Chicken has always been my go-to for children because most will eat it! This is why I know how to cook it in every way - even though I don't eat fried foods... or breaded... or stir fry...
Oh - so, before I forget. Many apologies for these recipes not coming along as originally promised. We can, however, begin to see them more frequently. This is because I now have a boyfriend that appreciates my cooking :) Also, has a picky-eater for a daughter. This will make for great experiments and sharing! Or epic failures and disappointment. Either way, you may get a good laugh!
Onto the recipe. I have posted one in the past about mustard maple roasted chicken. This is a great "child-friendly" choice since it has a hint of sweetness to it. Makes it more appealing to the youngins! And let's face it - you can't go wrong with potatoes!
Rachael Ray's original recipe, you can find here. As usual, I make my own adjustments. And this is a very cheap meal! About $15 feeds a family of four - Can't beat that!
Ingredients
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons spicy brown mustard (or sub regular brown mustard)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 lime for juicing (you can skip this, if you'd like)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 large baking potatoes
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste.
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (I sometimes keep chives on hand. You can skip this, too)
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the honey, mustard, veg oil and lime juice. Add the chicken and let marinate at room temperature for about 20 minutes. You never want to cook meat straight from the fridge - it shocks it and makes it tough when you cook it. While the chicken is marinating, in a large saucepan combine the potatoes and enough salted water to cover; bring to a boil. Cook the potatoes for only about 20 minutes, then drain and let them sit for a few so they can slightly cool. Slice the potatoes into wedges - about one-inch thick, slice long ways. Transfer to a bowl and gently toss with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Here, you can try different things with the potato wedges - add parsley or onion powder - garlic salt or seasoning salts. Whatever your taste buds prefer!
Preheat a grill to medium-high. Add the chicken and potatoes, and grill for about 10 minutes on each side. Or, cook stove-top on medium-high heat (same thing- about ten minutes on each side for the chicken). If you choose stove-top for the chicken, pop the potatoes into the oven, preheated at 450 degrees, for about 15 minutes on a broiler pan.
If you have chives, sprinkle the dish with chives before serving. I like to serve asparagus or steamed carrots along side this dish. Carrots are a better alternative with children (which I'm sure you're aware). Enjoy!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
BAKED APPLES! BUT.... IN A CROCKPOT?
I thought when my sister put everything in the crockpot, she was corny - or lazy. Either one, there are just some things that don't belong. Agreed?
Well.... This couldn't have turned out any better - or worse, I suppose. I made a few minor adjustments from a previous recipe I found on facebook (CLICK HERE) because there are just some things that I prefer best. And that is oats over bread crumbs. Who puts bread crumbs on "baked" apples? Reminds me too much of a bread pudding and that makes me gag. I did, however give it shot..
Things just take sooo looooong in a crock pot! (this is me whining). It said it had to cook for FOUR HOURS. If I had children, this would be wonderful torture if they weren't eating their dinner.. they would smell the apples cooking the entire time and BAM! It's bedtime! Don't eat your dinner? No dessert, kiddo. I don't care if it is fruit.
Crock Pot Dessert. That's what this is. Ok - I gave you the "original" recipe up top - this is my version:
Ingredients:
6 cups chunky apple slices
1 cup granulated sugar (when I tried brown sugar here, it turned into a gummy pile of apples)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
juice and zest of 1 lemon
(variation: add fresh cranberries and use an orange instead of a lemon - SO YUMMY!)
Topping:
3 cups oatmeal (dried, Quick Minute oats)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
As a reminder, all of my "measurements" are estimates. I don't measure anything :)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice & zest.
2. In another bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and oatmeal.
3. SPRAY the inside of the crockpot with PAM, EVOO, some kind of cooking spray. It will stick - it's in there for four hours!
4. Dump the apple mixture in, crumble the topping across the top. cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours (until it gets brown and bubbly). Original recipe calls for four hours but I found in my first round, this was too long.
DELISH. I'm so excited for you guys to try it because it's so easy! Now, let's face it - this is most certainly the LONG, drawn out, tedious way of doing baked apples. You can do this same mixture and put it in the oven at 350 degrees, covered for about an hour. My only conclusion to the baked apples in a crockpot is that soccer-mom needed to figure out how she was going to make a same-day dessert since she had to leave for a game and wouldn't be home until 6? Or.. if you work 5 miles from home like me, come home at lunch and throw it all together so it will be ready by dinner! Either way, enjoy :)
Well.... This couldn't have turned out any better - or worse, I suppose. I made a few minor adjustments from a previous recipe I found on facebook (CLICK HERE) because there are just some things that I prefer best. And that is oats over bread crumbs. Who puts bread crumbs on "baked" apples? Reminds me too much of a bread pudding and that makes me gag. I did, however give it shot..
Things just take sooo looooong in a crock pot! (this is me whining). It said it had to cook for FOUR HOURS. If I had children, this would be wonderful torture if they weren't eating their dinner.. they would smell the apples cooking the entire time and BAM! It's bedtime! Don't eat your dinner? No dessert, kiddo. I don't care if it is fruit.
