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Anna Lagarias
Posts:
795
Registered:
1/31/02
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(21 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Nov 6, 2002 9:18 AM
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It seems I create one disaster a week - maybe I'm jinxed? Ha! Anyway, yesterday I decided to make oatmeal for breakfast. I boiled the water, added the oats, and stirred. I stepped away from the stove for a few minutes and when I got back, the oatmeal was like glue! Since I use regular oatmeal, not the quick-cook kind, I had no idea why the oatmeal had such a horrible texture - til it dawned on me that I'd measured backwards. I used the oat quantity for the water, and vice versa. Argh! I hate wasting food.
The pan took forever to clean up, too. =(
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Dicksie
Posts:
4
Registered:
9/4/02
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(20 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Nov 5, 2002 6:40 PM
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My craziest cooking memory I have happened when I was a teenager. I was making stuffed cabbage rolls in the pressure cooker. I had carefully secured each roll with a toothpick before cooking them. When I opened the pressure cooker to serve dinner the cabbage rolls had cute little colored spots on the. You see, I had used plastic toothpicks. The family has never let me live that down.
Dicksie I.
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Denise
Posts:
5
Registered:
11/5/02
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(19 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Nov 5, 2002 2:13 PM
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I have a Thanksgiving story to tell. I was 20 years old and cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner for my entire family (12 people) My grandmother had sent me her recipe for the Turkey. As I began to prepare my turkey for the oven all was going well, just before putting it in the oven I called my Grandmother to make sure I had done everything correctly. She had me tell her everything I had done, so I began to tell her the first thing I did was skin the Turkey (you see I never actually cooked with my Mom, only watched, and she always took the skin off Chickens) With a gasp and a hearty laugh my Grandmother had me start piecing the skin back on the Turkey using toothpicks to secure it in place. Although I learned my lesson, now 15 year later, that is still the main topic of discussion at each Thanksgiving.
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Lisa
Posts:
11
Registered:
9/22/02
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(18 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Oct 21, 2002 10:07 PM
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I actually still have the "Paper Bag Apple Pie" recipe, can't believe I saved it after that fiasco! Here goes....Preheat oven to 425, makes 1 nine inch pie. 1 unbaked pie shell 3 or 4 large apples 1/2 c sugar (for filling) 2 tblsp. flour (for filling) 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 2 tblsp. lemon juice 1/2 c sugar (for topping) 1/2 c flour (for topping) 1/2 c butter or margarine (for topping) 1 large brown paper grocery bag paper clips Pare apples, core & quarter, place into large bowl. Sprinkle 1/2 c sugar, 2 tblsp. flour & nutmeg over apples and toss to coat well. Spoon into pie shell and drizzle with lemon juice. Combine 1/2 c sugar, 1/2 c flour & 1/2 c butter or margarine cover apples. Slide into large brown paper bag, fold opening over twice and fasten with paper clips, place on cookie sheet for easy handling and bake at 425 for 1 hour. Remove from oven and split bag. 8 servings. As I read over this I realize it is a very simple apple pie recipe and probably was more the novelty of baking in a paper bag that peaked my curiosity. I only used this recipe once and from then on it was Sara Lee, much safer that way! I got this recipe back in 1980 something from a lady in Ohio, if I could remember her name I would give her the credit (or blame  for it. Hope whoever tries this has better luck and you have been forwarned! |
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(17 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Oct 19, 2002 9:48 AM
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Lisa, thanks for bringing a grin to my day. When I read your posting, I literally laughed out loud. Maybe we could call it apple "Crisp" or apple "Flambe". At least no one was seriously injured, except for the singed eyebrows. OUCH!
This does sound like an interesting recipe, though, & love to see you post it, if it hasn't burned up (lol).
I do have a recipe for chicken in a bag (paper). I never tried it, because, in the back of my mind, I wondered the same, if it would burn up in the oven.
I'd still like to try your recipe & my paper bag recipe...but, maybe I better go get one of those hang on the wall fire extinguishers....just in case, for all those great flambe recipes, ha ha.
