Official Cooking/Baking Project Nomination Thread

[hippywife]

I have to go take Bill to the Urgent Care to see if he has strep, so I'm posting this before we leave the house so you all can have at it.

Post whether you would like a baking or cooking project and what you would like the project to be.

I'll leave it up through tomorrow night and then, unless anyone else has a better idea, I'll pick the top five ideas and make a poll so we can all vote on what it will be for the month of March. We'll reconvene with our results at the end of March to post our results, with pics if possible.



Later taters! :hi:

[sazemisery]

1. Oh, No! Not sick on his..

birthday! How rotten.

[hippywife]

3. He's been feeling kinda punk

most of the week (Wednesday was his b-day, we were just celebrating with Ma today...or were supposed to.) The good news - it isn't strep. The bad news - it's the flu. He hasn't had much of a temp but his throat really, really hurts and he's been really fatigued and is having other cold/flu symptoms. They gave him both kinds of flu meds since they couldn't pinpoint which strain he had.

Okay you slackers, lets have some ideas!

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Next year ........

..... flu shots.

Got it?

You guys may be younger than me ...... but ............

Happy birffday Bill!!!

[hippywife]

5. Neither of us has ever taken a flu shot ever

and this is the first time either of us has gotten it. But it's probably time to start seriously considering it I guess. Except this year's serum was targeting the wrong strain and didn't work in most cases anyway. Oy! Such a dilemma.

I'll pass along your birffday sowutations. :hi:

[elleng]

38. You may think this sounds nuts,

but I'm always glad when its strep; EASY to deal with, in a few days.

My 'little girl,' 20 and in college now, seems to have had BOTH strep and flu, consecutively, and as she's away away in the mountains of West Virginia, I haven't been able to 'supervise' her recovery.

What meds did he get?

THINKING of ideas!

[hippywife]

44. No, I don't think you're nuts at all.

I'm so sorry your daughter is having a hard time. Poor thing. If she's anything like I was at that age, she just wants to be near her mom. :hug: to you both. :hug:

[Lucinda]

2. I'm sorry chickie! Sending him some get well vibes.

And I shall think on suggestions for the project while you're gone.

[hippywife]

6. Thanx, 'Cinda...

I did pass along your headache remedy and he was considering it until the rest of the crud hit. :hug:

[Lucinda]

14. Tell him I said theres nothing to consider.

He tries it... either it helps, or it doesn't. It ain't rocket surgery. :rofl:

[Tesha]

7. Feel better soon, Bill

I have a couple of ideas for the project...

March 17th is St Patrick's day - how about anything Irish?

March 15th is the Ides of March - how about something Roman?

[NMDemDist2]

8. soda bread!!!!!! I've never tried it, but it gets mentioned here often

I don't do CB&C as I'm allergic to cabbage, but I'm all over soda bread (or would be)

and I was thinking let's do an ode to the lowly spud, after the Potatoes ?Diane? thread the other day.

:hi:

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Pommes Anna

Julia Child was a great promoter of this dish, although not the inventor. She once said something like "This is a very simple dish. All you need to do is to get it to crust on the bottom and not stick." Of course, that **is** the point of artistry in the cook's technique. This is, in fact, a fussy dish with a deceptively simply recipe. It is **all about** technique. The classic recipe has but four ingredients: spuds, butter, salt and pepper. It is served upside down after being turned out of the pan, so the arrangement of the (in pan) bottom layer is critical to presentation and the time and temperature are critical to a successful depanning. Also, the potatoes want to be about as thin as potato chips.

[NMDemDist2]

10. i knew there was a catch

wonder if this will be the recipe that finally gets a mandoline into my kitchen ??

:rofl:

I have a small food processor, but the slicing blade isn't super thin

I just free handed my taters today for a scalloped recipe, that 12" chef's got a workout

:hi:

[hippywife]

12. Damn, those look delicious!

I don't have a mandoline, either. I guess this is a recipe one could play with or just make the classic recipe.

[troubleinwinter]

26. As delicious as it surely is,

"a fussy dish", "**all about** technique", "critical", "critical"...

isn't the sort of thing I would care to do right now.

[pengillian101]

53. I think this is similar or the same. Potato Anna by Martha Stewart

Ingredients

Serves 8.

* 2 3/4 pounds russet potatoes (about 6), peeled
* 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

I just recently watched this on TV and so remembered.

Potato Anna
Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Using a mandoline, slice potatoes, 1/4 inch thick, or thinner. (Do not place potatoes in water at this point; the starch is needed to bind the layers.)

2. Brush bottom of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie plate with 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter. Starting in center of pan, arrange potato slices in a circular pattern, overlapping the edges. Evenly brush with 1 1/2 tablespoons butter; season with salt and pepper. Repeat with remaining potatoes and butter, creating 2 more layers. Finish with a final layer of butter, salt, and pepper. When arranging potatoes, be sure to fill in all the spaces.

3. Place over medium-high heat until the edges of the potatoes begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. If you are not using a cast-iron skillet, this step is not necessary.

