OT What are you cooking?

[pp9]

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I had a harissa-spiced, air-fried sweet potato for lunch today.

We currently have 'Greek' fries with harissa spice at one of our concessions stations and they are soooo gooooood

 

[JaynaAli]

I don’t know that I’ve had a potato I didn’t like. Mashed, baked, air fried, fried fried. Pan fried/home fries and hash browns are also great. Even scalloped potatoes are okay. My grandma makes a side dish that’s like creamy boiled potatoes mixed with green beans and those maybe aren’t my favorite but I’ll still eat it. They really are a superior vegetable/starch.

 

[pp9]

I don’t know that I’ve had a potato I didn’t like. Mashed, baked, air fried, fried fried. Pan fried/home fries and hash browns are also great. Even scalloped potatoes are okay. My grandma makes a side dish that’s like creamy boiled potatoes mixed with green beans and those maybe aren’t my favorite but I’ll still eat it. They really are a superior vegetable/starch.

Yeah, you really have to just not even cook them fully to mess them up. Nothing worse than a scalloped potato dish when the potatoes are not fully cooked. Not to say I wouldn't still eat it. I just wouldn't be as happy about it.

 

[Zenge142]

Nothing worse than a scalloped potato dish when the potatoes are not fully cooked.

This haunts my nightmares. I tired to make scalloped potatoes a couple thanksgivings ago.

Disaster. Undercooked. I’m still devastated. 😔

 

[_rae_]

I had a harissa-spiced, air-fried sweet potato for lunch today.

Just like, sweet potato tossed in harissa spice? This with some chicken meatballs (or any preferred protein) and some brussel sprouts sounds delightful.

 

[indysadventures]

This haunts my nightmares. I tired to make scalloped potatoes a couple thanksgivings ago.

Disaster. Undercooked. I’m still devastated. 😔

OMG, I’m sorry- there’s nothing quite like crunchy (undercooked) scalloped potatoes, incomparable to crunchy (buttery, crispy) scalloped potatoes, which I have heard were blessed by Jesus, according to a since-destroyed gospel where the Romans also were lauded for their sanitary bathing habits. Or so I remember, my classics facts have been off today. 🤣

 

[deleted626763]

I love potatoes.

The greatest of foods in all its forms. 🙂 I have a great recipe for "funeral potatoes" as some people call them. My family has always just called them cheesy potatoes. It's pre-cut cubed potatoes and melted cheese topped with crushed Corn Flakes. And butter. Because this is the Midwest and it's slathered over EVERYTHING. Try it with the vegetables, lol.

Funeral Potatoes

Don't let the melancholy name fool you! Funeral potatoes are really just a cheesy potato casserole with cornflakes. The creamy texture, melty cheese and crunchy topping make this recipe the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

www.tasteofhome.com

 

[JaynaAli]

The greatest of foods in all its forms. 🙂 I have a great recipe for "funeral potatoes" as some people call them. My family has always just called them cheesy potatoes. It's pre-cut cubed potatoes and a couple kinds of melted cheese topped with crushed Corn Flakes. And butter. Because this is the Midwest and it's slathered over EVERYTHING. Try it with the vegetables, lol.

Funeral Potatoes

Don't let the melancholy name fool you! Funeral potatoes are really just a cheesy potato casserole with cornflakes. The creamy texture, melty cheese and crunchy topping make this recipe the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

www.tasteofhome.com

Yes, I make something similar too, sometimes adding cubed ham pieces or bacon. The cookbook my family has always used calls them cheesy potatoes but my best friend calls them Margaret’s Potatoes because an old lady named Margaret always made them at her church.

 

[supershorty]

Just like, sweet potato tossed in harissa spice? This with some chicken meatballs (or any preferred protein) and some brussel sprouts sounds delightful.

Sweet potato, olive oil, salt, pepper, harissa --> air fryer @ 400 for 8 minutes, rummaged around on the rack a little to flip the pieces, then another 7 minutes --> perfection 😋

 

[_rae_]

Sweet potato, olive oil, salt, pepper, harissa --> air fryer @ 400 for 8 minutes, rummaged around on the rack a little to flip the pieces, then another 7 minutes --> perfection 😋

I was introduced to harissa by Cava on the east coast. I miss it so much, so I’ll have to try this!

