told the bartender to make some whiskey-chocolate something for the dessert course and went outside to smoke. When I came back and sat at the bar for my shift drink there was the couple. I was hesitant to speak to them but was morbidly curious about the monster pasta. I strode up and asked them about their meal and...they loved it! They told me it was absolutely delicious and thanked me profusly. I almost did, believe them until the guy pulled out his take- out box and asked for a fork. He hungily shoved more pasta in his mouth, smiling the whole time as I watched. I was somewhat beside myself at this creation but hey, the couple was happy!
sailordave at 7:38PM on 09/29/08
I used to stuff all kinds of things in a pita pocket and put it in the microwave when i was in elementary school...i've made significant progress since then.
ChiefHDB at 8:25PM on 09/29/08
stir fry with whatever is in the fridge
winkyj at 8:51PM on 09/29/08
Occasionally I will make a number of substitutions in recipes and make my own recipe
cherierj at 9:06PM on 09/29/08
I created a Sweet potato casserole without the marshmallow that includes walnuts and apples with cinnamon sugar. It is always a big hit at the holidays.
drala625 at 9:09PM on 09/29/08
My son's favorite is an "inside out pizza" - 2 flour tortillas, pizza sauce, cheese, sliced olives - cooked quesadilla style and cut into pie wedges. He won't eat "quesadillas" but gobbles down an "inside out pizza".
mekelbel at 9:13PM on 09/29/08
I invented one of my now-favourite sandwiches: hummus, sliced roasted beets and arugula on toasted raisin bread. Mmmmmmmmmm.
piccola at 9:43PM on 09/29/08
Right now I am working on creating a sort of pecan curd or pancetta to use as a condiment at the teahouse I work in.
deenarae0 at 9:48PM on 09/29/08
I've invented a heck of a lot of cocktails, which are often followed by attempts to deep-fry something I've never seen deep-fried- like leftover spaghetti fritters, or cheddar cheese, frozen, wrapped in potato and deep-fried, or deep-fried cheese sandwiches... Are they recipes? Debatable. More like experiments in burn dressing.
thatgrrl at 10:02PM on 09/29/08
Invention - maybe not from square 1, but I love improvising. The latest? A chocolate chip quickbread to which I added toasted walnuts, orange zest, and cranberries.
Most of the things I invent wind up being just for me -- only to my own taste.
scaevola at 10:05PM on 09/29/08
Not the most creative, but in high school I would eat chicken sandwiches that I piled on with kimchi and other assorted banchan. Hmmm, now that I'm thinking about it, there were other weird combos like putting a little tomato sauce with mandoo for a pseudo-ravioli. (Ok, ok, so it's not really cooking...)
miamia at 10:12PM on 09/29/08
It may sound absolutely odd, but I'm always eating waffle sandwiches. With scrambled eggs and Sriracha (sp?) sauce in the middle. It's college budget delicious.
jayerk at 10:44PM on 09/29/08
My after-school snack in Elementary school: mix together rice krispies, peanut butter and sugar. Eat. Yum!
Josh Baugher at 10:53PM on 09/29/08
NO - I do good to follow a recipe! But I have made adjustments to a recipe to make it more to my family's liking and to accommodate my son's peanut allergy.
susitravl at 11:00PM on 09/29/08
Sure. When our parents left my six-year-old self and my little sister parked in front of the TV on weekend afternoons, I created some delectable snacks for us. Two favorites were Campfire brand marshmallows sprinkled with canned potato sticks, heated in the oven just until the marshmallows were browned and bubbly; and saltines, warmed individually on the light bulbs in our parents' bedroom lamps.
baboo at 11:04PM on 09/29/08
Go to Weight Watchers
Aliciaz at 11:25PM on 09/29/08
I do everytime I cook
sandy89 at 11:49PM on 09/29/08
One of my signature brunches is called "French Toast Santa Fe":
It is basically a sandwich made with two slices of challah french toast filled with almond butter and sliced bananas, slathered in maple syrup. I used to call it "“The Challah-French Toast-Peanut Butter-Banana Sandwich, with Maple Syrup”, but that was too long. I now use the "Santa Fe" suffix for all of my signature dishes. Check out photos at http://www.breakfastblogger.com/2006/07/24/the-ultimate-breakfast-sandwich/
peterhorowitz at 12:04AM on 09/30/08
I invent every time I cook ('cause you gotta use what is in the fridge!) My most recent favorite is Farmer's Market pizza - think whole wheat crust, flavorful green "sauce", fresh cheeses, and a sprinkling of pine nuts. Yummy!!
foodinrealtime at 12:13AM on 09/30/08
I made a ketchup and mayo sandwich on white bread when I was 5...
madball911 at 12:16AM on 09/30/08
I change, modify, re-arrange,,,,but NOBODY could come up with as many new combos as Kenny Shopsin!