Crock Pot Dessert. That's what this is. Ok - I gave you the "original" recipe up top - this is my version:
Ingredients:
6 cups chunky apple slices
1 cup granulated sugar (when I tried brown sugar here, it turned into a gummy pile of apples)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
juice and zest of 1 lemon
(variation: add fresh cranberries and use an orange instead of a lemon - SO YUMMY!)
Topping:
3 cups oatmeal (dried, Quick Minute oats)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
As a reminder, all of my "measurements" are estimates. I don't measure anything :)
Directions:
1. In a large bowl combine apples, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon and lemon juice & zest.
2. In another bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and oatmeal.
3. SPRAY the inside of the crockpot with PAM, EVOO, some kind of cooking spray. It will stick - it's in there for four hours!
4. Dump the apple mixture in, crumble the topping across the top. cover and cook on high for 3.5 hours (until it gets brown and bubbly). Original recipe calls for four hours but I found in my first round, this was too long.
DELISH. I'm so excited for you guys to try it because it's so easy! Now, let's face it - this is most certainly the LONG, drawn out, tedious way of doing baked apples. You can do this same mixture and put it in the oven at 350 degrees, covered for about an hour. My only conclusion to the baked apples in a crockpot is that soccer-mom needed to figure out how she was going to make a same-day dessert since she had to leave for a game and wouldn't be home until 6? Or.. if you work 5 miles from home like me, come home at lunch and throw it all together so it will be ready by dinner! Either way, enjoy :)
Friday, December 21, 2012
The ominus "Elf On A Shelf" Disciplinarian
First and foremost, I do not have children. Not even one child. Would I enjoy the opportunity to become a caregiver to a snotfaced, germy-infestation of a tiny human being? Absolutely. Next year? Absolutely not. I have additional goals and achievements to accomplish here before the grave responsibility of taking care of something that will be a direct reflection of my ability to keep something alive. Oops, someone. I am, however, available for any advice, solicited or otherwise. "How are you able to give advice when you're not even a parent," you ask? Well... I was raised by an outstanding pair of unsparing individuals. This allows me to tell you how children were raised in the "good 'ole days".
The Good 'Ole Days consisted of:
Playing outside and not on the Wii;
Walking to our friend's house and knocking on the door instead of calling - from a landline;
Flashlight war;
"Do you like me, check 'yes or no'" handwritten notes - not texted messages;
Velcro trapper keepers (no file storage on ipads, here!);
Diaries that outlined your crush of the week;
Running around with your friends without the fear of being kidnapped (be home by the time the street lights come on, though!);
walking into school for learning and recess, amidst others you didn't fear..
I could go on and on with examples of how upbringings have vastly shifted for over a century (I'm not THAT old, I promise), however at THE top of my list is a good old fashion butt-whooping.
That's right, folks. Growing up, if I didn't mind with "yes ma'am, no sir" I got popped in the mouth. My younger sis was a flagrant back-talker. You know what mom did for that? You guessed it! Bar of soap or Dawn dishsoap. Did she back-talk again? Sure - but it didn't happen often. When we were told to clean our rooms, if it didn't get done, we got a spanking. If we didn't do as we were told, in general, there was a belt with our name on it, a wooden spoon, a paddle - and the forsaken hickory switch tree at Grandma's house. We even had to pick out our own switch! This was not a desirable task - especially through the tears for something that hadn't even happened yet.
These days, people are scared to dicipline their children, in fear someone will call "the people" on them. Be it DSS or whatever social service you have in your area. With that being said, I am incessantly voicing my unsolicited opinions in regards to what my child(ren) will or won't be doing once these figments are actually here.
I ran across this ecard on facebook and couldn't help BUT to laugh, due to it being so spot-on with my attitude. And I'm sure everyone I know with children think this very thought, along with "you wait... ". I can't wait! I know you have to pick your battles (I have a 4 & 7 year old niece - trust me, I get it) but... YOU wait. You wait and see. I know it is probably quite obnoxious. No one has told me to shut up, yet..
So what society has fallen to - to make their children behave around the holidays - is the "Elf On A Shelf". This elf is magical and POOF! appears any time after Thanksgiving. The damn thing has papers (only Cabbage Patch Kids are allowed to have papers!) Children are told they can't be touched, or they lose their magical powers. In retrospect, VERY cute idea and much fun - especially for parents! However, IF I HAD A CHILD, I am not going to use a toy to make it - I mean s/he - behave when the holidays come around. No. IF I HAD A CHILD, they would behave all year round because that is what I would make them do. IF I HAD A CHILD, there wouldn't be any bribery around the holidays to behave because an elf is going to report you to Santa. No. Santa can you see you when you're sleeping AND he knows when you're awake - he knows if you've been bad or good so BE GOOD FOR ME AND NOT AN ELF, for goodness sake! When did Santa recruit helpers?! And how exactly does this negotiation take place???
Mom: Darling, if you don't go brush your teeth now, the elf is going to report back to Santa that you have not been listening!