 

[indysadventures]

Excuse me while I write down these potato recipes.

 

[DVMDream]

 

[supershorty]

I have recently learned a trick for mashed potatoes though: add chicken bouillon (or veggie bouillon if that's more your speed) to the water you boil them in. It deepens the flavor a TON.

How much do you add relative to the amount of water?

 

[_rae_]

How much do you add relative to the amount of water?

Technically speaking it should be 1 tsp or 1 cube bouillon:1 cup of water, however, when making a big batch, that's a ton. I usually just sprinkle some in until I like the color of the water lol

 

[JaynaAli]

Yes, I have done this trick too. I make potato soup a fair amount in the winter and I always just boil the potatoes in chicken or veggie broth and not drain, then I decided why not make mashed potatoes that way too, since there’s often a very fine line between thick potato soup and runny mashed potatoes.

 

[_rae_]

Yes, I have done this trick too. I make potato soup a fair amount in the winter and I always just boil the potatoes in chicken or veggie broth and not drain, then I decided why not make mashed potatoes that way too, since there’s often a very fine line between thick potato soup and runny mashed potatoes.

We made a loaded baked potato soup this winter and it was DELIGHTFUL. I'm also a big fan of potato leek soup. Not a fan, however, of cleaning the dirt out of leeks.

 

[indysadventures]

If anyone of my fellow Samwise Gamgees wants to help a non-meat eater out and give me a good potato soup recipe I would be over the moon.

Frankly, I’m impressed I’ve made it this long without posting that.

 

[JaynaAli]

Bumpy bump bump

 

[Zenge142]

If anyone of my fellow Samwise Gamgees wants to help a non-meat eater out and give me a good potato soup recipe I would be over the moon.

Depends on how you feel about leeks being invited to the party

 

[JaynaAli]

My approach is potato soup is to throw stuff in a pot and hope. Oh, and if your soup seems too thin, toss in some instant/powdered mashed potatoes as a thickener. That was you get potato flavor AND thickening in one, vs a roux.

 

[JaynaAli]

Why does my brain know this exists? No idea but it’s been in my head for obvious reasons

 

[catsandsnakes]

If anyone of my fellow Samwise Gamgees wants to help a non-meat eater out and give me a good potato soup recipe I would be over the moon.

Allrecipe's Old-Fashioned Potato Soup recipe is pretty good. I just leave out the carrots, because they best way to elevate any potato soup is adding chopped dill pickles, some dill pickle juice, and fresh dill

 

[DVMDream]

I just had a baked potato from Wendy's. It was kind of disappointing actually.

 

[fruitsalad]

No mention of potato salad? 🙁

 

[SkiOtter]

Bumpy bump bump

Literally was JUST thinking about this thread/the cooking challenge thread while in the grocery store yesterday

 

[SkiOtter]

This is my usual potato soup recipe except I use cheddar cheese soup instead of cream of chicken and I add a duck ton of garlic powder and some shredded cheddar. Super easy since 1. it’s crock pot and 2. Uses frozen diced potatoes

The Best Potato Soup Recipe (+VIDEO) - The Girl Who Ate Everything

Crockpot Potato Soup - A super easy soup that is thrown in the slow cooker. This crockpot soup is a crowd pleaser for a cold night!

www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

 

[Zenge142]

No mention of potato salad? 🙁

I am actually a really big fan of potato salad, but I’m also very picky about potato salad.

I’m a big fan of really good potato salad, which is very hard to find tbh.

 

[pp9]

I am actually a really big fan of potato salad, but I’m also very picky about potato salad.

I’m a big fan of really good potato salad, which is very hard to find tbh.

Define a good potato salad.

I'm no connoisseur and honestly only need a small serving of potato salad before I can't eat it again for a year, but it does have to be yellow. (ETA: and by yellow, I mean it has to have mustard)

 

[Zenge142]

(ETA: and by yellow, I mean it has to have mustard)

Yeah this is a really big thing. Like it has to have that tang. Otherwise it's sort of bland.

