Trials & Errors tag:33flavors.org,2008-02-27:/trials//4 2012-04-30T14:01:42Z Experiments in the Kitchen Movable Type 5.02 Clean-out-the-fridge Breakfast Strata tag:33flavors.org,2012:/trials//4.419 2012-04-29T23:16:32Z 2012-04-30T14:01:42Z I have a tendency to buy vegetables then let them sit in the fridge until they go limp and start growing fuzz. It's wasteful and it makes me sad so I've decided to quit. Cold turkey. No more rotting... Heidi http://33flavors.org broccoli, zucchini, red pepper, onion

I have a tendency to buy vegetables then let them sit in the fridge until they go limp and start growing fuzz. It's wasteful and it makes me sad so I've decided to quit. Cold turkey. No more rotting vegetables!

This is a good weekend breakfast or brunch dish to make use of the extra vegetables you may have laying around. I had broccoli, a small zucchini, and part of a red pepper. Whatever you have, just shred it or chop it up pretty small and saute with some onion and garlic. Toss it with some cubed bread, your choice of herbs and cheese and top it off with beaten eggs and milk. 
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» Recipe for Clean-out-the-fridge Breakfast Strata The Best Basic Pancakes (with variation ideas) tag:33flavors.org,2012:/trials//4.418 2012-04-28T15:59:43Z 2012-04-28T18:05:22Z Whole Wheat Lemon Raspberry PancakesI've finally found a go-to recipe for pancakes. Light, fluffy, and endlessly adaptable. I've been making them primarily with blueberries lately, but this morning I decided to throw in raspberries and lemon zest and our... Heidi http://33flavors.org mmm... whole wheat lemon raspberry pancakes
Whole Wheat Lemon Raspberry Pancakes

I've finally found a go-to recipe for pancakes. Light, fluffy, and endlessly adaptable. I've been making them primarily with blueberries lately, but this morning I decided to throw in raspberries and lemon zest and our tastebuds where blown away!
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» Recipe for The Best Basic Pancakes (with variation ideas) Snickerdoodles tag:33flavors.org,2012:/trials//4.417 2012-03-17T17:06:14Z 2012-03-17T18:04:41Z Heidi http://33flavors.org Snickerdoodles

These cookies didn't last very long in this house. Soft, chewy. I'm glad I only made half the recipe (for the sake of my diet). I made mine small and baked them for 8 minutes.]]> Spinach and Brown Rice Casserole with Feta tag:33flavors.org,2012:/trials//4.416 2012-03-14T00:40:37Z 2012-03-14T20:24:02Z I came across this spinach and feta casserole recipe while browsing pinterest and it immediately reminded me of something my mom used to make. I've been craving it ever since, and just happened to have all the ingredients on hand.... Heidi http://33flavors.org Spinach and Brown Rice Casserole with Feta

I came across this spinach and feta casserole recipe while browsing pinterest and it immediately reminded me of something my mom used to make. I've been craving it ever since, and just happened to have all the ingredients on hand. We had it alongside some grilled chicken, but I could eat this as a meal by itself. It's a great use for leftover rice and would also be great with seafood.

I made half the recipe, with a few modifications: almond milk instead of regular milk, used 2/3 the amount of feta called for, left out the parmesan from the mixture (just put some on top).


]]> Blueberry Waffles tag:33flavors.org,2012:/trials//4.415 2012-03-11T15:57:12Z 2012-03-11T21:49:43Z Now, let's see if I can remember how to update this blog... I have a very good reason for not posting a new recipe in almost a year. I just haven't felt like it. But, I think I will get... Heidi http://33flavors.org blueberry waffles

Now, let's see if I can remember how to update this blog... I have a very good reason for not posting a new recipe in almost a year. I just haven't felt like it. But, I think I will get back to it. After all, I have a shiny new kitchen to cook in!
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» Recipe for Blueberry Waffles Linguini with Clams & Tomatoes tag:33flavors.org,2011:/trials//4.412 2011-04-11T14:23:03Z 2011-04-11T15:03:18Z This meal was so simple and delicious, I will definitely be making it again and again.... Heidi http://33flavors.org linguini with clams & tomatoes

This meal was so simple and delicious, I will definitely be making it again and again.
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» Recipe for Linguini with Clams & Tomatoes Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Breasts tag:33flavors.org,2011:/trials//4.411 2011-03-10T14:57:29Z 2011-03-10T18:57:23Z Trader Joe's sells an artichoke antipasto spread that I absolutely love. I can't buy it very often though, because I tend to want to eat an entire jar in one sitting, spread onto stone-ground wheat crackers. Last week, as I... Heidi http://33flavors.org spinach & artichoke chicken breasts

Trader Joe's sells an artichoke antipasto spread that I absolutely love. I can't buy it very often though, because I tend to want to eat an entire jar in one sitting, spread onto stone-ground wheat crackers.