He's a force of nature!
gorzd at 12:31AM on 09/30/08
I used to take salami, spread some cream cheese on it and roll it up when I was little. Does that count? :)
mozart23 at 12:33AM on 09/30/08
I suppose this isn't an invention, but I came up with a bread pudding recipe that I'm mighty proud of!
sharsd at 12:43AM on 09/30/08
I haven't yet "invented" any recipes, unless my very scientific (and delicious) way of cooking asparagus counts. You haven't eaten asparagus until you've eaten MY asparagus. (nyah, nyah.)
miso at 1:00AM on 09/30/08
I invented the flying sandwich. I did, really.
guthrieward at 1:20AM on 09/30/08
caramel cream pie- i put it on the menu at work and its such a success
Erinay77 at 2:37AM on 09/30/08
One or two good ones - beetroot pancakes, like potato pancakes. But then I saw a recipe similar to them in a british cookbook.
Also I made a macaroni and cheese with leeks that was fabulous.
Also, this is slightly embarrassing, but my favourite food ever is raw carrots and ketchup. Lovely.
robin170 at 5:03AM on 09/30/08
I'm always "inventing" something since I can never seem to follow a recipe exactly, got to be creative!
anyang at 7:01AM on 09/30/08
I'm not so sure if "invented" is the right word, but I regularly toss stuff together and, sometimes, it even comes out good.
I modified a brownie recipe by adding more chocolate (chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, etc) and those have become my "signature" goodie that I bring to work reguarly.
When I travel, I toss together brown rice, black beans, salsa and shredded cheese for a quick, filling, easy meal. Sometimes I'll add leftover meat (generally chicken) from a previous resturant meal.
I'd love the chance to win a copy of the book. Thanks for the opportunity.
Ruth Ann
gt0163c at 7:31AM on 09/30/08
Fried Green Tomato BLT with rosemary bread, fresh mozzerella and basil aioli!
TheDistrictDomestic at 8:14AM on 09/30/08
leftovers mixed together
hedgehog at 8:50AM on 09/30/08
I invent dishes all the time, usually some sort of pasta and whatever leftovers we have from the weekend. My most recent was a macaroni and cheese with maple bacon and a hunk of raclette that I'd picked up on a recent trip to northern Michigan. Very, very tasty...
Rottenmom at 8:52AM on 09/30/08
I invent dishes all the time, usually a casserole using leftovers and pasta or rice. All of been edible but none worth making again.
susanchester at 9:33AM on 09/30/08
No inventions here, but I'm always freestyling my recipes.
krissyc at 9:33AM on 09/30/08
My various incarnations of Pasta Bake!
dglitter at 10:13AM on 09/30/08
Chili where I throw in leftover veggies or whatever else I have in the frig!
Cindy at 10:23AM on 09/30/08
I "invented " a brownie ice cream cake that was a HIT with everyone .
foodie51 at 10:31AM on 09/30/08
Leftover casserole! Layered with whatever there was, a splash of wine or dry sherry, and scratch gravy.
sjwoodin at 11:08AM on 09/30/08
Nothing specific, but we are always improvising everything we cook to make it more personal.
mnsteph at 11:08AM on 09/30/08
I haven't invented any dishes :(
ktgonyea at 11:14AM on 09/30/08
I made up a dish I called "Mediterranean Chicken" from a handful of different recipes and ideas. I stuffed boneless chicken breasts with a mix of feta, capers, chopped green olives, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and olive oil. I salt & peppered the chicken, topped it with a thin slice of lemon, and baked. I topped the cooked chicken breasts with a tomato, toasted pine nut and oregano mix, and served a salad of cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, rice wine vinegar and olive oil on the side. It always looks so fresh and pretty! And tastes great too!
capricornpig at 11:14AM on 09/30/08
Does baked beans ice cream count?
captunderp at 11:19AM on 09/30/08
Yes for a recipe contest,can not say what it was since the contest is not over yet.
dove1960 at 11:58AM on 09/30/08
The Sluggo Sandwich - basically fried egg, bacon, mayo, & american cheese on untoasted white bread. A gooey gloppy glorious mess. After that I wasn't allowed to invent things in the kitchen anymore. (At least until I got my own kitchen.)