Child: NO!
Mom: But darling, you need to mind me or you aren't going to get all of the things on your list from Santa!
Child: No!
Mom: Ok, that's it - I'm telling Elf-Chuckie to tell Santa to not stop here on Christmas Eve!
Child: *pout* and brushes teeth
IF I HAD A CHILD, this is the way that conversation would have unfolded:
Me: Time to brush your teeth, come on!
Child: NO!
Me: *SMACK* Tell me no again and you'll get it twice as hard!
Child: *crying* brushes teeth
I can almost guarantee we won't have that same conversation again, all week.
Indeed, I am viewed as a strict individual (even auntie). However, I typically don't have any issues out of my nieces. Do I abuse them? Absolutely not. Matter fact, I barely even pop them because they know I mean business. When I have to repeat myself and sound like a broken record, I get aggitated and I think they know this. I think they know when my face turns purple because I have already asked once already, it may be time to do what I asked. I don't think they have experienced 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' yet, but a purple face doesn't end well in any scenario.
So, next let's talk about how out right CREEPY these damn things look. SURELY someone sees the resemblance, here! SURELY! Oh wait - via a proclamation, I think I have finally figured it out. These children don't think this elf is going to report back to Santa. No. These children think if they don't behave, this elf is going to kill them in their sleep. Once that nefarious symbol for "joy" disappears after Christmas (not to mention, the child got everything they wanted anyway), they no longer fear for their life. Off to the same bad-ass-smart-mouth they were before! What do you do, then? Please tell me - do these things maybe peek out during Easter? To be sure someone didn't steal someone else's eggs from their basket? Or... maybe they show up around summer vacation because you left the yard while your parents weren't looking, even though you were told not to? Someone please help me understand, here. Because IF I HAD A CHILD, you would mind me year round - not just to get toys you put on a wish list. Just saying.
Ok - onto the vast variety of CRAZINESS people actually do with these things! And by crazy, I mean give-yourself-more-household-tasks. And by tasks, I mean deliberate acts of messiness to be cleaned up after someone. And by someone, I mean an Elf. And by an Elf, I MEAN YOU. Who does that?! The various different things I have heard, read, seen via Facebook newsfeed include the following:
- Knocking over the Christmas tree (again, WHO does that?!)
- getting into candy and/or cookie jars and leaving crumbs all over the counter (not only do you have to clean it up the next morning, these crumbs stayed on your counter until THE NEXT MORNING - you're going to give yourself ants!)
- unwrapping gifts (first, I hope the tag didn't say from "Santa", second - now you have to wrap it for probably the third time because you probably messed up the first wrap to begin with!)
- "Shacking Up" with Barbie (several things are wrong here... but the first that comes to mind would be 'this is what you want to teach your 6 year old'?!)
- writing, with a crayon, on the wall ("WTH" comes to mind here! IF I HAD A CHILD, this would be a very big NO-NO and this elf is going to get his ass beat and thrown in the trash - with the crayon)
- rearranging the lights from the tree to all over the living room (I understand wanting to have 'fun' with this because you want your child to have the best experience possible. But again, WHO does that?!)
- writing on the mirrors or windows with lipstick - messages about getting wishes - or you can't use the bathroom because the Elf is taking up the bathroom (I just don't even have a comment here - I mean, do you go use the OTHER bathroom?!)
- Spanking a very naked Barbie (nevermind "shacking up" or taking bubbles baths with her in the sink... but Elf-Chuckie is getting pleasure out of this. Your child is going to remember these scenarios when they get older and then you'll have to deal with a psychologically disturbed teenager. Good luck.)
- hanging from the Christmas Tree with tinsel - wrapped around his neck (was your child SO bad that Elf-Chuckie off'd himself?? And... how long did your child have nightmares after the elf was pronounced dead?! And I want to know if the child still gets presents after he committed suicide..)
- Roasting marshmellows over a candle (I thought we were trying to raise them to NOT play with fire??)
- Toilet papering the tree (again - YOU HAVE TO CLEAN THAT UP!)
From what I have seen - from fishing in the toilet to playing spin-the-bottle, there are no boundaries. If you have no boundaries as to what you - I mean, your Elf - are "role modeling" for the child, why do you even have an elf? Because IF I HAD A CHILD, I wouldn't want them thinking that drinking from mommy's wine bottle was OK.
The Good 'Ole Days consisted of:
Playing outside and not on the Wii;
Walking to our friend's house and knocking on the door instead of calling - from a landline;
Flashlight war;
"Do you like me, check 'yes or no'" handwritten notes - not texted messages;
Velcro trapper keepers (no file storage on ipads, here!);
Diaries that outlined your crush of the week;
Running around with your friends without the fear of being kidnapped (be home by the time the street lights come on, though!);
walking into school for learning and recess, amidst others you didn't fear..
I could go on and on with examples of how upbringings have vastly shifted for over a century (I'm not THAT old, I promise), however at THE top of my list is a good old fashion butt-whooping.
