Flopping All The Way?
By someonesmom
@someonesmom (5761)
Canada
December 8, 2008 3:26am CST
This past weekend, my daughter and I had a potluck Christmas banquet to attend. Each family was to bring a main course, and a dessert. For the main course I made my chili, and everybody loved it as usual. I've made this many times, and it's always a big hit.
Now for the dessert, it was decided that my daughter would make it. I chose a 'brand new' recipe online. It was marble squares from Kraft. They turned out to be quite expensive to make actually.
With my daughter's busy schedule, she required my help with 'these squares' on Saturday morning. This was fine, and then she went out for several hours, leaving me to take them out of the oven when done.
The thing is, every time I checked on them they were still 'doughy' in the center. Finally they were done. There was a slight burnt smell in the kitchen, but I didn't think too much of this.
When the time came for 'us' to cut them, we discovered the whole pan of squares were burnt on the bottom. My daughter ended up cutting the burnt parts off, and we salvaged as many as we could. We tasted them, and didn't care for what we ate, to put it mildly. It was very disappointing. 
However, people at the banquet still ate them. Half of them were gone! I even saw one lady putting some on a plate, to take home with her afterward. Go figure! 
Have you ever had something you cooked or baked, turn out badly?
How bad was it?
Were you able to save it at all?
If so, what was the reaction of those who 'attempted' to eat it?
However, people at the banquet still ate them. Half of them were gone! I even saw one lady putting some on a plate, to take home with her afterward. Go figure!
Have you ever had something you cooked or baked, turn out badly?
How bad was it?
Were you able to save it at all?
If so, what was the reaction of those who 'attempted' to eat it?1 person likes this
7 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
9 Dec 08
When we first moved here we invited a couple, the only people that we new socially to Sunday lunch. I made scrambled eggs and smoked salmon to start with followed by roast duck. Couldn't be simpler. I served the eggs and salmon. I noticed that Paul was being "careful" about what he ate. His wife explained, "He has a toxic shock syndrome of he eats fish"! Not an auspicious start. Then I served the duck. In truth I'd not roasted too many ducks before and the first thing that I noticed is that there wasn't a huge amount of meat on this one. We were going to struggle to feed four. I also noticed that the meat seemed pale and stringy in parts and smelt a little 'Musty". I served it all up and made up for any shortfall by adding extra veg to the plates. Everybody chewed away in silence. I tried some of the stringy meat and slowly and with mounting horror I realised what I had done. I had cooked the giblets, complete with their plastic bag, still intact in the duck! They came back again another time, many times in fact. But I've never really lived down that first meal.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
Hi p1kef1sh, 
It's good to see you here. Wow. What an 'interesting' lunch you had. Not a great start with the fish, and not something any host or hostess would want to hear. There are so many food allergies these days. Then the duck! What can I say, but I couldn't help laughing at this. How much of the duck was actually eaten, before you realized what had happened? You must be really careful in this regard now, just as 'we'll' be careful to make sure that we're not burning anything. Well, I was the one who burnt it, but I couldn't get the squares to bake properly. I thought they'd never be done. 
I really appreciate your sharing this. I definitely needed the smile here. Take care.
It's good to see you here. Wow. What an 'interesting' lunch you had. Not a great start with the fish, and not something any host or hostess would want to hear. There are so many food allergies these days. Then the duck! What can I say, but I couldn't help laughing at this. How much of the duck was actually eaten, before you realized what had happened? You must be really careful in this regard now, just as 'we'll' be careful to make sure that we're not burning anything. Well, I was the one who burnt it, but I couldn't get the squares to bake properly. I thought they'd never be done. I really appreciate your sharing this. I definitely needed the smile here. Take care.1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
We should at least get an A+ for trying. I love mince pie, and usually try to have some at this time of year. I'd have eaten yours, even though it was burnt.
I love mince pie, and usually try to have some at this time of year. I'd have eaten yours, even though it was burnt.1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
9 Dec 08
We actually ate quite a lot of the duck; there wasn't that much there to start with! I've burnt a few things in my time too. also made mince pies for my then office and left them too long. Most of the filling oozed out and mad them quite disgusting. Still, you have to have a go don't you?
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
yes once, I made spanish rice and I ended up using a different rice than I was used to and some of the pieces were hard and nobody ate it.