HeyCarl at 1:22PM on 09/30/08
Rolled Dough Delicious.
leeapeea at 1:39PM on 09/30/08
hit the wrong button. Rolled Dough Delicious is very simple. Take one slice of white bread (heavily milled wheat would work too, but nothing with bits or nuts), and cut off the crust. Butter bread heavily and sprinkle sugar ontop (non-purists add cinnemon, but the original RDD was a diabetic's nightmare of processed ingrediants). Starting with a corner, squeeze and roll the bread piece into a ball shape, with the buttery goodness side on the inside. Place ball into toaster oven at 300-350 degrees (depending on size of toaster oven) for about 5-10 minutes. RDD should be golden-toasty on the outside, sugary-butter super on the inside!
leeapeea at 1:43PM on 09/30/08
My family has a couple inside joke dishes. One is "frogs on toast" which started out as the thing to say when little kids would ask in the middle of cooking "What's for dinner?" and turned into a real snack. It consists of some butter or olive oil braised greens on crispy or even day old bread, kid of works in like a less broken up panzanella. The mix changes based on what's around, usually some kind of red pepper spread is involved. Often a morning quick snack with random leftovers and spice rack items for variety.
tastyvittles at 1:53PM on 09/30/08
I invent sauces all the time. Depends on what I have available and what's for dinner.
finsbigfan at 2:10PM on 09/30/08
Yes, the Meat Football. A football made with real pigskin, stuffed with cheesy chili sauce for chip dippin'.
stevebillings at 2:12PM on 09/30/08
I agree with what someone else said...most likely the type of people that read this sight create their own dishes all the time!
I very rarely follow recipes (except in baking), i usually just start throwing things together that sound good to me!
erichichi at 2:24PM on 09/30/08
During my sophomore year of high school, my punk band and I decided to call it quits for the day and scrounged around our drummer's pantry looking for something to eat. Our efforts to make a dish turned into a "let's-see-how-ridiculous-this-can-get" affair.
It consisted of an oatmeal/bread base set in a bread pan (Quaker oats, whole grain flour, some baking soda, water, salt, little bit of butter), some brown sugar, pineapple chunks, bacon bits, and Canadian bacon - all topped with a nice glaze of maple syrup.
We dubbed it "Oatmeat" (in fact, I think we made a few shirts on Cafe Press to remember the momentous occasion). It didn't really rise (duh...no yeast, not enough baking soda), but it was actually pretty good. You just couldn't eat more than a few bites because it was so freakishly rich.
codeblue at 2:35PM on 09/30/08
Carbonara schmarbonara...I invented breakfast spaghetti (bacon, eggs and pasta with tons of grated parm and black pepper).
thdx3 at 2:55PM on 09/30/08
I guess I "invent" something every time I cook. I usually only use recipes as as jumping off point, or to learn a new technique.
My favorite though, is from when I first started cooking. Flour really thin pork loin cutlets, sear 'em up and make a pan sauce with Captain Morgan rum, apple cider, chile powder and a lil bit of cream. Came out even better when I started sauteeing apples and onions before making the sauce. I think I'll make this sometime this week. :)
scarletini at 2:57PM on 09/30/08
"Bacon Sauerkraut Sandwiches" - Toasted bread with scads of bacon, mustard, mayo and sauerkraut. Its the sauerkraut that makes it.
chrisfurniss at 3:02PM on 09/30/08
All the time... this week it was the bastard child of picadillo and Bahamian style steamed tuna. It was sauteed onions, carrots, tomatoes and can of tuna, with a good squeeze of lemon, some capers and olives, all tossed around with ketchup, and some cilantro sprinkled over the top. Sounds odd, but it really was delicious over white rice.
islandchild at 3:09PM on 09/30/08
i thought i had invented quesedillas using prociuitto, smoked gouda and caramelized onions several years ago and then i saw them online somewhere. i was disappointed to learn i am not as imaginative as i thought.
charlotterusse at 3:50PM on 09/30/08
I'm not sure if I've actually created some of the dishes I've made or that they exist and I don't know it. I used to make chicken breast casseroles with rice and anything that I got out of the garden at the time. I also get very inventive with my grilled cheese sandwiches. Thank you!
