Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with food and recipe

What to do with lots of bananas and bell peppers?

beerbajay — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:27:45 -0800

Every week, a group I work with comes into possession of very large amounts of bell peppers (let's say 50-70) and bananas (100-150). What can we make with these on a weekly basis? Extra points for recipes involving other ingredients which are very cheap. We get these for free so we want to minimize extra costs while using them to the best of our ability. We get them pretty much year round so there's no point in making preserves.

Throw 'em yolk recipes at me!

kitchencrush — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:17:49 -0800

How can I use leftover egg yolks? I want to make a chocolate mousse from a recipe that calls for a large number of egg whites but I feel guilty about just throwing the egg yolks away. So... please give me your best ideas and recipes for what to do with the yummy yummy yolks, folks.

What is delicious in a cold tortilla wrap?

Lorc — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:19:53 -0800

What is delicious in a cold tortilla wrap? Other than chicken. I've discovered that tortilla wraps make for a great sandwich alternative for a packed lunch. So far my ideas have all been chicken-centric and I think I've run that particular meat into the ground.

What else could I do? Duck might be tasty , but it's such a pain to cook. Would strips of steak work (and if so what with)? I'm open to vegetarian options too.

Where can I find a database of cookbook indexes?

chefscotticus — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:13:28 -0800

Where can I find a database of cookbook indexes? Is there a website that contains a recipe directory for printed cookbooks?

I own lots of cookbooks. It's annoying to have to look through each individiual index, however, when I'm looking for a recipe for a common dish. Is there a website, or other service, that has a searchable collection of what recipes can be found in what cookbooks? (Note, I'm not looking for the recipes themselves, but instead a collective, searchable index.)

NOTE: I posed this question to the internet two years ago and didn't get any responses. Now, with my recent discovery of the AMAZING Delicious Library media cataloging tool, I'm inspired to find a new solution. Bonus if it can plug-in with my Delicious Library catalog of cookbooks. (Fat chance, I know...)

Piece of Cake

misha — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:38:42 -0800

My lovely castle cake pan is sadly suffering from disuse. Help me out with your favorite bundt cake recipes and glazes. I'm especially looking for recipes that go well with seasons or themes (for example, for Fall/Halloween, maybe a pumpkin or haunted house chocolate bundt cake), but I'd enjoy anything from your favorite, easy-to-make staples to the most exotic variety. Again, don't forget to include special glazes (and yes, I have seen the top 20 on allrecipes.com).

Quick Dals?

leahwrenn — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:20:37 -0800

Recommendations for good pressure cooker indian recipes? I'm especially interested in good, working recipes for making dals (and other cheap foods). I've got a pressure cooker, which I've used to make very good lamb saag. I own Madhur Jaffrey's _Quick and Easy Indian Cooking_ already.

Beyond pumpkin pie, cider and turkey - your favorite autumn party recipes?

librarianamy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:26:17 -0800

Autumn is almost here where I live! Tell me your favorite autumn party recipes, with some restrictions listed inside. I will be the hostess of a small (less than 15) gathering of friends in a few weeks. By then, autumn will be in full swing here (Western PA in late Oct-early Nov), and I'd like to have a seasonally themed and delicious menu.

Our monthly gatherings usually include one large main dish, a variety of finger-food-esque or salad-ish sides, some snacks, and at least one dessert. And drinks. Both alcoholic and non.

The restrictions are that one of the group has celiac's and at least two others are doing South Beach. So wheat is an issue, though I do have access to a great gluten free bakery, if I had to.

Help Salvage My Muffins!

munichmaiden — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:10:36 -0800

I just made a huge batch of zucchini/apple muffins and they look beautiful. Unfortunately, they taste well, not horrible, but very, very baking soda-y. What should I do with them? Is there another dessert I could turn them into? A sauce to serve over them that would cut the soda taste? Should I cube and toast them? I'm willing to try anything! I just spent an hour making these and I'd hate too see all that work go to waste. They are so close to being really tasty, but I can't stand the edge of the soda.

More meaty munching for me and mine?

emilyw — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:36:52 -0800

I'm looking to expand my repertoire of strong meaty tasting recipes. Can you help? I feel like I'm getting stuck in a culinary rut. Looking for some new strong tasting, meaty flavoured recipes I may not have tried before!

Things I like:

Steak
Marmite
Bloody Marys
Blue cheese
Chili
Anchovies
Roast dinner
BBQ ribs.
Recipes I can make out of the store cupboard/freezer in half an hour.

You get the idea! What could I make to eat/drink along similar lines that's a bit more unusual? What do people from other cultures make when they want a meaty fix?

September dinner party ideas

rossination — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:33:44 -0800

Late summer dinner party ideas? We are planning a dinner party for mid-late September and I'm trying to come up with some ideas for a menu. As much as I love to cook with fresh (local) fruits and vegetables, I don't usually give much thought to seasonal cooking, so I thought it would be fun to try to highlight foods that really capture the end-of-summer vibe (something like this squash and chickpea stew).

