Claire
Master Chef
I didn't know where to put this (often a question for me), but how many of you have dishes that you only make for an "occasion" but love to cook and eat. The fact is that I could make it up, then call all my friends and neighbors and invite them to eat. Even when I do make these dishes I wind up with leftovers and my freezer is only so big. I have a couple of shut-in friends who I can take some leftovers to. But all-in-all, I just don't cook them often.
My cousin Joanne's green chile stew. I used to throw two parties a year, one at the holidays (still do it), one in summer (after my husband nearly died from a hornet attack, and most of my friends are older and cannot stand not having air conditioning, I just quit doing summer parties). In the winter I'd make Cincinnati chili, for the summer I'd make green. I don't think I've made green for a few years now.
braised lamb shanks. My husband, who generally loves my cooking, doesn't care for these. I can remember the last time I made them and it was well over a decade ago.
Lasagna. Mostly because it is not my favorite dish. Oh, I like it OK, but you have to make it for at least 8 people. I guess as soon as fall hits, I'll make it and invite a few people over.
Cassoulet. Actually, I made it once, then husband took over making it. But, again, it is a big meal, and he always wants me to roast a duck or something. My over 100 year old kitchen has no exhaust fan. SO I'm thinking of putting a duck on the grill in the next couple of months, then making stock and freezing, etc, so he can make cassoulet this winter.
Anyway, what dishes do you like, that your family and friends like, but you don't do very often?
My cousin Joanne's green chile stew. I used to throw two parties a year, one at the holidays (still do it), one in summer (after my husband nearly died from a hornet attack, and most of my friends are older and cannot stand not having air conditioning, I just quit doing summer parties). In the winter I'd make Cincinnati chili, for the summer I'd make green. I don't think I've made green for a few years now.
braised lamb shanks. My husband, who generally loves my cooking, doesn't care for these. I can remember the last time I made them and it was well over a decade ago.
Lasagna. Mostly because it is not my favorite dish. Oh, I like it OK, but you have to make it for at least 8 people. I guess as soon as fall hits, I'll make it and invite a few people over.
Cassoulet. Actually, I made it once, then husband took over making it. But, again, it is a big meal, and he always wants me to roast a duck or something. My over 100 year old kitchen has no exhaust fan. SO I'm thinking of putting a duck on the grill in the next couple of months, then making stock and freezing, etc, so he can make cassoulet this winter.
Anyway, what dishes do you like, that your family and friends like, but you don't do very often?