Works in Progress- Or, I Guess I'm Not Perfect After All...

I know, I know, it's hard to believe that I could possibly produce something that was anything short of spectacular, but I must confess, it does happen once in a while. My recent meatballs were one such example. (But I swear I'll have that recipe perfected before the weekend is out, or else. I'm craving sweet and sour meatballs and I WILL NOT give in and buy some.)

I don't know why, but lately some of the recipes I'm experimenting with have not been quite up to snuff. I think it's because I've become more fussy and also because I'm stepping further out of my comfort zone. I refuse to post anything that isn't something I personally would want to make again and again. (In fact, I use my own recipes all the time, and I like having them written down so that the children or my husband can duplicate a dish when I'm not around.)

The kids just love Lipton Sidekicks curry noodles, but it's a heavily processed, not very healthy food that I'd prefer to replace. So, I've been tryin' my damndest, but it's going to need more work.

Attempt #1 was OK, but was way too salty and frankly, had a gamey aftertaste that was hard to place. And to be honest wit ya, even the picture wasn't very appetizing.

Attempt #2 was much better, but still too salty and perhaps too heavy on the curry. But we actually ate it all, so I know I'm on to something. And hey, doesn't this picture make it look much more appetizing?

I've also been working on a soy-free turkey-like recipe that can be made in advance in muffin tins and reheated. This would be great for singles or couples or people who are travelling on the holidays to eat with non-veg families. The method worked perfectly, but the mixture of spices and the ratio of "turkey" to filling needs to be adjusted.

I will, of course, post the recipes when I've perfected them in the off chance anyone cares. I just wanted you all to know that I haven't just been sitting around picking my nose. I have actually been in the kitchen cooking, albeit unsuccessfully.

And hey, while we're on the subject of recipe testing, I have a question perhaps some of you can answer. I personally test my own recipes on friends and family, simply because I want them to reflect my personal tastes. I do ask for feedback when I serve up something new, because if everyone at the table doesn't love it, then generally this means it needs more work. I also don't volunteer to test other people's recipes, because I am very fussy girl with specific likes and dislikes, and the odds of me liking someone elses recipes precisely as written are slim, quite frankly. I fuck with every recipe I look at, so my feedback would not be valuable.

However, I have never read a post about recipe testing where the blogger did not just lovelovelove the recipe he/she just tested so much that he/she wants to marry it and carry it off to bed with them. How can this be possible? Does every food tester simply adore every recipe they test? Can any cookbook developer be so wonderful that their creations seem to appeal to the entire planet? This makes me suspicious, being the cranky old bitch that I am. I would be more inclined to go on to buy a cookbook if I had evidence that the wrinkles were being ironed out by the recipe testers, rather than being made to believe that every recipe springs forth from the writers brain perfect in every way. Now, I know that this must happen....those testers must be sharing their less-than-glowing feedback with the writer, otherwise, what is the point of testing? Now, how's about letting us all in on the process, since you're going to the trouble to post pictures of what you are testing? I'd find it refreshing to just once read a post that said something like this:

"I tested these TVP meatballs for Tracy at A Veg*n for Dinner. "

"I'm sorry Tracy, but these sucked big time. Oh sure, they looked lovely, and they stayed together well. But the consistency was something akin to those little rubber balls you get from a vending machine for ten cents, and the smell as they were cooking made me think of the sheep enclosure at my Grandma's farm. When I bit into one, it brought me back to the time when I found a lump on my dog's backside. Same consistency. Sorry, Tracy...good concept, but I think you need to get your ass into the kitchen and try a little harder."

How's about it? Wouldn't that be much more entertaining? Anybody with me?

Peace and Happy Friday to all you fine folks out there. Keep on Cookin'.