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The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I am well know for my concoctions and buttery baked goods. (My family is all about eating what you want in small amounts and exercising, so we're not the size of dainty elephants). But I have a few things to mention. They're all lovely and terrible for you, so I won't decide. You can.
Firstly, there's the butter cake my boyfriend requested for his birthday. There were two sticks of butter in the cake, and pecans, and this beautiful sour cream chocolate frosting, also requested by my beau. It was four, thin layers tall and took forever to eat. But it was lovely, and everyone raved about it. I think it was a Maida Heatter recipe. (Is that how you spell her name?)
Next, comes from Pioneer Woman. At my boyfriend's request, I was looking for a breakfast pastry/dessert for us to eat while I was in town. Pioneer Woman's dumplings won. Apples, wrapped in crescent rolls, and covered in two sticks of butter, mountain dew, and sugar. And a little cinnamon. They were right good.
Lastly, is a fun food from my roommate and I. You take a tostino's pizza (the cheap ones, from the freezer) and bake it on cardboard so the crust is soft. When it's done baking, put bacon and fritos on it and roll it up. (Or fold it, if the pizza is still hot and you're lazy and afraid of being burned). Lastly, cover the mess in chili and cheese. We made two of these for both of us and two rather strapping lads, and there were almost leftovers, but the gents bellied up to the challenge. These are also delicious.
The rest of the time, I'm basically a happy-go-lucky healthy flexitarian with a fondness for swimming and yoga. That's why I'm not ashamed to admit about the lovely food I eat.
Video: The Freshman 15
I've gained five pounds in the three and some years I've been at college, and some of that was my body just finishing up it's growing and whatnot. But I have seen some fall to the Freshman 15. Just not me.
But, I eat healthy at the dining halls, keep healthy snacks on hand, and eat vegetarian when I'm at my apartment.
And I also haven't fallen into spending too much time with Mr. Booze. That's a definite diet breaker.
Fancy Coffee for my beau.
I'm on the east coast, and I'll be sure to look into all of your suggestions! Thank you very much, and if you think of anything else be sure to let me know!
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I need tailgate foods that don't need to be kept in a 'fridge.
Posted by Narwhal, September 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM
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Recent Comments | Response to Comments
Should We Keep Chocolate Milk in Schools?
I only drank chocolate milk as a child with lunch. I would have preferred water overall, but it was never an option. The chocolate also covered up that 'this will turn in a few hours if I don't drink it' taste, which was common in schools.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I am well know for my concoctions and buttery baked goods. (My family is all about eating what you want in small amounts and exercising, so we're not the size of dainty elephants). But I have a few things to mention. They're all lovely and terrible for you, so I won't decide. You can.
Firstly, there's the butter cake my boyfriend requested for his birthday. There were two sticks of butter in the cake, and pecans, and this beautiful sour cream chocolate frosting, also requested by my beau. It was four, thin layers tall and took forever to eat. But it was lovely, and everyone raved about it. I think it was a Maida Heatter recipe. (Is that how you spell her name?)
Next, comes from Pioneer Woman. At my boyfriend's request, I was looking for a breakfast pastry/dessert for us to eat while I was in town. Pioneer Woman's dumplings won. Apples, wrapped in crescent rolls, and covered in two sticks of butter, mountain dew, and sugar. And a little cinnamon. They were right good.
Lastly, is a fun food from my roommate and I. You take a tostino's pizza (the cheap ones, from the freezer) and bake it on cardboard so the crust is soft. When it's done baking, put bacon and fritos on it and roll it up. (Or fold it, if the pizza is still hot and you're lazy and afraid of being burned). Lastly, cover the mess in chili and cheese. We made two of these for both of us and two rather strapping lads, and there were almost leftovers, but the gents bellied up to the challenge. These are also delicious.
The rest of the time, I'm basically a happy-go-lucky healthy flexitarian with a fondness for swimming and yoga. That's why I'm not ashamed to admit about the lovely food I eat.
Video: The Freshman 15
I've gained five pounds in the three and some years I've been at college, and some of that was my body just finishing up it's growing and whatnot. But I have seen some fall to the Freshman 15. Just not me.
But, I eat healthy at the dining halls, keep healthy snacks on hand, and eat vegetarian when I'm at my apartment.
And I also haven't fallen into spending too much time with Mr. Booze. That's a definite diet breaker.
Fancy Coffee for my beau.
I'm on the east coast, and I'll be sure to look into all of your suggestions! Thank you very much, and if you think of anything else be sure to let me know!
What are your favorite Books for Baking at Home?
Any of the books by Maida Heatter are simply fabulous. While most of them result in lovely, fancy things, that instructions are very simple, and a lot of the ingredients are very straightforward.