That's right, folks. Growing up, if I didn't mind with "yes ma'am, no sir" I got popped in the mouth. My younger sis was a flagrant back-talker. You know what mom did for that? You guessed it! Bar of soap or Dawn dishsoap. Did she back-talk again? Sure - but it didn't happen often. When we were told to clean our rooms, if it didn't get done, we got a spanking. If we didn't do as we were told, in general, there was a belt with our name on it, a wooden spoon, a paddle - and the forsaken hickory switch tree at Grandma's house. We even had to pick out our own switch! This was not a desirable task - especially through the tears for something that hadn't even happened yet.
These days, people are scared to dicipline their children, in fear someone will call "the people" on them. Be it DSS or whatever social service you have in your area. With that being said, I am incessantly voicing my unsolicited opinions in regards to what my child(ren) will or won't be doing once these figments are actually here.
I ran across this ecard on facebook and couldn't help BUT to laugh, due to it being so spot-on with my attitude. And I'm sure everyone I know with children think this very thought, along with "you wait... ". I can't wait! I know you have to pick your battles (I have a 4 & 7 year old niece - trust me, I get it) but... YOU wait. You wait and see. I know it is probably quite obnoxious. No one has told me to shut up, yet..
So what society has fallen to - to make their children behave around the holidays - is the "Elf On A Shelf". This elf is magical and POOF! appears any time after Thanksgiving. The damn thing has papers (only Cabbage Patch Kids are allowed to have papers!) Children are told they can't be touched, or they lose their magical powers. In retrospect, VERY cute idea and much fun - especially for parents! However, IF I HAD A CHILD, I am not going to use a toy to make it - I mean s/he - behave when the holidays come around. No. IF I HAD A CHILD, they would behave all year round because that is what I would make them do. IF I HAD A CHILD, there wouldn't be any bribery around the holidays to behave because an elf is going to report you to Santa. No. Santa can you see you when you're sleeping AND he knows when you're awake - he knows if you've been bad or good so BE GOOD FOR ME AND NOT AN ELF, for goodness sake! When did Santa recruit helpers?! And how exactly does this negotiation take place???
Mom: Darling, if you don't go brush your teeth now, the elf is going to report back to Santa that you have not been listening!
Child: NO!
Mom: But darling, you need to mind me or you aren't going to get all of the things on your list from Santa!
Child: No!
Mom: Ok, that's it - I'm telling Elf-Chuckie to tell Santa to not stop here on Christmas Eve!
Child: *pout* and brushes teeth
IF I HAD A CHILD, this is the way that conversation would have unfolded:
Me: Time to brush your teeth, come on!
Child: NO!
Me: *SMACK* Tell me no again and you'll get it twice as hard!
Child: *crying* brushes teeth
I can almost guarantee we won't have that same conversation again, all week.
Indeed, I am viewed as a strict individual (even auntie). However, I typically don't have any issues out of my nieces. Do I abuse them? Absolutely not. Matter fact, I barely even pop them because they know I mean business. When I have to repeat myself and sound like a broken record, I get aggitated and I think they know this. I think they know when my face turns purple because I have already asked once already, it may be time to do what I asked. I don't think they have experienced 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' yet, but a purple face doesn't end well in any scenario.
Ok - onto the vast variety of CRAZINESS people actually do with these things! And by crazy, I mean give-yourself-more-household-tasks. And by tasks, I mean deliberate acts of messiness to be cleaned up after someone. And by someone, I mean an Elf. And by an Elf, I MEAN YOU. Who does that?! The various different things I have heard, read, seen via Facebook newsfeed include the following:
- Knocking over the Christmas tree (again, WHO does that?!)
- getting into candy and/or cookie jars and leaving crumbs all over the counter (not only do you have to clean it up the next morning, these crumbs stayed on your counter until THE NEXT MORNING - you're going to give yourself ants!)
- unwrapping gifts (first, I hope the tag didn't say from "Santa", second - now you have to wrap it for probably the third time because you probably messed up the first wrap to begin with!)
- "Shacking Up" with Barbie (several things are wrong here... but the first that comes to mind would be 'this is what you want to teach your 6 year old'?!)
- writing, with a crayon, on the wall ("WTH" comes to mind here! IF I HAD A CHILD, this would be a very big NO-NO and this elf is going to get his ass beat and thrown in the trash - with the crayon)
- rearranging the lights from the tree to all over the living room (I understand wanting to have 'fun' with this because you want your child to have the best experience possible. But again, WHO does that?!)
- writing on the mirrors or windows with lipstick - messages about getting wishes - or you can't use the bathroom because the Elf is taking up the bathroom (I just don't even have a comment here - I mean, do you go use the OTHER bathroom?!)
- Spanking a very naked Barbie (nevermind "shacking up" or taking bubbles baths with her in the sink... but Elf-Chuckie is getting pleasure out of this. Your child is going to remember these scenarios when they get older and then you'll have to deal with a psychologically disturbed teenager. Good luck.)
- hanging from the Christmas Tree with tinsel - wrapped around his neck (was your child SO bad that Elf-Chuckie off'd himself?? And... how long did your child have nightmares after the elf was pronounced dead?! And I want to know if the child still gets presents after he committed suicide..)
