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Awakened
@Awakened
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Preparing food, let's discuss!

I've started planning what I'm gonna prepare for thanksgiving and a few of the things I want to try for the first time include:

Hard frying potato skins to add contrasting texture to mashed potatoes.
Thoughts?

Also, outside of the typical butter/garlic sauce for asparagus, you know of any good, unorthodox toppings?


In case ya didn't notice, I want to talk about food! She's my lifetime mistress.
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ReallyNiceAriesPerson
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Posted by MsPisces.
Olive oil over the asparagus and bake them in the oven. Add parmesean cheese for the last 15 mins or so of baking. Delicious.




how long do you bake the sparraguts total?

Why do healthy things taste like shit? If they (asparagus) tasted like a butterfinger for example I would have it a couple times a week.

If kitkats tasted like brussel sprouts I would never eat another one as long as I lived. I need to speak to someone about this.
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Candeh15
@Candeh15
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Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
Posted by MsPisces.
Olive oil over the asparagus and bake them in the oven. Add parmesean cheese for the last 15 mins or so of baking. Delicious.




how long do you bake the sparraguts total?

Why do healthy things taste like shit? If they (asparagus) tasted like a butterfinger for example I would have it a couple times a week.

If kitkats tasted like brussel sprouts I would never eat another one as long as I lived. I need to speak to someone about this.
click to expand




Oh man, you must not have much experience cooking or grilling vegetables. I make spinach that is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Sounds oxymoronic, right? Oh, there are so many things you can do with veggies that make them taste awesome. Asparagus is one of my favorites.
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ReallyNiceAriesPerson
@ReallyNiceAriesPerson
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ummmm, well I make outstanding onions, pan-tastic potatoes, smashing sweet potato, killer cointreau carrots etc etc but haven't been able to do much with asparagus😢
...they always seem to taste like boiled string.

My next cunning plan was to roast some brussel sprouts with baby beetroot, splashed with balsamic and see how that goes.

Feel free to tell us your spinach secret!
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Candeh15
@Candeh15
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Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
ummmm, well I make outstanding onions, pan-tastic potatoes, smashing sweet potato, killer cointreau carrots etc etc but haven't been able to do much with asparagus😢
...they always seem to taste like boiled string.

My next cunning plan was to roast some brussel sprouts with baby beetroot, splashed with balsamic and see how that goes.

Feel free to tell us your spinach secret!



Your brussel sprouts recipe sounds delicious. I'm also a huge fan of the sprouts; in fact I sauteed some tonight with red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips.

For my spinach, I mainly use three ingredients: lemon juice (or lemon pepper, a favorite), garlic (usually crushed), and vinegar (usually white). I usually place the garlic in first (sometimes I place it in right as I place the spinach in), and let that cook a little, put in the spinach, let that cook down a little. I add the lemon juice or pepper and let it sit. As the spinach begins to wilt, I finally add some vinegar. I usually use the like a capfull or two, and the vinegar usually picks up a bit of the garlic that had cooked into the skillet. Usually I finish with this, but sometimes I add a kick of crushed red pepper. I also like to chop grape tomatoes in there too.
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Awakened
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Posted by Candeh15
Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
ummmm, well I make outstanding onions, pan-tastic potatoes, smashing sweet potato, killer cointreau carrots etc etc but haven't been able to do much with asparagus😢
...they always seem to taste like boiled string.

My next cunning plan was to roast some brussel sprouts with baby beetroot, splashed with balsamic and see how that goes.

Feel free to tell us your spinach secret!



Your brussel sprouts recipe sounds delicious. I'm also a huge fan of the sprouts; in fact I sauteed some tonight with red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips.

For my spinach, I mainly use three ingredients: lemon juice (or lemon pepper, a favorite), garlic (usually crushed), and vinegar (usually white). I usually place the garlic in first (sometimes I place it in right as I place the spinach in), and let that cook a little, put in the spinach, let that cook down a little. I add the lemon juice or pepper and let it sit. As the spinach begins to wilt, I finally add some vinegar. I usually use the like a capfull or two, and the vinegar usually picks up a bit of the garlic that had cooked into the skillet. Usually I finish with this, but sometimes I add a kick of crushed red pepper. I also like to chop grape tomatoes in there too.
click to expand





Explain step by step how you prepare this spinach please.
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Awakened
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Collard Greens:

Explain how you prepare your version.

