1. We've had very few donations over the year. I'm going to be short soon as some personal things are keeping me from putting up the money. If you have something small to contribute it's greatly appreciated. Please put your screen name as well so that I can give you credit. Click here: Donations
    Dismiss Notice

Food Homemade v. the Box

Discussion in 'Tilted Food' started by snowy, Jun 18, 2014.

  1. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Something that popped up on Facebook brought this about. These salted pretzel caramel brownies caught my eye: Salted Pretzel Caramel Brownies – Best Yummy Recipes but I was turned off by the use of a box mix. I don't typically use box mixes for anything (with one exception: Suddenly Salad, because MSG).

    I've never understood the appeal of box brownies beyond ease. Recently, though, I found a recipe that is as easy as a box recipe, Brownies Cockaigne from The Joy of Cooking: Freeing My Martha: My Favorite Brownies

    At first glance, you'd say--wait, this can't be as easy as a box. Well, sure. In a box, you have to measure out only two things. But here's the thing with these brownies: skip the double boiler. Use the microwave. In 1-2 minutes in the microwave (depending on the strength of your particular microwave), your melted chocolate will be ready to go, and in that time, you can measure out what you need.
    My tactics: Melt the butter and chocolate (I actually use 4 oz of Guittard Extra Dark Chocolate chips) in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. While that's going, I measure out the sugar and flour. I use a whisk to bring together the chocolate and butter until it's very smooth. While it cools slightly, I crack the eggs into a mug and whip them up a bit with a fork. I measure out the vanilla into the eggs. Then, I mix the sugar into the cooled chocolate--it will likely not be completely cooled, but it doesn't need to be; the sugar will adjust the temperature sufficiently to allow you to add the eggs without cooking them. From here, I just whisk in the eggs, the salt, the flour, and I don't bother to sift the flour. This is an unnecessary step in this kind of brownie recipe; ostensibly, it would provide lift since there is no real leavening, but the gain from the sifted flour is so minimal that it's not really worth the pain.
    Basically--melt chocolate and butter together, measure stuff out while it cools, mix the sugar into the chocolate, add the whipped eggs to the sugar/chocolate mixture, add the salt, mix well, then add the flour, mix until combined. It can be done in one bowl in less than 5 minutes. Just make sure you turn on the oven in time to preheat and butter your dish before starting.
    What are some recipes you have that make the box look bad? What are some things you prefer in the box, if any?
     
    snowy, Jun 18, 2014
    #1
  2. fflowley

    fflowley Don't just do something, stand there!

    There are lots of food that are disgusting over-processed shit when you buy them in a box, but can be really good when made at home.
    Two examples right off the top: Mac and Cheese, and chicken nuggets.
    I haven't eaten foodinabox in quite a while and I can't think of any of it I would choose over home made.
     
    fflowley, Jun 18, 2014
    #2
  3. Speed_Gibson

    Speed_Gibson Hacking the Gibson

    Location:
    Wolf 359
    Boxed Macaroni & Cheese is fine as long you:
    - Toss the cheese powder in the garbage where it belongs
    - Use actual butter and whole milk
    and something just as important - melt the butter over low heat and combine with milk and actual cheese of choice while the pasta is cooking, then combine the already properly mixed sauce with the freshly cooked pasta.
     
    Speed_Gibson, Jun 18, 2014
    #3
  4. RedSneaker

    RedSneaker Very Tilted

    I've not made mac n cheese or brownies in awhile. But if I did, I'd probably make them from a box. Not because they're better - but because I am notoriously good at not having all the ingredients to make it myself. And I'm not about to make a trip to the store just to make those items homemade.
     
    RedSneaker, Jun 18, 2014
    #4
  5. spindles

    spindles Very Tilted

    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    spindles, Jun 18, 2014
    #5
  6. Speed_Gibson

    Speed_Gibson Hacking the Gibson

    Location:
    Wolf 359
    I tyically do use the powdered cheese if I make the boxed mac and cheese. It is simply easier and more frequently I do not have the ingredients or inclination to use something resembling real cheese. Tastes decent enough if you use butter (margarine is horrible stuff) and mix it all together first.
    If I am taking a bit more time I will use something like pepperjack cheese along with some spices to enhance the flavour.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2014
    Speed_Gibson, Jun 18, 2014
    #6
  7. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Kraft Dinner has its place, but I haven't purchased a box of it in years. KD and peas is a favorite of mine. We make homemade mac and cheese frequently (at least once a month, sometimes more often), and the recipe for my mac and cheese is floating around here somewhere. The other mac and cheese we make from time to time is this: Stove Top Mac-n-Cheese Recipe : Alton Brown : Food Network

    I'm a pantry stocker, no doubt about it. I always grocery shop with a few things in mind: can I make a basic vanilla cake, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, mac and cheese, lasagna, curry (Thai, Indian, AND Japanese) and tacos/burritos without going to the store? Generally, yes. Those four dinners have lots of possible off-shoots and crossover between ingredients with many other things, as do those three dessert items.

    I've been meaning to pick up some Ajinomoto MSG for experimentation to see what kind of difference it makes in home cooking.
     
    snowy, Jun 18, 2014
    #7