The Kitchen: all things delicious and disastrous

So I think I might have been hit with gastroenteritis. Maybe. I'm going to see the doctor in no less than two days so I'm not going to make a hasty decision...but today alone I puked twice and vomited out everything I ate.

Looking up some Web MD and such (not a completely reliable source, I know, but I guess they could work as a temporary solution), I need to stay hydrated. Energy drink and soup/broth seems to be a good recommendation.

Any other food that might help when one has apparently an upset stomach?

I don't know about energy drinks. I'd stick to black tea and water. Maybe ginger ale or something like that. And something bland like dry toast.

yup , BRAT diet oughta set you right. banana, rice, applesauce and toast. dont drown yourself in water, that can make things worse. sub applejuice for applesauce for fluids...at least it doesn't taste horrible coming back

In addition: be cautious around dairy products. I don't think "energy" drinks are the right idea - isotonic drinks might help, just don't get the fizzy ones.

Try a popsicle or two. They enter your stomach slowly as they melt.

Also, they don't have a clinic with emergency care there? I'm thinking you might need to see the doctor sooner rather than later.

I'm almost 30 and the whole idea of going to the doctor for the stomach bug or flu is still foreign to me.

Samsies.

You foreign weirdos and your medical bills that aren't financially crippling.

Feeling better after getting some sleep. Stomach feels okay as well. Still won't risk solid food, though. Better see doctor today.

Second attempt for lemon iced tea: filled the jug with water and tea bags, then added half as much lemon juice (last time I added water to lemon juice and tea bags).

By the time I'd filtered all the water for the tea it was already steeped more darkly than the last batch. I'm letting it chill and steep more if it's going to until tonight before I try it.

Actually had some solid food (pork udon) for lunch. So far so good.

Had a big bottle of Gatorade for breakfast (200 calories). That seemed to work out.

I've tried to make baked apples. They exploded. Spectacularly. Just what has happened and how to avoid it in the future?

Ooh, I know what happened! You forgot to deeply score around the middle, as well as prick the skin regularly.

You cooked yourself little pressurised grenades with no easy way to release the steam, except *boom*.

edited 5th Sep '15 11:35:42 AM by Euodiachloris

Just like a potato

They were cored and their caps removed. I didn't know they need additional holes after that

Coring is not enough, no.

They are obnoxious little things with skins of doom.

Pears too. Should you ever try caramelized pears, just take a fork and stab the thing to death.

In my end, I am going to try my hand at mint truffles for a friend coming into town. It has been a while since I have done anything with heavy cream. I am looking forward to trying that again.

We are trying to add more fish to our diet. I've gotten a handle on deep fat frying but, I'm thinking there have got to be other methods that are tasty too. And not so deep fried.

I broiled some swordfish steaks last week and will give them an F+.

I don't know how much of the problem is living in the Midwest and how much of it is complete newb when it comes to cooking fish.

Any one have helpful hints, suggestions or recipes?

Get some tilapia fillets, season them with salt and pepper to taste. Heat up about a tablespoon of canola oil in a skillet over medium heat, then toss in the fish for three minutes on each side. Take them out, squeeze some lemon juice over them, and you're golden.

edited 5th Sep '15 10:41:01 PM by KyleJacobs

Simmer a few chunks of salmon with the juice from a lemon and some tomatoes for half an hour results in a wonderful light soup.

And now for something that did not explode - an apple and raspberries crumble.

I definitely like it - crumbles are so easy and versatile it feels like cheating. Whatever fruit and berry for the bottom layer, whatever crunchy thing for topping, put it into an oven for 40 minutes and you are done.

I think I'll go with less butter for topping next time, maybe add some chia seeds to help the bottom layer set, and will add way more spices.

edited 6th Sep '15 8:51:15 AM by Beholderess

A few hints for crumbles: don't just spice the main bit. A little contrasting oomph in the crumble topping itself can do wonders. Ground cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, cardamom, even caraway, fennel or garam if going for something savory.

Because a savory crumble can be awesome, too (if you're careful about the fat). Ocean Crumble? Doable, when you don't have potatoes handy, but have plenty of flour. Any dumpling recipe can be altered for a crumble.

Oh, and a little cheese in the crumble: even for sweet fillings, can work wonders. Mild, white, crumbly cheeses for things like apples, pears, plums and pork. More potent cheeses (avoid mozzarella-like cheeses like the plague, though) if going for beef, mutton or goat. Hard cheeses like sbrinz or parmesan work surprisingly well with most things. Except fish.

edited 6th Sep '15 9:09:58 AM by Euodiachloris

Cheese looks like an interesting suggestion, thanks.

Why shouldn't the main bit be spiced?

Didn't say you couldn't spice or season the main filling. :/ Only that you can also do a little flavour-layering with the crumble, too.

Crumbles beat pies like that: going all out to produce a chocolate or cocoa pie crust usually leaves you with with a formless stodge... or a brittle, burnt disaster. But, you have far more leeway with a crumble top.

I liketo grill and steam my fish. You can either throw it straight on the surface or with a grill make a foil basket and load it with lemon and greens.

Boilin me some peanuts.