I set the crock pot to high. I fill the water almost to the brim. I then salt and red pepper flakes to taste. Next, I drop two hamhocks into the water. I give it about 30 minutes before I add the greens, which I rip vs cutting. I typically cook until they are around the consistency of spinach. Just prior to serving, I take the bones and fat out from the hocks.

I tried adding bacon at one point, but tbh, it makes the greens taste too similar to spit-pea soup...which I don't want.

In any event.

How do you prepare your greens and what can be corrected about my methods?
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venusianbull
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I leave skins on for my mashed potatoes, I've never tried frying skins to add to it. If I did it would be diced fine. I usually peel potatoes for family dinners so a little one can eat it without choking. Mmm sauces for asparagus. A cheese beer sauce would be tasty ( rarebit ), an Oriental spin on it would also be nice. Bit of soy, minced garlic and some citrus to spark it. I gobble asparagus quite plain. As is or just a pat of butter. I also like tucking it in things like ham or chicken pie with a velvety cheese sauce for winter fare when you lard up.
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MsPisces.
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Throw the asparagus in the pan raw. Depends on how much you're making, but about 45 mins give or take. They should be slightly crispy on the outside.

You can do the same to brussel sprouts, btw, and they are even better than the asparagus, imo. So good.


I use Turkey butts (tails) for my greens. I season the water a little with seasoned salt, adobo, and garlic. Add the turkey butts and boil (with lid on) for a couple hours, till the meat is falling off the bone. I keep adding water as it boils down, along with some more seasoning. Careful not to put too much seasoning.


After meat is nice and tender, I add the greens. Also add a little hot sauce (or red pepper flakes), couple spoonfuls of sugar, and a couple tbsp of margarine. Let it come to another boil and TASTE before adding any other seasonings. Let the season from the meat and water absorb into the greens first, as its easy to make them wayy to salty w.o realizing it bc they didn't seem salty when you first tried em. Cook the greens till they're done. Not too soggy, not too hard.


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Candeh15
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Posted by Awakened
Posted by Candeh15
Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
ummmm, well I make outstanding onions, pan-tastic potatoes, smashing sweet potato, killer cointreau carrots etc etc but haven't been able to do much with asparagus😢
...they always seem to taste like boiled string.

My next cunning plan was to roast some brussel sprouts with baby beetroot, splashed with balsamic and see how that goes.

Feel free to tell us your spinach secret!



Your brussel sprouts recipe sounds delicious. I'm also a huge fan of the sprouts; in fact I sauteed some tonight with red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips.

For my spinach, I mainly use three ingredients: lemon juice (or lemon pepper, a favorite), garlic (usually crushed), and vinegar (usually white). I usually place the garlic in first (sometimes I place it in right as I place the spinach in), and let that cook a little, put in the spinach, let that cook down a little. I add the lemon juice or pepper and let it sit. As the spinach begins to wilt, I finally add some vinegar. I usually use the like a capfull or two, and the vinegar usually picks up a bit of the garlic that had cooked into the skillet. Usually I finish with this, but sometimes I add a kick of crushed red pepper. I also like to chop grape tomatoes in there too.




Explain step by step how you prepare this spinach please.
click to expand




Okay, you want to set a skillet to about medium to high heat. You can either use spinach leaves or even frozen spinach. I switch between the two because 1) I'm a college student and 2) You have to get at least two bags of spinach if you want to get a good amount since it wilts down a lot. Once your have your spinach and the skillet going, fill the skillet with olive oil (generally what I use). Like I said, sometimes I cook the garlic first. You can either use actual cloves which you want to crush before hand, or already crushed or minced garlic. Place the garlic in the skillet until it has browned, but not all the way. Place your spinach into the skillet; it'll already start to wilt. A pinch of salt and pepper works before hand. Move the spinach as it wilts so that it won't stick to the skillet. As it breaks down further, take your lemon juice or pepper; if you're using an
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Candeh15
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Move the spinach as it wilts so that it won't stick to the skillet. As it breaks down further, take your lemon juice or pepper; if you're using an actual lemon, I would squeeze half the lemon into the skillet, and if lemon pepper, about a pinch or two would work. After a couple of minutes, take your vinegar, place one or two capfuls into the skillet and stir the spinach. Lower the heat and place the a top on the skillet, allowing the spinach to sit so that everything mingles together. When finished, remove the spinach, and garnish it with whatever you like. Like I said, I like to add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a kick.
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Awakened
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Posted by Candeh15
Okay question. I've been on a huge buffalo wing kick lately, and I'm planning on making a batch of homemade wings in the near future. I think I can figure out the frying of the chicken wings, but does anyone have an oil and base for the wings that they'd use so they wouldn't be loaded in fat?