- Roasting marshmellows over a candle (I thought we were trying to raise them to NOT play with fire??)
- Toilet papering the tree (again - YOU HAVE TO CLEAN THAT UP!)
From what I have seen - from fishing in the toilet to playing spin-the-bottle, there are no boundaries. If you have no boundaries as to what you - I mean, your Elf - are "role modeling" for the child, why do you even have an elf? Because IF I HAD A CHILD, I wouldn't want them thinking that drinking from mommy's wine bottle was OK.
Monday, December 17, 2012
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS
Classic-American family receipe, you think? Of course not! Especially from Rach! You may CLICK HERE for a direct link to her "kid-friendly" dining and SEE BELOW for a very abbreviated version for your enjoyment! These types of recipes are exceptionally fun for the gremlins though, if you homemake your meatballs! At the ripe age of 5, playing with your food doesn't get any better.. and it is always a treat to eat a no-so-round-almost-flat meatball made with the love and dedication of your mini-me. Now.... I have never made a meatball before so don't expect that recipe here, yet! See Rach's recipe in the link above.
Now.. onto ingredients for sketti:
(as a reminder, especially to new "readers", I don't measure anything... I "EYEBALL" it)
- couple tablespoons of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
- thyme seasoning, dried
- rosemary seasoning, dried
- sage seasoning
- three bay leaves (or not!)
- oregano seasoning, dried
- basil seasoning, dried
- marjoram seasoning, dried (I never have this on hand and "substitute" parsley - just because.)
- 1 bag frozen italian meatballs
- 1 can whole, peeled tomatoes
- 1 large can of tomato puree
- 1 small, baby can tomato paste
- beef stock
- quarter can roasted tomatoes (not necessary, but I like)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 shallot
- about 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1 pound of spaghetti pasta
- dash of salt / dash of sugar
- 1 pound ground beef, cooked (or ground hot italian sausage)
I normally use fresh herbs for pasta sauces because the flavor is much more vibrant. However, when I woke up in the mood to cook yesterday morning at 8:30am, I wasn't heading to the grocery store in my pajamas. And by pajamas, I mean yoga capris, tank with no bra, smeared raccoon eyes with sleep probably still in my eyes. No, maybe not... I splashed water on my face after I brushed my teeth. No hairbrushing took place at this time, though. It was still half up on the make-shift ponytail left over from pillow-head.
I had a half bag of italian meatballs left over from a Christmas party in my freezer (in addition to the full bag I used FOR the meatballs) so what I did was pulled out food processor and ground these up after heating through in the toaster oven (on bake). Therefore, I did not use any ground beef listed above in the ingredients. It was a nice alternative and, again, I wasn't going to the store.
Directions for your Sauce:
Pour in the can of whole tomatoes and add about a cup of beef stock. Simmer, with lid on for about fifteen minutes. In the meantime, start browning your ground beef (or sausage). Use a potato masher to mash the whole tomatoes (I personally don't like chunks in my sauces. If you do, just do a quick mash - nothing major). At this time, add your tomato paste, give it a swirl and then add your can of tomato puree (I typically have tomatoes on hand that need to be eaten or thrown out... so I puree these to use instead of the canned puree). Add about half a palm full each of all of your dried seasonings. In a small blender (I have a handheld blender that holds about a cup) combine your garlic, shallot and roasted tomatoes. Again, if you like chunky, don't blend the tomatoes, just dump in the sauce - however, I have found that MOST rugrats won't eat chunks of anything... I know my precious nieces won't! If you don't want to blend, just grate the garlic and shallot into the sauce. If you are OK with chunky, just chop it up! Add your mixture to your sauce, give it a swirl. After draining your cooked ground beef (or sausage), dump into your sauce - or in my case, ground italian meatballs. Stir until combined, toss in your frozen meatballs, bay leaf (if desired), stir and cover. Let simmer for an hour to incorporate all the flavors and heat the meatballs through. At this time, give it a taste. You may find you need more salt. If it is a bit salty, add a tad bit of sugar (this offsets the acidity). Season to taste - this is YOUR sauce so play with it! Make it your own - Rach uses crushed red pepper flakes in hers. If you like a bit of heat on it, just do it! Alternately, I use ground hot italian sausage in most my red pasta sauces. Gives it a nice kick. My older sister can't even tell it's "hot" - she doesn't even eat your food if she sees you putting pepper in it, so shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell her.
After you have made your personal-taste adjustments, if you need to loosen up the sauce some add a few turns of the pot of EVOO - if it's a bit too runny for your taste, add some parmesan cheese (about and 1/8-1/4 cup).
Throw your pasta into salt-seasoned boiling water. Cook to al-dente. Drain and add your pasta to your sauce OR if you're entertaining, cook it through, drain and put it on a large platter, then dump your meatball sauce over the top. This makes for a great presentation! If I was a "good" blogger, I would have taken a photo of my finished product on display - instead of just my whole tomatoes cooking. I believe I was distracted by my need to begin tuna salad... It was a massive cook-fest Sunday for me!
