DRUNK FOODZ!!! Today: The Foreman Test Kitchen

In this episode of the Drinker’s Table, Drunk Foodz Edition, we explore highly convenient foods cooked on the countertop grill. These are kind of foods that seemingly make themselves in your kitchen late at night, after the drinking is done. The recipes for these foods are often only discerned later, in the morning or late afternoon or early to late evening of the following day. Sometimes the food itself may be forgotten, but the enjoyment was clearly there, and now it’s waiting to be cleaned in your kitchen. Sometimes the Foreman Grill might remain on throughout the evening. The recipes need to be carefully reconstructed from the scene using the powers of observation, combined with one’s imagination and dim memories. These are the Drunk Foods.

Today: The Feastable Foreman with Wendy Mitchell

I had a somewhat obsessive relationship with my George Foreman grill. I think (or hope) it started because of my tiny New York apartments, where using the oven on meant heating up the whole place to ungodly temperatures. Plus, stovetops and ovens are soooo 20th century! A famous boxer inexplicably invented an indoor grill and it’s our duty to make the most of it.

I’m not quite sure when I moved on from the obvious chicken breasts and grilled cheese sandwiches to more adventurous fare. It might have been around the time when I was writing a book about dive bars — coming home tipsy and firing Georgie up because it was the quickest, easiest way to eat.

But even sober, these “recipes” have become my staples. You don’t need a fancy Foreman, just one of the $20 models will do.

Herewith, unexpected treats from a George Foreman grill:

Breakfast

Grill up some Cinnamon Toast. Get a slice of bread, butter it, dash of sugar, dash of cinnamon, slap it on the grill and the contact with the grill will turn the mixture into a nice caramelized topping. French toast also works as well, but I haven’t tried pancakes (yet) — you may have to watch the Foreman tilt with the runny batter.

Or for those truly hungover, Leftover Pizza works fine in the Foreman. The cheese will go crusty on top, which makes it seem less soggy and hungover.

Salad course

No, I don’t actually put lettuce on the Foreman. But you can take a lump of cheese — preferably parmesan or something of that kind — shred a little ball of it, and presto, Parmesan Crisps to top your salad.

Appetizers

Potstickers from Trader Joe's

Get frozen Potstickers/Dumplings/Shumai (Trader Joe’s makes some great cheap ones) — ignore all cooking directions on the package for boiling/steaming/frying. Take straight out of the freezer, put ‘em on the Foreman (maybe spray with a little Pam) and give a few minutes to cook and become browned to your taste. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.

Also works with Gnocchi or Ravioli straight out of the freezer. Toss on the Foreman, spray with a little Pam, and you get grilled gnocchi or ravioli, like those fancy fried hors d‘oevrese except healthier. Serve with pesto as your dip.

Entrees & Sides

Maybe this is obvious, but the Foreman is great for Meatballs. Sure you get little slider type patties rather than round spheres, but I love the grill marks on them.

For our vegetarian cooks, cut up slices of Halloumi and slap em on the Foreman until they get nice brown grill marks. Perfect for summertime (indoor) BBQs. You can add accompanying green or red chilis to the grill if you’re feeling adventurous.

For side dishes, get a bag of frozen French Fries, take a handful straight out of the freezer, toss em on the foreman, spray with some Pam and dash liberally with some garlic salt or greek seasoning. cook for about 8-10 mins I think. They go sort of a clump of grilled fries. You can even put cheese on top for the final 2-3 minutes of grilling (don’t be afraid of grilling cheese — remember everything wipes right off this sucker!)

If you’re feeling Anglophile, Bubble & Squeak also works on the foreman. Combined your mashed potato and leftover veggies (cabbage, etc) and throw a ball of it on the Foreman. Might want to spray with some Pam.

Dessert

Okay, here is where it truly gets embarrassing. Dear reader, I came home sozzled one night about 8 years ago and had a tube of cookie dough on hand for emergencies (don’t ask — it’s a sad single girl thing). Plugged in the foreman, made cookie shaped lumps of dough, grilled for about 2 minutes and voila, delicious Grilled Cookies. I remember laughing at myself during the process (better than crying at a new low point in my life, I suppose). Can proudly say I don’t keep cookie dough in the fridge anymore, but if I did, and I needed a fresh melty cookie in 2 minutes, this is no-fail. Would be a fabulous party trick at your next gathering.

I also think S’mores could work on here — if anyone out there is brave enough to try it let us know!

–Wendy Mitchell