Last week, as I was searching the kitchen for dinner inspiration, I came across an unopened jar of the spread and decided to try it on chicken. I recently discovered this perfect way to cook chicken breasts, thanks to not martha, so I followed that method (minus the flouring step) and topped the chicken with the artichoke spread and a few handfuls of frozen chopped spinach. It turned out so well that I made it again last night, only this time without the help of a pre-made artichoke spread. This dish is a new favorite!
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» Recipe for Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Breasts Whoopie Pies: Recipe Testing Part 1 tag:33flavors.org,2011:/trials//4.410 2011-02-11T15:02:30Z 2011-02-11T19:23:50Z The search is on for the perfect whoopie pie. It needs to be nice and chocolaty and not cloyingly sweet. A harmonious balance of chocolate and vanilla that must freeze well and stand up to an 8-hour car ride.... Heidi http://33flavors.org whoopie pies

The search is on for the perfect whoopie pie. It needs to be nice and chocolaty and not cloyingly sweet. A harmonious balance of chocolate and vanilla that must freeze well and stand up to an 8-hour car ride. That's not too much to ask for, is it?

The plan is to make these for our wedding, either as a dessert option or just as favors to put at each place setting, individually wrapped and tied with a pretty bow (and maybe these super adorable miniature lobster buoys). I thought it would be fitting - along with lobsters, clam chowder, and blueberries, these just scream Maine to me.

For this trial I used a recipe from Gourmet for the chocolate cake part, and Rose Levy Beranbaum's mousseline buttercream for the filling (the Gourmet recipe called for a marshmallow fluff filling and I'm not really interested in that). I used my 1 1/2 T scoop to portion both the cakes and the filling which gave me 36 cakes (18 when assembled) and filling for 15. They're really good, and at first I thought the filling may be too sweet, but that might have been due to too much sampling on my part. I just had a day-old pie and it was delicious.

I will keep testing recipes though and possibly go even smaller, using my 2 tsp scoop.

» Gourmet's Whoopie Pies
» Piece of Cake: Rose Levy Beranbaum's Whoopie Pies
» The Way the Cookie Crumbles: A comparison of four vanilla frostings
]]> Stuffed Shells tag:33flavors.org,2011:/trials//4.409 2011-02-10T20:32:25Z 2011-02-10T21:10:21Z I made The Pioneer Woman's stuffed shells yesterday and they were delicious! I thought it would be a good idea to make a double batch of the shells to stash in the freezer. It turns out that a single batch... Heidi http://33flavors.org stuffed shells

I made The Pioneer Woman's stuffed shells yesterday and they were delicious! I thought it would be a good idea to make a double batch of the shells to stash in the freezer. It turns out that a single batch of the filling would have been plenty - after filling all the shells I still had about half the filling left over! I guess I'll have to make lasagna soon.
]]> Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.408 2010-12-12T15:35:58Z 2010-12-12T17:28:05Z One of the perks of having an awesome client like Marina of My Better Butter is that every time I see her she sends me home with a jar (or two) of her delicious peanut butter spread. I have to... Heidi http://33flavors.org chocolate peanut butter banana bread

One of the perks of having an awesome client like Marina of My Better Butter is that every time I see her she sends me home with a jar (or two) of her delicious peanut butter spread. I have to restrain myself so that I don't eat the entire thing in one sitting.

As I was working on the website I couldn't help but to start brainstorming recipe ideas. That's just what I do. And, since half of my freezer is being taken up with super-ripe bananas (I really should stop buying bananas), I thought a banana bread would be the perfect starting point.

And then I went and cut my hand on a broken plate, rendering my right hand 95% useless. Fun. I haven't cooked anything for nearly a week. Last night I decided I could probably make banana bread one-handed, and fortunately it turned out pretty well.

