Food and Recipes while under Coronavirus quarantine #6

[whiterhino]

I still often boil my veggies, but definitely not overcooked like my mother did! I'm just lazy and prefer a one-pot meal when possible, so if I'm making pasta (which I do often) I toss the veggies in on top of the pasta when there's 2-3 minutes left to go. Comes out bright green and still slightly crunchy. I also love them roasted, I just don't turn on the oven as often as I make pasta.

I grow purple asparagus, and ever since I learned it can be eaten raw, it rarely even makes it inside the house...

I do this when I make egg/pasta salad, add the egg in the boiling water before I put the pasta in (rinse the egg off well and remove it prior to the pasta, in case anyone is judging me lol).

Nothing wrong with a boiled veggie! A family member of mine used to make something called Boiled Dinner when I was growing up. I will never forget the flavor! Ham, potato, carrot, celery, not much else but it was amazing!

Funny veggie garden story:

I used to have a little garden in my old place. One day, I'm shopping at the garden center and see this funny little spiky plant. It was 99 cents. Of course I had to take it home. So I planted it. This was early summer, clearance on plants as planting season was over.

I take it home and plant it. Nothing happens. So I leave it to do it's thing, no wanting to dig up my 99 cent rescue plant.

When spring came, I went out to plant some bulbs. There, the 99 cent spiky little stick was growing into an proper stalk of asparagus And there were more! It was the most adorable asparagus plant and I had no clue! For several summers, I could go out and cut off a handful for a personal salad, to add on the side. It was wonderful!

 

[Inthedetails]

I do this when I make egg/pasta salad, add the egg in the boiling water before I put the pasta in (rinse the egg off well and remove it prior to the pasta, in case anyone is judging me lol).

Nothing wrong with a boiled veggie! A family member of mine used to make something called Boiled Dinner when I was growing up. I will never forget the flavor! Ham, potato, carrot, celery, not much else but it was amazing!

Funny veggie garden story:

I used to have a little garden in my old place. One day, I'm shopping at the garden center and see this funny little spiky plant. It was 99 cents. Of course I had to take it home. So I planted it. This was early summer, clearance on plants as planting season was over.

I take it home and plant it. Nothing happens. So I leave it to do it's thing, no wanting to dig up my 99 cent rescue plant.

When spring came, I went out to plant some bulbs. There, the 99 cent spiky little stick was growing into an proper stalk of asparagus And there were more! It was the most adorable asparagus plant and I had no clue! For several summers, I could go out and cut off a handful for a personal salad, to add on the side. It was wonderful!

Your asparagus story seems like the plot of a sweet children's book.

 

[whiterhino]

Your asparagus story seems like the plot of a sweet children's book.

Oh my gosh thank you! I paint water colour and have always wanted to write a short childrens' story and paint the pictures. I might keep this in mind

 

[IceIce9]

@whiterhino my mom used to make a boiled dinner, with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. She cooked it for hours on the stove or in the crockpot.

The potatoes and carrots were so soft they would practically fall apart when you put a fork into them. It was a delicious meal.

IMO potatoes and carrots still taste good when overcooked but other vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. just get bitter when overcooked. Not to mention the nutritional value is lost.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I grew up boiling asparagus, now I roast it with EVOO, salt pepper and a hint of lemon.

If we are having asparagus with something cooked on the grill, we put the asparagus spears in foil, drizzle with olive oil and a little water or lemon juice, salt and pepper. The asparagus steams while the meat/chicken/fish is grilling. The spears are bright green and crisp tender. For a special dinner, I wrap three or four asparagus spears with bacon or pancetta and roast them. Sprinkle with a little fresh shredded Parm for elegant and tasty asparagus bundles. Even folks who don't care for asparagus love them: Bacon makes everything taste better!

 

[Inthedetails]

If we are having asparagus with something cooked on the grill, we put the asparagus spears in foil, drizzle with olive oil and a little water or lemon juice, salt and pepper. The asparagus steams while the meat/chicken/fish is grilling. The spears are bright green and crisp tender. For a special dinner, I wrap three or four asparagus spears with bacon or pancetta and roast them. Sprinkle with a little fresh shredded Parm for elegant and tasty asparagus bundles. Even folks who don't care for asparagus love them: Bacon makes everything taste better!