Tina12312 at 4:25PM on 09/30/08
Taco potstickers
salty at 4:51PM on 09/30/08
i want to win
maweisberg at 5:02PM on 09/30/08
I invent dishes often -- the most sucessful have been stirfrys and soups. My fried rice is never the same twice and I always think it is incredible. I have never made fried rice unless it involved leftovers or using up bits of this and that.
lakeloverhh at 5:03PM on 09/30/08
The one dish I invented was a simple salad of broccoli, shredded carrots, chicken strips, and tomato sauce. Easy to do in a dorm room!
codasco at 5:14PM on 09/30/08
Sauteed prok chops finished with a sauce of dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar cooked just to glaze.
ocarol at 5:25PM on 09/30/08
Just can't imagine that no one else in the world has ever tried some of my
"I think this might taste good" experiments. So, even if I haven't found any written recipes for them, I can't take credit for any "invented dish". I will, however, enjoy reading Kenny Shopsin's book.
LindaY at 5:43PM on 09/30/08
I invented alternative Pop Tarts.
yadgirl at 6:12PM on 09/30/08
I have ...
Mamas Favorite Chicken Nachos!
mama43 at 6:14PM on 09/30/08
I have never invented a dish.
fshapiro at 6:16PM on 09/30/08
I invent about 80% of the food I cook. One favorite is my vaguely vietnamese salad - it's usually thin ribbons of napa cabbage and spinach, with thin strips of carrot, cucumber, and sometimes red pepper. Add lots of cilantro, some basil, vietnamese cilantro if I can find it, maybe some mint. Dress with fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and salt. So refreshing!
emisara at 7:09PM on 09/30/08
I have never developed a recipe in my life. I completely depend on cookbooks!
RobsGirl123 at 7:24PM on 09/30/08
Tofu T-bones.
elliepayson at 7:54PM on 09/30/08
I can't claim to have invented any dishes, but I do love to experiment with recipes and change them up to fit my own personal tastes.
Delinia at 8:10PM on 09/30/08
I like eating frozen vegetables. And I make a "frozen salad" from undefrosted Trader Joe's french-cut green beans with mayonnaise-horseradish dressing and topped with crispy crumbled bacon and thinly sliced red onion. Crazy but good.
Susquehanna at 8:52PM on 09/30/08
a peanut butter, strawberry jam, banana, granola wrap.
zekks at 9:14PM on 09/30/08
I invent, modify, re-invent to little success. I will keep trying and the poor hubby keeps on eating.
mrsglowtone at 9:46PM on 09/30/08
My son invented his version of cheese and apples: Cheetos dipped in applesauce. Delicious! (If you're 2)
AnnaBananna at 10:11PM on 09/30/08
Nope I suck and only follow recipes, oh well! I want a book!
Chaos at 10:33PM on 09/30/08
I started making a new snack for my friends and myself a few months ago. We call them "Sullies." They're nutella and smooth peanut butter between two soft chocolate chip cookies.
hamkracker at 10:33PM on 09/30/08
tortilla chicken pie!
arugulafiles at 10:57PM on 09/30/08
I didn't invent it, but I invented a new way to make the classic fried-egg cheese sandwich, which involved frying the egg, adding cheese and bread, and then grilling the bread like a grilled cheese sandwich. Delicious and my method impressed my Engineer roommate!
Rasputin45 at 11:13PM on 09/30/08
take one packet of soy sauce, one of duck sauce and one of Chinese mustard and mix together. use as an overnight marinade/glaze for a ham. Bake until cooked through.
fattycrab at 11:39PM on 09/30/08
totally. it's called 'blackcurrant and lime jello - accidentally mixed' and tastes like vick's vaporub.
cdcdcd at 1:14AM on 10/01/08
a lowfat chicken wrap. it has baked chicken, red onions and ceaser dressing.
jchic45102 at 1:53AM on 10/01/08
Always doing new cakes or casseroles. My son loves my version of tater-tot casserole!
