Just a home cook trying to learn more about good food and cooking it.
I say bring the veggie tray with the dip and an extra dish. I always tell my family that I wanted to try a new recipe/idea I saw online and needed some tasters willing to give feedback. How can your family deny a request for some help, mine can't. I know you mentioned that they avoid the veggie tray but the fact that the hostess ask specifically for yours because it was well done she may be trying to get the guests to eat more healthy options using small steps - or I could just be optimistic ;-)
Thank you all for your suggestions - I will try them all. I feel a little more confident to put my toe in the water of Indian cuisine.
......to pull some chicken tortilla soup out of the freezer for lunch and had to resort to a hotdog & bag of chips for lunch. Please pass the rum.
Excellent idea! some tricks I use include using a mason/Ball jar for mixing marinades, using a squeeze bottle for drizzling melted chocolate or other sauces on desserts, using my microplane (sp?) for garlic and using a small spatula to mix condiments etc - always works better than a spoon or whisk for honey mustard, fry sauce, aioli, etc.
Toss up between my chicken tortilla soup or chicken cordon bleu with honey mustard cream sauce.
I was very sad to hear of the passing of Dumpling. Thank you for sharing his wonderful character with us over the last year or so. I will miss your pictures & stories of him. My heart and thoughts are with you, your wife, and the rest of the serious eats team,
I stick to the list in that I get everything on it but add things as the mood strikes and it falls within the budget amount.
I also recently found this station after the switch to digital and an upgrade to a new TV. Here in Utah it broadcasts on 11-3. I enjoy it a lot, especially since I do not subscribe to any cable channels. (no FN, cooking, TLC, HGTV for me)
I suggest starting with Kenji's aweseom cheese sauce and adding some cooked and drained chorizo, sauteed onions, bell peppers, jalepeno etc.
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/09/cheese-sauce-for-cheese-fries-and-nachos.html
Lettuce cups, Cheap Man's stroganoff (what we call it in our house) or I second kmgagne's idea of Taco Salad
rinse and dry the bird, remove giblets, etc
generously salt & pepper (kosher & freshly ground)
2-3 T butter under skin of breast
no trussing (lazy)
1/2 onion & 1/2 lemon placed in cavities
placed in oval dutch oven
400 deg oven for an hour
delicious and simple. But looking for some new ideas - this cook the book series will definately be bookmarked. Thanks!
thanks for the ideas - on the eggs in a basket use a heart shape cookie cutter for some added cuteness.
Chicken, cheese, rice casserole. Also Lasagne.
I would prefer to eat fresh veggies but weather& location force me to utilize the grocer's freezer section. Root vegetables are also showing up more in the soups and side dishes for dinner and lunch.
@ Pavlov I concur and thank you!!
@finsbigfan - thank you also, having a football game on the TV while I am hanging the Star Wars etc ornaments on the tree means Christmas to me.
Christmas music on the radio starting Nov 1st.
Christmas wish lists that are not provided at Thanksgiving as asked - you will not get what I want you have, not what you want because you couldn't make a simple list
Giving gift cards because they gave three people the same list and it had two affordable things and one extravagant thing no one can afford
The loss of common courtesy when you step into a department store
Sorry - can you tell I did a some Christmas shopping this weekend.
Merry Christmas everyone -thank you for the tips, the knowledge, the laughs and the love this year.
Salt - chips, pretzels, veggies and dip, etc over chocolate almost every time.
Potatoes or Pasta for me
I agree with simon - pre-assemble and let sit overnight for a wonderful dish.
Fresh, homemade mashed potatoes, turkey, chocolate pie, green beans - not casserole, family and friends is on tap this year.
Thank you all for your wonderful ideas. I will be using may of them. Reading all the responses just took off loads of stress - thanks.
I would also suggest a search on Etsy.com, they have some beautiful craftsmen & artisans that could make just what you are looking for.
Great idea by the way, I may "borrow" it for an upcoming wedding.
Complimetary - yes, presumptious - dependant on how well you know them. I am in agreement with derosa's answer.
Bruschetta is always a go-to for me when I need a quick appetizer. I also like the queso or spiced nuts idea. What about a nice hummus, crackers, and veggies.
Good luck and remember to enjoy the party (something that I often forget to do when hosting, ;-)
mole or kimchi
I caught this article on Yahoo this morning about the current 10 worst food trends and couldn't agree more with all of them. What do you guys think?
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/10-worst-food-trends-2504458/
I am a complete novice when it comes to certain international cuisine offerings and I am trying to be a little more adventurous in my meals. I am hoping to explore the Indian cuisine area but was unsure of a way to test out the tastes without jumping in head first. Any suggestions for experiencing some tasty Indian cuisine for a novice at home cook?
I will warn you, I am not a fan (especially my stomach) of food that is spicy hot.
Thanks
My employer is kind enough every year to provide each employee a turkey for the thanksgiving holiday. I cook it every year and have always had good results but I am looking for great results and with all the talk over the last few years of brining I was going to give it a try this year. But I read somewhere that one should not brine a pre-frozen turkey, that there is already a mild brine solution on the bird. What are your guys thoughts on brining a pre-frozen, commercial processed bird.
Thanks!
I have a bit of a conundrum and knew my fellow serious eaters might have some suggestions for me. I am hosting an open house baby shower for my Sis-in-law in a few weeks. The food plan must be revised as it has turned from an intimate 20 people to a group of possibly 70+. I am looking at the number of people, food prices, and my budget and crying. I need some suggestions for lower cost/high yield food. One friend suggested pasta salad, strawberry lemonade, and cookies. Any other ideas?
Invites have already gone out with a note that light refreshments would be served so I can't not offer some nibbles.
Thanks!
I will be in Biloxi, Mississippi for a couple months for some job training.
Where to eat?
I would love some recommendations from all you Serious Eaters - Thank you!
My brother will be attending some training at the base in Jackson, Mississippi and I know the Serious Eats community could help me/him out with some recommendations:
Likes: BBQ, variety, chicken, some seafood
Thanks!
I am going camping in a couple weeks and was looking for some recipes to cook in my dutch oven but when I do a search for recipes I get ones for a LeCruset/Oven type. I need ones for a dutch oven with charcoal briquettes. Any suggestions/Ideas
Thanks
Cook the Book: Fiesta at Rick's: cashewsandhummus, Cook Book n Bead, timjertson, EatMeDrinkMe, and IrieGirl. Winners have been notified by email and also appear on our Contest Winners page. Thanks to all who entered. More
Love Raising Hope! Also love food humor in sitcoms just can remember any good examples right now.