Kitchen

[loriqvc]

@wagirl - I'm sorry that happened! It is truly frustrating. I had a similar occurrence in preparing for a family gathering this past Sunday. Our host decided it would be fun to do an unassigned potluck, and I was afraid everyone would end up bringing sweet things, so I decided to bring cheese wafers (like cheese straws) so we'd have something savory and hopefully a nice side to go with a variety of items. I wanted the wafers to be festive, so instead of a coin shape, I went with a star shape.

Everything seemed to be fine with the prep, and I set all the stars on a huge nonstick baking sheet I've used many times and put it in the oven. Well, my range apparently decided this would be one of those days when it would just keep increasing the temperature rather than stopping at the temperature I set, and after about seven of the 10-12 minutes of baking time, I could smell that something wasn't right. Lo and behold, the stars were burning; I checked the thermometer I have inside the oven, and it showed just over 500 degrees, not the 375 I set! I've had intermittent issues with oven temperature, which is why I use that internal thermometer, but in all previous problem instances, overheating has only happened with longer-baking foods (things that go for 30 minutes or more). The stars were ruined and the baking sheet now has faint black star outlines that won't wash away—a permanent reminder of this incident. Boo.

Fortunately, I had two of The Pretzel Co. braided loaves in my freezer, so I was able to watch like a hawk as they heated through and then wrap them and tote them to the party. They were a huge hit, and we ended up with two pans of macaroni and cheese, so the bread was probably better than a cheesy side anyway. SIGH.

For tomorrow's festivities, I am just bringing salsa and guacamole (we have a "Feliz Navidad" luncheon every Christmas), so my fingers are tightly crossed for more success and less stress. But those avocados can be tricksy...

[rockygems123]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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@rockygems123 wrote:

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@wagirl wrote:

I had my family's xmas party/game night on Sunday----made tried and true recipes---bread in my bread maker--a baked pasta dish and a truly wonderful kielbasa-cabbage-spud soup out of Bob Wardens p/c cookbook----made everything many times before--and all were a complete and total flop!!! For some reason, even tho I followed instructions--right ingredients and amounts--correct baking times/temps--- they all were horrible----tried to save some of it--but ended up tossing it all. Thank heavens there was alot of food there---but dang it--so much $$ in the trash. My cooking mojo must be on a break----

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@wagirl 

I've been cooking since I was 4 and have recipes that go back many years.

Sometimes they're a flop too!  So strange.

Most people appreciate home cooked food and I'm going to guess you were your worst critic?  Bet some if not all liked the food or at least the effort

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@rockygems123.  Try doing what I do, blame it on the altitude.

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@Kachina624 

Ha!  That is funny.  And probably is somewhat of a factor.

[wagirl]

@smoochy --think I complained before--bread went flat---but had an extremely wet day when I baked it in bread machine, so humidity was the culprit--I think---tried to cut off the ugly spots and just take it sliced--not a hit--

then pasta bake wasn't cooked long enough--ziti was too crunchy not al dente, then reheated it and went too much the other  direction-- was mushy

Soup--am stymied about that one--broth was tasteless and way too salty, potatoes got mushy--no fixing those--- cooked it in my p/c for just 4 minutes with quick release--like always--- did not add any extra salt--that got left home altogether. 

[wagirl]

So true about not having that juju to cook anymore---at least for me. Am depending on more and more ready to use items instead of eveything made from scratch. Been cooking since I was 10 and learned using the old time Presto pressure cooker with the jiggly thing on top---baked by then too. And the biggest thing now  is, I now have a kitchen the size of a small walk- in closet--is 7 x 8 feet !!! I hate it--just no room to move!!! Making hot choc looks like a bomb hit it. 

But family had a good time with playing games and visiting---and always we had ALOT of food so really, my stuff wasn't missed much. but--am thinking next time--I will get ready made things from the local grocery store instead of making anything--would cost less and I know they will be delicious!! Today is another day--made some little quiches for breakfast for me and DD--they were very tasty and looked beautiful!!

[Harpa]

Sorry about your [perceived] disaster, @wagirl ! Lately, my things have been less than stellar. My excuse is that the recipes are in my head, just following a general ingredient outline. (Not in baking, though.)

[JeanLouiseFinch]

You aren't alone, @wagirl.  I made a batch of pecan pie bars the other day.  Wanting to hurry them along in the cooling process, I stuck them in the fridge.  When I returned to the fridge to get something out, the pan fell out and that was it for the pecan pie bars.  An expensive loss.  I will probably make another batch soon and allow them to cool naturally.  

[house_cat]

This happens to me occasionally... as if a curse has been put on my kitchen, lol.