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13 May 2009

Great Culinary Throwdown Challenge



I was all ready to cook up a storm this week and and become known as the dark horse that swept the SCA off its collective feets. I made a list and grocery shopped and laid all nonperishables out on the counter... and crashed. Idano, I've just been peekid of late. So much so that my camera sat untouched for a full week!

It's all sitting there, just as I left it 3 days ago. But I'm not completely conceding the challenge, though I've been humbled by some mighty fine entries.

Anyhow, my plan was to experiment with black-eyed peas till Duller deemed something Troll-worthy. I would've started with 2 pots of peas, one embellished with a couple ham hocks, onion, hot peppers, a bay leaf and a few sprigs of thyme. The other peas were to become bollito-batter.

First experiment was to be Black-eyed Pea Salad. I'd blister, peel and core a red and a yellow pepper, then slice into strips. Separate the cooked peas from the other potbound ingredients, toss them in a little EVOO and S&P and plate them prettily. Chop up ham hock bits and sprinkle on the peas. Then top with pepper slices, mozzarella wedges (or feta crumbles) and garnish with boiled egg slices and baby spinach, then splish a splash of lime juice over.

The second test was to be Black-eyed Pea Rangoon. Got me some wonton wrappers to package up the bollito batter. I thought I'd try some with cream cheese, some with Greek yogurt and some with pepper-crusted goat cheese. I'm sure I'd have snipped up some green onions in there, as well.

Wash it all down with sparkling punch... pineapple juice, frozen pink lemonade concentrate, frozen strawberry daiquiri mix concentrate, ginger ale... garnished with lemon slices.

If you're wondering what on earth bollitos are, I finally found a recipe here. I ate them all the time when I lived in Tampa, but they're nigh impossible to find nowadays.

So, there you have it. I'm sure the salad, when I get around to fixin' it, will be delightful. Not quite so certain about the rangoons, but Duller has complete faith. If you thunk of something that might improve the outcome, please chime in. Duller's always up for a new creation from the kitchen-lab.

5 comments:

h said...

Well, they both sound very creative and tasty. I'd completely forgotten about bollitos. Haven't had them since I lived near Tampa. Thanks for the reminder!

Kymical Reactions said...

They do both sound creative - but I've never been a fan of black-eyed peas. Traumatic experience one New Years Day when I was a kid - involved my grandmother shoving them down my throat - because "it’s good luck." I wasn't buying it then, and can't eat them to this day.

Sandcastle Momma said...

I love black-eye peas! Any shape fashion or form and that salad you described sounds mouth watering.

Aunty Belle said...

Oh baby! I would gobble that salat right up. AN' it DO sound real purty.

I ain't acquainted wif bollitos-- lookin' forard to meetin' one. Heh.

Why ya feelin' puny, Honey? Gettin' enough rest? Hope youse back up to snuff soon.

R.Powers said...

Sounds good to me Sophie. Love blackeyed peas!

I've had bolitos ... at the Columbia I believe.