Culinary, Arts, Thread.

[malinoisvol]

Classic.

One of my favorite Cheech & Chong skits is ‘Let’s Make a Dope Deal’.

They had a lot of great skits. One of my favs is

 

[VolNExile]

For reasons that are too complicated for me to figure out, I am having a cook off between fancy jarred arrabbiata sauce* and homemade. The winner will be cooked with Italian sausage, boneless chicken thighs, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Note: I have never tasted arrabbiata before.

*Ironically, the label on the jar proclaims it to be homemade.


vs:

 

[VolNExile]

For reasons that are too complicated for me to figure out, I am having a cook off between fancy jarred arrabbiata sauce* and homemade. The winner will be cooked with Italian sausage, boneless chicken thighs, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Note: I have never tasted arrabbiata before.

*Ironically, the label on the jar proclaims it to be homemade.

View attachment 338082
vs:
View attachment 338083

Memo to self: next time, one or maybe 1 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes will be plenty. Whew

 

[VolNExile]

Memo to self: next time, one or maybe 1 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes will be plenty. Whew

Also, despite every instinct in my body, it is true that anchovies disintegrate in the sauce (with some mooshing as needed), leaving no fishy taste, but a somehow deeper, richer taste.

I still hate anchovies though!

 

[82_VOL_83]

For reasons that are too complicated for me to figure out, I am having a cook off between fancy jarred arrabbiata sauce* and homemade. The winner will be cooked with Italian sausage, boneless chicken thighs, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Note: I have never tasted arrabbiata before.

*Ironically, the label on the jar proclaims it to be homemade.

View attachment 338082
vs:
View attachment 338083

Is the pesto good??

 

[82_VOL_83]

Also, despite every instinct in my body, it is true that anchovies disintegrate in the sauce (with some mooshing as needed), leaving no fishy taste, but a somehow deeper, richer taste.

I still hate anchovies though!

Boo this woman, BOOOOO!

 

[82_VOL_83]

For reasons that are too complicated for me to figure out, I am having a cook off between fancy jarred arrabbiata sauce* and homemade. The winner will be cooked with Italian sausage, boneless chicken thighs, sweet bell peppers, and mushrooms.

Note: I have never tasted arrabbiata before.

*Ironically, the label on the jar proclaims it to be homemade.

View attachment 338082
vs:
View attachment 338083

Looking at the ingredient requirements Ima vote the 2nd one.

 

[NorCalVol67]

Also, despite every instinct in my body, it is true that anchovies disintegrate in the sauce (with some mooshing as needed), leaving no fishy taste, but a somehow deeper, richer taste.

I still hate anchovies though!

I love the taste of anchovies, but I don't want to eat those little f'ers whole.

 

[VolNExile]

I love the taste of anchovies, but I don't want to eat those little f'ers whole.

Egg-zackly.

 

[VolNExile]

Is the pesto good??

Yeah, it was a handy way of getting basil in there without the fussy shredding of 3/4 cups fresh basil by hand, yada yada.

But we’re mainly trying to get through the Costco-sized jars of pesto.

—Oh, and if you were asking if the Costco pesto is good, yes it is, to my uneducated palate.

 

[VolNExile]

Looking at the ingredient requirements Ima vote the 2nd one.

Chicken! It’s pretty good though. First jarred sauce I’ve bought in ten or more years. And really, the only chopping was the onion and garlic. Everything else was just dumped in.

I wound up going half-Rao/half-scratch. Partly because I had opened the jar to taste it, so it has to be used, and partly to dial back the heat a bit.

I’ll do scratch in the future, but good to know that the Rao’s is available when needed.

 

[VolNExile]

His (no pasta) and hers (with penne), after adding Italian sausage, chicken thighs, red and orange peppers, and mushrooms:

 

[Vjcvette]

Watching Up In Smoke for the first tim in about 40 years.

Yep I remember that one......lol

 

[Vjcvette]

Sooooo good! Shrimp sautéed in butter, garlic, and mushrooms over pasta with shaved cheese. Italian comfort food!

Thats what I'm talking about....You know what time it is.....

 

[82_VOL_83]

Yeah, it was a handy way of getting basil in there without the fussy shredding of 3/4 cups fresh basil by hand, yada yada.

But we’re mainly trying to get through the Costco-sized jars of pesto.

—Oh, and if you were asking if the Costco pesto is good, yes it is, to my uneducated palate.

I was, we love pesto and I used to make from scratch and freeze.

 

[Vjcvette]

Classic.

One of my favorite Cheech & Chong skits is ‘Let’s Make a Dope Deal’.

I like Cheech & Chongs "What I did on my Summer vacation"

 

[VolNExile]

I was, we love pesto and I used to make from scratch and freeze.

I am under a curse when it comes to growing fresh basil. We had so much rain last year that it kept drowning. I’m trying again this year, but I’m going to have to find a way to keep the soil dry.

 

[NorCalVol67]

I am under a curse when it comes to growing fresh basil. We had so much rain last year that it kept drowning. I’m trying again this year, but I’m going to have to find a way to keep the soil dry.

I grew Basil in Napa. Opposite issue there, had to make sure to water it enough.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

I am under a curse when it comes to growing fresh basil. We had so much rain last year that it kept drowning. I’m trying again this year, but I’m going to have to find a way to keep the soil dry.

Which variety are you going with? I’ll be honest, it’s been years since I’ve tried to cultivate a herb garden and really make it work. Basil is one of my favorites.

 

[VolNExile]

I grew Basil in Napa. Opposite issue there, had to make sure to water it enough.

It appears that Asheville is not considered a Mediterranean climate.

(Although the rosemary and lavender thrived!)

 

[VolNExile]

Which variety are you going with? I’ll be honest, it’s been years since I’ve tried to cultivate a herb garden and really make it work. Basil is one of my favorites.

I think it was the basic basil last year.

This year I’m going with basil genovese and Thai basil seeds.

From Asheville’s own Sow True Seeds:

Basil Seeds, Genovese, ORGANIC

Basil Seeds, Thai

 

[VolNExile]

^^^ One nice thing about starting your own herbs and vegetables around here is that Asheville has no shortage of home growing supplies.

 

[NorCalVol67]

^^^ One nice thing about starting your own herbs and vegetables around here is that Asheville has no shortage of home growing supplies.

Coming soon, Exie Cannabis.

 

[VolNExile]

Coming soon, Exie Cannabis.

lol

 

[Orangeredblooded]

I think it was the basic basil last year.

This year I’m going with basil genovese and Thai basil seeds.

From Asheville’s own Sow True Seeds:

Basil Seeds, Genovese, ORGANIC

Basil Seeds, Thai

I love Thai basil, I don’t know a lot about it, (none). that sounds interesting. I’ve never thought about growing it myself. . I hope you post pictures and what you think of it.