A friend asked me recently, "So, you love to cook; what do you love to cook the most?" I was stumped at first, because I'm a person who can MUCH more easily come up with a Top 20 than a single favorite. Then I remembered the text challenge & the menus that resulted, and I realized... I love having seemingly random ingredients thrown at me and finding ways for them to come together for a good dinner.
Which brings me to this: first, a once-in-a-while column where readers send in their this-is-what's-left-in-my-fridge ingredient lists, and I publish a recipe that would incorporate them. Hopefully, we'll all learn more about how things go together, which spices add certain nuances to a dish, and how we can become more confident in the kitchen.
Also, a CONTEST: I'm too small-time to offer actual prizes, but once per quarter I'll publish a reader's ingredient list and let you all have at it. My favorite recipe will be published here, and if you have a website, I'll happily link everyone to that website so they can get to know you a bit better. Rotating themes (quick & kid-friendly, exotic, romantic, etc.) will spice things up a bit, too. CONTEST starts next week, so get yourselves ready!
Now, for a surprisingly simple dish that tastes anything but simple:
