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Now, don't get me wrong. I am all about food standards. Mashed potatoes, eggs for breakfast. Heck, I'm sure America was outright founded on some of the foods I'm about to mention. But, if you find yourself eating the same fare over and over again, and are looking for a little "sizzle" (so to speak), then, I'm your gal.
See, when I'm not busy running around, researching articles, writing, editing, or generally trying to live in a city, I like to cook. Alot. And in doing so, you find interesting ways to experiment with food flavors to keep things "interesting."
So, here are 8 great 2008 recipes that --like all things Big Town Farmer--combine the best of country comfort and city sass. In the process, they hopefully will provide you with a new way to look at the food you love.
1.THE OLD MORNIN' SCRAMBLE
You're the sort that thinks breakfast ain't quite right unless there's some sort of egg, preferably scrambled, on your plate. But you're tired of salt and pepper as the only seasoning. What to do? Try these spices as you are frying the egg for something exotically different:
Curry powder. These come in mild and hot. There are also Masalas -- which are from India and are a blend of spices, often somewhat spicy. You can find these in larger grocery stores, or you can order them online. Use a pinch of the hotstuff for a kick, or more as you like.
2. THE OLD MORNIN' COFFEE
Well, what else were you gonna wash your coffee down with? But instead of adding your regular cream and sugar, here are some other alternatives--
Pure Vanilla Extract - this is sometimes provided as a creamer but for a sharper dose, just add a half teaspoon to a teaspoon worth.
Peppermint extract - this works with tea, but you could also add half a teaspoon to your cup. This seems to work when the coffee has been creamed first.
Ginger- Half a teaspoon to creamed coffee gives it a slight, spicy kick
Cinnamon - This also adds a bit of spice. You could also go for cinnamon sugar in combination with ginger for an almost "pumpkin" taste.
 3.MASHED POTATOES
You can't get anymore "comfort food" than mashed potatoes. A staple of most winter holiday feasts and probably as American as apple pie. But besides rather neutral tastes of butter and sour cream, you don't know what else to do with it.
Wasabi Powder - this is a greenish powder, found in most Asian goods stores. Japanese in origin, wasabi is a VERY spicy form of horseradish in Japan's cuisine, and is usually found as a paste as a side condiment with sushi.
Here, the heavy kick is neutralized by the potatoes and adds a different flavor altogether. Stir in small amounts of the powder and TASTE it before you add the entire batch. This will save you from possibly adding too much and being surprised by it's heat, later.
4.VEGGIES
Steamed, sauted, or baked, we love 'em....except when we are over them being served over and over again in the same manner...
Tofu - contrary to popular belief, tofu isn't relegated to some flavorless, shapeless mass anymore. There are actually flavored tofus that contribute yummy flavors to just about any food. You can find blocks of them in health food stores that have been baked with delicate flavors including: "Italian" (sort of a tomato/basil feel), Lemon pepper, "Thai" (peanutty flavor) and many more. Simply chop into small blocks and add to veggies (or other dishes) as they are cooking or frying.
5. FRIED CHICKEN
Who can forget this favorite? And how do you improve on it?
Add onion powder to the batter. Or, Parmesan cheese. or for a really exotic feel--chick pea crumbs; these are used in indian cooking, and can sometimes be found in specialty shops. Just add a cup or two of the dry ingredient of your choice in with your regular bread crumbs/batter and bake as usual.
6. SPAGHETTI
Ahh, viva Italia! If you are tired of spaghetti and red sauce, try viewing your noodles a bit differently. After all, noodles were first invented by the CHINESE, and their ideas were carried over to Italy via trading with folks such as Marco Polo (viva la history lesson)! So, why not dress your noodles up with some Eastern Flavor?
Peanut sauce - you can find peanut sauces in Asian specialty food stores, or in larger grocery stores. You may also purchase peanut satay sauce, which is Thai, and simply add it, per instruction, to the noodles.
An even more BASIC way to add peanut yumminess is to directly stir PEANUT BUTTER into hot noodles. Simply put one to two cups into the noodles, and stir away. The more peanut butter you add, the creamier the overall consistancy will be.
Soy Sauce - cook the noodles regularly, then add it to sauted veggies and finally, dress the entire dish with a generous portion of soy sauce. It's quick, easy and definitely different
7. BAKED PIE
Add a dash of different flavor to
your standard pies by adding the following ingredients to your fruit stock before baking:
Orange extract - this seems to go well with cherry, strawberry, and rhubarb. One or two teaspoons in the fruit adds a tangy taste.
Ginger powder - shake in two teaspoons for added kick
Sherry or liquor - a few teaspoons adds a unique, rich flavor.
8.SUPER BROWNIES
 Who knew brownies needed improvement? These confections of sheer gooey-ness can stand a few add ons; the more, the merrier!
Chocolate chips, walnuts, vanilla extract, shredded coconuts, dried cherries and other fruit- take your standard brownie recipes and combine into batter. Before baking, add in one or two of the ingredients into the batter and one ingredient ON TOP of the BATTER. You can make delicious combos this way. For example--walnuts and dried cherries in the batter with coconut shreds on the top is reminiscent of black forest cake.
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