If you had a free day in the kitchen...

cherylopal · #1 09-29-2009, 04:56 AM

what would you make?

I am totally free saturday- no commitments- so I have time to really play in the kitchen. Not a snow day yet LOL and I do need to clean out my pantry but...

...what would you do in the kitchen if you had a totally free day??

I have so many ideas that my head is spinning- making homemade bread is first on the list- but which recipe??? I can't wait to hear your ideas.

Trishinomaha · #2 09-29-2009, 05:45 AM

Bread would be my first choice. I'd make a big recipe of sandwich type bread so I'd have some to use and some for the freezer. I'd also probably put on a big pot of "from scratch" marinara sauce and let it simmer for hours. What great fragrances those two items would create!

shoezoo · #3 09-29-2009, 07:06 AM

I would make something that takes all day-slow roasted pork shoulder comes to mind. While that's in the oven I'd simmer a pot of chili or bolognese on the stove so I'd have something for the freezer. Enjoy yourself.

Jessnc · #4 09-29-2009, 07:17 AM

I love kitchen days! I had one a couple weeks ago. I started with something that took a little while on the stove (Vegetarian Chili), made a breakfast casserole that had to sit overnight (Cheddar Rice Casserole), put a dessert in the oven (Pumpkin-Cranberry Tea Bread) and made an entree (Chicken Pot Pies).

Shugness · #5 09-29-2009, 07:57 AM

Oh, there would be several things I'd do! First thing that comes to mind was watching Barefoot Contessa this weekend on Foot Network. Ina took your classic Pot Roast and was testing new things out on it. What she ended up with looked really good! I would also enjoy taking classic recipes and playing around with them. I've gotten a big kick out of taking two dishes I'm not fond of - meatloaf and sloppy joes, and changing them to fit my taste.

Beyond that, I'd go through the stack of recipes I've printed out but never around to trying and pick several out to try. I would want to make at least two main dishes with one of them being reserved for dinner later in the week - something you could just pop in the oven and reheat, like a casserole or a soup/stew. I have some pork barbeque in the freezer I've been meaning to try and use in a Brunswick Stew (not exactly cooking light, but it's yummy in my tummy).

By the way, Ina didn't even end up eating that Pot Roast! She took it to a friend - nice gesture, maybe you could cook something up for a neighbor.

avariell · #6 09-29-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessnc

I love kitchen days! I had one a couple weeks ago. I started with something that took a little while on the stove (Vegetarian Chili), made a breakfast casserole that had to sit overnight (Cheddar Rice Casserole), put a dessert in the oven (Pumpkin-Cranberry Tea Bread) and made an entree (Chicken Pot Pies).

Please share the Pumpkin Cranberry Tea Bread recipe!

Kate B · #7 09-29-2009, 08:36 AM

I admit I'm jealous! I would set aside time to try tortillas... again.

Enjoy your day!

Kate

dcollier · #8 09-29-2009, 09:16 AM

I would make things for the following week. I wish I had the time to do this every weekend so the week nights would be easier. Right now I'd make muffins, banana bread, baked potato soup, chili, blueberry crumb cake. I may have to schedule a free Saturday soon.

erin elizabeth · #9 09-29-2009, 09:26 AM

My first thought was applesauce or apple butter or maybe that Cranberry Butter posted by Josie that I never got to. Definitely a lovely dinner--something with gravy appeals on this cold rainy day. And, rather than make something, I should probably organize my pantry and cupboards, too!

heavy hedonist · #10 09-29-2009, 10:14 AM

i would...

make something like apple or pumpkin butter in the crockpot, roast some peppers to keep in the fridge, make some more complicated breads or a pie, bake up a big batch of waffles or muffins to keep in the freezer for breakfasts through the wek, and maybe do a long simmered sauce or chili to split between the freezer or fridge--

unless i had the money for lots of chocolate, in which case I'd play with a fancy cake and make chocolate leaves, etc.

then again, there's always homemade pasta!

swquilts · #11 09-29-2009, 10:19 AM

Hmmm....marinara, black bean chipotle chili (CL Superfast Suppers), big pot of soup or stew, chile verde.

cookieee · #12 09-29-2009, 10:51 AM

Hi Cheryl, this isn't exactly what you were looking for (I don't think), but if I had a complete free day in the kitchen, I would go through all of my spices, get rid of old and order new, make sure they are in alphabetical order. I have so many recipes for some great sounding spice blends that I am just dying to make. Like curry, Chinese 5-spice powder, Old Bay copy cat recipe, some salt free blends, some really great sounding blends for steak for DH, shrimp boil blends, etc.

And, if I don't get to that, I'm with Mari, I would love to make my own pasta. I have all the equipment sitting in the pantry going to waste.

Great idea for a thread Cheryl.

ETA Before I make a friend angry, yes, I also would like to make bread. Actually, ANYTHING with yeast. I am soooo leery of working with yeast and ADM is helping me with that. Thank you ADM. I also would like to make my own gnocci. Love leftover gnocci pan fried and then scramble some egg with it. Yummy breakfast. Just had some

gobluem82 · #13 09-29-2009, 12:03 PM

One thing I've always wanted to do if I ever had an entire day to myself with no commitments is to try to make my own croissants. Needless to say, that hasn't happened yet.

avariell · #14 09-29-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gobluem82

One thing I've always wanted to do if I ever had an entire day to myself with no commitments is to try to make my own croissants. Needless to say, that hasn't happened yet.

