Cooking Challenge

inskydiamonds
inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
edited September 22 in Recipes
If you're one of my friends you know I love to cook. I am wondering if there's other people on here that are the same way!

I think it would be fun to have some cooking challenges, with themes, requirements, etc.

Anyone in?
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Replies

  • stuartme123
    stuartme123 Posts: 210 Member
    I think that a cooking challenge would be fun! I try to cook as much as I can, but it's not as often as I would like. Maybe this will help me cook a little more often. I've been trying to diversify what I cook too - usually just do some variation of chicken breasts (buy a lot, then freeze and thaw as needed).

    I'm in!
  • grouch201
    grouch201 Posts: 404 Member
    I do enjoy cooking and wonder if you could be a little more specific on exactly what your challenge might entail.
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    I do enjoy cooking and wonder if you could be a little more specific on exactly what your challenge might entail.

    I'm not sure yet. I was hoping other people brainstorming could help lead us to something that's fun and inclusive!

    Any ideas of a challenge you'd like to participate in?
  • meagalayne
    meagalayne Posts: 3,382 Member
    I love to cook and try new things! Such a foodie :D Bring it on - I love a good challenge! heheh
  • StacySkinny
    StacySkinny Posts: 984 Member
    I love to cook, but I don't know how well I'd do at a cooking challenge. I'm very new to cooking. :)
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    I love to cook, but I don't know how well I'd do at a cooking challenge. I'm very new to cooking. :)

    It'd all be in fun of course!
  • anu_6986
    anu_6986 Posts: 702 Member
    I like cooking! This should be interesting! I'm in :)
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    I will announce tomorrow a challenge :)
  • jenesaisquoi
    jenesaisquoi Posts: 9
    Speaking as someone who does NOT cook much (my mother hates cooking, therefore, I never learned): How about the best, easiest most effective weight-loss recipes (this last one measured by those who have used it and seen measurable results)? Rules are, they must not have more than 8-10 ingredients (so we won't have to buy more types of ingredients than we can use pretty often), take longer than 30-45 minutes to prepare & make (obviously, we are ALL rushed at times in our crazy lives) and can include bkfst., lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert, drinks, smoothies (in other words, ANYTHING). I didn't mean to butt in here, BTW. I'm brand new to this! Just thought inskydiamonds had a good idea and I would love some recipe ideas for myself since I'm a crappy cook and not very imaginative. If that doesn't work for anybody I still welcome the results brought about by another person's challenge ideas. Can't wait! ;-)
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Speaking as someone who does NOT cook much (my mother hates cooking, therefore, I never learned): How about the best, easiest most effective weight-loss recipes (this last one measured by those who have used it and seen measurable results)? Rules are, they must not have more than 8-10 ingredients (so we won't have to buy more types of ingredients than we can use pretty often), take longer than 30-45 minutes to prepare & make (obviously, we are ALL rushed at times in our crazy lives) and can include bkfst., lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert, drinks, smoothies (in other words, ANYTHING). I didn't mean to butt in here, BTW. I'm brand new to this! Just thought inskydiamonds had a good idea and I would love some recipe ideas for myself since I'm a crappy cook and not very imaginative. If that doesn't work for anybody I still welcome the results brought about by another person's challenge ideas. Can't wait! ;-)

    You're not butting in at all! This would be a great idea!! I'll update the post tomorrow with details about the challenge, dates, guidelines, etc etc.

    This would be a great idea though for the first one!

    Anyone else have any ideas??
  • stuartme123
    stuartme123 Posts: 210 Member
    You're not butting in at all! This would be a great idea!! I'll update the post tomorrow with details about the challenge, dates, guidelines, etc etc.

    This would be a great idea though for the first one!

    Anyone else have any ideas??