For bread, I'm all about the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Dough in the fridge becoming a nice loaf with five minutes of prep time? I'm in heaven.
Kitchen stuff: I'd buy ___ used, but would never buy __ used.
Being a thrifty college student means I love goodwill, the Y store, and other second hand shops. I think buying cast iron is a keen idea, as are plates and pans, but it totally depends on the condition of whatever it is, the price, and the condition of where I buy it.
As a matter of fact, I'm idly planning my wedding now, and I plan on, as part of the favor, giving everyone a tea cup and saucer to match my reception tea party theme. So I'll be going out of my way to look for those at second hand shops sometime soon.
My Shocking Food Confession: What's Yours?
1) I hate cilantro. So does my mum, dad, and baby sister, along with my friend and I who cook together all the time. I just want to to add that in.
2) I enjoy eggs cooked, unbeaten in a little butter and flipped, feel testing until the yolk is cooked but runny. My boyfriend must cook all the liquid-y deliciousness out of his egg before he'll consider eating it. Then he'll eat it with ketchup. Ugh.
3) I dislike bananas. I never ate then when I was small, and even now, as a guest I can eat banana bread. But that's really about it.
4) When I was small, I used to eat salsa with a spoon. My mum thought it was cute. ((I am from Texas.))
5) I adore the skin on a roasted chicken. My roommate won't eat it because she's healthy and whatnot, but I will.
6) Apple butter on anything bread-like.
7) Nutella is desert when there is nothing else in the house. I just need a spoonful and I'm set.
Cook the Book: 'Baking Unplugged'
I, as a budding young baker of eight, would often help my mother make chocolate chip muffins. They weren't too sweet for me, and they had chocolate in them which appeased my father. It's a very, very, very simple recipe. You take all the ingredients, toss them in a bowl, mix, by hand or by mixer, and put the batter in the muffin tins. Then you bake them.
It was the first recipe I ever made by myself, but I added baking soda instead of baking powder (or vice versa. I don't recall).
So, we got really thick cookie cake things. While this isn't so interesting a cooking mishap at nine or ten, I continued to make the very same mistake with that particular muffin recipe until I graduated from high school (about three years ago). I could make chocolate angel food cake and cream puffs and make big family meals that were timed perfectly.
But those muffins were truly my downfall.
How to Make a Pizzarito
So... I just made a pizzarito. Well actually, I took bacon, wrapped it in pizza, and covered it with chili, and then covered it with cheese.
It was lovely. Now I'm eating a tangerine to even out the food karma.
How Old Is Too Old To Trick-or-Treat?
I went trick-or-treating this year, and I'm 20. I put a fair amount of effort into my costume, and we drove 45 minutes to get to the nearest town that wasn't my college. Trick-or-treating is more fun than illegal boozing, and we're not really in it for the candy, just for entertainment. After three neighborhoods, no one said no to us. We might have gotten less candy than the little ones, but that's fine with us.
Irrational (or rational) food prejudices you have had or have
My family was always a Miracle Whip family, but I think it has something to do with my dad hating homemade mayo, which was all he got on the farm. We're also a Jif family, and that continues still today. Most of these come from my grandparents. Once my Grandmother got off the farm, she bought Miracle Whip too. Oddly enough, my family's all over on the peanut butter spectrum, representing everything from the brands, to generic, to all-natural, along with those odd blended peanut butters.
But my mum and dad went through a six month period where they tested (and subsequently ate) every different kind of peanut butter they could get their hands on.
And it ended with smooth Jif. Which is awesome.
Also, Pepsi is really terrible, I adore Coke.
Should We Keep Chocolate Milk in Schools?
the days they ran out of chocolate milk before I came through the line were the days I didn't drink any milk at school.
I did sometimes drink plain milk at home, generally with ice cubes, because really cold was the only way I could stand it. (Or, over cereal. Mom bought only unsugared things like shredded wheat & grape nuts, but we were allowed to add sugar or honey. so, yum.) the milk at school was never cold enough for me.