Invite me over if it ever does happen!

I want to make tortillas - so maybe that or pita bread? Honestly I have a ton of free time on my hands, and I still don't end up doing any of this sorta stuff. Sometimes I think having a regular schedule made me appreciate my free time so much more that I was a lot more motivated

Sorry, not trying to sound whiny to those of you who can't squeeze in a free day - just more of a weird side-effect of being laid off.

bobmark226 · #15 09-29-2009, 12:12 PM

I would wash the floor. And I do have a free day today. And I'm not.

Bob

Canice · #16 09-29-2009, 12:13 PM

The first thing I'd do is get to work on a pot of beef stock; home made is soooo good, but it takes a long time.

DCook · #17 09-29-2009, 12:48 PM

I have an 8 month old. I'd nap on the floor

zwieback · #18 09-29-2009, 01:20 PM

I'd take a stab at something that I've always wanted to try, but hadn't had a chance -- like croissants.

EmptyNestMom · #19 09-29-2009, 02:46 PM

My first thought was bread, probably whole wheat and a cinnomon loaf and then fresh applesauce from the apples I picked and as long as we are dreaming, how about shaking up some fresh butter to go with the bread?

My house would smell so good!!!

Anne · #20 09-29-2009, 03:25 PM

I would pull all the berries that I don't want to save for winter deserts out of my freezer and make and can juices, jellies, butters, ketchups, chutneys, sauces, etc. I'd also pickle all the various vegetables I harvested last night just ahead of the first killer frost.

colleency · #21 09-29-2009, 05:18 PM

I'd start with muffins, so I had something to nibble on with my cup of tea.

Next, I'd put on something quick but long cooking. I currently have chili and a couple of soups in the freezer, so I'd probably go Lindrusso's marinara.

Then I'd make up some bread: a sandwich loaf, cinnamon bread, hamburger buns, or pizza dough. It's something I really need practice on!

If I had any apples, I'd throw on some applesauce or butter. I might boil a few eggs for later in the week, or put something on for dinner.

Finally I would make pie: maybe pumpkin?

It seems like whenever I have a cooking day, it's for a specific purpose, like a picnic. A free day sounds like a real treat!

oct2189 · #22 09-29-2009, 07:36 PM

scratch yeast cinnamon rolls w/ cream cheese icing

Jessnc · #23 09-29-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avariell

Please share the Pumpkin Cranberry Tea Bread recipe!

I would love to share this recipe - it's one of my favorites!

Pumpkin-Cranberry Tea Bread
Source: Healthy Cooking for Two

2 1/4 C unbleached or AP flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/3 C canola oil or oil of choice (I have made it with olive oil also)
1 1/2 C sugar
1 C pumpkin, cooked & mashed (or canned, which is what I use)
3 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 C raw cranberries, chopped (you could probably use dried but I think raw is what makes this bread so good)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, soda, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. In a small bowl, combine oil, sugar, pumpkin, and egg whites. Pour liquid mixture into flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. Stir in cranberries.

Spoon batter into loaf pan and bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan; invert onto wire rack to cool.

Yield: 12 servings

This bread freezes well.

ramson · #24 09-30-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shugness

Oh, there would be several things I'd do! First thing that comes to mind was watching Barefoot Contessa this weekend on Foot Network. Ina took your classic Pot Roast and was testing new things out on it. What she ended up with looked really good!

Beware! This recipe has ruined me for all other pot roasts. It is to DIE for. I find it a bit salty so cut down on the salt but other than that it is fantastic!

If I had a kitchen day I'd probably make a chicken stock and a beef stock, cook some dried beans and freeze in portion size containers and make Tyler Florence's Cold Sesame Noodles. I've been craving those noodles for two weeks now but have been sick and didn't have any ginger in the house to make them.

cookieee · #25 09-30-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shugness

Oh, there would be several things I'd do! First thing that comes to mind was watching Barefoot Contessa this weekend on Foot Network. Ina took your classic Pot Roast and was testing new things out on it. What she ended up with looked really good!

Hi Shugness, would you mine posting the recipe, or link? Thank you.

ramson · #26 09-30-2009, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cookieee

Hi Shugness, would you mine posting the recipe, or link? Thank you.

I am not Shugness, but here is the receipe. Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/i...ipe/index.html

cookieee · #27 09-30-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ramson

I am not Shugness, but here is the receipe. Enjoy!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/i...ipe/index.html

That was very fast, thank you ramson. It does sound very good. DH loves pot roast. Will have to surprise him with this real soon. Thank you again.

Shugness · #28 09-30-2009, 08:15 AM

Thanks ramson - I was going to have to go look for it myself. I'll have to put it on my "to make" list - I've made post roast before but never ended up with a *really* good one so hopefully that will work out for me.

hollysmom · #29 09-30-2009, 09:20 AM

Freezer Meals so you can come home and relax after work.

How exactly does one get a 'free' Saturday? I want to sign up!!!

SSM

cherylopal · #30 09-30-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollysmom

Freezer Meals so you can come home and relax after work.

How exactly does one get a 'free' Saturday? I want to sign up!!!

SSM

so many great ideas- my head is spinning even more.

I got the free day since its supposed to rain so i won't golf as planned- dh is out of town. i have plans for sunday but left sat open to spend in the kitchen.

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