The Cooking Thread

[All Your Base]

So I can't be the only one here who loves to cook, so tell me all about it.

I'm watching Battle Bacon on Iron Chef America as I type this. Bobby Flay is a genius, and if you've ever eaten at a Mesa Grille, I think you'd agree.

What say you?

[PrettyRagdoll]

I love to cook as well, though my cooking show of choice is Top Chef!! Marcel, anyone?

[All Your Base]

I've never watched that. It's not a Food Network show is it?

A couple nights ago, I made some awesome shrimp scampi & cheese grits. It was amazing.

[sbessiso]

I love Paula cuz she is literally fucking insane and acts like butter is the 2nd coming of Christ

[All Your Base]

I love Paula cuz she is literally fucking insane and acts like butter is the 2nd coming of Christ

LOL. I laugh 'cause it's so true.

[PrettyRagdoll]

I've never watched that. It's not a Food Network show is it?

A couple nights ago, I made some awesome shrimp scampi & cheese grits. It was amazing.

It sounds insanely good. And nope, Top Chef comes on Bravo. It's pretty great because it has all of these chef's from all over trying to make original delicious foods that also meet whatever current challenge is set. The winner get's a substantial amount a money to open a restaurant or invest in the one they have, if they already own one.

Marcel finished number two a few years ago... He was robbed

[TomAz]

My sister used to work in food PR and while she did she occasionally met celebrity chefs and she says Bobby Flay is the biggest asshole prima donna of all of them (most, she says, are really nice). I have two of Flay's cookbooks though, his recipes are usually pretty good and always really easy.

[All Your Base]

I can see that being the case. Dude can cook his ass off though.

Now, Giada De Laurentiis seems like someone I'd really like to......meet.

[paulb]

ya well, i work for the only Canadian Iron Chef Rob Feenie...

I watch Iron Chef once in a while...but it reminds me of work sometimes too much.

[Courtney]

For celebrity chefs, I'm an Ina girl. And I hate to admit it, but Martha-branded recipes are nearly always flawless.

[TheWatcher]

I love Iron Chef. I have not watched it in a while though.

Some of the "secret" ingredients are really out there.

In one episode it's ostrich... the way he introduces it is hilarious.

I love Paula cuz she is literally fucking insane and acts like butter is the 2nd coming of Christ

Yeah. I really can't eat anything she cooks. But, it's fun to watch.

I've learned a lot from watching Good Eats with Alton Brown.

[Courtney]

YESSSSS Alton Brown.

[TheWatcher]

I think Alton brings out the food geek in me.

[CalmerThanYou]

Thanks for making this thread, i had thought about it a while ago, but didnt get around to it.

I love to cook. I cook all my own dinners throughout the week and most of my other meals. I am also a bit of a health nut, and thus have incorporated that into my cooking style. I made this last pasta sauce last week:



Base is a basic, natural marinara with a bit of heavy whipping cream for slight taste and color
Artichoke hearts
Capers
Fresh, diced garlic
Mushrooms
Diced Onions
Crushed red pepper
spicy chicken sausage

I cook the sausage first to brown it so it has some texture, then add in everything else and let simmer for 25 minutes or so.

I threw this on some whole wheat penne pasta and served.

I'll post some more easy, healthy dinners here as i make them....all very simple, and very good. OH, and i do 99.99% of my shopping at Trader Joes, which is cheap and excellent, so you can find everything there.

preparation + cook time = 30 mins total
cost = appx. $20
serves = 4
_________

[All Your Base]

That looks fantastic, Calmer.

When I make sauce, I usually make about 8 quarts and freeze it. I love making soups too.

If Coleman stoves were allowed, I'd be cooking awesome shit all Coachella weekend. Except for not wanting to eat, it'd be great.

[TheWatcher]

I am having to learn to cook with no grains. Today I made bread with almond butter and eggs. It's actually bread-like! I wish almond butter were cheaper. Oh well.

