What's a meal you make at home when you need to stump the chef? (Make do with what's in your pantry)
October 23, 2024 | Sparkle Wednesday
Some of you may remember the OG version of NPR’s The Splendid Table with Lynn Rossetto Casper. Turkey Confidential, anyone? Now hosted by Francis Lam, the show’s still on the air, but the segments and features are quite different. Still good! Last week, the show featured Dorie Greenspan!
When Lynn hosted the show, she had a recurring bit called "Stump the Chef." People would call in with random ingredients, and she'd miraculously whip up something delicious.
Over the show’s duration, the ingredients became more and more random. Here’s an example.
“I've got Honeycrisp apples, leftover brie and salami from a charcuterie board, Cool Whip, and peach-chipotle barbecue sauce. What can you do with that?”
Lynn was amazing. She'd pause for a moment and then quickly rattle off her plan for a gourmet dinner, and you know what? Most of the time, it sounded pretty good.
Sometimes, when we don't have a plan for dinner, we play “Stump the Chef.” At our house, it's not quite as impressive. We usually have stuff for tuna melts - tuna fish, capers, tomatoes, sharp cheddar, red onion, celery, lemon, and bread. A Stump the Chef meal is always deeply satisfying. If there’s no tuna fish, dinner is popcorn. Lol.
What about you? What's a meal you make at home when you need to stump the chef?
This is my go to: Veggie Skillet Chili. Make some pickled red onion(lime, salt,sugar and red onion in a jar.)Chili:Sauté some onion in olive oil in cast iron skillet.Add some minced garlic, cumin and chili powder. Sauté for a few minutes.Add 2 cans of beans- black or kidney,rinsed,1 15 oz can tomatoes ,kosher salt.Heat for 15 minutes or so.Serve w a few slices acocado,sour cream or plain yogurt, pickled onion.Throw some tortilla chips in if you want.That’s it.
Ever since my grown humans were little, we called this meal feast. We could mix our own concoction from leftovers or I would make soup (I always have broth) and ‘gourmet’ sandwiches.