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
Hi winterose,
Thanks for sharing here. I truly hate it when I've gone to the trouble of making something, and it doesn't turn out. I want people to enjoy it. I can understand what happened with 'your' rice too. I've tried a different kind before, and it came out 'gummy.' Take care.
Thanks for sharing here. I truly hate it when I've gone to the trouble of making something, and it doesn't turn out. I want people to enjoy it. I can understand what happened with 'your' rice too. I've tried a different kind before, and it came out 'gummy.' Take care.1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
I think my worst flop ever was when I made a cake at about the age of fourteen for my Mom's Dad, it was his birthday if I remember correctly and he was coming for dinner! It looked fine and I iced it and was so proud of myself when I brought it out at the end of dinner for my Grandfather to cut....Only the knife would not even dent the cake! It was hard as a rock and I cried and cried but my Grandfather told me it was the thought that counted but he was such a great cook himself and I was so embarrassed! Never again have I ever made a cake from scratch and I'm now thirty...Mixes are a wonderful thing
I'm glad at least that the church enjoyed your squares and you didn't have to bring them home with you! God Bless the woman who took some home with her
~Heavens~
I'm glad at least that the church enjoyed your squares and you didn't have to bring them home with you! God Bless the woman who took some home with her
~Heavens~1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
Hi heavens,
Awwwwwwwww, what a wonderful grandfather! These sorts of things mean so much to 'kids,' and it's so great that he understood. I'm sure you'd be perfectly capable of making a cake from scratch now. It's like me, and the pie crust I've mentioned here. I could probably do it, but have never tried since then.
I didn't expect that many of the squares to be eaten, and I was so frustrated, because of what happened. They turned out to be quite expensive to make, and I didn't want them to go to waste. "God Bless her" indeed! She must have really enjoyed them. 
Thanks for sharing, as always. Hugs.
Awwwwwwwww, what a wonderful grandfather! These sorts of things mean so much to 'kids,' and it's so great that he understood. I'm sure you'd be perfectly capable of making a cake from scratch now. It's like me, and the pie crust I've mentioned here. I could probably do it, but have never tried since then.
I didn't expect that many of the squares to be eaten, and I was so frustrated, because of what happened. They turned out to be quite expensive to make, and I didn't want them to go to waste. "God Bless her" indeed! She must have really enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing, as always. Hugs.1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
11 Dec 08
I have a lot of problems with gravy too, as you know. 
If I do make it 'from scratch,' I use Veloutine, as it's the only way it's edible. Both my mom, and my late husband made excellent gravy. I've resorted to the same canned stuff my dil uses, for some things. It always works, so no need to fear failure. 
If I do make it 'from scratch,' I use Veloutine, as it's the only way it's edible. Both my mom, and my late husband made excellent gravy. I've resorted to the same canned stuff my dil uses, for some things. It always works, so no need to fear failure. 1 person likes this
@heavenschild (4777)
• Canada
10 Dec 08
My Mom's Dad was always very good to me!
It is funny how we fail at something and then never try it again...It is the same with me and gravy!!!! My poor mother tried and tried to teach me how to make gravy while I was still at home but it never turned out and now I admit I use only canned 
Not many people know this when they eat my delicious shepherds pie...I recycle the evidence before the company arrives!!!
~Heavens~
Not many people know this when they eat my delicious shepherds pie...I recycle the evidence before the company arrives!!!
~Heavens~1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
18 Dec 08
Yes, yes, and yes I have ruined loads of dishes to many to count. I cannot remember the last time I had a flop.
Now to think of it I tried to barbecue fish. I did not wrap it in foil or put it in a basket. More fish went through the grill into the coals then we got to eat. Bad idea.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
18 Dec 08
Hi teapotmom,
Fish on the grill does sound delicious. I have a friend who does salmon on a cedar plank. Yummy. I think of you as being an excellent cook. Thanks for sharing here. Take care.
Fish on the grill does sound delicious. I have a friend who does salmon on a cedar plank. Yummy. I think of you as being an excellent cook. Thanks for sharing here. Take care.1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
28 Dec 08
I am an OK cook my daughter is such a better cook than I am.