Fermented asparagus is tasty. It's probably my favorite way to eat it.

 

[TAM121]

I don’t remember my mom ever making homemade pudding but my grandma made it often. I have fond memories of sitting on a stool in her kitchen while she stirred pudding on the stove for what seemed like hours.

While she often made homemade chocolate pudding my favorite was butterscotch. Her butterscotch pudding was smooth and rich, and I loved eating it warm. She used to give me a bowl of it straight from the pan before she poured the rest into individual pudding dishes.

I was used to eating warm homemade pudding, and one day I was visiting a friend after school and she asked her mom to make us some pudding. Her mom put some cold milk and jello pudding mix into a shaker, shook it for a couple of minutes then poured it into bowls for us. I took one bite of it and would have said, “Yuck! You call this pudding??” but my parents had raised us to be polite in all circumstances so I just said, “Thank you for making pudding for us.” But I felt sad for anyone who had never had fresh, warm homemade pudding.

I love warm homemade pudding. I eat some right after I make it and then refrigerate the rest and reheat in the microwave. And the skin is the best part of homemade pudding! LOL

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

@whiterhino my mom used to make a boiled dinner, with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions. She cooked it for hours on the stove or in the crockpot.

The potatoes and carrots were so soft they would practically fall apart when you put a fork into them. It was a delicious meal.

IMO potatoes and carrots still taste good when overcooked but other vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. just get bitter when overcooked. Not to mention the nutritional value is lost.

We didn't have it often, but my mom used to make corned beef and cabbage that also included carrots and potatoes. This was a popular dish in the dorm, too, and was called New England Boiled Dinner. I sometimes make corned beef with onions, carrots, and potatoes for St. Patrick's Day. We're not fans of cabbage, so I won't call my dinner Corned Beef & Cabbage because I omit that vegetable. Once in a great while, I'll make stuffed cabbage rolls, but we don't like the cabbage stinks up the kitchen.

 

[TAM121]

I have fond childhood memories of having sprouts with Cheese Whiz broccoli too, I actually consider them both comfort foods!

Interesting! I love brussels dipped in mayo.

 

[Inthedetails]

Had one of my favorite "hungry but don't feel like making an effort" lunches.

Spread refried beans on tortilla and top with whatever you have. Today I topped with homemade salsa, pepperoncini, cheese. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so. Serve open face like a mini pizza or fold. Great way to use up small amounts of leftovers.

 

[margarita25]

Hi I have a bunch of tomatoes, different varieties… other than tomato sauce, anything unique/exciting I can do with these for thanksgiving? Tia.

 

[IceIce9]

Had one of my favorite "hungry but don't feel like making an effort" lunches.

Spread refried beans on tortilla and top with whatever you have. Today I topped with homemade salsa, pepperoncini, cheese. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so. Serve open face like a mini pizza or fold. Great way to use up small amounts of leftovers.

If you spread refried beans and cheese between two tortillas you can cook in a waffle iron.

 

[Inthedetails]

Hi I have a bunch of tomatoes, different varieties… other than tomato sauce, anything unique/exciting I can do with these for thanksgiving? Tia.

I am crazy about roasted tomatoes. Slice thickly, coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Roast at 275-300 degrees for about 2 hours - check on them every once in awhile. They will shrivel quite a bit - so slice thickly from the start. After removing from oven, let sit at least 30 minutes. Can be made ahead of Thanksgiving. Serve "as is" or add to another dish. I love to snack on them! Could be good appetizer with cheese, bread. Or in a salad or as a side. Yum!

I also like to marinate sliced tomatoes for a yummy salad. Slice and marinate with whatever you like - the easiest, tbh, is a bottled salad dressing. Or you could make your own dressing.

A tomato tart or pastry is also good, if you're feeling like doing that.

 

[Inthedetails]

I am crazy about roasted tomatoes. Slice thickly, coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and sugar. Roast at 275-300 degrees for about 2 hours - check on them every once in awhile. They will shrivel quite a bit - so slice thickly from the start. After removing from oven, let sit at least 30 minutes. Can be made ahead of Thanksgiving. Serve "as is" or add to another dish. I love to snack on them! Could be good appetizer with cheese, bread. Or in a salad or as a side. Yum!

