Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February 27, 2012 - Turnips Galore

After a true Monday at work and a stop at the grocery store due to a weekend away from home celebrating my dear friend Kristy’s bridal shower, it was time to get to work on dinner.  I looked in my mostly bare fridge (don’t panic, it’s usually mostly bare, I prefer the freshest ingredients) and realized I still had turnips that I really needed to use.  I got down to the cooking using just my brains and some random ideas.  And also with the knowledge that I’d want to make some for a subsequent lunch.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350F.

Pork Chop Packet  - from my brain

Step 2: Cut the top and bottom off of one turnip, wash the turnip thoroughly.  Slice and cut the turnip into bite size chunks, semi-cube like, as usual this is the best way to cut veggies.  Place in your 8 x 8 Pyrex that has been lined with foil.
Step 3: Place one of your “today’s purchase” pork chops in the Pyrex.
Step 4: Rinse the “today’s purchase” tomato and cut into small chunks.  Place as many chunks as will fit on top of the pork chop, the rest can go around the chop with the turnips.
Step 5: Peel, 5(ish) cloves of garlic and throw into the Pyrex. 
Step 6: Here’s the kicker, as a last minute decision totally twist together the foil, to make a little pouch for everything to cook together.  Put in the oven for 35-40 minutes and take out and consume.

Ok, so this one time I made a decision about being really simple in my dishes, and this one was good.  It was a little bit bland, I’d probably throw a little salt in there the next time but it was refreshing to have such a…fresh…dish!  I'd also have smashed the garlic the next time to allow the garlic flavor to better permeate the dish.  

This foodsperiment gets a +5 for taste, +8 for nutritious value, +5 for SUPER EASY cleanup and +5 for turnips!

Turnips a Naturale  - from my brain

Step 1: Peel and cut the the turnip in half.  Put half aside and cut the remaining half into cubed chunks. Put the chunks in your single serving casserole dish.
Step 2: Go ahead and throw some veggie oil on top and throw the whole thing into the oven for 30min (or more). 
Step 3: Take a little taste test before you allow to cool and then put on the handy dandy single serving casserole dish cover and put into the fridge to bring to work in the am!

This dish was also so simple, and it was ok.  I had an accidental fail in that the turnip chunks were not all the same size and so it cooked unevenly.  The well cooked ones were AMAZING but…that will teach me to be better at cutting. 

This foodsperiment gets a +5 for health, -2 for a few undercooked, +5 for using up ingredients before they go bad!  Happy Sperimenting!

Turnip Surprise  - from my brain

Step 1: Take the half turnip that you set aside, and cut into tiny chunks, very very small.  Place these chunks in your other single serving casserole dish. 
Step 2: Dollop 4 spoonfuls of cottage cheese into the casserole dish and mix it all around, do the hokey pokey too if you so prefer.
Step 3: Take the last known lemon in your fridge and zest the wonder out of it on top of your other informative deliciousness.
Step 4: Put in the oven about 15-20minutes or until the turnips are a little tender and things look a little awesome.  Try some once it’s cooled and realize that it’s going to be awesome when it’s cold.  Throw your handy dandy top onto the dish and throw it in the fridge to be enjoyed at a later date.

This foodsperiment was GREAT!  I was so full from the pork chop packet that I knew I’d have to enjoy it later.  This foodsperiment gets a +7 for taste, +5 for health factor, +5 for turnips, and +5 for protein!  Happy Sperimenting!

Pork Chop Packet (all other dishes not photo'd)

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