Some details:
-- Vegetarian meals preferred, although some meat/fish is definitely OK (we will have one non meat eater). Either way, we tend to prefer meat as an accent/seasoning, as opposed to the main course.
-- We don't have a grill, but we do have a broiler.
-- Other than the meat thing, we're a pretty adventurous bunch, and I'm willing to source weird ingredients if the recipe is worth it.
-- Dessert ideas are also welcome, as are wine/beer/spirits pairings.

New recipes for better camp food?

rmless — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:34:46 -0800

What are some good, healthy bulk recipes (200 people) that I can serve at my camp? Our camp food is pretty unhealthy and unappealing right now (chicken fingers, frozen pizza, boiled or canned veggies), and I've been given the task of making it more healthy and diverse.

I'm talking to co-ops in the area to get some local and some organic fresh veg to replace the frozen, but I would also like to get some recipes, links, and resources about what to actually serve.

The camp is for 9-13 yr old inner city girls who don't have very experienced palates and don't really love branching out into new territory, so spicy things, curries, etc won't fit the bill.

Another restriction is that the meals can't take all day to cook since we serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner all out of the same kitchen and we need the space for each meal.

The meals each need to have a protein, 2 veg, and a carb/starch in order for us to get the gvnt food subsidy.
We have to serve each kid, so no "make-your-own" style as with a salad bar or taco bar.

So can anyone help me out with recipes for 200?
-meat, vegetarian both ok
-any meal, but I think dinner needs the most help
-doesn't take all day to prepare
-includes protein, 2 veg, carb/starch
-each portion must be handed out instead of self-serve

please give me your summer squash recipes

mustcatchmooseandsquirrel — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:57:54 -0800

I have 20 pounds (or more) of summer squash. What do I do with it? My CSA had extra summer squash (both crookneck and pattypan) that nobody else wanted, so I gave it a good home. Concurrently, my boyfriend acquired three giant zucchinis. Our refrigerator is about to burst. I need to cook something.

I read the askme thread on pickling it, which I'm not really into (kitchen has little enough room as it is), I made a squashy pasta sauce two nights ago, I made scrambled eggs and squash last night, am making zucchini bread tonight, making crookneck squash gratin tomorrow night, and after that I just don't know.

I have cast iron pans, a gas range and oven, and very little refrigerator space. Also, I am hosting an international potluck Saturday, so exotic globe-trotting recipes that would go over well at a potluck would be very useful.

What can I make with all of this squash?

PS: Anyone in the Syracuse area? I have some squash for you.

Tried and true fat-free baked dessert recipes that don't suck?

vytae — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:21:02 -0800

I'm looking for fat-free (or super low-fat, like under a gram per reasonably-sized serving) recipes for baked goods that you've personally made and enjoyed. Cookies, cakes, quick breads, etc. are all fair game. Bonus points for chocolate stuff. I've heard all the usual tips about using apple sauce, prune baby food, black beans, instant fat-free pudding, etc. in place of the oil. I'm not averse to those things, but I'm having trouble finding any recipes using these techniques that aren't followed by 150 reviews saying how disgusting the results are. So: I'm not looking for general low-fat baking tips, I'm looking for specific recipes that you've actually had good results with. I don't expect the results to taste exactly like the real thing, I just want a non-gross approximation, and I trust the taste of my fellow MeFites more than a slew of random complainers on the internet cooking sites.

(Also, I understand that 2 bites of the real thing may be more satisfying than a huge piece of some nonfat substitute. And that adding sugar to make up for lost fat yumminess doesn't reduce overall calories. And that low-fat diets aren't a cure-all. I'm hoping to head off any derails here at the pass - just recipes, please! Thanks!)

Many, many delicious calories

Captain Rayford Steele, Tribulation Force — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:12:40 -0800

Please give me your best long-distance hiking / bicycle touring / <insert other adventurous endurance activity> food recipes! The watchwords here: densely caloric, easy to prepare (ideally in a single pot over a white gas cookstove), delicious and made from ingredients that are readily available in small, out-of-the-way groceries. Bonus points for recipes featuring lightweight, easily luggable ingredients.

Another BBQ question

Ghidorah — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:02:24 -0800

Kind of a last minute request: I'm doing a bbq at my place tomorrow for my birthday, and I'm kind of stumped as to side dishes. I read about the bbq in the park question (and even commented in it), but I made potato salad at the last bbq, and it turns out these folks aren't much into potato salad (and, personally, I hate the stuff). I'm making burgers and chicken fajitas tomorrow. I'm trying to think of some cold sides to go with the grilled stuff.

Issues: I've got a 13" grill, so I can't do much on the grill aside from the burgers, the chicken, and the peppers/onions/mushrooms to go with them.

Corn would be nice, but here in Japan, it's freaking expensive. Does anyone have some suggestions for a decent side? I'll have chips and dip, some celery, things like that. Something salady would be nice, but a bit less normal would be good, too.

Oh, and, yeah, the bbq is tomorrow, so this is something I'd have to be able to throw together in the morning. As always, thanks everyone.

What do I do with this ghee?

odinsdream — Sun, 24 May 2009 19:47:10 -0800

So I made ghee. Now what? I've made ghee as described in that link. I'd like to know what I could do with it now. I already plan on using it in place of butter when frying eggs or pancakes. What other recipes can I use it in?

