Strange Food ideas.

[TeeDee]

Strange food ideas.

I feel that sums it up - but obviously what is a strange food until its tried and becomes mainstream is just like a friend your mouth hasn't met yet.

So I am open to strange foods , not necessary exotic ones or ones that are some how difficult to acquire - just strange food combinations that maybe you've tried or considered or had a fever dream and imagine eating but never did....


I have dabbled with strange foods in the past , I consider it a gateway drug to gastronomical enlightenment and keeping the kitchen as adventurous as other rooms maybe.

I am very interested to see and hear if anyone has had a Epicurean Eureka moment of ' What if I combine X with Z and cook it via Y?? "

As examples of what I mean :-

Hot spicy Asian Lemon curd - Lemon curd infused with chilli flakes and some asian flavours spread on Toast as a nice way to start the day.

Peanut butter Jelly - Not Peanut butter AND Jelly - But literally Peanut butter flavoured jelly - which I think as dehydrated Peanut butter powder is a thing is something quite doable dissolved into some gelatine.

Fishfinger Lasagna - Classic pub people pleaser - Crisp white fish fingers in a creamy bechamel sauce with layers of pasta and mushed peas between layers. Stick to your ribs.


So thats the ( Low ) level/bar I'm aiming for - all suggestions received as long as you genuinely think it would be edible and enjoyable.

 

[Broch]

Ah, you want Letitia Cropley's cookery book

 

[TeeDee]

Ah, you want Letitia Cropley's cookery book

I just looked her up thinking it was a genuine person....


Congrats - you've earnt yourself a Greta.

 

[Broch]

Well, there's a few good ideas here:

Don't worry, I'll try and come up with some serious (but less adventurous) ideas!

 

[Pattree]

I once totally accidentally put together kipper and black treacle sandwiches. After the shock of the first bite they were OK,

The legalised vampire that I visit several times a year is Mexican. When I suggested that mangos formed part of my blood thinning regime, she rubbed her tum and said “With chilli?” The look on her face said that she enjoyed them. It’s a step that I have yet to take.

 

[TeeDee]

I once totally accidentally put together kipper and black treacle sandwiches. After the shock of the first bite they were OK,

The legalised vampire that I visit several times a year is Mexican. When I suggested that mangos formed part of my blood thinning regime, she rubbed her tum and said “With chilli?” The look on her face said that she enjoyed them. It’s a step that I have yet to take.

Mango and Chilli does sound good to me. Will try that.

But the elephant in the room is how does one 'accidently' make kipper and black treacle sandwiches?? what were you looking to add to what? I can only think you were making Kipper sandwiches ( lets be honest.. already eccentric like all good British gentlemen should be ) and then reached for the wrong jar or can - so what pray tell were you going to add??

 

[Pattree]

Wrong way round. My wife had made me black treacle sandwiches on thick wholemeal bread (significantly also with thick layer of butter). Energy rich and filling when working in Delamere forest. I was working with a mainly Polish gang who cooked meals from scratch over a fire. The cook was released to set up well before lunch break and we covered their piece-work rate while they cooked.

Little known culinary fact: treacle is butterfugic. It slides straight off and seeps into the bread. Offered a kipper and thinking that I had bread and butter I said “stick it in there”.
The rest is - well I suppose it is history now that I’ve written it down.

 

[Bhod]

Not a food as such, unless you go for the bottle with 'bits' in it, but have you ever tried a "Mersey" ? Equal amounts of Coke (full fat, diet, Zero) and Pure orange juice, looks mud coloured ie the Mersey but actually tastes rather refreshing.

Chilli Con Carne with a side order of coleslaw, don't knock it 'til you've tried it.
Watermelon or Mango sprinkled with Chilli flakes.

 

[Herman30]

Mango and Chilli does sound good to me.

We have mango chilli mayo.

 

[Foogs]

Mango and Chilli does sound good to me. Will try that.

But the elephant in the room is how does one 'accidently' make kipper and black treacle sandwiches?? what were you looking to add to what? I can only think you were making Kipper sandwiches ( lets be honest.. already eccentric like all good British gentlemen should be ) and then reached for the wrong jar or can - so what pray tell were you going to add??

THAT'S the elephant in the room?!


As for culinary exploration, what I'd call an 'elevated cupboard staple' aka what I might throw together when I haven't been to the shops and/or can't be bothered to cook fresh, is egg and chips with the addition of fermented soybeans in chilli oil. You can pick it up at the supermarket and there isn't much it can't improve.

 

[Broch]

THAT'S the elephant in the room?!


As for culinary exploration, what I'd call an 'elevated cupboard staple' aka what I might throw together when I haven't been to the shops and/or can't be bothered to cook fresh, is egg and chips with the addition of fermented soybeans in chilli oil. You can pick it up at the supermarket and there isn't much it can't improve.

How can you improve egg and chips?

 

[TeeDee]

How can you improve egg and chips?

TWO eggs and chips.

 

[Broch]

I do like strawberries dipped in cheese fondu.

When I first went up to Yorkshire as a kid I thought cheese with fruit cake or apple pie was just weird, but now I quite like it

 

[Bhod]

How can you improve egg and chips?

Add some nice thick cut Yorkshire Ham.

 

[Chris]

My wife told me of the existence of ‘sweet potato casserole’ with Thanksgiving dinners.

It’s sweet potatoes tinned in syrup, put in a baking tray and then topped with marshmallows before being baked. Served as a main course side dish along with the turkey.

I’m not sure I’m a convert to be honest, I felt diabetic just looking at it. But people seem to enjoy it.

 

[Bhod]

When I first went up to Yorkshire as a kid I thought cheese with fruit cake or apple pie was just weird, but now I quite like it

Wensleydale works best in my opinion but a good matured Cheddar can also be equally as palatable, just make sure to remove any icing or marzipan from the cake if using a Christmas style cake.

I knew a guy who loved Digestive biscuits with a slice of cheddar covered in strawberry jam. His wife always made sure he had four of them in his snap tin alongside the normal sandwiches.

 

[slowworm]

How can you improve egg and chips?

Eggs from you own hens and home grown spuds.

 

[HillBill]

How can you improve egg and chips?

Salt and vinegar on the chips, hot sauce on the egg. Or, alternatively... every saturday night tea growing up, Sausage, egg, chips and beans with brown sauce and butter in the beans.

 

[TeeDee]

Cheese and Pineapple chunks work.
Brie and Cranberry
Cheesecake and fruit work.
Jam on Cream rice works


So I think save to say Dairy and Fruit will work.

Finding odd combinations maybe the play - Mature cheddar and pickled Blackberries?

 

[Bhod]

Finding odd combinations maybe the play - Mature cheddar and pickled Blackberries?

I made some Vodka, rhubarb and stem ginger relish one year, that worked equally well with cold meats and Mature Cheddar