It would look something along the lines of this - all mixed together. I like "presentation" so top it with parmesan and parsley! If you have fresh leaf, it's even more vibrant! Serve, of course, with garlic bread of choice.
If you choose "non-chunky" style, most children would clean their bedrooms for spaghetti and meatballs. Probably one of the easiest go-to recipes. And quite cheap. Some, if not all of these spices are in SOMEONE'S spice cabinet. They were all in mine... but I'm a self-proclaimed cooker. It's imperative I have these to make myself feel chef-like. You, on the other hand may need to swing through the spice section at Wal-mart on your next trip. The Dollar Store even carries some of these! As an added note, I use all of these spices for various different other recipes as well so you can never go wrong. Well, maybe - but we'll never know. Frozen bag of Italian meatballs- store brand were $2.98/bag. There are approximately 32 balls in a bag. Your most expensive thing here will be your ground beef (or hot italian sausage).
MAKE AHEAD:
If you want to use this for later in the week, say - next weekend's dinner because you are going out of town on a much needed girls' beach trip, cook your sauce as above. Let cool to room temperature, put in an air tight plastic container and toss it in the freezer. CERTAINLY the hubby (or boyfriend/significant other/domestic partner... I try to cover all bases) is self sufficient enough to thaw a sauce, re-heat it (either stove or microwave), cook up some pasta and serve. Right? Or.. I may just be giving them too much credit. What can I say? I'm single!
I hope you enjoy - again, it's YOUR sauce. Play with it. Add some of Rach's ingredients if you like to experiment. If you wish for something a bit more traditional, take out some of MY ingredients. This is all about YOU. Make it happen.
Now.. onto ingredients for sketti:
(as a reminder, especially to new "readers", I don't measure anything... I "EYEBALL" it)
- couple tablespoons of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
- thyme seasoning, dried
- rosemary seasoning, dried
- sage seasoning
- three bay leaves (or not!)
- oregano seasoning, dried
- basil seasoning, dried
- marjoram seasoning, dried (I never have this on hand and "substitute" parsley - just because.)
- 1 bag frozen italian meatballs
- 1 can whole, peeled tomatoes
- 1 large can of tomato puree
- 1 small, baby can tomato paste
- beef stock
- quarter can roasted tomatoes (not necessary, but I like)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 shallot
- about 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
- 1 pound of spaghetti pasta
- dash of salt / dash of sugar
- 1 pound ground beef, cooked (or ground hot italian sausage)
I normally use fresh herbs for pasta sauces because the flavor is much more vibrant. However, when I woke up in the mood to cook yesterday morning at 8:30am, I wasn't heading to the grocery store in my pajamas. And by pajamas, I mean yoga capris, tank with no bra, smeared raccoon eyes with sleep probably still in my eyes. No, maybe not... I splashed water on my face after I brushed my teeth. No hairbrushing took place at this time, though. It was still half up on the make-shift ponytail left over from pillow-head.
I had a half bag of italian meatballs left over from a Christmas party in my freezer (in addition to the full bag I used FOR the meatballs) so what I did was pulled out food processor and ground these up after heating through in the toaster oven (on bake). Therefore, I did not use any ground beef listed above in the ingredients. It was a nice alternative and, again, I wasn't going to the store.
Directions for your Sauce:
Pour in the can of whole tomatoes and add about a cup of beef stock. Simmer, with lid on for about fifteen minutes. In the meantime, start browning your ground beef (or sausage). Use a potato masher to mash the whole tomatoes (I personally don't like chunks in my sauces. If you do, just do a quick mash - nothing major). At this time, add your tomato paste, give it a swirl and then add your can of tomato puree (I typically have tomatoes on hand that need to be eaten or thrown out... so I puree these to use instead of the canned puree). Add about half a palm full each of all of your dried seasonings. In a small blender (I have a handheld blender that holds about a cup) combine your garlic, shallot and roasted tomatoes. Again, if you like chunky, don't blend the tomatoes, just dump in the sauce - however, I have found that MOST rugrats won't eat chunks of anything... I know my precious nieces won't! If you don't want to blend, just grate the garlic and shallot into the sauce. If you are OK with chunky, just chop it up! Add your mixture to your sauce, give it a swirl. After draining your cooked ground beef (or sausage), dump into your sauce - or in my case, ground italian meatballs. Stir until combined, toss in your frozen meatballs, bay leaf (if desired), stir and cover. Let simmer for an hour to incorporate all the flavors and heat the meatballs through. At this time, give it a taste. You may find you need more salt. If it is a bit salty, add a tad bit of sugar (this offsets the acidity). Season to taste - this is YOUR sauce so play with it! Make it your own - Rach uses crushed red pepper flakes in hers. If you like a bit of heat on it, just do it! Alternately, I use ground hot italian sausage in most my red pasta sauces. Gives it a nice kick. My older sister can't even tell it's "hot" - she doesn't even eat your food if she sees you putting pepper in it, so shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell her.
