11 Burnt Food Recipes Perfect For The Not-So-Delicate Cook

Cooking isn't always the most forgiving activity. For most recipes, if you leave the food in the oven or on the stove for just a moment too long then you're left with an inedible burnt mess. Thankfully, these recipes are meant to be burnt!

Charred Green Beans with Harissa and Almonds

Green beans are good, but when their charred they’re even better. Throw some on a cast-iron skillet and drizzle them with olive oil, then get cooking until you see them starting to burn. Then put them in a large bowl and toss with harissa and almonds for a healthy and delicious meal.

Burnt Caramel Custard

Who ever heard of a burnt custard!? It’s the caramel that allows this preposterous sounding dish to work. You can make your own caramel by combining 3/4 cup and 2 tablespoons of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan. Swirl the pan as you boil and you’ll notive a deep amber color in about 4 minutes. Add your caramel to a boiling bowl of cream to create this burnt masterpiece.

Burnt Onion Butter

Now here’s something you’ve probably never thought of. Cook a chopped onion until it’s deeply brown, and then mix it with butter in a bowl and season with salt. Then, broil another sliced onion until it is completely blackened. Grind the burnt onion into a powder to dust over the butter.

Pasta with Charred Brussels Sprouts

If you don’t like brussels sprouts now, maybe try burning them and eating them with your favorite pasta. Getting a good char on some brussels sprouts perfectly complements any rich pastas.

Charred Romaine with Tomatillo Dressing

You usually don’t hear of a salad that’s been burnt, but this one might have you hooked on the idea. Drizzle romaine leave with olive oil and season them with salt, then grill until one side is charred, and turn them over to just warm the other side. Put dressing onto plates and put the romaine on top with the charred side facing up, and then top that with avocado, onion, and a charred and chopped poblano chile.

Charred Corn Husk Dressing

Stop throwing away corn husks and use them to make this delicious dressing instead! Broil the husks until they are blackened in spots. Puree with charred husks with a cup of vegetable oil until the husks resemble confetti. Now, add some of your corn husk oil into a blender with pureed tofu, lemon juice, vinegar, and honey and blend until it’s smooth.

Tofu with Charred Bean Sprouts and Peanuts

Bean sprouts are a perfect charred veggie, and will make any vegan swoon when paired with tofu and peanuts. Cook the sprouts until charred, and then serve them over tofu that’s been marinated with jalapeno, soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger. Top with peanuts, scallions, and mint.

Charred Eggplant Spread

Roast an eggplant in your oven until it’s charred, and then chop it until it’s almost a paste. Mix it in a bowl with tahini, garlic, lemon zest, and cumin. Top it with salt, pepper, oil, and sesame seeds for an incredible dip.

Charred Corn with Shallot and Cheese

Grilled corn tastes great, and it still tastes amazing even if it’s been burned. Let your corn char as you’re grilling it, and then cut the kernels off into a bowl with shallot, lime juice, cheese, and cilantro. Toss it all together and throw on some salt and pepper for the summery dish.

Charred Lemon-Shallot Chutney

A charred lemon may sound preposterous, but we promise that you’ll love this wild new taste! Toss sliced lemons, sliced shallots, sugar, and oil in a bowl, and then spread them out onto a sheet. Broil until the lemons and shallots are almost completely charred. Coarsely chop the mixture and stir in vinegar, Dijon mustard, and chives.

Charred Cauliflower with Soffritto

You may not like cauliflower normally, but burning the veggie actually brings out a nutty taste. Cook your cauliflower until it’s deeply browned, and then add soffritto, anchovies, and wine to the roasting pan. Roast until the cauliflower is soft and the liquid mostly evaporated, then serve with mint.