AlbinoRockstar at 8:28AM on 10/01/08
Puerco Pibil tamales with spicy raisin and pumpkin sauce
Mistertut at 8:35AM on 10/01/08
I invented several new ways to fix omlets--especially using various meats and sauces for a dinner meal.
dr_dave7 at 8:51AM on 10/01/08
Never invented a recipe, just cook things my way.
nicnac at 9:15AM on 10/01/08
I developed a green chile chicken stew recipe my family loves.
texasdeb at 9:20AM on 10/01/08
When I lived at home, I did most of the cooking after school, so my parents would have something warm and comforting to eat when they got home from work. I also insisted on eating at 5pm, which is kind of strange for a high schooler. My signature dish consisted of diced chicken breast in a sort of stew made from cream of mushroom soup, chicken stock, soy sauce, garlic, and various veggies, all served over long-grain white rice. Sounds silly, but it was delicious!
lisasav5 at 10:37AM on 10/01/08
Cinnamon matzoh "toast" - like cinnamon toast, but on matzoh and baked flat in the toaster oven. Hey, a girl's gotta eat during Passover!
Mizbee at 10:43AM on 10/01/08
not as of yet :(
sln123 at 10:44AM on 10/01/08
"There is nothing new under the sun."
That said, about half of what I make is made up. Lots of riffs on burritos, Israeli couscous, pasta concoctions with fresh vegetables and strange sauces, udon noodle dishes, risottos, etc.
lisapeet at 12:20PM on 10/01/08
Sure. Chicken Papantonio (chicken breasts with feta and fennel on a bed of spinach) , "Angry" fish (Hot! Peppers!), jerk tofu, various chilis of course.
lindaf at 12:31PM on 10/01/08
Yes, I've cooked chicken breasts with a mixture of garlic, oregano, olive oil and a splash of lemon juice. Add spinach to the pan to wilt, then serve with feta cheese and diced tomato in a toasted pita. Mmmmm
jenjw4 at 1:43PM on 10/01/08
Age 6: "Mashed Potato Puffs" Essentially they are mashed poatatoes piped onto a baking sheet topped with chives and baked until they have a golden crust.
I was surpirsed at how good they were---and continue to be!
veggieout at 1:59PM on 10/01/08
I've made new versions of chicken stir-fry, but it's always based on a foundation of stir-fry. =P
uninorth at 2:01PM on 10/01/08
i have made many "original" dishes- mostly involving chickpeas! however, one of my favorites is white beans with garlic and onions, sauted then added to a cream sauce with kale. served over whole wheat pasta, with lots of salt and pepper.
jlhmm at 2:04PM on 10/01/08
Cranberry Goat Cheese Pesto Pasta Salad. It's so good!
butterflyamy19 at 2:18PM on 10/01/08
I can't claim myself as an inventor because I am always basing it on someone elses idea...My favorite is my milkshake creations...Chocolate ice cream, fresh cherries and magic shell... OH MY!
Cami_D at 2:19PM on 10/01/08
I invented a new take on the latke when I was inspired by the Earth, Wind and Fire them of the Gourmet Club dinner I hosted last fall. I fried homemade sweet potato latkes. Then I topped them with whipped creme fraiche. Finally I finished them off with a home-cooked hot and spicy applesauce made with 8 different types of apples, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne.
Absolutely delicious!
lizardbreath at 2:19PM on 10/01/08
This seems to be something that only I like, but toasted nutella, banana, and Special K sandwiches. Comfort food!
drew13000 at 3:00PM on 10/01/08
hahaha... I love pb, banana, and special k sandwiches.... =)
Besides that, I don't think I can say I've "invented" a dish before. But I have made butterscotch brownies with cream cheese mousse topping...
mesohuangry at 3:45PM on 10/01/08
Okay, they aren't particularly creative, but before all of the restaurants were serving them, I made "Fajita Burritos". I liked all the ingredients in fajitas, but I also liked the beans rolled up in the tortilla too. Yummy.
fangirl at 3:46PM on 10/01/08
Almost every week I make up something new! (I do a lot of cooking without recipes)
This week, it was a birthday cake: banana cake with bananas foster filling and cream cheese caramel frosting. Absolutely divine, and well-appreciated by the birthday boy, who has already requested it for next year.
jenilowrance at 4:14PM on 10/01/08
Years before the current coffee craze, I invented a cappuccino mousse cheesecake - and won a prize for the recipe.
elysek at 5:02PM on 10/01/08
Yes, but I can't share it here, lest it be stolen. (I'll just say it involves lobster, bacon, caramel, and fennel pollen.)