I also like to marinate sliced tomatoes for a yummy salad. Slice and marinated with whatever you like - the easiest, tbh, is a bottled salad dressing. Or you could make your own dressing.

A tomato tart or pastry is also good, if you're feeling like doing that.

I'll add that I roast the tomatoes on a rack on top of a baking sheet. That way they don't sit in their moisture and I don't feel the need to flip as they bake.

 

[TAM121]

If you spread refried beans and cheese between two tortillas you can cook in a waffle iron.

This just blew my mind! lol Why have I never thought to do this before?! Thanks for the tip!!!

 

[Irishknit]

Hi I have a bunch of tomatoes, different varieties… other than tomato sauce, anything unique/exciting I can do with these for thanksgiving? Tia.

Tomato relish keeps for a little bit and is wonderful on turkey sandwiches for those not fans of cranberry.

 

[whiterhino]

Hi I have a bunch of tomatoes, different varieties… other than tomato sauce, anything unique/exciting I can do with these for thanksgiving? Tia.

I've never made homemade tomato soup from scratch but if you have a lot, maybe that would be a nice addition to Thanksgiving dinner? Or bruschetta?

You could roast them and make a tomato based dip, served with veggies as an appetizer/snack. You could also add them to a bread (ooh a savory tomato loaf or tomato bread with eggs for breakfast yum)

 

[whiterhino]

Had one of my favorite "hungry but don't feel like making an effort" lunches.

Spread refried beans on tortilla and top with whatever you have. Today I topped with homemade salsa, pepperoncini, cheese. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes or so. Serve open face like a mini pizza or fold. Great way to use up small amounts of leftovers.

I love doing this! I do cheese, rice, some kale/mixed greens, sometimes corn, dipped in greek yogurt. @IceIce9 putting them in the waffle iron is next level

 

[slowpoke]

I do this when I make egg/pasta salad, add the egg in the boiling water before I put the pasta in (rinse the egg off well and remove it prior to the pasta, in case anyone is judging me lol).

Nothing wrong with a boiled veggie! A family member of mine used to make something called Boiled Dinner when I was growing up. I will never forget the flavor! Ham, potato, carrot, celery, not much else but it was amazing!

Funny veggie garden story:

I used to have a little garden in my old place. One day, I'm shopping at the garden center and see this funny little spiky plant. It was 99 cents. Of course I had to take it home. So I planted it. This was early summer, clearance on plants as planting season was over.

I take it home and plant it. Nothing happens. So I leave it to do it's thing, no wanting to dig up my 99 cent rescue plant.

When spring came, I went out to plant some bulbs. There, the 99 cent spiky little stick was growing into a proper stalk of asparagus And there were more! It was the most adorable asparagus plant and I had no clue! For several summers, I could go out and cut off a handful for a personal salad, to add on the side. It was wonderful!

Your veggie story reminded me of mine. Out in my backyard, we have a low concrete block wall around the yard perimeter for plants. I was pulling out weeds and came upon one that just did not look like a weed to me. I didn’t know what it was, but decided I’d let it grow to see if something edible would grow on it. It got bigger and leafier, but nothing appeared. I gave up, and decided to dig it out. To my surprise—it was potatoes underneath!

I guess had I buried some vegetable peelings and maybe a “bad” part of a potato took root? I don’t know, but that was a happy, and funny, surprise!

 

[iamshadow21]

Your veggie story reminded me of mine. Out in my backyard, we have a low concrete block wall around the yard perimeter for plants. I was pulling out weeds and came upon one that just did not look like a weed to me. I didn’t know what it was, but decided I’d let it grow to see if something edible would grow on it. It got bigger and leafier, but nothing appeared. I gave up, and decided to dig it out. To my surprise—it was potatoes underneath!

I guess had I buried some vegetable peelings and maybe a “bad” part of a potato took root? I don’t know, but that was a happy, and funny, surprise!

Potatoes are the best; it's like digging for treasure.