The Great Experiment: Part Three (In Which My Brother Gives His Expert Opinion)

The Great Experiment continues.  I have tried out three new recipes all of which are Niger friendly.  In other words, without too much difficulty or substituting they could easily be made in Niger.

First up is something sweet for a change.  Everywhere I look there are pumpkins and so I've had quite the hankering (yep, a hankering) for pumpkin and chocolate mixed together in something delicious.  I chose this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread.

Mmm, warm & buttery goodness!

Stop whatever you are doing and make yourself some.  It's delicious and it even makes enough to share with a friend!

Next up is this recipe for Lemon Chicken. 

I started making this before I realized that the recipe called for the chicken to be marinated in the lemon juice.  Oops!  So I just poured the juice over top and let it cook away.  It was very lemony on the outside.  Maybe marinating it would have allowed the juices to permeate the chicken.  Anyway, even though the lemon taste was a bit overpowering, I actually enjoyed this recipe.  The only thing that was kind of tricky is figuring out what to eat with it as sides.  Any ideas?

Last up is actually a recipe for Shepherd's Pie that my cousin Cheryl gave me.  She fixed it for us and it was delicious so I thought I would give it a whirl too. Simple (especially if you cheat and use instant mashed potatoes) but very yummy especially the topping!

Here's the recipe: 

Cheryl's Shepherd Pie

1 lb ground beef
1/2 C. chopped celery
1 small chopped onion
1 clove garlic minced

2Tbsp. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

1 C. boiling water
1 beef bouillon cube

3 C. mashed potatoes

Brown beef, celery, onion and garlic in a frying pan.  Drain off excess oil or liquid.  Stir in flour, salt and pepper.  Add bouillon cube and pour boiling water over top.  Stir until boiling and thickened.  Spread in 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.  You can add a layer of vegetables if you so desire.  Cover with mashed potatoes.

Topping: 

1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup croutons (crushed up a bit)
1/2 cup shredded cheese 

Melt butter.  Stir in croutons until coated. Sprinkle over mashed potatoes.  Then cover with shredded cheese.

Bake uncovered in oven at 350 F for 30 minutes or until heated through and potatoes are browned.  Serves 4.

Well it turns out that my brother is a faithful reader of my blog.  So he has been read in and understands his role as a guinea pig in The Great Experiment.  As a result, he was coerced into offering his expert opinion on the Shepherd's Pie and here's what he had to say:

Funny guy!  The conversation got even better when I thought I had accidentally deleted his critique.

K:  Phew,  I've successfully avoided my 15 minutes of fame.

B:  If you think you are going to get famous on my blog, you are sorely mistaken!  Well, look at that,  I've located the video. 

 

Kent, you're time has come!  If I hit the big time, I am sure it will be all because of the Grey Poupon comment. Thanks for participating with enthusiasm in my crazy little experiment.