# It's freezing cold, so the only rational thing to do is to cook something. Whatcha want? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 8, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343 "2015-01-08T20:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/41 "2015-01-09T15:27:19Z")
> [@Grrlbrarian](#): > > I would like some macaroni and cheese, please. The baked kind with a variety of cheeses would be lovely. Quite a large pan. Also veggies and beaumonde dip so I can pretend to be somewhat healthy (though the following list will put paid to that). > > In exchange, I will bring the following (and it will nicely complement the pre-existing coffee): > > - A large bottle of Jameson’s 12-year > - A large bottle of Kerrygold Irish Cream liqueur > - 2 large bottles of vodka, probably Ketel One plain and Stoli Vanilla > - Freshly-made whipped cream, at least a quart > - Homemade sugar cookies, iced, and M&M bars > - 2 pounds of freshly-ground Jamaican Me Crazy coffee beans in case we need to make more coffee > +Homemade chai tea mix > +A crockpot-full of Nutella hot chocolate Nutella hot chocolate is NOT ALLOWED IN MY HOUSE. Homemade (from actual chocolate, not cocoa powder) with whole milk, or nothing. And yes, I realize I can’t actually have any. Stoopid diabetes. The point still holds. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/42 "2015-01-09T15:32:10Z")
We can keep the Nutella hot chocolate in my car. I’ll bring a generator for the crock pot. B’cause I’ve never had Nutella hot chocolate, and now I must. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/43 "2015-01-09T15:39:44Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > We can keep the Nutella hot chocolate in my car. I’ll bring a generator for the crock pot. B’cause I’ve never had Nutella hot chocolate, and now I must. Nutella is for women and Canadians. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/44 "2015-01-09T15:47:55Z")
[Carbonnade](http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Classic-Beef-Beer-Stew) (more properly “Boeuf carbonnade à la flamande” or “Vlaamse Stoverij” depending on whether you prefer French or Flemish). It’s a Flemish beef, onion and beer stew, and is just what the doctor ordered for cold winter evenings. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/45 "2015-01-09T15:56:05Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Nutella is for women and Canadians. _checks girly bits_ Fine by me! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Grrlbrarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrlbrarian/32/4048_2.png) [@Grrlbrarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrlbrarian)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/46 "2015-01-09T17:20:18Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > _checks girly bits_ > > Fine by me! 😃 _Looks down_ Darn skippy! I’ll make you a separate pot of regular hot choc, **Skald the Rhymer** or whomever is too tough to drink the Nutella version. I do have two crockpots. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/47 "2015-01-09T17:31:16Z")
Cassoulet! The long version. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/48 "2015-01-09T18:23:21Z")
> [@Grrlbrarian](#): > > _Looks down_ > > Darn skippy! > > I’ll make you a separate pot of regular hot choc, **Skald the Rhymer** or whomever is too tough to drink the Nutella version. I do have two crockpots. 😉 You can’t make hot chocolate with Splenda and have it come out right, and sugar is my enemy. I will allow that Nutella nonsense, but somebody will have to make it off site and bring mugs, cause it ain’t touching my stuff. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/49 "2015-01-09T18:28:18Z")
Since you’re making a ham, I would like a lovely potato gratin (heavy cream and gruyere, please), and bushel of baby spinach sauteed with garlic and red bell pepper. And yes, I’m aware that you specified that I could only nominate one dish. I’ll bring a local barley/rye whiskey for you, and ginger beer for me. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/50 "2015-01-09T18:34:10Z")
> [@bump](#): > > [Carbonnade](http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Classic-Beef-Beer-Stew) (more properly “Boeuf carbonnade à la flamande” or “Vlaamse Stoverij” depending on whether you prefer French or Flemish). > > It’s a Flemish beef, onion and beer stew, and is just what the doctor ordered for cold winter evenings. Mmm…One of my favorites. Hungarian goulash or chicken paprikash would be my usual winter choices, but I’ll throw a little curveball for some carb & fat goodness: [Bryndzové halušky](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryndzov%C3%A9_halu%C5%A1ky) (also known as [sztrapacska](http://www.mindmegette.hu/felvideki-sztrapacska.recept) in Hungarian. A dish called strapačky also exists in Slovakia, but that’s made with cabbage along with the dumplings/spaetzle) topped with plenty of fried bacon bits (real, chunky bacon.) The only time I could ever eat this dish is in the coldest pits of winter, it is so starchy and fatty heavy. But, boy, is it satisfying on such a cold January night. ETA: Oh, and I’ll bring along some pear brandy (vilmos körte palinka, specifically) to help us warm up, too, although I suspect I may be the only one drinking it. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343/51 "2015-01-09T20:21:08Z")
We seem to already have plenty of food for today, but if you’ll save the ham bone and whatever meat is left on it, we could have red beans and rice tomorrow. I’ll bring some homemade mac & cheese, and a couple bottles of Scotch. Glenlivet for the not-so-brave, and Laphroaig Quarter Cask for anyone who hasn’t had their RDA of peat and oak. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-freezing-cold-so-the-only-rational-thing-to-do-is-to-cook-something-whatcha-want/709343.md?page=2)