Define a good potato salad.

In general, the potatoes need to be cooked through obviously, I've met too many potato salads that were crunchy.

Saucy, and not grainy. If there's a nice smooth sauce draped over the potatoes and flows, that's good. I've had a lot where it's almost like a paste binding everything into clumps, and sometimes even super grainy, which has a very unpleasant mouth feel.

Peeled potatoes, no skins lurking in the mix.

 

[alleycat03]

The greatest of foods in all its forms. 🙂 I have a great recipe for "funeral potatoes" as some people call them. My family has always just called them cheesy potatoes. It's pre-cut cubed potatoes and melted cheese topped with crushed Corn Flakes. And butter. Because this is the Midwest and it's slathered over EVERYTHING. Try it with the vegetables, lol.

Funeral Potatoes

Don't let the melancholy name fool you! Funeral potatoes are really just a cheesy potato casserole with cornflakes. The creamy texture, melty cheese and crunchy topping make this recipe the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

www.tasteofhome.com

You may get a lot of weird looks calling them funeral potatoes at potlucks. Speaking from experience.

I had no idea they had another name until the horrified looks I received when I brought them to a sorority thanksgiving dinner in undergrad 😅

 

[vetmedhead]

You may get a lot of weird looks calling them funeral potatoes at potlucks. Speaking from experience.

I had no idea they had another name until the horrified looks I received when I brought them to a sorority thanksgiving dinner in undergrad 😅

This may explain a few things about why my Jury Duty Potatoes weren't a hit at the potluck

 

[SkiOtter]

The greatest of foods in all its forms. 🙂 I have a great recipe for "funeral potatoes" as some people call them. My family has always just called them cheesy potatoes. It's pre-cut cubed potatoes and melted cheese topped with crushed Corn Flakes. And butter. Because this is the Midwest and it's slathered over EVERYTHING. Try it with the vegetables, lol.

Funeral Potatoes

Don't let the melancholy name fool you! Funeral potatoes are really just a cheesy potato casserole with cornflakes. The creamy texture, melty cheese and crunchy topping make this recipe the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

www.tasteofhome.com

I do these all the time with the frozen cubed potatoes. 10/10.

 

[deleted626763]

Yes, I make something similar too, sometimes adding cubed ham pieces or bacon. The cookbook my family has always used calls them cheesy potatoes but my best friend calls them Margaret’s Potatoes because an old lady named Margaret always made them at her church.

Forgive the noob question, but do you adjust the cooking time at all to account for the addition of cooked ham? Would the answer change for cooked chicken that could dry out? I am intrigued by the idea of making it into a casserole of sorts.

That is really sweet about the old lady named Margaret. I always associate this with my cousins in Nebraska. They have six children (5 boys and one girl!). My grandma would make the 8 of us kids a batch of funeral potatoes and scoop it into bowls for us to snack on. The grandma in question also makes it every time I come over for dinner because she knows it is my favorite. I love her so much.

 

[JaynaAli]

Forgive the noob question, but do you adjust the cooking time at all to account for the addition of cooked ham? Would the answer change for cooked chicken that could dry out? I am intrigued by the idea of making it into a casserole of sorts.

No, I usually buy a ham steak (like a single large ~1/2” thick slice of ham) and dice it up into 1cm ish cubes. I throw it into the bowl when I mix everything together and just bake it until it’s hot, maybe 45 mins. The ham is cooked, so it just needs warmed. I don’t always usually put a crunchy topping on it because I am usually just cooking for one/leftovers and I don’t feel like the crunch reheats well. I have added broccoli once as well; I semi-defrosted frozen florets in the microwave first to give the broccoli a head start and be able to break it into smaller pieces, then just mixed it in and let it bake for the 45 mins.

I haven’t ever added chicken but I think there’s probably enough liquid in it between the soups, sour cream, and butter to keep it relatively moist. Other chicken casseroles I’ve made such as poppyseed chicken casserole use pre-cooked chicken and bake for about a half hour or longer and they don’t get overly dry.