My weight gain didn't begin until I was nearly 20 years out of school. When I no longer habitually drink cow's milk.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
French toast made from doughnuts, filled with ice cream and gingered mangos and topped with hot caramel sauce. Since I do not foresee making this again (blessedly my beau does not have a sweet tooth), no regrets for this one-time splurge.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
A sauce made with sliced breakfast sausages, cream of chicken soup, Hellman's mayonnaise, lemon juice, ground pepper, broccoli, shredded aged cheddar on top and served over pasta or rice. The sauce smells vile but it actually tastes delicious and I would even go so far as call it comfort food. I often find myself craving this sauce during winter.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Just had this one, recipe follows for all of you seriously in need of upping your cholesterol levels:
Boil or bake a potato and keep hot. Soft boil an egg: The white should just be set and the yolk still runny. Cut a cross in the potato and squeeze to expose inside and create a hollow. Add salt and a generous dollop of butter. Slice the top off the egg and dribble/scoop the yolk into the potato. Top with grated Tusser's or Cheddar cheese and shredded pepper ham. Pig out.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
fried hot dog - melt butter in frying pan, fry a split oscar meyer 100% beef frank until golden brown and crispy. Melt American cheese slice on top. For added goodness, butter and broil hot dog bun in oven. Place hot dog in bun and add your usual toppings. Also, makes me think of similar fried bologna sandwiches. Man, I love processed meat!
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
in compliance with my low-carb diet...
low carb "nachos"
layer deep fried pork rinds in a pan,* sprinkle on some hot sauce, then smother with an assortment of sliced cheeses (pre-shredded will not do!)
place in broiler until cheese is bubbly.
*best when using the ultra large pork rinds found in Mexican groceries
eat immediately. keep a cell phone within reach to dial 911!
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
It has to be the casseroles I make once or twice a year....hashbrown casserole (hashbrowns, butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, onions and cheese) or chicken casserole (cooked, shredded chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, ro-tel and crushed doritos...all mixed together and then topped with cheese and baked).
Dessert-wise: Chocolate Guinness Stout Cake...It has 4 sticks of butter in just the cake, that's not even counting the Italian Meringue Buttercream frosting...that has 5 sticks of butter!!
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
@butterfingers -
oh
my
gosh.
my sister used to eat that!
you two are two in a million i would assume LOL
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Once I made a shortbread recipe that called for 2 sticks of butter...... for 9 cookies.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
@betteirene -- I'm afraid that regional American cooking is going to disappear. Between chain restaurants, cookbooks and magazines, eating and cooking is getting much more homogenized.
I'm a fan of sugar cream pie, I just don't eat it daily -- or even monthly. I had the butter and sugar sandwiches when I was a youngster -- also peanut butter and brown sugar. I'm not sure that a butter/sugar sandwich is any worse than grilled cheese made with processed cheese food.
There's also some evidence that by adding the bacon or bacon grease to greens, for instance, you make them taste better and people eat more of the greens. The fat makes some of the nutrients in the greens more accessible.
@MarvinDog -- I think the French might be surprised to find out that duck confit is unhealthy.
@tacoo -- It's all about moderation. Unfortunately, over the last 30 years or so we've been taught that if a lot of something is bad, then none is best.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
@freakyhair...Word. Love that recipe but holy cow!! The butter content rivals Paula Deen's toxic concoctions. Luckily it's a huge batch.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
It's a tossup among three for me:
As a child I LOVED white bread and mayonnaise sandwiches with my Pepsi... luckily, Grandma wouldn't let me have them - I had to sneak them. ~Shudder~
With holidays/Winter approaching, time to break out the fudge, too. My fave is basically sweetened condensed milk and choccolate chips. Mmmm, sugar, fat and chocolate - what's not to love?
And, I hate to admit that lately I've had a hankering for college food, specifically Chili Casserole: Canned chili (my favorite rhymes with 'Shtennison's Not') layered with oodles of cheddar cheese and corn tortillas and baked. Doesn't seem that bad until you read the ingredients on the can (what IS 'textured protein'?!) and realise the cheese is basically about a pound of hydrolised fat... The only healthy thing in it is the 6 corn tortillas.
But then, nowadays opening a can of anything but organic tomatoes feels sinful, so who am I to judge?
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Cinnabon clone buns. so....much...butter....
http://www.thecookingphotographer.com/2009/07/clone-wars-er-i-mean-cinnabon-clones.html
They were good, but not good enough to eat all that butter. I had 1, and gave the rest away.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
A black olive sandwich!
A can of chopped black olives mixed with far too much mayo spread on 2 pieces of white bread slathered with too much mayo, for the ultimate olive/mayo sandwich with a large spoonful of mayo au naturale as the appetizer before the sandwich. The first 3/4 was great and by the end my hunger for it was fullfilled. Not to be eatten again for at least a month or twenty-two.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I made a bread pudding out of chocolate/orange quick bread and then covered the whole thing with caramel sauce.
Soooo....bread that consisted mostly of chocolate, sugar, processed flour and orange juice baked in a bed of eggy custard slathered with homemade caramel.
Ruined by health concerns? Hardly! I had some, and so did my guests, and we all enjoyed the heck out of it. Would I do it again? Maybe in another year or two. After all, it was amazingly delicious.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
@BobbieAnne I make that with matzoh for Passover every year. I got the recipe from Gourmet - it's called Caramel Matzoh Crunch, and peopel just devour it.
