You're an accomplished cook.
You have a discerning palate.
You author a food blog touted by one and all.
Is there something on your holiday table that makes you, well, cringe?
Wish to disavow knowledge?
Blush with embarrassment?
Do you walk to the table, spot an old family tradition and silently groan in pain…before sneaking a big forkful into your mouth?
Are you willing to share with the rest of us?
We all make an effort to put our best fork forward this time of year, writing unique and flavorful recipes with perfectly posed photos.
But wouldn't you like to know everybody's dirty little secrets? Would you be willing to share yours in exchange?
You all know the foods I'm talking about.
There are the recipes that only have 4 words in the directions: Open cans. Combine. Heat.
There are the foods that no one outside your own family would actually eat. Like these lovely rutabagas that no holiday meal in my family can be without.
There are the foods that we've tried to update to resounding boos and hisses by the entire clan. You know, that absolutely fabulous Cranberry, Lemon Grass and Ginger Chutney you made one year…and all the family wanted was the one where you open both ends of the can, push it out in still perfect 'can shape' and slice?
Take a break from the serious business of cooking for the holidays.
Sometime between now and December 28th do a wee post exposing the skeletons in your own culinary closet.
Photos absolutely not necessary and probably wouldn't be available anyway. I mean, why would you take a picture of it? It's not like you'll EVER forget.
Recipes optional – you can pretend that you don't know. Change the names of the actual chef to protect your reputation.
Stories appreciated. Disasters a bonus!
Let's all give each other something to smile, laugh, and commiserate about during these hectic weeks.
I once ruined the Green Bean Casserole with the addition of (gasp) thyme! On another occasion I omitted the bacon from the rutabagas and added sherry….for shame!!!! (Think about it for a second: I ruined the ruties! Some would simply say 'Duh!')
The rules are the usual:
Write the post for "Skeletons in the Pantry" (feel free to use the Ruty Banner)
Include a link to me (Thyme for Cooking)
Send me an email with the permalink (thyme2 dot kate at gmail dot com)
You do NOT have to have a blog to share your shame the fun. Leave your secret in a comment or send it to me in an email and I'll post it for you.
I'll do periodic round-ups to keep us all smiling, (with links back to your post) with the complete one on December 30th.
Come on, tell us! I'll show you mine if you show me yours! We won't snicker …Promise!
Okay…not a lot!
I’m in!
Funny Katie! I would write up something if time permits !
Oh god…I’m in. Expect a post sometime after Thanksgiving. lol.
(We have something that’s simply titled “Pink Stuff.” We can’t go a holiday without it, but my fiance won’t even touch it.)
I’ve got to do this! Might not happen until after Thanksgiving, but it will happen.
I have the perfect dish for this Katiez. It is actually one of my favourite dishes but it is not in the least bit health conscious with tons of butter and uses canned soup!!!!
Yup, I’m in, too, but after TG. Oh Lord, the list will be long…
oh boy, do I have a dandy! Funny thing, last night I sat on the couch and started throwing away recipes I have not made in 25 years~I am not making this up-25 years ago and most of foods would fit this category-how shameful!
You are too funny…I don’t know if there is enough space in the Blogoshere for all my Skeletons. Hmmm, how to choose…
Nice idea, Kate! More power to confessionist writing – can it be a simple, everyday thing we haven’t mastered yet?
Hello, where’s my comment? Can it be about everyday things you haven’t got the hang of, yet?
haha..I love the canned cranberry you talked about. My mom does that all the time. But then she slices it and spreads it out into a beautiful fan haha. So funny.
Oh boy! This will be fun Katie 😉
And by the by, just what is that in the dish? ;))
This’ll be fun. Some of my best mistakes have happened when I added too much of an ingredient that I like (in normal dosages).
Glenna, great!
Anh, there’s lots of time – after all, there are lots of hoidays this time of year!
Ley, I thought there might be some interesting things coming from T-Day…Pink Stuff???