    How about picking a healthy food of the week, and challenging ourselves to cook with it?
  • shannon428
    shannon428 Posts: 11
    I would definitely be interested. I am a foodie, and cook most nights of the week. Can't wait to see what the first challenge is!
  • TracieJ65
    TracieJ65 Posts: 645 Member
    I cook everyday and very RARELY eat out! I love to cook and have been in the kitchen since I was able to stand up! I would be excited to be a part of a cooking challenge.
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Speaking as someone who does NOT cook much (my mother hates cooking, therefore, I never learned): How about the best, easiest most effective weight-loss recipes (this last one measured by those who have used it and seen measurable results)? Rules are, they must not have more than 8-10 ingredients (so we won't have to buy more types of ingredients than we can use pretty often), take longer than 30-45 minutes to prepare & make (obviously, we are ALL rushed at times in our crazy lives) and can include bkfst., lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert, drinks, smoothies (in other words, ANYTHING). I didn't mean to butt in here, BTW. I'm brand new to this! Just thought inskydiamonds had a good idea and I would love some recipe ideas for myself since I'm a crappy cook and not very imaginative. If that doesn't work for anybody I still welcome the results brought about by another person's challenge ideas. Can't wait! ;-)

    You're not butting in at all! This would be a great idea!! I'll update the post tomorrow with details about the challenge, dates, guidelines, etc etc.

    This would be a great idea though for the first one!

    Anyone else have any ideas??

    I really like this idea and I think it's going to be the first challenge! I will set up the challenge and link it here. :)
    I'll leave this post open for ideas.
  • Sparklewolfie
    Sparklewolfie Posts: 271
    I love to cook too! I hate eating out because the sodium in restaurant food makes me thirsty for hours. I had hotpot yesterday for lunch and I woke up at 3:30AM craving water despite drinking a lot yesterday :(

    Only thing is, it is a lot harder for me to cook now that I moved to my grandparents' house because they do not cook at all and the common cooking ingredients in Taiwan is different than in USA :indifferent: Also there are a lot less grocery stores:sad: But I am up for a challenge!!:heart:
  • ginastnly
    ginastnly Posts: 35
    Hi I am new to the message boards and I love to cook. Unfortunately cooking for one is not always fun so try to cook things that will keep or freeze. The challenge sounds interesting I'm in.
  • SaraTN
    SaraTN Posts: 536 Member
    Count me -- for whatever the challenge is....
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Challenge One Is Up: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/125965-cooking-challenge-chickpeas

    Cook a dish using chickpeas!

    You can suggest the next ingredient/theme on this post and I'll pick one of the suggestions for next week. :)
  • jenesaisquoi
    jenesaisquoi Posts: 9
    Stuartme123---> Great idea, that's so 'Iron Chef America' of you! ;) The only thing I know about chickpeas is that they go into hummus. My mom served plain ones when I was in high school & I thought they were horrid w/ no flavor, But I have taught myself to love hummus with baked chips or raw veggies since it is one of the healthiest coniments/dips, so I definitely want to hear other ideas.............
  • Sparklewolfie
    Sparklewolfie Posts: 271
    Stuartme123---> Great idea, that's so 'Iron Chef America' of you! ;) The only thing I know about chickpeas is that they go into hummus. My mom served plain ones when I was in high school & I thought they were horrid w/ no flavor, But I have taught myself to love hummus with baked chips or raw veggies since it is one of the healthiest coniments/dips, so I definitely want to hear other ideas.............

    I love hummus too! But have never dared to try making it, so I want to try now! Or spicy chickpeas....
  • stuartme123
    stuartme123 Posts: 210 Member
    Stuartme123---> Great idea, that's so 'Iron Chef America' of you! ;) The only thing I know about chickpeas is that they go into hummus. My mom served plain ones when I was in high school & I thought they were horrid w/ no flavor, But I have taught myself to love hummus with baked chips or raw veggies since it is one of the healthiest coniments/dips, so I definitely want to hear other ideas.............

    Haha - thanks!
    Hummus is a staple in my fridge - I love it on sandwiches instead of butter or mayo, etc.... adds some great flavor!
  • jenesaisquoi
    jenesaisquoi Posts: 9
    I'm not going to write it out here, but I just found a recipe for African Chickpea Stew. Look under Recipes on www.thedietsolutionprogram.com It looks pretty good, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, stewed tomatoes & more. Anytime I can eat sweet potatoes, I'm a happy camper, love 'em.....
  • stuartme123
    stuartme123 Posts: 210 Member
    I'm not going to write it out here, but I just found a recipe for African Chickpea Stew. Look under Recipes on www.thedietsolutionprogram.com It looks pretty good, chickpeas, sweet potatoes, stewed tomatoes & more. Anytime I can eat sweet potatoes, I'm a happy camper, love 'em.....