Also, does anyone know how to make a good buffalo sauce?



In my inferior knowledge, a good lemon pepper and maybe some milk outta be good. whip the two up and apply
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Posted by venusianbull
Wilt the collards or kale in bacon drippings on the stove with a bit of garlic salt and pepper. Like you, I rip and never cut greens. I was at work, bring on the cooking. Cow is ready and standing by.



This is a new way of preparing greens that I've never heard of. So fry some bacon, remove the bacon and then apply the greens without draining the pan? Add the suggested spices and fry 'till wilting? I then proceed as normal?
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Awakened
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Posted by MsPisces.
Throw the asparagus in the pan raw. Depends on how much you're making, but about 45 mins give or take. They should be slightly crispy on the outside.

You can do the same to brussel sprouts, btw, and they are even better than the asparagus, imo. So good.


I use Turkey butts (tails) for my greens. I season the water a little with seasoned salt, adobo, and garlic. Add the turkey butts and boil (with lid on) for a couple hours, till the meat is falling off the bone. I keep adding water as it boils down, along with some more seasoning. Careful not to put too much seasoning.


After meat is nice and tender, I add the greens. Also add a little hot sauce (or red pepper flakes), couple spoonfuls of sugar, and a couple tbsp of margarine. Let it come to another boil and TASTE before adding any other seasonings. Let the season from the meat and water absorb into the greens first, as its easy to make them wayy to salty w.o realizing it bc they didn't seem salty when you first tried em. Cook the greens till they're done. Not too soggy, not too hard.




Can you say why turkey butts vs hocks? Also, why the sugar?

Not being an ass, I'm genuinely curious.
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Candeh15
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Posted by venusianbull
Whoa, that's a good question as the base is usually melted butter and hot sauce in equal portions. How about olive oil with a bit of butter for flavor, chipotle, the hot sauce and a bit of garlic?



I was definitely thinking of adding garlic! I figure the chipotle would give it a nice smokiness plus the heat.

Also, before the dredge and fry the chicken, I was thinking of marinating it. Know any good marinades for chicken?
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Awakened
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Posted by Candeh15
Posted by Awakened
Posted by Candeh15
Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
ummmm, well I make outstanding onions, pan-tastic potatoes, smashing sweet potato, killer cointreau carrots etc etc but haven't been able to do much with asparagus😢
...they always seem to taste like boiled string.

My next cunning plan was to roast some brussel sprouts with baby beetroot, splashed with balsamic and see how that goes.

Feel free to tell us your spinach secret!



Your brussel sprouts recipe sounds delicious. I'm also a huge fan of the sprouts; in fact I sauteed some tonight with red, yellow, and green bell pepper strips.

For my spinach, I mainly use three ingredients: lemon juice (or lemon pepper, a favorite), garlic (usually crushed), and vinegar (usually white). I usually place the garlic in first (sometimes I place it in right as I place the spinach in), and let that cook a little, put in the spinach, let that cook down a little. I add the lemon juice or pepper and let it sit. As the spinach begins to wilt, I finally add some vinegar. I usually use the like a capfull or two, and the vinegar usually picks up a bit of the garlic that had cooked into the skillet. Usually I finish with this, but sometimes I add a kick of crushed red pepper. I also like to chop grape tomatoes in there too.




