Experiments and Inspirations in Cooking

I like to doctor up stuff that comes out of a can. Recently I bought some Chinese chicken stuff in a can. When I opened it didn't smell good, I knew it would need help. So, I added some canned mushrooms and other stuff - much more agreeable. Not great, but better. Since I still had some left the next day I tried adding some cabbage cut up in a fine slice. That was better yet. But I don't think I will be buying any more of the Chinese stuff any time soon. It hardly even has any chicken in it. My mom used to buy it and I remember it being better - maybe they've changed the recipe.

Playing food doctor is how I discovered that I like turnip greens in soup. I had some hot turkey chili (I didn't notice hot when I bought it). Since it was too spicy for me I decided to make soup. I added water, corn, tomatoes and then I tried the turnip greens. The greens really added to the flavor. When I really like something I write down the ingredients so I can make it again later.

Another of my recent experiments involved potato chips. When I was in Hawaii, I had a house mate once who was Mexican (from LA). She showed me how her Mom used to use potato chips in eggs. It didn't sound good to me, but I liked it. And it's a good way to use stale chips. I tried putting some stale chips in something else the other day, I forget what. I told my brother about this. He laughed and said "You didn't want to throw them away did you? Potato chips are not good for you. So why try to save them? I would have thrown the chips away." I told him he might have a point.

By the way have you ever noticed that you can see through potato chip bags? One of my nieces pointed this out to me when she was young. Kids notice stuff like that.

Sometimes I just know that certain combinations of foods are going to taste good. And I feel like God is there inspiring my cooking. It's cool. (But sometimes I'm not so inspired, and some of my experiments don't turn out so great either.)

Somehow I haven't found much success with my experiences sharing my creations with other people. I'm not sure if there are some folks out there that would appreciate it. I like a lot of stuff. Just about every kind of vegetable and fruit. Lot's spices.

My brother is somewhat limited in what he likes. He loves BLTs. Broccoli, tater tots, steak, hamburgers, spaghetti, several kinds of hamburger helper, and a few other dishes are favorites in his repertoire. He makes a good chicken pot pie. He also likes to make toast and enjoys a good bowl of cheerios - when he doesn't feel like cooking.

When I was living with my brother he complained about how my cooking smelled. He especially didn't like the smell of curry, fish, cauliflower and green beans. I didn't cook for him too much.

My brothers's girl friend seems to be much better than I at catering to his tastes. They often cook together. (And share with me, that's a blessing.)

I tried making a cauliflower dish I thought was great for a family gathering around Thanksgiving time. Was not a success. It had rice in it, so that was part of it. SIL had started watching her carbs. I got teased about tabouli and about liking beets. My homemade hummus didn't go over. Ironically, later my niece discovered hummus - the kind you can buy at the store in little tiny tubs, and that was a pretty well received. My SIL said that she didn't like seeing that I made it with beans. I guess my hummus might not have been as smooth or spicy as the commercial brands.

So, I don't know, I guess God just blesses me when I a cooking for my sake. I like my cooking!