Epic Failures

Creole Steaks

Problem #1: I purchased steaks from Save-a-Lot when they were only $5. Problem #2: I've never made steaks before and couldn't figure out how to cook them to non-rare status even though the outside was on the verge of burning. And problem #3: the steaks were so small I couldn't use my meat thermometer to gauge the temperature.

That's the majority of the problems with this recipe - more so my steak quality which wasn't good than the actual recipe itself. The tomato topping was good, though I did add way too much hot sauce (just a tad too spicy for me, but the hubby liked it). 

The recipe for the topping yielded WAY too much for the 4 little steaks I made so I ended up having to throw like half of the skillet away because let's face it, what would I use that for? I always tend to keep stuff and it gets thrown away anyway right. Luckily, we didn't have any leftovers like I normally do when I make these recipes. 

I would probably make this again with a more delicious piece of steak rather than the cheap stuff we bought. And I'd actually measure the hot sauce per the recipe, not just dab some in there like a lunatic. Thumbs to the side.

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Hot Apple Cider

This recipe called for a percolator to make the apple cider. Well, we ended up getting one for a wedding gift, but then I was too scared to use it on our electric/glass stove stop. Does anyone know if that is safe? I have a feeling it's not, which is why I just put some apple cider and spices in a pot and warmed it up so that it was hot enough to be considered "hot apple cider." 

I'm not the biggest fan of apple cider, I don't know why just have never really liked it all that much. This recipe was pretty good. I ended up adding some Jim Bean honey in there and it really made for a great night to wash down those not-so-great Creole Steaks.

Though I didn't hate them or anything, I don't think I would make these again. It's just not my thing to drink on a cold night, I'd rather curl up with some hot cocoa or even coffee. Thumbs to the side. Since I had to buy so much apple cider (thanks to the store ONLY have a huge container) I plan to make all the "apple cider" recipes in the book next. And if anyone knows how to use a percolator please comment below!

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Maple Cream Apple Pie

This was an utter catastrophe. I don't know if that tiny dab of whiskey in my hot apple cider got to my head or something, but this pie making did not go my way on the night before Thanksgiving. I chose this one to take to my husband's family's house because it had cream cheese in it. What better way to get through the cream cheese recipes than to bring it for others and not have to eat it myself? Well, let's just say we ended up at the house empty handed. 

First, the instant pudding did not set AT ALL. I mixed it in milk and waiting the 2 minutes it was supposed to take... completely liquid.

Second, the cream cheese would not "beat until fluffy." This is one reason why I hate cream cheese (but it's mostly because of the awful taste). It did not beat even though it had been thoroughly softened enough for it to work. So when I added it to the liquefied pudding mix, it was chunky and wouldn't mixed together. 

Lastly, I purchased an already made pie crust because that's how I roll... forgot to bake the damn thing before adding the insides. I literally pour the liquefied pudding and apples into the unbaked crust, realized I didn't bake it, pour it bake out while trying to dab the remaining stuff with a paper towel, and then baked it. And when I baked it, the crust shrunk down so that it only covered the bottom of the pan. Oy vey, I had had enough. I put the insides back into the pan and put the pie in the fridge in hopes that the pudding would set... it did not. What a waste of time, effort, and money. I'll stick to normal pies that don't need cream cheese - because we all know that was the problem LOL JK. Thumbs down.

PS: I have a feeling I didn't buy instant pudding like I thought... that could be the only reason it wouldn't set right? 

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Next up on the "planned" recipe making are: Crawfish Fettuccine, Ham on Biscuits, and Black & Blue Pizzas