An Open Food Survey

[carmen16]

1. What do you think is the most impressive/delectable/wonderful thing you know how to cook/bake? You know, the thing you make for special occasions or company or when you just need really great eats for a mental lift.

I get compliments on my baking so that would be the easy answer. Derek's family really likes the cookies I make; at this point, I

Comments

[larkylark2]

fun!

1. I like to think I have a few of those :) I impressed people with my feta cheesecake with wine-soaked dates that I made for Doug's b-day last year. We're having crepes on Saturday, which have always been a hit. I make a mean pork with apples in a Calvados cream sauce (from Epicurious).

2. I've actually never roasted a whole chicken. For some reason things with bones intimidate me.

3. I don't know how to answer this one; tastes and cultures vary so much. As long as it's *something* from scratch, I think people are doing good!

[carmen16]

I've never made a whole chicken either. Apparently it's really easy and I should find a good recipe in Joy of Cooking to try it. I watched my stepmother prepare our turkey for Christmas though; all I did was put it in the oven and take it out when it was ready. LOL!

[celeste_sm]

1. I observe in myself an interesting reaction to this question. Instant defensiveness. My mom is an awesome chef and baker, so even my best things don't live up to hers. And my most delectable cooking isn't necessarily the most impressive. What I make for company isn't what I make for a mental lift. My go-to meal is brocoli-cashew chicken. Tastes good every time. But for compliments, I'd say my baking does it. Snickerdoodles, cake, various cookies.

2. I'd like to learn to make some good fish recipes. I'm mostly held back over the whole ordeal of buying seafood. Fresh or frozen? Atlantic or pacific? What if it's contaminated? What if I have to debone it? I love fish when I eat out, but I almost never make it myself.

3. I think everybody should be able boil pasta and cook veggies.