 

[fauna]

Ooooh I am excited to see that this thread exists. What do you guys like to do for quick and easy breakfasts before work/school? This has always been my struggle. I currently eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work lol. You will be shocked to know that that strategy doesn’t work too well for me, as I will be starving an hour later.

 

[fauna]

This haunts my nightmares. I tired to make scalloped potatoes a couple thanksgivings ago.

Disaster. Undercooked. I’m still devastated. 😔

I tried making this “stacked potatoes” recipe that I saw on tiktok (literally my first mistake). Also undercooked. it was for mother’s day to add insult to injury. Also devastating.

 

[SkiOtter]

Ooooh I am excited to see that this thread exists. What do you guys like to do for quick and easy breakfasts before work/school? This has always been my struggle. I currently eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work lol. You will be shocked to know that that strategy doesn’t work too well for me, as I will be starving an hour later.

Something with protein. There are yogurts with a lot of protein (like 15-25g per individual container) and those definitely will keep you fuller longer than a granola bar. I don’t like eggs, but hard boiled eggs are also easy and quick too (if you prep them in advance obviously). I usually have a tiny bowl of cereal with milk (bc I can’t give up my fave cereal) and then a high protein yogurt and it’s been keeping me full for a good amount of time.

 

[JaynaAli]

My usual breakfast is a Dr. Pepper Zero.

I used to make a batch of breakfast burritos. They freeze pretty well but it’s also pretty simple to throw ingredients together once a week, keep in a bowl, and then put in a tortilla every morning.

They’re not cheap nor necessarily environmentally friendly because they have quick a bit of packaging, but the little “crack an egg” cups that have toppings you stir an egg into and microwave are super convenient. Nowadays I don’t buy the actual cups but make an at home version instead.

 

[WildZoo]

Ooooh I am excited to see that this thread exists. What do you guys like to do for quick and easy breakfasts before work/school? This has always been my struggle. I currently eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work lol. You will be shocked to know that that strategy doesn’t work too well for me, as I will be starving an hour later.

I have a Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast sandwich of some variety almost every day. I used to meal prep a version of them myself, I just fell back into buying them for convenience.

I also used to premake breakfast burritos like the ones Jayna mentioned!

 

[_rae_]

Ooooh I am excited to see that this thread exists. What do you guys like to do for quick and easy breakfasts before work/school? This has always been my struggle. I currently eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work lol. You will be shocked to know that that strategy doesn’t work too well for me, as I will be starving an hour later.

So, I used to make overnight oats, and then tragedy stuck and I got a stomach bug immediately after eating them one day. So never again.

BUT! I found some recipes for blended overnight oats, which solves the texture issue. I also add some chia seeds because I don't notice them blended together and it creates a decent fiber bomb. Both recipes below can be prepped in bulk and lasts for 5 or so days in the fridge.

I make this recipe minus the smash top (I also don't always add protein powder):Chocolate Blended Oats

And this one slaps, but you really need to use cashew butter to get the cookie dough consistency/flavor: Cookie Dough Blended Oats

 

[indysadventures]

Ooooh I am excited to see that this thread exists. What do you guys like to do for quick and easy breakfasts before work/school? This has always been my struggle. I currently eat a granola bar in the car on the way to work lol. You will be shocked to know that that strategy doesn’t work too well for me, as I will be starving an hour later.

What are your thoughts on overnight oats? You can make them ahead, pack them with good fiber/fruit/protein, and grab in the morning to eat quickly. A great meal substitute I also like are smoothies that include packed, dry instant oats and chia seeds so you also get the fiber.

My favorite recipe for on-the-go - ESPECIALLY when I worry I won't always get a lunch - is a peanut butter/oat/banana smoothie that is roughly the following (all amounts adjust to taste/texture/thickness preferences): (1) banana, peanut butter to taste, ~1/4-~1/2 cup instant rolled plain oats, ~ 1-2 cups almond or oat milk, chia seeds to taste - BLEND (obvs). 🙂 Keeps me feeling full and is enough calories to actually substitute a meal, has protein and fiber and calcium. I also actually will sometimes basically make this with instant oats as well, make a cup of instant plain oats on the stove, add a sliced banana and peanut butter to taste, mix.

