Monday, February 28, 2011

On My Own

I’m not really the most creative cook. I follow recipes, even when I don’t measure precisely, and I have a difficult time imagining how different things will taste together. There are so many obvious combinations that I wouldn’t have thought of unless I saw them somewhere else.

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This morning, I saw that Carissa was having a sandwich with almond and cashew butter and strawberries. Not only did this look delicious, but I had the ingredients on hand! I’m normally big on jelly or jam, but if I think that I’d eat peanut butter and banana, or pb and strawberry jam, why not pb and strawberries? It was perfect.

Can you tell that those are delicious ripe red organic strawberry slices? They are. With Trader Joe’s crunchy Valencia peanut butter. Yum. And yes, I like pickles with my peanut butter. Maybe the problem is my palate, not just my imagination.

See, here’s what happens when I open the fridge and try to make a meal with what’s on hand. I make mushroom stuffed mushrooms.

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I’ll chalk part of this up to trying to cook on Friday night. I’ve been working really hard lately. And after work, I’ve been exhausted, but I’ve also been trying to do more things around town. All this cuts into my dinner time. (I did try Currito Burritos, though – genius idea! – and one you may be seeing my interpretation of what they do sometime soon.)

Back to Friday. I had ingredients I wanted to use. So I sauteed some cremini mushrooms left over from the stir fry, seasoned them with thyme and salt and pepper, and put them on top of a balsamic-marinated portabella and baked it. Yum, right? Sure, if you like mushrooms!

Have I learned my lesson? If it’s to experiment with some direction, sure. Tonight I’m working on something different, but at least I have a plan. I promise to share the results, good or bad. Hold me to it, okay?

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11 comments:

  1. Vegan EpicureanFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    Love the sandwich. You are making me hungry with that picture. Sorry I haven't been by in a while. I have been swamped lately. I hope all is well with you.

    hugs,
    Ali

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  2. LoriFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    .....I, too, have fell into the trap of mushroom-stuffed mushrooms.

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  3. RoseFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Mushroom-stuffed mushrooms! lol, that's totally cool. I was drawn by Carissa's strawberry sandwich too, I have to make one soon. And, you are not alone in liking pickles with peanut butter: peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches are one of my all time favs!

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  4. Vegan In The VIFebruary 28, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    Don't sell yourself short. I've gotten tons of inspiration from your blog.

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  5. CarissaFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    Yay I am glad you liked it. I love pickles with everything too including ice cream, so don't feel weird. I have a pregnant woman palate. Haha, mushroom stuffed mushrooms! Awesome!

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  6. JesFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Your experiments look delicious & I would love to eat that sandwich for breakfast sometime! Mmm!

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  7. jessyFebruary 28, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    i am not too awesome at flavor combinations either, and i'm totally gonna have to try that sammie. it sounds sooo super good. also, you're not the only one who loves pb&pickles. i have been known to enjoy a pb&pickle sammie before, just say'n. experimenting in the kitchen is kinda like a roller coaster for me - it scares the hell outta me, but deep down it's crazy exciting and really fun, even though i get a bit nervous about it. looking forward to all the yumminesses - and you've sold me with mushies on mushies. mmmmmmmmmmmmm! look'n forward to what awesomeness is next. yay!

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  8. foodfeudMarch 1, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Yes! Pickles and peanut butter are awesome. I feel the same way as you do about my culinary skills - I think a big problem is that I don't really know what I like, so I either stick to the same old or follow a random recipe exactly. I love your mushroom stuffed mushroom idea, though - sounds like you do know what you like, haha.

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  9. dirtyduckMarch 1, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    "Maybe the problem is my palate, not just my imagination"

    lol you are cute:) i liked her idea for a sandwich too! i mean it makes sense! and its so much healthier than reg jam. im actually trying to make myself stick to recipes, so we need to switch attitudes:) im all for winging it...but my stuff has a higher turn-out rate if you follow directions...lol ttysoon

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  10. Just UsMarch 1, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Pickles with peanut butter....um, I'm not so sure about that one. I'll take your word on it being good though. I do love pickles, so I guess I just may need to try it before I write it off. :o)
    I like the whole mushroom stuffed mushrooms! Sounds very tasty!

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  11. JennyMarch 2, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    I gain inspiration from EVERYONE'S blogs. And I just like to nosily see what everyone is eating. And those brussels sprouts (I'm guessing that's what that is.) are catching my eye right now.

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