[bleep]

I'm watching Battle Bacon on Iron Chef America as I type this. Bobby Flay is a genius, and if you've ever eaten at a Mesa Grille, I think you'd agree.

i was most upset when Rick Bayless lost to Bobby Flay in an Iron Chef episode. i've had a smidge of dislike for Flay since.

[CalmerThanYou]

I made my parents dinner last night at their place: Spicy Chicken Fajitas (sans tortillas)



I seasoned the chicken with some taco seasoning and lemon pepper, then threw the breasts on the grill.

For the veggies: I blanched (cut up) green, yellow, orange and red peppers (1 each), some onion, and threw it in the skillet with a bit of olive oil and sauteed them. i then added some of the taco seasoning and some crushed red pepper (fun fact - if you rub the crush red pepper in the palm of your hand before applying it to anything, it will help release more of the flavor, but also make it spicier). Once the veggies were done, i cut up the chicken breasts, added the veggies, and boom. Easy, healthy meal.

The salad (i usually just use spinach) is just some greens, non fat ranch, and boiled egg....

preparation + cook time = 35 minutes total
cost = appx. $20
serves = 4
_________

[feather]

Floyd on France anyone?

Had that awesome song by the Stranglers for the intro.

[paulb]

Kolby, we should have a cook off...

[CalmerThanYou]

DOWN.

Surprisingly, a ton of my buddies cook (2 are gourmet chefs) and we do this all the time.

Bitches get weak at the knees when a guy can cook for them.

[Courtney]

I am having to learn to cook with no grains. Today I made bread with almond butter and eggs. It's actually bread-like! I wish almond butter were cheaper. Oh well.

Today someone brought in to work sesame parmesan crisps. They were good, and would make an excellent cracker substitute if you were trying to avoid grains.

I made my parents dinner last night at their place: Spicy Chicken Fajitas (sans tortillas)



I seasoned the chicken with some taco seasoning and lemon pepper, then threw the breasts on the grill.

For the veggies: I blanched (cut up) green, yellow, orange and red peppers (1 each), some onion, and threw it in the skillet with a bit of olive oil and sauteed them. i then added some of the taco seasoning and some crushed red pepper (fun fact - if you rub the crush red pepper in the palm of your hand before applying it to anything, it will help release more of the flavor, but also make it spicier). Once the veggies were done, i cut up the chicken breasts, added the veggies, and boom. Easy, healthy meal.

The salad (i usually just use spinach) is just some greens, non fat ranch, and boiled egg....

Mmm I haven't had a fajita in years and almost forgot how much I like them.

[CalmerThanYou]

i bet you also forgot how easy they are...i did.

[feather]

Kolby: Who has a better pasta sauce, you or Vince? Because I DO believe you tried to lure me by HIS recipe.

[CalmerThanYou]

OH. Without a doubt, hands down, vinces classic marina is the best in all the land (this, and the old country). I will never step to that.

i'd like to think of my cooking as contemporary classics

[disgustipated]

I'm attempting to make my first head cheese. Broke the head down last night and let it soak in a brine solution. Boiling now.

[All Your Base]

I got all you kids beat when it comes to sauce. I'm 3rd generation Italian mafia.

[indietron]

Wow what a great thread... I can't believe ive never wandered in here yet. Im gonna have to take pictures now of stuff i make.

Ive been really into desserts lately. For the holidays, i made a french apple pie and tiramisu that was really great.

Btw calmer, your pasta sauce looks great.

[Courtney]

I am currently eating Nancy's plain lowfat yogurt with honey and vanilla, topped with Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola and fresh sliced strawberries and blueberries. This hardly even counts as a recipe, but I can honestly say that at this moment it is the exact perfect thing that I want to be eating. I'm having a little moment of bliss over here.

[All Your Base]

I just had a thought....you know what would be awesome? Homemade baklava made with some 'essential oils'. I'm going to do research.

What's the Coachella rules about bringing in baked goods as snacks...like cookies, brownies and such? Is that allowed?