 

[indysadventures]

So, I used to make overnight oats, and then tragedy stuck and I got a stomach bug immediately after eating them one day. So never again.

BUT! I found some recipes for blended overnight oats, which solves the texture issue. I also add some chia seeds because I don't notice them blended together and it creates a decent fiber bomb. Both recipes below can be prepped in bulk and lasts for 5 or so days in the fridge.

I make this recipe minus the smash top (I also don't always add protein powder):Chocolate Blended Oats

And this one slaps, but you really need to use cashew butter to get the cookie dough consistency/flavor: Cookie Dough Blended Oats

Awww stomach bugs can ruin the best foods. RIP, incredible "chicken" nuggets, I used to love you so.

 

[deleted626763]

Awww stomach bugs can ruin the best foods. RIP, incredible "chicken" nuggets, I used to love you so.

I still can't eat spaghetti, which is a shame because it was such an easy meal. For a long time, I would feel nauseous whenever I would so much as smell or see it.

 

[pp9]

I still can't eat spaghetti, which is a shame because it was such an easy meal. For a long time, I would feel nauseous whenever I would so much as smell or see it.

My little sister went through an extremely lengthy phase (probably 8-10 years) where literally all she ate for dinner was spaghetti coated in butter. So now I can't smell spaghetti without wanting to hurl. Other pastas are fine, but I just can't with spaghetti. Thinking about it makes nauseates me.

The first time I remember eating a salad as a little kid was at a Mexican restaurant near the Foley outlet mall in Alabama. Got sick off of that and couldn't eat salad again until my 20's, and I still have a hard time with it But if you are ever in that area, you need to eat at Lambert's! Haven't been there for probably 25 years now, but it is such a memorable place!

 

[indysadventures]

My little sister went through an extremely lengthy phase (probably 8-10 years) where literally all she ate for dinner was spaghetti coated in butter. So now I can't smell spaghetti without wanting to hurl. Other pastas are fine, but I just can't with spaghetti. Thinking about it makes nauseates me.

The first time I remember eating a salad as a little kid was at a Mexican restaurant near the Foley outlet mall in Alabama. Got sick off of that and couldn't eat salad again until my 20's, and I still have a hard time with it But if you are ever in that area, you need to eat at Lambert's! Haven't been there for probably 25 years now, but it is such a memorable place!

 

[supershorty]

I got some fresh mozz made by a local grocery store and I'm low-key obsessed with it. I'm on my second caprese salad of the week.

 

[flotus]

I got some fresh mozz made by a local grocery store and I'm low-key obsessed with it. I'm on my second caprese salad of the week.

Littletons?

 

[supershorty]

Littletons?

Weiland's

 

[pp9]

New angle: what are we cooking in? What appliances and gadgets are truly life savers? Also, do I really need to drop a wad of cash on the Le Creuset petal braiser in sea salt, or am I being suckered in by how pretty it is? I'm trying to avoid getting things that have one purpose only, and that we'd probably only use once in a blue moon (Ninja Creami, for example), but if something is really worth it...

For me, I won't go without an air fryer again. We don't have anything special, but man it is nice to have crispy food without turning on the oven. It's good for individual portions of food too. We like our instant pot, but it really serves as our rice cooker, we haven't done much else in it and probably should. My other favorite appliances: our Breville bread machine and espresso machine.

 

[_rae_]

Also, do I really need to drop a wad of cash on the Le Creuset petal braiser in sea salt, or am I being suckered in by how pretty it is?

Yes/no. I LOVE my Le Creuset braiser (in provence which is fancy for purple), however, my spouse does not. I find myself wanting a big stainless steel sauté pan more and more recently, which is a bit more versatile and a bit less delicate. If I can recommend these folks, I love looking at their reviews and have followed their advice quite a bit: Cult Flav

other favorite appliances: our Breville bread machine and espresso machine.

Can I ask which espresso model you have? I’ve desperately been wanting one but can’t justify the $600-$1600 price tag, so I’ve been looking at the bambino.