4. Place in oven, and bake until potatoes are fork tender, 45 to 55 minutes for the cast-iron skillet and 1 to 1 1/2 hours for the pie plate. Remove from oven, and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Using a small spatula, separate potato edges from sides of pan. Shake pan and slide a spatula along bottom to loosen potatoes. Carefully invert onto a flat serving platter. Slice and serve.

First published
Copyright 2008 Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. All rights reserved.



http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.aced15a43a1d10e593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=4e06542a0780f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=cdfc0d2396499110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=print¤tslide=1&rsc=communitytools_food&lnc=1e07cafb74ece010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&page=1

[hippywife]

11. I'm hoping to do a corned beef ala

sazemisery's recipe sometime this month if I can get the brisket from the farm I want it from. But that doesn't have to be this month's project. We'll see what everyone comes up with. :hi:

[Lucinda]

13. I like both ideas!

:hi:

[troubleinwinter]

17. You always like everything.

:hide:

[Lucinda]

21. Not really.

:rofl:
I'm just veeeeeerrrrrrry quiet in here when I don't like something.

[hippywife]

22. What?

You aren't up for a little creamed fish over cabbage? Wassamatta for you?






:hide:

[Lucinda]

24. Thanks for outing me.

:eyes:
Now all the creamy fishy cabbage lovin peeps here will NEVER take me seriously!!1!!

I shouldn't blame you though.
It IS true.
No creamy fishy cabbage for me.
E V E R.
Howevah shall I carry on?

[troubleinwinter]

25. I actually make creamed cabbage!

But only in private. When nobody's looking. For lunch, when nobody's home.

Pickled herring in sour cream! OMG!!!! Straight from the jar! No sharing! (as if anybody wants to)

Ya like pickled pigs' feet? Mmmmm.

[The empressof all]

27. I eat a bag of that shredded cabbage every day

Honestly! It's my favorite vegetable and although I try to buy it by the head and frequently do, those pre shredded bags have become my veggie passion. I never thought to "cream cabbage". I usually just microwave it with a little broth or throw it into some spicey V-8 for a quick soup.

Care to share that recipe. Is it like Creamed Spinach?

[troubleinwinter]

28. I just whack it

into BIG bite-size chunks, steam it and make a Béchamel / white sauce. A tad of caraway never hurts!

[troubleinwinter]

30. Just like creamed peas or onions.

[troubleinwinter]

31. (I don'tt have to admit my personal sin of going a bit heavy on the butter, do I?)

[troubleinwinter]

29. (I notice that Lucinda isn't speaking to me)

[Lucinda]

34. yes I am

:P

[Lucinda]

32. I do not like the piggies feet

I do not like them
pickled
nor
sweet

[troubleinwinter]

35. Menudo??!!

[Lucinda]

36. Nope. I'm not into boy bands OR scary soups.

:)

[troubleinwinter]

15. I think those are fun ideas.

We'd likely end up with a variety of dishes, rather than variations on one.

[Lucinda]

16. I like the variations on a single idea too. AND a theme could be fun from time to time.

Lot's of ways to go for sure! :)

[Gormy Cuss]

33. Oooh! Something Irish --good idea.

Especially if we go beyond the corned beef & cabbage and soda bread (although they're both great in my book.)

Maybe an Ides of Saint Patrick (Roman or Irish dishes)?

[Shakespeare]

18. Souffles!

It's one of those things I've never made, but always wanted to. And there are endless variations--sweet, savory--so I think everybody could easily find a recipe to their liking.

[Stinky The Clown]

19. Savory (dinner) crepes

Not sweet dessert crepes.

The emphasis will, therefore, be on the fillings.

[troubleinwinter]

20. I would love that.

I love savory crepes, but don't know what to do but 'ham&cheese'.

Nice spring/summer thing, too, huh?

[NMDemDist2]

23. I'd go for that!

we had a place when I lived in Sacramento that served all kinds of crepes

and we have supernova who sounds like a crepes expert and we all know you have to justify your latest copper binge somehow.......

:eyes:













:rofl:

[katusha]

40. you mean frenchiladas?

sorry joke between me and the misses.

[troubleinwinter]

37. How ya gonna keep a fight from breaking out on this forum?

We got souffles, pommes anna, boy bands, pigs feet, creamed 'items', and the thread is barley more than 12 hours old.

[elleng]

39. And someone here doesn't care for cabbage?

Dunno, was just thinking about a dish my Mom made (she passed on in September, and I'd like to insert it in my list.)

[hippywife]

42. Why, democratically, of course!

We'll put it to a vote tomorrow evening when everyone who wants to chime in has had a chance. :hi:

[katusha]

41. sorry about the flu :-(

i had it earlier this year it's a nasty one too.

i like the pommes anne idea (anything by julia is tops in my book) i've done it professioanally but it can be troublesome in the home so it's be nice to get some tips on pans to use etc.

of course being part irish perfecting a soda bread always has my vote.

i have also been wanting to try this hungarian shortbread recipe from saveur:
http://www.saveur.com/article/Food/Hungarian-Shortbread
you make the dough, freeze it in a ball, then grate it into the pan for a lighter crumb etc.

since this will be my first one of these i'm just happy to participate :-)

and remember get plenty of fluids, rest and all of that good stuff. take care now.

