So Cooking Buddy, What Do We Do Next? Quiz

Answer: Red wine

That Shepherd's Pie was darn tasty. Anyway, roomy, the Shepherd's Pie is a traditional Irish dish, whose origins go back many years. A Shepherd's Pie is made with ground lamb, but if you make it with ground beef, instead it's called a Cottage Pie.

Answer: Puree and cook mushrooms

The Beef Wellingtons turned out great, roomy, especially since we had it with some parsnip puree, grilled carrots, and a bottle of California Merlot. Did you know that the Beef Wellington is believed to be named after the first Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley? Also, President Richard Nixon was quite fond of the dish, and so it was quite frequently served at the White House during his time in office.

Answer: Brandy

That Sangria was a great treat on a nice spring day. Anyway, sangria is a typical beverage in Spain and Portugal. It was first tasted in the U.S in 1964 during the World's Fair in New York.

Answer: Chop and sprinkle fresh basil on top

Now that was a good lunch. According to legend, the Margherita Pizza is believed to be named after Queen Margherita of Savoy. Apparently, while she was visiting Naples, a chef named Raffaele and his wife made the pizza in her honor. He allegedly used the colors of the Italian flag as inspiration. Tomato for red, mozzarella for white, and basil for green.

Answer: Bread crumbs

Now that was a good game. Your bridge skills are up there with your cooking skills, while mine are like a souffle - Can be very good, but also very fragile. Anyway, roomy, Mozzarella sticks may be a famous appetizer in North American pub fare, but their origins are believed to originate in 14th century France.

A French document from back then shows a recipe for fried cheese sticks referred to as pipefarces, meaning "stuffed straws."

Answer: Brown sugar

That movie is great every time. Also, I hope you didn't mind me re-enacting the sword fighting scenes while jumping on the couch. Also, the caramel corn was also great. In the 17th Century, American women used caramelized sugar and water to make hard candy. By 1850, milk was added to make it chewy, and and that is when it started to go by the name "caramel."

Answer: Add the uncooked rice with chicken broth

You make the best darn pilaf, roomy. Rice pilaf is considered an international dish these days, but its origins, like many other rice dishes, likely come from around the Middle East.

Answer: Eggs

Although Italy is well known for its pasta, the history of pasta goes back very far. The Chinese have been making it since at least 3000 BC. Pasta even appears in Greek mythology, as the god Vulcan invented a device that would make long strings of dough.

Answer: Fry them

Well roomy, I like to think that the health benefits of the fish cancel out any health issues from frying food. But I know that is just wishful thinking. I should probably stick to poached or baked fish from now on. Anyway, fish and chips are considered a traditional British creation.

In fact, during the Industrial Revolution, "fish bars" appeared in London, which served fish and chips over the counter, thus giving quick nourishment to workers.

Answer: Place chicken in bread crumbs, then cook in pan with olive oil

Many years ago Chicken Parmesan was actually made with veal instead. As fancy as that sounds, we have to stick to chicken. White meat diet, remember? We served the Chicken Parmesan with garlic bread, salad, and penne mixed with feta. We opened some bottles of wine with our landlord during the meal, then finished with Boston Cream Pie a la mode.

He was so impressed with our cooking that he is allowing us to stay rent-free from now on as long as we keep cooking for him. Well done, roomy.