Whats you best Italian recipe?

knockoutking — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:54:35 -0800

italiancookingfilter: give me your best Italian recipe - can be authentic Italian or Italian-American...doesn't matter one way or another! just looking for good Italian recipes -- already have some in my repitore but as much as i enjoy cooking and enjoy Italian food i want to expand my horizons -- so hit me with your best recipe!

side note, can include just about anything (located in DC so i can find it) -- also i do cook a fair amount so pretty much anything you can think of, and that you enjoy, i can make and enjoy myself!

egg white + egg yolk + egg yolk + ? = deliciousness

moss — Wed, 06 May 2009 18:03:35 -0800

What can I make tonight using one egg and one extra yolk? I just made a souffle. The recipe needed five egg whites, but only four yolks. I also accidentally broke one more egg than I needed. So now I have an egg and an egg yolk sitting in a bowl. What should I do with them?

I'm thinking of something custard-ish, but I'm open to other possibilities. I've got various ingredients around, but no more eggs. Bonus points if it can be enjoyed by two people, and if it goes well with spinach souffle.

Feel the Side Burn

rouftop — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:11:25 -0800

What should I make with my grill's side burner? My uncle went in with me to buy a very nice, highly rated natural gas barbecue. It's fantastic. And it comes with this handy side burner that I can use for... umm... well, I have no clue.

What do you do with a side burner on a barbecue? What makes it better than going inside and using my stove?

Pasta for Passover

Joe in Australia — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:31:39 -0800

Passover is coming, hurray. Is there a way to make noodles, gnocchi or other pasta without using wheat, rice or beans? I've seen commercial potato noodles for sale but I'd rather make my own.

Join me in the Quest for the Mexican Salad Dressing!

goodnewsfortheinsane — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:30:16 -0800

Help me recreate an awesome Mexican salad dressing! So I just had one of those pre-packaged salad kits, and it came with an awesome dressing. It was a Mexican chicken salad, and the dressing was a tangy, sort-of tomato-ey sort-of corn-y delight with quite a bit of a bite (but no apparent capsaicin heat). I think it or something similar would work brilliantly as a home-made dressing or cold sauce. The ingredients as listed on the packaging:

Water
Soya oil
Tomato purée
Vinegar
Sugar
Dextrose
Herbs and spices
Onion
Modified corn starch
Salt

I'll spare you the food acids and other additives, but suffice to say that, big surprise, MSG was in there (but none of its cousins in the E620-E630 range).

I believe the tomato purée refers to the concentrated kind; it definitely tasted like it (although Dutch tomatoes I feel are generally quite watery so I'm somewhat easily impressed with the concentrated and processed stuff). In fact, the overall taste held the middle between concentrated tomatoes and something corn-like, strongly reminiscent of tortilla chips (the non-cheese kind). Add a faint vinegary tang, and you're pretty much there.

It had about the consistency of common chili sauce (but as I said, no heat). It was very different from any salsa I've eaten, and completely smooth; without any onion or tomato chunks like in salsa or adobo.

Has anyone ever made anything like this? Any pointers? Thanks in advance, guys!

Waste free bird seed recipes

sharksandwich — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:42:40 -0800

WILD BIRD FEEDING - I love my bird friends and they provide endless fascination for my house cats. I have bought "waste-free" bird seed in the past and the birds love it. Problem is, the stuff is expensive and my money is tight. I assume making my own waste-free seed would be less expensive. While I can simply read the bag for the ingredient list, I have no idea what the individual seed proportions are. Anyone have a waste-free bird seed "recipe"? Not suet, just seeds please.

the hungry young pootie tangs of rochefort

rhizome — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:11:04 -0800

Are there cuisines that combine French and African influences the way that Vietnamese food does? Or is there something that could be an indigenous ghetto style of French food? I am inviting a special lady over tomorrow night for some food and a movie. Since the movie options are "Pootie Tang" and "Umbrellas of Cherbourg," I'd like to cook something that combines stereotypes of both, but my recipe hunting is coming up wanting.

Making treats for myself and my co-workers at the office

reenum — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 07:02:35 -0800

I'm looking for foods that can be prepared at the office. I recently had a friend forward me this recipe and got to thinking, what other food can I cook at the office?

The only thing I have here is a microwave, so perhaps microwave recipes might work too. It can't have too many ingredients (carrying a whole grocery bag in to work would be weird). Ideally, I'm looking for snacks I can prepare while on a lunch break.

Bonus points for healthy recipes.

I want to eat well!

big open mouth — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 23:33:00 -0800

In search of awesome recipes that use microwaves, a stovetop and a toaster oven. So, my apartment doesn't have a functional oven and only one stovetop, but I love to cook. I miss baking cupcakes and cookies during these still-chilly nights. I'm tired of peanut butter sandwiches and I want to learn how to make yummy food with the appliances I have.

I'm thinking stir fry's, indian food, good pasta dishes, etc etc. Anybody got any advice? It's much appreciated. And Happy Valentine's Day!