Something different for dinner

[valis23]

I'm really bored with food lately. It seems everything's the same old thing.

Does anyone have any ideas using unusual ingredients, or maybe using common ingredients in unusual ways? And before someone dredges up Paula Dean, we can skip the deep fried butter balls. I don't hate my heart quite that much.

 

[Horschallen]

Add lime and cilantro to get zing out of your food.

 

[chatolandia]

Cumin and coriander seeds to meats before cooking

Give them a Mexican Flavor, without the heat

Or try Chapulines, very Mexican

 

[valis23]

Had to look that one up. I'd be game, but don't know where I'd find them. I haven't seen them in the mexican markets here.

Chapulines are grasshoppers of the genus Sphenarium. They are considered a delicacy by many Mexicans. They are collected only at certain times of year. They are thoroughly cleaned and washed out, then fried with chiles, garlic and lemon juice, to create a sour-spicy-salty taste that is a good complement for beer. Chapulines are available only in certain parts of Mexico, the state and city of Oaxaca being best known. They are available in varying sizes, small to large. They are known to have been used as food for over 3000 years.

The taste is unique, but not especially strange. They may be eaten individually as a botana (snack) or as a filling, eg: tlayuda filled with chapulines.

Chapulines must be cooked prior to consumption. As with other grasshoppers, they may carry nematodes that can infest human hosts.

 

[Swellegant]

I once made a seafood scampi with ruby grapefruit juice. It was amazing. Shrimp, scallops, and chunks of talapia, marinated for a few hours in ruby grapefruit juice and white Worcestershire sauce, salt pepper and garlic; then stir fry with some chopped green onions in a big buttered wok for a few minutes. Serve over steamed jasmine rice with some asparagus.

One of the very few successful culinary experiments I've tried. And honestly, I'd rather have a Marie Callender's Beef Pot Pie. Not as amazing, but a lot less dishes involved.

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

are we still peaking about eating david cassidy
hot i say hot.

 

[Yooper]

What kind of common ingredients do you usually have around? I cook lots and usually am in a hurry so most of my stuff is pretty fast--but, in all modesty, it is usually pretty good.

 

[buzzj]

Now that the weather's getting warm I love chicken salad made with mango chutney instead of mayo. That and a slice of melon makes a great luncheon!

 

[jaysizzles]

Now that the weather's getting warm I love chicken salad made with mango chutney instead of mayo. That and a slice of melon makes a great luncheon!

Ohhhh...now that sounds good!

 

[buddyboy18sa]

Fry some sliced onions & tomota with a little bit of garlic.... A some sausages which you have cut into small pieces.. Add some greenpepper yust before the sausages are ready.. Add precooked rice. Fry for a few seconds.... Add diced tomato pieces and take of heat immediatly. Throw some lemonpeper and origanum ontop... Dish up and sprickle crushed feta cheese ontop......


ENJOY!!!

 

[Newbie_69]

Try asian twists in your pasta or meats. Stir fry some lemongrass, shallots, finely chopped bird's eye chillies, & garlic. When its fragrant, add in your favourite seafood. Toss until just cooked and throw in your blanched pasta. season, toss & serve with a simple salad. Marinate meats in asian herbs & spices as mentioned above. Remember, the key is to be different than usual.

 

[buzzj]

...

Oh, such as chopped shrimp (nummy num) or goat cheese & shredded chicken (yummy-nummy, tummy-yummy-tum-yum).

Is there anything that's not better with goat cheese? And it's normally lower in fat than other cheese so I don't feel quite as guilty eating it.