Comments on: How to throw a successful and stress free dinner party. http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/ (in Cincinnati) Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:38:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chris S http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-203 Chris S Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:59:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-203 You can think of them as potato like material, and if you are mashing them, thats just what you get. A slightly sweet potato like substance. Its OK for what its worth. I like to try to play up on the sweet a little more. To me, thats what the plantain has to offer that the potato doesn't. Then, you can serve with meats that can do with a little sweet side dressing (think ham, or pork chops, or salmon). <br/><br/>I usually do them as described (with the sugar and rum) as a side to go with seared salmon. Serve that along with something with a good fat/salt component (spinach wilted in bacon drippings for example), and you hit almost all the key flavor components (minus ummami, however you spell that).<br/><br/>And yeah, it is a little "bananas foster" like, but its really not that sweet (you don't want to go overboard on the sugar, but just enough to bring it a bit above their natural sweetness.) A tbsp will work for a big pan of em. You can think of them as potato like material, and if you are mashing them, thats just what you get. A slightly sweet potato like substance. Its OK for what its worth. I like to try to play up on the sweet a little more. To me, thats what the plantain has to offer that the potato doesn’t. Then, you can serve with meats that can do with a little sweet side dressing (think ham, or pork chops, or salmon).

I usually do them as described (with the sugar and rum) as a side to go with seared salmon. Serve that along with something with a good fat/salt component (spinach wilted in bacon drippings for example), and you hit almost all the key flavor components (minus ummami, however you spell that).

And yeah, it is a little “bananas foster” like, but its really not that sweet (you don’t want to go overboard on the sugar, but just enough to bring it a bit above their natural sweetness.) A tbsp will work for a big pan of em.

]]> By: Cin Twin1 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-202 Cin Twin1 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:17:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-202 Ohh....I never thought to add rum, but that sounds great! I wonder if it would be too sweet to serve with the meal? I have several times just cut up a whole pineapple as a side dish for my hubby and myself for dinner. Ok, I am going to add them to the grocery list to try again. I wonder if a spicey spice would add something? Maybe a jalepeno for some heat? My mom said to think of them as your would a potato, and let that guide you on how to doctor it up. Ohh….I never thought to add rum, but that sounds great! I wonder if it would be too sweet to serve with the meal? I have several times just cut up a whole pineapple as a side dish for my hubby and myself for dinner. Ok, I am going to add them to the grocery list to try again. I wonder if a spicey spice would add something? Maybe a jalepeno for some heat? My mom said to think of them as your would a potato, and let that guide you on how to doctor it up.

]]> By: Julie http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-201 Julie Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:41:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-201 Chris, that sounds like a Puerto Rican or Cuban version of Bananas Foster. Chris, that sounds like a Puerto Rican or Cuban version of Bananas Foster.

]]> By: Chris S http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-200 Chris S Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:39:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-200 Note, after the saute, you want to really crank the heat up to super hot.... Note, after the saute, you want to really crank the heat up to super hot….

]]> By: Chris S http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-199 Chris S Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:38:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-199 One thing about the plantains and pan cooking them in oil... You said you used olive oil - IMO, thats a bit too strongly flavored an oil to use. If you must use an oil, try something lighter with less strong flavors, such as canola or safflower. The ideal for that method of cooking however is butter. <br/><br/>Second, plantains often need a touch of sugar and the faintest pinch of salt to bring the full flavor out.<br/><br/>Try doing this, saute them in butter, until they caramelize. Add about a tbsp of sugar to your saute pan, and a teeny tiny pinch of salt. Get them good and coated until the sugar you added starts to brown as well. Then, add about a shot of dark spiced rum to the pan and cook until they alcohol has been cooked off. One thing about the plantains and pan cooking them in oil… You said you used olive oil – IMO, thats a bit too strongly flavored an oil to use. If you must use an oil, try something lighter with less strong flavors, such as canola or safflower. The ideal for that method of cooking however is butter.

Second, plantains often need a touch of sugar and the faintest pinch of salt to bring the full flavor out.

Try doing this, saute them in butter, until they caramelize. Add about a tbsp of sugar to your saute pan, and a teeny tiny pinch of salt. Get them good and coated until the sugar you added starts to brown as well. Then, add about a shot of dark spiced rum to the pan and cook until they alcohol has been cooked off.

]]> By: Julie http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-198 Julie Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:56:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-198 I don't mind a bit, CinTwin!<br/><br/>I've done mashed plantains, and I (guiltily) also enjoy an occasional deep fried plantain chip. :) I don’t mind a bit, CinTwin!

I’ve done mashed plantains, and I (guiltily) also enjoy an occasional deep fried plantain chip. :)

]]> By: liberal foodie http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-197 liberal foodie Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:33:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-197 in reference to the plantain question. I have mashed them before, they were delicious! Pan Frying in little oil is always good as well. i am not much of a deep fryer but pan fried plantains with a sprinkle of salt at the end is a great way to eat them. I'd love to hear your trials with plantains! in reference to the plantain question. I have mashed them before, they were delicious! Pan Frying in little oil is always good as well. i am not much of a deep fryer but pan fried plantains with a sprinkle of salt at the end is a great way to eat them. I’d love to hear your trials with plantains!

]]> By: Cin Twin1 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-196 Cin Twin1 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:59:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-196 Random question...anyone cook plantains before? I try not to fry things so I have "sauteed" them in a little olive oil until they caramelize. I also tried roasting them. They have turned out edible but not wonderful. I know they have to be really ripe aka black to be good. Anybody mash them? They were on sale at Biggs awhile back but I am a little intimidated by them. Love to hear how others tackle this ethnic food and any others out there that you didn't grow up eating.<br/><br/>I know Julie is going to want me to get my own blog! :) I love yours though! If this is a past topic, let me know and I can dig it up! Random question…anyone cook plantains before? I try not to fry things so I have “sauteed” them in a little olive oil until they caramelize. I also tried roasting them. They have turned out edible but not wonderful. I know they have to be really ripe aka black to be good. Anybody mash them? They were on sale at Biggs awhile back but I am a little intimidated by them. Love to hear how others tackle this ethnic food and any others out there that you didn’t grow up eating.

I know Julie is going to want me to get my own blog! :) I love yours though! If this is a past topic, let me know and I can dig it up!

]]> By: Cin Twin1 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Cin Twin1 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:18:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-195 I have bookmarked this blog entry to come back to when I throw my next dinner party. One thing I did last time, was have one couple bring bread, and the other bring salad. It gave me two small details not to worry about. I have bookmarked this blog entry to come back to when I throw my next dinner party. One thing I did last time, was have one couple bring bread, and the other bring salad. It gave me two small details not to worry about.

]]> By: 5chw4r7z http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/2008/03/how-to-throw-a-successful-and-stress-free-dinner-party/comment-page-1/#comment-193 5chw4r7z Sat, 22 Mar 2008 17:24:00 +0000 http://winemedinemecincinnati.com/?p=62#comment-193 Julie, I'd say your list is complete judging from the results.<br/>I agree with Chris on dessert but I'm biased, the one thing everyone mentions from our party is the low-fat apple cider pie I made.<br/>^flexes biceps^<br/>of course my wife ran around like a chicken with her head cut off for two days. but aren't all guys like that, take all the credit after accomplishing one small task? Julie, I’d say your list is complete judging from the results.
I agree with Chris on dessert but I’m biased, the one thing everyone mentions from our party is the low-fat apple cider pie I made.
^flexes biceps^
of course my wife ran around like a chicken with her head cut off for two days. but aren’t all guys like that, take all the credit after accomplishing one small task?

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