dikaryon at 5:12PM on 10/01/08
when I was a kid I invented all manner or scrambled eggs by raiding the leftovers. Taco scrambled eggs. Chicken parmesan scrambled eggs. I don't remember, but I wouldn't put it past 9-year-old me, if I ever "invented" hot dog scrambled eggs...
ironstef at 5:53PM on 10/01/08
No, every time I think I've invented a dish, I find it later somewhere else - oh, well
tomie at 8:42PM on 10/01/08
Everyday I go to work I invent a dish for a lunch feature, it's always fun!
joanpieroni2 at 9:26PM on 10/01/08
i've never invented a dish...
PoignantTuna at 9:56PM on 10/01/08
no i have not
frozenman20 at 10:02PM on 10/01/08
Black figs with balsamic, olive oil, pine nuts, and a touch of red pepper flakes over fresh italian bread spread with goat cheese or fresh ricotta. Totally awesome, and totally inspired by being in love with someone who don't love you.
ponglike at 10:47PM on 10/01/08
I have never invented a dish, but I also never follow recipes to the T unless I am baking (and sometimes not even then). I usually like to add a little something extra whether it be a bit of hot pepper flakes or some oregeno and I think it usually comes out for the better.
elangomatt at 12:02AM on 10/02/08
Friends at my restaurant call it a "TG Special" usually it's just a giant lavosh cracker made sort of pizza style with whatever ingredients I chose. Wisconsin themed (cheese curds, brats, beer dipping sauce), ruben, egg roll... stuff like that
bobfole at 3:44AM on 10/02/08
I created my "Quatro Choc" Chocolate Chip Cookies using ground up whole Oreo's as part of the basic dough. I then add melted semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder and chocolate chips to finish it off. It makes a very intense, yet semi sweet, chocolate lover's cookie.
Boscompb at 10:02AM on 10/02/08
Not sure that I can claim to have created a recipe unless you count the spectacularly repulsive mixtures we used to make as kids at the soda fountain combining as many different sodas as possible.
SFaith at 10:59AM on 10/02/08
My first invention for afterschool hunger a hundred years ago: equal parts Nestle's Quik, icing sugar, margarine and a touch of boiling water all nicely mixed to a thick consistency then ceremoniously topped with sour cream and for extra special, canned red cherry pie filling. I think I called it "Plasti-Goop". I loved it especially while watching the Three Stooges!
Pointy at 2:23PM on 10/02/08
I added salt cod and leeks to cream of potato soup because it was all i had left .... pretty cool
Lemoyne at 5:38PM on 10/02/08
I can't say I've invented a recipe as much as I've reinvented a recipe. I use a recipe just for the initial idea and then go from there. More fun that way.
hanak at 5:43PM on 10/02/08
when I was a kid I loved barbecue chips on my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Rick Kazmer at 6:32PM on 10/02/08
I make this "Southern" Fried Rice. Southern as in American South. I use fried chicken cubed and corn kernels as opposed to more traditional Chinese ingredients.
wunami at 6:33PM on 10/02/08
celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins on it. ok i probably didn't invent it but i thought of it on my own!
yyeres at 6:34PM on 10/02/08
Peanut butter & ham sandwiches!
spanky28 at 8:35PM on 10/02/08
It seems like most of my cooking are inventions. My favorite is Crawfish Alfredo. My family loves it.
SeahorseLady at 12:06AM on 10/03/08
Many, many, many times... most requested is my special veggie-not-tomato pasta sauce. It's pretty awesome (if I do say so myself).
LoCo at 3:06AM on 10/03/08
I created a sourdough rye bread that's pretty good. And a gingered biscotti using ginger preserve.
schnitzel at 9:07AM on 10/03/08
Oooh, I wanna' copy of that! I'm gonna' go with a camping dish that was invented on a trip was on. Take a tortilla, spread some peanut butter on it (preferably crunchy), add in some beef jerky (preferably teriyaki) and finish it off with some cheddar cheese. A quick and easy lunch for a day on the river or trail.
nathanw at 12:13PM on 10/03/08
My Smashed potatoes, they have never come out like the first time around though. I'm pretty well known for opening the fridge and rummaging then opening the spice cabinet and making something quite tasty... there have been a few duds but what is one to expect!