    Wow - just looked it up, that looks fabulous! And I have all of that stuff in my kitchen/pantry all ready! I am definitely going to try this - not for the challenge though, it's yours :)
  • ginastnly
    ginastnly Posts: 35
    oh, this sounds interesting I am gonna have to check this one out and try it. Thanks
  • DownHomeGal
    DownHomeGal Posts: 12
    I LOVE to cook! I'm totally in to the idea of a cooking challenge. Especially with using a theme ingredient. Very fun!

    What about falafels? When I think chickpeas, I think falafels. Yummy. I'll post my recipe. The calories are about 325 calories for 3 balls. My favorite way to eat it is on a bed of romaine lettuce and topped with chopped fresh tomato, thinly sliced red onion, a wee bit of feta, and of course tzatziki sauce (I'll post that recipe too). All together it's about 450 calories. You can also put it on a pita, if you like. It seems like a lot of ingredients, but most of them are things that you'll probably already have on hand.

    Falafels:
    1 (19 ounce) can chickpeas beans, rinsed and drained
    1 small onion, finely chopped
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
    1 teaspoon fresh parsley
    2 teaspoons ground cumin
    1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    1 cup fine dry bread crumbs
    1 egg white
    salt and pepper to taste
    olive oil

    Mash the garbanzo beans in a large bowl. Stir in the onion, garlic, cilantro, parsley cumin, baking powder, bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Do not be afraid to use your hands. Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch patties. If the mixture does not hold together, add a little water. Mixture should not be crumbly at all, otherwise, it won't hold together when you bake it.

    Place your patties on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush both sides of each patty with a very thin coat of olive oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 min, flipping halfway through. Both sides should be nice and golden brown, and the insides soft and delicious.

    Tzatziki sauce:
    1 (8 oz) container of Greek yogurt
    1/2 small cucumber seeded and finely chopped
    2 Tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
    1 - 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice (depending on how "lemony" you like it)
    1 Tbsp olive oil
    salt and pepper to taste

    Mix all of the ingredients together and let it sit for at least 1 hour before serving.

    I think I'm going to make that African Chickpea Stew for my challenge this week! It looks DELICIOUS!
  • jenesaisquoi
    jenesaisquoi Posts: 9
    No, no, I WANT you try it, I'm a chicken. Plus I'm unemployed right now, so I have not been any more ingredient-creative than I was when I had a job. But i still think it sounds decent. If anyone tries it, tell me if it's good, please?
  • edinat
    edinat Posts: 159 Member
    Hummus

    -1 can of chickpeas
    -1-2 tablespoons tahini ( its sesame paste)
    -1-2 tablespoons fat free plain yogurt
    -1-2 teaspoons of garlic paste-or u can use fresh garlic
    - lemon juice (i squeeze a fresh lemon)
    -1 tablespoon olive oil
    -red paprika
    -parsley

    Drain the chickpeas- i also wash them to get as much sodium out as possible, add them to a blender or food processing machine that you have, then add the tahini, yogurt, garlic, and the lemon juice, depending on how ur like it to taste, u can add half lemon if you dont like the lemony taste, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Blend everything for 1-2 minutes, then spread it with a spatula on your plate, sprinkle with parsley, and paprika, and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. You can add more olive oil for better taste but i try to use as little as possible. Enjoy :)

    Hummus.jpg
  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    Hummus

    -1 can of chickpeas
    -1-2 tablespoons tahini ( its sesame paste)
    -1-2 tablespoons fat free plain yogurt
    -1-2 teaspoons of garlic paste-or u can use fresh garlic
    - lemon juice (i squeeze a fresh lemon)
    -1 tablespoon olive oil
    -red paprika
    -parsley

    Drain the chickpeas- i also wash them to get as much sodium out as possible, add them to a blender or food processing machine that you have, then add the tahini, yogurt, garlic, and the lemon juice, depending on how ur like it to taste, u can add half lemon if you dont like the lemony taste, add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Blend everything for 1-2 minutes, then spread it with a spatula on your plate, sprinkle with parsley, and paprika, and 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. You can add more olive oil for better taste but i try to use as little as possible. Enjoy :)

    Hummus.jpg

    I'm going to post this over at the chickpea challenge headquarters!
  • ElvenMother427
    ElvenMother427 Posts: 49
    Sounds fun :):) I am in :)
  • edinat
    edinat Posts: 159 Member
    Ok thants fine :) i thought that the challenges should be posted here..sorry.
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