Explain step by step how you prepare this spinach please.
click to expand




Okay, you want to set a skillet to about medium to high heat. You can either use spinach leaves or even frozen spinach. I switch between the two because 1) I'm a college student and 2) You have to get at least two bags of spinach if you want to get a good amount since it wilts down a lot. Once your have your spinach and the skillet going, fill the skillet with olive oil (generally what I use). Like I said, sometimes I cook the garlic first. You can either use actual cloves which you want to crush before hand, or already crushed or minced garlic. Place the garlic in the skillet until it has browned, but not all the way. Place your spinach into the skillet; it'll already start to wilt. A pinch of salt and pepper works before hand. Move the spinach as it wilts so that it won't stick to the
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venusianbull
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I usually do not marinate chicken unless it's necessary, grilled teriyaki..blah blah on into infinity. I prepare whole chicken, roasted and stuffed. Under the breast skin as well and liberally sprinkled with pepper and garlic salt. Keeps the breast meat moist and flavors it. Low and slow, like a turkey. 325 for hours until the skin is crackly when cut with a knife. From there the carcass gets crammed into a pot for stock, the leftover meat ( if any ) goes into chicken and noodles ( yep, those are homemade too ) pie, salad, etc.
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ReallyNiceAriesPerson
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say 'skillet' again Candeh.....getting turned on over here


I was goofing around a while back with that bunch of stuff that always lurks at the back of my fridge and ended up with an awesome yoghurty marinade, but can't remember the ingredients now....obviously plain yoghurt, possibly some garlic?

what about ranch dresssing? with brown sugar perhaps. Not sure if that would clash with your buffalo taste?

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venusianbull
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Posted by Awakened
So you're taking the leftover skeleton after peeling the meat and using that for stuffing/gravy, etc stock instead of using water?



Stock is necessary to good gravy and dressing. And yes, cram those bones in a pot of water, chuck in a carrot, a quartered onion and a carrot. Let it simmer down and reduce until it's down by 1/2 - 3/4 in volume. Cool and poke it in the freezer in freezer bags. Fish it out as you need it. Stuffing is simple, cubed toasted ( or dry ) bread, sage, onion, minced celery, stock, bit of butter if you like. Salt and pepper. Turkey time I always have the neck and giblets reducing down while the bird is cooking to use for gravy.
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venusianbull
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Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
say 'skillet' again Candeh.....getting turned on over here


I was goofing around a while back with that bunch of stuff that always lurks at the back of my fridge and ended up with an awesome yoghurty marinade, but can't remember the ingredients now....obviously plain yoghurt, possibly some garlic?

what about ranch dresssing? with brown sugar perhaps. Not sure if that would clash with your buffalo taste?



Sounds like you got something really tasty. First thought was tzatziki for gyros. Similar?
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Candeh15
@Candeh15
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Posted by venusianbull
Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
say 'skillet' again Candeh.....getting turned on over here


I was goofing around a while back with that bunch of stuff that always lurks at the back of my fridge and ended up with an awesome yoghurty marinade, but can't remember the ingredients now....obviously plain yoghurt, possibly some garlic?

what about ranch dresssing? with brown sugar perhaps. Not sure if that would clash with your buffalo taste?



Sounds like you got something really tasty. First thought was tzatziki for gyros. Similar?
click to expand




I. LOVE. GYROS.

Grew up eating gyros. *drools*
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venusianbull
@venusianbull
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Posted by scorchedearth
Posted by venusianbull
Or fried chicken, or BBQ chicken, orrrrrrr. LOL Ready to be up half the night?



go on....
click to expand




Fire away. I use a lot of chicken. Legs/thighs make most awesome chicken stew to ladle over biscuit or rice, chicken and noodles or to make sauce and just shred the meat and use it for whatever. Cheaper too. I refuse to buy chicken breasts all done up, I know how to butcher a chicken out.
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venusianbull
@venusianbull
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Comments: 438 · Posts: 33721 · Topics: 241
Posted by Candeh15
Posted by venusianbull
Posted by ReallyNiceAriesPerson
say 'skillet' again Candeh.....getting turned on over here


I was goofing around a while back with that bunch of stuff that always lurks at the back of my fridge and ended up with an awesome yoghurty marinade, but can't remember the ingredients now....obviously plain yoghurt, possibly some garlic?

what about ranch dresssing? with brown sugar perhaps. Not sure if that would clash with your buffalo taste?



Sounds like you got something really tasty. First thought was tzatziki for gyros. Similar?



I. LOVE. GYROS.

Grew up eating gyros. *drools*
click to expand




Gyros are gooood!
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