After you have made your personal-taste adjustments, if you need to loosen up the sauce some add a few turns of the pot of EVOO - if it's a bit too runny for your taste, add some parmesan cheese (about and 1/8-1/4 cup).
Throw your pasta into salt-seasoned boiling water. Cook to al-dente. Drain and add your pasta to your sauce OR if you're entertaining, cook it through, drain and put it on a large platter, then dump your meatball sauce over the top. This makes for a great presentation! If I was a "good" blogger, I would have taken a photo of my finished product on display - instead of just my whole tomatoes cooking. I believe I was distracted by my need to begin tuna salad... It was a massive cook-fest Sunday for me!
It would look something along the lines of this - all mixed together. I like "presentation" so top it with parmesan and parsley! If you have fresh leaf, it's even more vibrant! Serve, of course, with garlic bread of choice.
If you choose "non-chunky" style, most children would clean their bedrooms for spaghetti and meatballs. Probably one of the easiest go-to recipes. And quite cheap. Some, if not all of these spices are in SOMEONE'S spice cabinet. They were all in mine... but I'm a self-proclaimed cooker. It's imperative I have these to make myself feel chef-like. You, on the other hand may need to swing through the spice section at Wal-mart on your next trip. The Dollar Store even carries some of these! As an added note, I use all of these spices for various different other recipes as well so you can never go wrong. Well, maybe - but we'll never know. Frozen bag of Italian meatballs- store brand were $2.98/bag. There are approximately 32 balls in a bag. Your most expensive thing here will be your ground beef (or hot italian sausage).
MAKE AHEAD:
If you want to use this for later in the week, say - next weekend's dinner because you are going out of town on a much needed girls' beach trip, cook your sauce as above. Let cool to room temperature, put in an air tight plastic container and toss it in the freezer. CERTAINLY the hubby (or boyfriend/significant other/domestic partner... I try to cover all bases) is self sufficient enough to thaw a sauce, re-heat it (either stove or microwave), cook up some pasta and serve. Right? Or.. I may just be giving them too much credit. What can I say? I'm single!
I hope you enjoy - again, it's YOUR sauce. Play with it. Add some of Rach's ingredients if you like to experiment. If you wish for something a bit more traditional, take out some of MY ingredients. This is all about YOU. Make it happen.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Sticky Biscuits? JUST ADD FLOUR!
I am unsure how I let this slip my mind.. but in conjunction with 'Her first Turkey... our first FULL Thanksgiving dinner!', I give you our "Best of Biscuit Disasters". And by disaster I mean a creamy, mucky pile of dough. This soused glob of flour was sticking all over my sister's hands. My solution: add more flour.
Paraphrasing, here's how our laughter of conversation went, with tears in eyes:
Me: [sifting flour over sister's hands from a spoon] here - you need more flour.
Sis: it's still sticky!
Me: [sifting more flour over sister's hands from a spoon] here - you need more flour.
Sis: It's not working.
Me: [gathering a heeping spoonful of flour on the spoon] Here....
Mom: NO!! Don't add too much flour! Those things are going to be like rocks!
Me: {dumps heeping spoonful of flour onto sister's hands} I think it's ok...
Sis: [lauging and rubbing her hands together like she's starting fire from rocks and sticks] it's still sticky.
Me: here - you need more flour.
Mom: STOP!! [laugh] you guys are going to have those things ruined!
Me: She needs more flour!
Sis: [laughing] -whispers- add more flour!
Me: [dumps heeping spoonful of flour onto sister's hands]
Mom: GIRLS! Enough flour! They are not going to be edible!
By this point, we are in tears laughing so hard. The biscuits were already "ruined" so... why not try to just duck-tape them? Sis begins to try to roll some balls for biscuits - still sticky.
Me: here - you need more flour.
{by this point we're doubling over laughing because our mother is about to have a mini-stroke, for the flour-overload in the biscuit batter}.
Sis: Put some on this one (as she hovers an oddly shaped ball of goo in front of me).
Me: [sifts flour over ball of goo] -wipes tears from eyes-
Sis: [pats ball of goo and places on the pan]
We do this, while laughing, for 7 or 8 additional goo-balls. Then, with worry of my mother's threat of these things being "like rocks" my sister melts some butter and covers the floured goo-balls to give some added moisture. Pop them in the oven and we hoped for the best!
In the end, they weren't like rocks - but I bet this is because of my sister's ingenious idea to slather on some butter. They were tasty! Duck-taping works, even in cooking.
Moral of the story: go with your gut. Laugh. And just add flour.
Paraphrasing, here's how our laughter of conversation went, with tears in eyes:
Me: [sifting flour over sister's hands from a spoon] here - you need more flour.
Sis: it's still sticky!
Me: [sifting more flour over sister's hands from a spoon] here - you need more flour.
Sis: It's not working.
Me: [gathering a heeping spoonful of flour on the spoon] Here....
Mom: NO!! Don't add too much flour! Those things are going to be like rocks!
Me: {dumps heeping spoonful of flour onto sister's hands} I think it's ok...
