The Smells in My Kitchen

[buckshot]

Damn that looks sounds good! I'd crawl through a acre of old broken beer bottles and swim through a pond of strong salty lemonade for a slice of that pie!

[Young Val]

I have made so many great things lately and neglected to post about them.

The big deal today, though, is that my Vin d'Orange is FINALLY ready and it is out-of-this-world delicious. I rimmed my glass in decorative sugar, even, despite the fact that I am in my pajamas and may or may not have showered yet, because it is just that good.

[Eaquae Legit]

Did I ever post about finally figuring out the missing ingredient in my tomato sauce? Because I did. Now I just have to make it someday when I remember to measure what goes in. Apparently I needed a decent splash of vinegar, preferably red wine vinegar. Woot!

*noms the delicious tomato sauce*

[LilBee91]

Today is pie day. I shall take many pictures of the process. I am going to use raspberries instead of strawberries, since Walmart lacked both strawberry Danish dessert and actual strawberries. And I forget to get whipping cream, so there will be no delectable whipped topping. But I have faith that it will be delicious regardless.

[Petra456]

It's starting to get cold out, and all I want to do is make/eat comfort foods. Right now it's breakfast skillets! Hash browns, sausage, and eggs (over easy).

What are some of your favorite comfort foods?

[thoughtreader]

Today I made chicken, rice, and carrots in a thick yummy broth... For Cleo.
Chris and I had Kraft Mac and Cheese
I do believe she is eating much better then me!

[Jayelle]

It's starting to get cold out, and all I want to do is make/eat comfort foods. Right now it's breakfast skillets! Hash browns, sausage, and eggs (over easy).

What are some of your favorite comfort foods?

When the weather gets cold, I start making soups. Today I'm making roasted squash soup. I'll probably whip up a batch of biscuits and it'll be the perfect food for a cold evening.

Other comfort foods? Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese (the good oven kind. The boxed kind is comforting, but in an everyday way), pancakes, Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, and this fantastic dish Paul makes with potatoes, bacon, peas, cheese and eggs all hashed together in a frying pan.

[Young Val]

I second everything Jan said, plus casseroles. Soups are killer, though.

[Jayelle]

Omnomnom... that soup was a.maze.ing. The roasted squash was so sweet, I could have sworn I added sugar to the broth.

[starlooker]

Cinnamon toast. Simple, comforting, good with hot chocolate.

(Well, good with most things.)

[LilBee91]

Top comfort foods:
Mashed potatoes and gravy.
Homemade bread.
Creamy soups.
Hot chocolate.
Grilled cheese.
And pretty much any of my mom's casseroles.

Results of yesterday's pie adventures:

I had a bit of an issue with one of the crusts shrinking when I baked it. Any pro tips for avoiding that? Or making it look pretty even when it does do that?

[Young Val]

Shannon, it depends on what kind of crust you used? Was it a standard pie crust or a tart crust? And did you par-bake or fully bake it without any filling in it first?

It still looks DELICIOUS, though!

[LilBee91]

It was a standard crust, fully baked.

And it is pretty delicious, which is really all that matters.

[Young Val]

In that case, pie weights are your friend (or rice, or dried beans, or whatever you have around). Also, it sounds counter-intuitive, but if I'm baking a crust with no filling, I freeze it first and out it in to the oven frozen. Minimizes shrinkage.

[Dr. Mobius]

Odd, in my experience freezing tends to have the opposite effect regarding shrinkage.

[Gravity Defier]

Odd, in my experience freezing tends to have the opposite effect regarding shrinkage.

And just like that, Josh makes my reading this thread that much more worth it. What do you crazy kids say, "Well played"? Whatever the new, hip version of that is, that.

[starlooker]

Odd, in my experience freezing tends to have the opposite effect regarding shrinkage.

I was wondering who was going to say that as soon as I read Kelly's post.

I think I'm glad it was you.

[Sheldon Cooper]

Bazinga.

[thoughtreader]

Bazinga.

hehehehe

[Luet]

It doesn't smell much but I just made some homemade pseudo-Tzatziki. I used yogurt, shredded cucumber, fresh dill and lemon juice. I left out the garlic because I'm not a fan. I ate it with store bought naan. It was really good.

Tonight I'm making steamed salmon on the grill, brown rice and broccoli. Nothing fancy but one of my favorite meals.

[Eaquae Legit]

That seems like tzatziki to me. Is leaving the garlic out what makes it "pseudo"?

[Luet]

Yeah, I guess. I felt like most people would consider garlic an integral part.

[buckshot]

My wife and girls have the house smelling of all kinds of fresh baked goods in prep for a school band bake sale on Saturday. Julie and Sarah have been doing some cake decorating classes and these cupcakes look way too fancy to eat. I have big trouble with cupcakes, where to bite? How to eat one without having to wash my whole face afterwords! Now if the high school band had a pie sale i'd be all over it, why mess about with cookies ,cakes and muffins when you can get pie? God if you have no pie behind those pearley gates i'm not goin in!

[starlooker]

LOTS.

Last night there was double pumpkin pie. Then today I decided to add an apple to the cranberry sauce in hopes of sweetening it for Donny but leaving it tart enough for me. Don't think it added much sweetness, but smelled like apple pie while it was cooking! The dressing smells like dressing, but is frighteningly gloppy. I will know for next time. Turkey breast and potatoes are smelling di-vine. I am SO HUNGRY.

[VelvetElvis]

The breakroom at work smells like leftovers from the potluck we had today.

[Eaquae Legit]

My kitchen totally smells like cleaner and I'm so proud of myself!

[starlooker]

My kitchen totally smells like cleaner and I'm so proud of myself!

I am SO impressed.

[LilBee91]

I haven't decided what I want my kitchen to smell like today. I am debating between pasta and homemade breadsticks (which recipe I stole from my aunt this week) or crepes. I cannot decide which is preferable. And all of this debate could be for naught if my brother actually inviting me over Thanksgiving leftovers like I told him too. Because while my cooking sounds delightful, the opportunity to see the cute nephew trumps.

[Petra456]

Tonight, because i'm so tired of turkey sandwiches, i'm making turkey chili.

I've never tried it before, but it turned out awesome and my kitchen smells amazing!

[VelvetElvis]

Tacos and wine. I'm a classy broad.

[Petra456]

Sounds like my kind of classy : )

[buckshot]

Right now my kitchen smells of just nuked warm huckleberry pie and a fresh pot of my best java.

[LilBee91]

Brownies. Slightly burnt, but still yummy (hopefully).

[VelvetElvis]

Lasagna.





And wine.

[thoughtreader]

Lasagna.





And wine.

can I come over?!?!?! PLEASE!