The 'most unhealthy' thing I have made recently was a jelly doughnut bread pudding from the New York Times - 14 jelly doughnuts, heavy cream, eggs, sugar, and it disappeared in seconds.
I also make brownies that have granulated sugar, brown sugar and Karo syrup, 6 oz. chocolate, 1/2 # butter and 7 eggs in each batch.
@IndyGal I agree - I don't make this stuff for myself, but I bring it to parties and events where there will be lots of people. So you eat 1 or 2 pieces, once in a while, no problem.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I noticed the hillbilly theme we got going here and it reminded me of a trip we took from Chicago to visit the kin in Gilbert, W.Va. Instead of following the usual interstates through IN and OH and eating at Shoney's, we took a scenic route over three days and made a pit stop at a Cracker Barrel in TN one day and went to the Loveless Cafe for dinner.
One Sunday after we got back home, I tried to duplicate Cracker Barrel's breakfast menu. I made biscuits and gravy, chicken fried steak, eggs, grits, fried potatoes (instead of hash brown casserole) and fried apples. Every now and then, we'll get a hankerin' for a meal like this, but it's such a pain to get the timing right that I won't do it unless I've got help. It's disgustingly unhealthy, but man, once in a while we just gotta have it.
Don't you just adore regional American cooking? I just love it when a recipe starts with a stick of butter, or when you take something perfectly healthy, like green beans or spinach, and doctor it up with a a pound of bacon and a couple of spoons full of bacon grease.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Grilled fresh foie gras (with diced mango, port soaked prunes and sherry wine vinegar) over brioche toasts, with duck fat fried potatoes [and green beans to assuage the guilt some]. Quite delicious.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I've made many things that weren't healthy at all - from real mac & cheese with 6 kinds of cheese to Guy Fieri's Mac & Cheese that is topped with bacon, and the Sweet Potato Gooey Butter Cake from Paula Deen. I think the thing that was the worst was the Toasted Ravioli which is deep fried ravioli. I've made all kinds of deep fried things. It may be bad for you but it tastes soooo good.
I've eaten worse though - Deep Fried Oreos, Deep Fried Macaroni & Cheese (both at different fairs), Deep Fried Mars Bars, Deep Fried Twinkies - but i've never made any of them. I'd rather eat stuff like that out of the house. If I deep fry in the house, it smells like it for days after.
My favorite thing to make at home (But only for holidays) is Potato Latkes. They are sooo fattening but so good. Also, 3x a year I make my own chopped chicken livers for Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Chanukah. Ground up chicken livers with chicken fat - can't get much worse for you.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
King Ranch chicken casserole, followed by tater tot casserole (traditional recipe) and then by Paula Deen's tomato pie (third in line because it actually has tomatoes in it, as well as two cups of cheese and a cup of mayo, plus whatever goes into the crust). All so good, yet so bad that they only are allowed to be cooked once a year in my house.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Marvin Dog...the waffle dish sounds like a close cousin to my "Hillbilly Special." Look about 6 comments above yours!
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
My mother makes waffles by partially cooking bacon on the waffle iron, then pouring the waffle batter over the bacon and bacon grease.
The most unhealthy thing I make would have to be either frozen custard, which is egg yolks, cream, sugar and whatever flavor, or duck confit, which is duck leg quarters slowly cooked in duck fat.
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I created a brownie recipe that I call suicide because one 3 X 3 inch square must have the calorie count to send a kindergarten class bouncing off the wall and that is after nap time.
You would be amazed as to how many chocolate ingredients you can fit into one dessert
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
Sailor Dave - I actually DID make quinoa and kale for dinner one time, and then melted about a half pound of butter to pour over it. Oh, yes, and grated another half pound of extra sharp cheddar to go over the top of that. Ironically, in this discussion, the two ladies whose cooking ALWAYS makes me drool (Ina and Paula) are mentioned several times. Paula dropped the information the other day that her husband is now on a diet. OMG! Who is going to cook for him?
The Most Unhealthy Thing You've Ever Made
I college (many years ago), the dorms hooked up the waffle machines only on Sundays. My friends and I would each have a fresh waffle (one would cover the whole dinner-size plate), topped with ice cream, lots of melted peanut butter, warm Hershey's syrup, and cinnamon sugar. Ug - what a sugar rush!
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I need tailgate foods that don't need to be kept in a 'fridge.
Posted by Narwhal, September 18, 2009 at 10:12 AM
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I only drank chocolate milk as a child with lunch. I would have preferred water overall, but it was never an option. The chocolate also covered up that 'this will turn in a few hours if I don't drink it' taste, which was common in schools.