MadameD at 2:30PM on 10/03/08
ok .. i have no idea if this is truly our invention but when we were cashed strapped students in australia we made a pretty frequent meal of plain white pasta tossed with butter and soy sauce. At the time it seemed so good, but now my stomach flip flops at the thought of it!!
Another recipe from my student days (though this I still eat :))-- again no doubt done before me -- is made on an indoor grill. Thinly sliced banana layered on one tortilla shell, sprinkled with cinnamon and than topped with a 2nd tortilla shell. Grill on both sides until the bananas start to melt and the tortilla is crisp. You end up with a crunchy, sweet banana goodness!
hungryintoronto at 2:42PM on 10/03/08
yes I have - Dilly Cheesy Cube Steak and it is scrumptious!
kaylee8 at 2:52PM on 10/03/08
i've modified recipes with my own touches, but never created anything outright
sfgoo at 3:00PM on 10/03/08
Roasted banana bread with peanut butter chips -- very Elvis
Pupster at 3:04PM on 10/03/08
My favorite poverty-inspired dish created was chickpea salad: garbanzos (canned) mixed with shredded mozzarella, diced tomatoes, maybe a few pink beans if I was splurging that week, sliced string beans, french dressing, and mixed in bits of crushed salt-free pretzels. Sounds gross now, but it was cheap, filling, and delicious.
savecara at 3:19PM on 10/03/08
I've come up with roasted chickpeas and countless pasta dishes, among others, as we all have when straying from a recipe or going without, but I don't think that I could claim I invented any of them.
Shelby at 3:40PM on 10/03/08
A peanut butter, wasabi, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, bacon & egg sandwich.
zamboni at 5:20PM on 10/03/08
Veggie Burrito - with potatoes, corn, black beans and cilantro.
Mainly change recipes to my own taste and food likes.
slcrose at 11:55PM on 10/03/08
I haven't made it lately but I used to like chicken cutlet with mustard, butter, S&P, and maybe garlic wrapped up in puff pastry and baked. Also, instead of the mustard, mushrooms, onions & cheese. Which is also good without the pastry.
I have made oven pancakes with fruit often lately -- lots of great combinations -- today I had apples, cranberries and walnuts. Also great with peaches, raspberries and almonds.
librarinan at 12:36PM on 10/04/08
I invented cranberry pasta. I made my own pasta dough but subtituted the liquid for a thin cranberry puree. I served it in a basil vinegrette with toasted pinenuts.
wendy6 at 5:47PM on 10/04/08
i feel like i'm inventing, or at least improvising, almost anytime i get in the kitchen. for some reason it seems like everything tastes better when you're cooking it for the first time and you're not sure if it's going to be good, or even edible, until you sit down and eat. danger equals delicious dinner!
boltchloer at 6:28PM on 10/04/08
I never have made my own dish from scratch, but I love to change up recipes I have already tried to make them my own.
egreca at 10:27PM on 10/04/08
I changed up the filling from spanakopeta by omitting the egg and adding a little cream cheese to meld the filling. Then I nixed the phyllo dough (time consuming!) and wrapped the filling in wonton wrappers, deep fried them, and they have been a great success. My husband calls them "fried things."
eluckstead at 11:13PM on 10/04/08
Unfortunately, I've never invented a recipe. Unless you count those times I was trying to follow a recipe and somehow went wrong...
amwhiteh at 11:42PM on 10/04/08
I made a shrimp salad one day just using twist macaroni and added canned tiny shrimp,sliced tiny sweet pickles and Miracle Whip. Now I'm expected to make at every family get together. Who knew such a simple dish would be such a big hit.
kewpiedoll04 at 12:49AM on 10/05/08
Accidentally. My recipe books pages stuck together and I was making two different types of potato salad. I mixed the two together and everyone loved it.
theamira at 10:22AM on 10/05/08
I'm afraid I've never invented a dish.
dwarzel at 12:09PM on 10/05/08
I don't know if it qualifies as "inventing" recipes, but I've made lots of frittatas w/whatever is in the fridge. Lots of different rice dishes as well.
gkstratos@yahoo.com
gkstratos at 2:17PM on 10/05/08
I have never invented a dish...yet.
yellowlabs at 2:33PM on 10/05/08
I've invented many dishes. One was so bad, the outside cats wouldn't eat it. I stick to recipes or minor, minor, minor revisions.