[hippywife]

43. Thanx, katusha.

Seems we've both caught crud this year (me earlier) that we haven't been able to fight off. Getting older sure is hell.

(God! Those rolls are killing me!)

[NashVegas]

45. Ouch. Good Luck!

Not sure what I'd suggest. I just picked up Bouchon and intend to play with that a little.

[hippywife]

46. Kicking this back up to the top.

Hopefully by tonight we'll have enough concrete suggestions to take a vote tomorrow. :hi:

[Lucinda]

47. I'll see your kick

and raise you a kick


How be your Bill today chickie?
Mucho bettero I hope.

[hippywife]

48. Thanx,

He is better tonight but he wasn't this morning so he stayed home one more day. Thanx for asking. Are you feeling all better, too?

Hmmmm. For such a good idea, we don't seem to have too many different ideas for this project.

[troubleinwinter]

49. Head Cheese!

[hippywife]

50. Okay, troublemaker.

:rofl:

[troubleinwinter]

51. It might just be that when a poll goes up,

it will inspire new thinking and enthusiasm for variations or refinement or even a whole new different idea!

[hippywife]

55. Well, I was trying to organize this

like the Photo Group does it's contests. Everyone submits ideas for the monthly theme and the suggestions getting the most support go up for a vote.

[troubleinwinter]

56. Oxtails!

[hippywife]

57. LOL

:spank:

[Tesha]

76. Come on...

my family LOVES oxtails. We do a stew-like-thing with mace as the added flavor. Over fried noodle with carrots...

Can't find good ones anymore tho'

[Lucinda]

52. Nope. But I'm faking it beautifully.

:) Glad B is feeling a bit better!

[hippywife]

54. Well dang it!

Get better! That's not just a polite request, woman! What do you think is ailing you?

[Lucinda]

58. I'm still a little buggy, but the pain is from a medical condition and surgical complications.

Not much I can do about it without more surgery, and even then it won't really fix anything. So I am avoiding it as long as I can. :) I just need to come to terms with the fact that there is a REASON that I'm on disability, and stop pushing my body so much. :eyes: Poor me, wah, wah. :D

But I do thank you!

[Lucinda]

59. Let's see....So far we have

Irish Dishes - general
Soda bread
Potatoes
Souffles
Savory Crepes

Did I miss anything?

[troubleinwinter]

60. Head Cheese

[Lucinda]

64. I'm thinking that would narrow the number of participants just a weeeeee bit.

Head Cheese Cupcakes might be interesting though. :P

[troubleinwinter]

61. I do like that you made 'potatoes' a more broad subject. Cool!

While soda bread is mighty interesting, and I'd sure like to try it, it doesn't seem a good choice given that we have done so much bread lately. I have three loaves-worth steepin' in the fridge!

(another just came out of the oven)

[elleng]

63. To add 'chaos,'

I'd like to see some of the stuff that peeps suggest responding to this: filling and tasty, but low-calorie, salads and soups and fish-and-veggie based meals.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x59067

STARVING right now!

[Lucinda]

66. I'm getting hungry myself. I just tried Tangerine's microwave rice recipe

so I could prep some rice for lunch or dinner tonight and now I want a bowl. LOL

Salads are always a good choice too! I've been on a major salad bender since I realized that I can actually tolerate more fresh vegetables now. :D

[elleng]

67. I've just started thinking about getting a place

where kitchen will really be mine; staying with a friend doesn't quite do it! (tho there's ALWAYS rice here!)

[Lucinda]

69. I always liked living alone, but I know a lot of people don't.

Even when I lived in a tiny, and I mean TINY studio, :) I still loved to cook in my own "kitchen-like area"

[elleng]

71. I lean towards 'loner,'

and since spouse and I separated and daughters are elsewhere, feels like just the right thing. AND I can explore with everyone here, and show off for 'the girls!'

[troubleinwinter]

73. I'm in the same boat.

I am enjoying being 'a loner'. First time. Feels right to me too.

[Lucinda]

75. I loved living on my own. I think you learn things about yourself that you never would

if you don't have that time to yourself. Plus, like you say, you can pop in here and get new ideas. And when you don't feel chatty, you can just log off. LOL

[troubleinwinter]

62. The idea of crepes brings to mind:

Fritatas. I have never made one.
Quiches, I make 'em alla time.
Dutch Babies, recently posted about.
Keeping hens, recently posted.
Yorkshire pudding.
Omlets.

So, a thought might be: Egg dishes.

[Lucinda]

65. I thought of omlettes too

I'd like that one.

[troubleinwinter]

68. I was thinkin' all manner of egg dishes.

Maybe I'd finally get the guts to make a fritatta.

[Lucinda]

70. Yup. Eggs are definitely a good choice.

Well for me anyway, they are my "go to" protein a LOT. :)

[troubleinwinter]

72. Yeah, I adore eggs.

They can be simple comfort food or elegant, and are relatively inexpensive compared to meat these days.

[Lucinda]

74. And easy on the tummy. I can eat them when I'm having trouble with other foods.

Win/Win. :)