I basically replaced the butter in my favorite banana bread recipe with Nutty Chocolate Chip Better Butter. It gives the bread just a hint of chocolate flavor with tiny chocolate chips strewn throughout.
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» Recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread Leek & Potato Soup tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.407 2010-10-25T12:54:04Z 2010-10-25T14:19:54Z This soup really hit the spot this weekend. I pulled up most of the leeks from my garden (which, by the way, were such an easy, low-maintenance vegetable to grow, I'm definitely going to plant a lot more next year)... Heidi http://33flavors.org leek and potato soup

This soup really hit the spot this weekend. I pulled up most of the leeks from my garden (which, by the way, were such an easy, low-maintenance vegetable to grow, I'm definitely going to plant a lot more next year) and figured soup would be appropriate.

When my parents got back from the UK a few years ago (Wales, specifically) they mentioned that they had leek and potato soup everywhere they went, and while they were all good, no two were alike. This is my version, and I have no idea how traditional it is, but it sure does taste good!
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» Recipe for Leek & Potato Soup Crock Pot Chicken tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.406 2010-10-15T14:42:22Z 2010-10-15T16:39:28Z Our ancient gas oven has decided it no longer wants to light. I discovered this as I was trying to bake a loaf of bread and had to resort to using the toaster oven to bake it.So, what to do... Heidi http://33flavors.org crockpot rosemary chicken

Our ancient gas oven has decided it no longer wants to light. I discovered this as I was trying to bake a loaf of bread and had to resort to using the toaster oven to bake it.

So, what to do with the chicken I'd intended to roast? I've been meaning to try cooking a whole bird in the crock pot, so here was my incentive. I generously salted the chicken then lightly browned it on both sides before sticking it in the pot. I grabbed a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme from the garden and put them underneath, inside, and on top. I topped it with a few pats of butter for good measure and plenty of pepper. I would have put some onion in there too but I was fresh out. I set the crock pot to high and left for work.

When I came home from work the house smelled amazing. The chicken was done and falling off the bone. Unfortunately, we wouldn't be eating for a few more hours (I get home fairy early) so I ended up turning it off, taking all the meat off the bones, and making gravy with the juices. When Matt got home I tossed some of the chicken pieces into the gravy to reheat.

Next time I'll salt the chicken a day ahead like I would if I were roasting it. I would probably skip the browning step also and cook it on low so it's not done way early. I might also try adding some vegetables during the last couple hours. Maybe apples and butternut squash? The possibilities are endless.
]]> Fish Tacos tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.405 2010-09-11T15:07:16Z 2010-09-11T15:32:44Z We watched "I Love You, Man" a few nights ago and the scene where Peter and Sydney were eating fish tacos made us hungry. Matt suggested we try making some. I'd never had a fish taco before, let alone tried... Heidi http://33flavors.org fish tacos

We watched "I Love You, Man" a few nights ago and the scene where Peter and Sydney were eating fish tacos made us hungry. Matt suggested we try making some. I'd never had a fish taco before, let alone tried to make them, so I turned to the trusty internet to show me how. I decided to use Elise's recipe as a starting point. I used flour tortillas (already had some that I wanted to use up), tilapia, homemade pico de gallo, avocado, and green cabbage. Next time I will definitely use mango salsa, season the fish with more than salt and pepper (cornmeal, cumin, chili pepper?), and make a spicy sour cream sauce. I can hardly wait!
]]> Dog Treats: Carrot, Rice & Chicken Broth tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.404 2010-09-05T22:32:48Z 2010-09-06T00:00:03Z Heidi http://33flavors.org carrot & rice dog treats

These turned out great. They smell like chicken & rice soup and although I didn't personally taste test them (I'm guessing they're a bit bland for lack of salt), the pup has no complaints. Not that I was expecting any from that eating machine. The only thing I would change would be to process the oats and the rice (and any other chunky ingredients) so that the dough is smoother and easier to cut out.
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» Recipe for Dog Treats: Carrot, Rice & Chicken Broth Shrimp with Tomatoes tag:33flavors.org,2010:/trials//4.403 2010-08-31T02:21:17Z 2010-09-01T14:10:36Z With all the squirrels stealing tomatoes out of my garden I'm amazed there are any left for me to eat. Fortunately there are plenty and they made for a quick and tasty dinner. I just wish I'd made a... Heidi http://33flavors.org

With all the squirrels stealing tomatoes out of my garden I'm amazed there are any left for me to eat. Fortunately there are plenty and they made for a quick and tasty dinner. I just wish I'd made a little more.
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» Recipe for Shrimp with Tomatoes