ky2here at 2:54PM on 10/05/08
I modify different recipes to my liking
cuddles115 at 3:47PM on 10/05/08
Microwaved Cereal and Morsels!
saturdaynightfever at 4:23PM on 10/05/08
I have never invented a dish or anything-I might change a recipe slightly if someone does not like a certain ingredient
bison61 at 4:36PM on 10/05/08
No, I wish I could but I am not very creative.
mariana at 4:45PM on 10/05/08
Crockpot stuffed peppers Italian style :)
gkran at 6:43PM on 10/05/08
i've never invented a dish - i can, however, follow a recipe like no one can
chromiumman at 7:39PM on 10/05/08
Many times I have invented dishes from the items I have had on hand. I have made up egg dishes, various soups and stews, meatloafs, and cookies.
Bakersdozen at 8:27PM on 10/05/08
I make any number of "throw togethers". All of them can never be reproduced because I harvest whatever is in season in the refrigerator or pantry.
Oenonome at 9:38PM on 10/05/08
I invent a lot of things - I really like to experiment in the kitchen. My favorite so far is a buffalo-style tilapia over grits.
ConschBTJ at 10:12PM on 10/05/08
As a kid I would spread peanut butter on one slice of bread and sprinkle chocolate chips on another and place both under the toaster oven to toast then press them together to form a sandwich.
atreau at 10:56PM on 10/05/08
i always invent different things, like different types of salads or wraps, its so much fun to come up with different things!
samanthapayntr at 11:45PM on 10/05/08
I like to use existing recipes and change them to make them my own. For instance, I started with a basic alfredo recipe and jazzed it up. The only dish I invented from scratch was a sweet balsamic spinach bacon salad which is a meal in itself!
laralin2266 at 11:58PM on 10/05/08
I am not much of an inventor, but I do like to play with recipes, and add spices and hot sauce to almost everything. Thanks for the contest.
zoehunter at 1:40AM on 10/06/08
Well, my 'recipe' is more of a combination of things, but my DH and I find it rather yummy. It's 'name' is called (sorry folks, so not appetizing) "Fartblossoms!" LOL
I make a recipe of Manwich Bold with ground beef. Then I mix it with a couple of cans of pork and beans or baked beans, a little molasses, a little Worcestershire sauce and a little Coleman's dry mustard, some Hormel bacon bits. Cook on the stove or in a crockpot til it is nice and thick. Serve with Frito Scoops.
I originally came up with the recipe when I had leftover Manwich and leftover baked beans and I mixed them together.
This is also my much-requested Baked Bean recipe...when I carry it to potlucks or picnics, I use my antique bean pot as a serving vessel.
Yummy Yummy...It is SO good!
TamaraDLMerritt at 2:49AM on 10/06/08
I "invent" almost every time I cook. I often change, modify, or re-arrange recipes depending on what I have available - (waste not want not). Thank you for the opportunity to win!
bndraldy at 2:52AM on 10/06/08
I MODIFY.alot as i go along!
jmahurin40 at 7:19AM on 10/06/08
I've never invented a dish.
lilyk at 8:08AM on 10/06/08
Not yet, probably never. garrettsambo@aol.com
garrettsambo at 10:19AM on 10/06/08
well i put clams in a macaroni salad once.. :)
klp1965 at 10:30AM on 10/06/08
I am a creative cook, always coming up with something different. I made a dish with Rice A Roni, hamburger, tomato sauce and mozarella cheese- I am Italian, so you must have the cheese!
MonCherie at 11:07AM on 10/06/08
I cook up whatever fresh vegetables I have (brocolli, sweet peppers, onions, and mushrooms are often in the mix) as well as pototoes cut in chunks. The micorwave is fine for that part. Then i mix them all together in a wok with a drizzle of olive oil. Season to taste. No name for it, but the family likes it.
lisaray at 11:17AM on 10/06/08
I did, actually. I put sugar and all kinds of other stuff in one of my mother's nice bowls about 25 years ago. Microwaved it. It set...pretty hard. I think it was hard candy, but I had to throw the bowl away pretty quickly after that. Whoops.
cowleyh at 11:37AM on 10/06/08
Thank you for participating, and congratulations to our winners:
klp1965
zamboni
captunderp
Nicholas H
verbafacio
Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page.
Lucy Baker at 11:54AM on 10/06/08