I think your story is priceless, & I wonder if Reader's Digest is still around, where, you could post it for funniest story.
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Lisa
Posts:
11
Registered:
9/22/02
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(16 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Oct 18, 2002 12:00 PM
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Always wanting to try new recipes I received one called "Paper Bag Apple Pie" which I wanted to try for Thanksgiving as the in laws were coming. As the title implies you prepare this pie and put it in a large paper grocery bag, seal and bake on a lower heat, supposedly this was to make it the best, most moist and delicious apple pie ever, well how could I resist trying it. I had checked on it several times and all was going well, until I asked my husband to take it out of the oven for me...as he was taking it out the bag touched one of the heater elements and the bag caught fire, thankfully he had oven mitts on, as the more he ran around the kitchen trying to figure out what to do the higher the flames got until the entire pie was engulfed. The children were all excited and yelling and I was laughing so hysterically I couldn't speak, but finally got him to dump it in the sink where we doused it with the water sprayer. Well, needless to say we only had pumpkin pie that year and I had to explain to his mother why his eyebrows were singed. Our son asked him later why didn't he just "stop, drop and roll". Family memories, even the mistakes are the best! Lisa
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(15 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Oct 13, 2002 8:08 PM
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Years ago, when I had a roomie, she was getting ready to go to the academy awards, limo on the way, she had to get dressed, you get the pic.
She was boiling up some eggs, I guess to have a bite before she left & in all the hurry & scurry, she forgot about them.
When I got home & walked in the door, the odor was beyond belief. She apparently rushed out the door & forgot about the boiling eggs.
It smelled like something had died in the kitchen...thank goodness, I got home in time, followed my nose, & turned the heat off & threw the pan & all away.
The next morning I mentioned to my roomie, you know those eggs you were making are a little over cooked. We had a good laugh about it.
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Merlin948
Posts:
10
Registered:
9/8/02
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(14 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Oct 1, 2002 4:30 PM
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One "funny" story that my Mom used to tell was about the first Thanksgiving dinner which she ever cooked.
My parents had been married during the war (WWI) and my Dad and Mom were living in the San Diego, Calif area. My grandparents lived in the Los Angeles area (about 90 miles away.)
My Mom's parents had come down a day early to give her an bit of assistance with the family gathering.
My Dad managed to acquire all the fixings for a dinner (this was during food rationing remember) although the only turkey he could find was still very much alive and kicking when he brought it home on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday he was ordered to report for a special project at the airfield he was at the time in charge of building. My mother had never seen a live turkey before ... much less ever had to kill, pluck, and clean one.
Somehow (my Mom happened to be "phobic" about feathers) she got the bird ready for the oven, and woke early Thursday morning to get the bird started roasting. Needless to say .. it was to big for their "military housing oven." With a little creative "surgery" .. my Dad made it fit into the oven and the roasting began by 7:00 am.
My Mom and her mother slaved mightily and by 1:00 pm the food was ready to eat (and quite nicely thank you *grin*) except that my other grandparents (Dad's parents) were late. At about 3:00 pm they finally arrived.
My grandmother (Dad's Mom) brightly bounced out of the car and said that she knew that cooking a first Thanksgiving dinner might have been a bit tough for my Mom ... so she a brought a little something "just in case" ....
My grandmother then removed the fully cooked whole roasted suckling pig from the car, along with the yams (which also needed re-heating) and presented it to my Mom.
Surprisingly enough, my Mother and Grandmother actually became friends after a few years .. *chuckle*
Merlin948
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(13 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 30, 2002 11:16 PM
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Lauren, one year, believe it or not a friend & I went to the Sizzler, ha ha. (Don't know if you have one of those near you, but it's a large chain of restaurants all over the place here.
They had a turkey dinner & all you can eat salad bar. We ate so much, we felt ill. But if you do decide to go for the bird & not cook some of the fancy restaurants have some very secial Thanksgiving fare. Depends on what you're in the mood for.