Christine, after Thanksgiving’s perfect!
Bellini Valli, sounds perfect 😉
Mimi, I know… maybe it’s a midwestern thing. But those traditions are hard to kick!
Jann, I have that same recipe box…think I’ll get it out tonight…Tater Tot Hot Dish???
Chris, I have rather a large pantry-full myself…
Sra, absolultely – any little secret you want to share!
Maryann, it’s always on our table, too!
Tanna, those are the rutabagas with bacon and onions that my family ONLY eats on Thanksgiving and Christmas… It’s not like it’s something expensive or exotic!!!
Meredith, like me with the thyme in the Green Bean Casserole?!?!?
This is going to be fun! All of us can relate to the canned cranberry “stuff”!
More later!
Katie, Does it have to be an actual recipe? Can it be a disaster about food without the disaster actually being the food?
Deb, I think we’ll all be able to relate to a lot!
Christine, absolutely not! Any skeleton is as good as any other! I’m very intrigued…. do tell, come on…TELL!
It’s on its way…
Katie . . . my palms are sweating ;-).
I just posted a photo of my “wine cellar” (our hall closet, complete with ski jackets and the little foam thing you kneel on in the garden) to a friend of mine’s wine blog and then everyone else posted pics of their gorgeous built-ins and walk-ins and whatever-ins. I told him I felt like I was back in kindergarden with everyone standing in a circle when one person says, “OK, everyone lift their shifts.” I was always–ALWAYS–the only one who fell for it.
So I’ll share mine if you promise to all lift up your shirts 😉 (metaphorically, of course).
oh you! wild and fun! I’m going to dig mine out…
This is great! My mom and I were just talking about this yesterday! I love it! Since the deadline is Dec 30, I am sure I can include some pictures in mine! hee hee! Great idea Katie!
I can not believe Thanksgiving is this week!! Not enough time for all the cooking!!
Thanks, Christine – it’s hilarious!!!
Swirling Notions – absolutely! Scouts honor! No problem! So where’s your wine cellar post – I want to see…
Gattina, dig deep – we want the really well buried secrets….
JennDZ, pictures? Oh yeah, that would be good!
Its Crazy Delicious – it creeps up so fast, doesn’t it? Then WHAM!
such a fun idea, Katie. I’ll have to think about this. Luckily I have plenty of time 🙂
Nora, dig deep, come up with something really scary…no wait, wrong idea!
You have plenty of time… and if you’re like my family, plenty of foodie faux pas.
Oh, how fun. Can’t wait to see the roundup.
Pink stuff?!?!
Lisa, yeah, I want to see the ‘pink stuff’, too!
And from you?????
What a great event. I can’t wait to read all about it. I honestly, can’t think of anything super disasterous since I have been an adult… I’ll have to dwell on this a bit!
Hi Katie,
Something happened in the kitchen on Sunday that I can write about for this! But i won’t have time to post it till probably this weekend.
Kristen, doesn’t have to be a disaster…just funny, interesting, embarrassing, foods you are ashamed to be seen eating…
Nora, oh goodie, I can’t wait. And lots of time – all the way to Christmas
Katie this is so great, but I am ready to sign off for the remainder of the month and won’t have time.
I will leave you with a skeleton moment (not recipe) though.
I am a party girl..I went to a very formal corporate party, one year many past, a little on the high side.
There was a large bowl of dip in the formal table arrangement and I took a chip and heavily dipped it in the bowl up to my knuckles!
I then slung the dip from my hand onto the persons standing by my side, on their coat!
Beat that for a moment! None of my skeleton recipes could compare.
Happy dipping!
This is a great topic, Katie. I’m already reading some of the posts from other food bloggers.
My husband actually prefers congealed cranberry “sauce” in a can to wonderful homemade versions? Is that a confession?
Actually just today I more or less screwed up my great-grandma’s recipe for making popcorn balls. And I love a good foodie blooper, so I will try to post that in time.