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
9 Dec 08
hi someonesmom,
i have to admit.. i am a very good 'eater', but not quite a good cook...
years ago, while having some friends over at our house i tried a new rice dish..
to me it didnt turn out like i hoped it would taste like..
but since i didnt really prepare that many dishes.. i just had to serve that rice dish anyways..
my husband, who 'knew' what dish i had 'attempted' to make.. also agreed that it didnt taste as it should.. but agreed that i served it anyways, saying that it was 'edible'...
but guess what?.. it wasnt really a hit.. but more than half it was gone, and i even had a friend who actually complimented me on that dish... surprise, surprise!!...
so.. i am guessing.. the guests may not know what i was trying to make - so they just ate it and enjoyed it...
.
so.. i am guessing.. the guests may not know what i was trying to make - so they just ate it and enjoyed it... 2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
Hi 4mymak,
I can understand your need to serve the rice. It's frustrating when things like this happen, and you don't have time, etc., to run out and get more ingredients. This is similar to what happened with the "Marble Squares." My daughter and myself thought they were so terrible. We hated to even take them to the dinner. I was really surprised, when my friend took one, and said she enjoyed it. This was 'before' she knew we'd made them. Then when I saw the lady putting some on a plate to take home, well ... 
Thanks so much for stopping by here. Take care.
I can understand your need to serve the rice. It's frustrating when things like this happen, and you don't have time, etc., to run out and get more ingredients. This is similar to what happened with the "Marble Squares." My daughter and myself thought they were so terrible. We hated to even take them to the dinner. I was really surprised, when my friend took one, and said she enjoyed it. This was 'before' she knew we'd made them. Then when I saw the lady putting some on a plate to take home, well ... Thanks so much for stopping by here. Take care.1 person likes this
@chameleonsdream (1230)
• United States
8 Dec 08
EVERYBODY is wary when I start experimenting. I don't have the patience to follow a recipe exactly so I make things up as I go along. Usually, things turn out great (my accidental pumpkin velvet cheesecake became a family tradition after the first time I made it to use up the extra batter and filling from pumpkin pie and cheesecake) - but every once in a while things go badly badly wrong. My brothers and dad never ever let me forget the "Raspberry Jello Cake" that I made almost 35 years ago when I was 13 - it was... bad. And my kids know that if mom is cooking while doing other things, that dinner will probably be burned if they don't watch it!
I come by it honestly, though. My mom is famous for her burnt rolls - it just isn't Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner if Grammy doesn't burn the rolls!
2 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
9 Dec 08
I'm one of those people who follows a recipe exactly. I always admired my mom, who was a fantastic cook, and could just throw things together. Speaking of your "Raspberry Jello Cake," this reminds me of the raspberry pie I made at age thirteen. My mom showed me how to make the crust 'from scratch.' However, something went horribly wrong, and 'it' was so tough that it could have been thrown against the wall, without breaking. I guess the filling was okay, but I've never mad another pie since (and I'm in my fifties.) Your pumpkin velvet cheesecake sounds delicious, by the way. Good for your mom. Family traditions are so important nowadays. Thanks so much for your response. Take care.
I guess the filling was okay, but I've never mad another pie since (and I'm in my fifties.) Your pumpkin velvet cheesecake sounds delicious, by the way. Good for your mom. Family traditions are so important nowadays. Thanks so much for your response. Take care.1 person likes this
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
10 Dec 08
Well I am not the best cook so this happens to me all the time. Thankfully my hubby is the type who will eat anything so even if dinner is a bit over done he eats it with no complaints.
1 person likes this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
11 Dec 08
Hi minnie,
Awwwwwwww. Good for your hubby, as 'some' just wouldn't do this. My late husband was an excellent cook. He was much better than me, but my cooking is okay, and I do some things well. I used to be worried if things I cooked for him didn't turn out, just because of his amazing cooking skills. He did love my chicken and dumplings though. Actually I haven't made these in years, so will have to do so this winter, for my daughter and myself. Excuse my rambling. It's late here, but I didn't get online all day yesterday. Thanks for responding. Take care.
Awwwwwwww. Good for your hubby, as 'some' just wouldn't do this. My late husband was an excellent cook. He was much better than me, but my cooking is okay, and I do some things well. I used to be worried if things I cooked for him didn't turn out, just because of his amazing cooking skills. He did love my chicken and dumplings though. Actually I haven't made these in years, so will have to do so this winter, for my daughter and myself. Excuse my rambling. It's late here, but I didn't get online all day yesterday. Thanks for responding. Take care.