P.S. The next year, they did away with the all you can eat salad bar, & just had the turkey dinner alone on special.
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Anna Lagarias
Posts:
795
Registered:
1/31/02
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(12 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 30, 2002 3:22 PM
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Michelle, your story had me in hysterics! I can't imagine what I'd do if someone came to my door in complete scuba garb. Too funny! I'd be willing to bet that those hard-won lobsters were absolutely delicious, as it seems that those meals which take extra effort always are superb.
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Danielle
Posts:
95
Registered:
8/28/02
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(11 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 30, 2002 3:22 PM
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Yes, Murray is the kind of dog anyone would love to have as a pet! A friend of mine also tried to go with the 'made-for-you' turkey dinner one year, and wasn't impressed with it at all! She said the turkey tasted like cardboard, and the rest of the food was close to inedible. I guess she learned her lesson (this meal WASN'T on special either, and cost her a small fortune.) Now, she cook's Thanksgiving from 'scratch' every year -- no matter HOW pressed for time she is! |
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(10 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 29, 2002 3:31 PM
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Hi Elizabeth...this one isn't a cooking disaster, but what i consider an amusing/Kodak moment that I hope will give you guys a chuckle:
My boyfried was a scuba diver. One day came a knock at my door...when I opened it, there he was clad in his wetsuit, goggles, fins, & holding a LIVE lobster in each hand, tentacles moving & all. I knew it wasn't the Avon lady & didn't know weather to laugh or get scared. I decided to laugh, when I recognized him.
We went into the kitchen, I pulled out a big pot filled w water...but once he asked for a wire hanger, I had to leave the room.
P.S. Those lobsters were yummy, & I smile when I think about to this day.
Almost reminded me of I think it was Annie Hall (Woody Allan movie), where if I remember, the lobsters fell behind the fridge & he says, well, if we leave a little drawn butter on the floor, they'll come out.
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(9 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 29, 2002 3:20 PM
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Hi Danielle,
Didn't you just love Murray the dog, & I thought that episode was so typical of what many of us go thru on Thanksgiving, trying so hard to make the best feast ever. I know I laughed, but could also relate.
There was also one year the market for a fixed price had all the fixings, turkey too...I ordered it & found, most of it was soggy, at a high cost. Big dissapointment. But, guess, if we start now end of December, we can freeze it all & cross our fingers...& Murry's paws.
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Lauren Davis
Posts:
86
Registered:
8/9/02
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(8 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 23, 2002 3:40 PM
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Michelle, going to Chinatown or just plain going out for another meal other than turkey for Thanksgiving is a great idea. I think I've cooked somewhere around 25 turkeys or so for Thanksgiving and now that our family is smaller, I just don't feel like doing it any more. I think I'll talk to hubby about going out!
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Danielle
Posts:
95
Registered:
8/28/02
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(7 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 23, 2002 1:32 PM
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Hi Michelle. I remember that 'Mad About You' episode -- Murray the dog, ate the first turkey on the kitchen counter, and from there, it was one disaster after another. My experience is a little like that show, but not quite........at least Jamie knew HOW to cook a bird! *grin*
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CD
Posts:
2,999
Registered:
8/21/02
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(6 of 53)
Re: Funniest Cooking Disasters?
Sep 22, 2002 7:17 PM
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Oh, Danielle...what a nightmare. I'm laughing, but my heart goes out to you at the same time. Reminds me a little of the tv show Mad About You. On Thanksgiving, I forget if they just forgot to turn the oven on for the bird, but they had to keep sneaking in bird after bird, with one disaster after another.
That day can really be an ordeal. That's why one year, my friends & I went to Chinatown & has a huge Chinese dinner, then came home & watched Twilight Zone reruns all day, ha ha.
Some of my friends, who are excellent cooks, have the right idea...they make the bird, a few dishes, & ask everyone to bring a dish & noone can bring the same dish. That's using the old noodle.
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