Sis: [lauging and rubbing her hands together like she's starting fire from rocks and sticks] it's still sticky.
Me: here - you need more flour.
Mom: STOP!! [laugh] you guys are going to have those things ruined!
Me: She needs more flour!
Sis: [laughing] -whispers- add more flour!
Me: [dumps heeping spoonful of flour onto sister's hands]
Mom: GIRLS! Enough flour! They are not going to be edible!
By this point, we are in tears laughing so hard. The biscuits were already "ruined" so... why not try to just duck-tape them? Sis begins to try to roll some balls for biscuits - still sticky.
Me: here - you need more flour.
{by this point we're doubling over laughing because our mother is about to have a mini-stroke, for the flour-overload in the biscuit batter}.
Sis: Put some on this one (as she hovers an oddly shaped ball of goo in front of me).
Me: [sifts flour over ball of goo] -wipes tears from eyes-
Sis: [pats ball of goo and places on the pan]
We do this, while laughing, for 7 or 8 additional goo-balls. Then, with worry of my mother's threat of these things being "like rocks" my sister melts some butter and covers the floured goo-balls to give some added moisture. Pop them in the oven and we hoped for the best!
In the end, they weren't like rocks - but I bet this is because of my sister's ingenious idea to slather on some butter. They were tasty! Duck-taping works, even in cooking.
Moral of the story: go with your gut. Laugh. And just add flour.
Her first Turkey... our first FULL Thanksgiving dinner!
This year my beautiful sister urged strongly to cook the turkey for Thanksgiving. So we allowed it (I didn't want to do it - tedious, time consuming, laboring.. and if you screw it up, YOU'RE ROAST!) I was right by her side (well, only a phone call away) while she dredged this daunting task.. uncharted waters here, folks. Matter fact, I'm pretty sure it would be better fitting to say, "uncharted rainforest floor" considering she doesn't cook much outside of the crockpot.
we wondered into the abyss... of deep, dark, scary.... lemme stop :)
This turkey was the mother of all turkeys. I'm pretty sure she hand picked the largest one they had, on purpose. You know, so it would take three years to thaw. 25 pounder. I think she paid $6 for it. I can't PAY for someone to find me these kinds of deals. I digress.. First error of her ways: she froze the turkey before gutting it (and I will give you one guess as to who was making the giblet gravy - we'll get to that in a minute). She decided to pull it out of the freezer on Monday to start thawing it. I SUGGESTED tossing the fat mother into a cooler Friday morning - bathing it occassionally with ice, topped wtih Brine, of course. She didn't feel comfortable with this. She was apparently worried we were all going to die eating tainted meat. No worries, Dooms day is right around the corner on the 21st anyway so what's the big deal!? So instead, she first asks, "what's brine?" and, at this moment, I let out a deep, long sigh and thought to myself "THIS, is going to be fun" and I'm fairly certain I had a smirk on my face, too:)
Plans got all backwards and wrapped around and switched up for Thanksgiving in our blended households so we weren't cooking the turkey until Saturday after Thanksgiving Day. Good thing- because the turkey was still frozen on Friday. Would you like to know why? Because it was sitting in a stainless steel roasting pot, in brothy salt water in the fridge. Have you ever put a drink into the fridge with ice in it - and come back the next day and it still has ice in? Well... our turkey was THAT ice cube. No lie. I pulled the turkey out of the roasting pot and put it in the sink. Filled the sink with water and covered it with a large platter and a towel. She has animals. They were sneaking around me the entire time trying to worm their wet little noses up high enough to sniff out what was going on above their furry heads. I kicked them out several times. I swept the decks - and terrified that I would have "A Christmas Story" episode, I kept popping my head back in the door to be sure no mongrals were on the counter. Including the sneaky little cat. Turkey is still froze two hours later. I have errands to run. I pin down the towel with pots and rush through my day so I could get back to her house.. make sure the bird was still safe in the sink.
It was. *whew*
Stuck my hand down his hollow carcuss and... still frozen... so I swept a little, watched a little TV, cleaned the kitchen, tried to find ground coffee but wasn't so lucky. Few hours later, SUCCESS! I was able to pull out the neck and bag of "guts" and get to work. I seasoned her "brine" with Sage and Poultry seasoning, chunked apples and onions and smashed up some garlic, threw it inside the bird and threw the bird back into the roasting pot and back into the fridge. Off to chopping the giblets. This was my first time EVER having to do this. Mom normally did it.. and MY FIRST ERROR: cutting the giblets before cooking them. I completely ruined myself for giblet gravy. Ever. Everything went into the fridge to be cooked the next day. I finally went home.
The next day I make cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes before heading over.
Easy Taters!
2 lbs russett potatoes - cut into chunks, skin on (great flavor). Boil until soft. Mash with 1/2 stick of butter and milk or half & half.
I grate in (1) shallot and (1) garlic clove (depending on how large), 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese and ocassionally chop up some green onions. Makes it look pretty :)
1 bag of cranberries (about a pound)
1 orange
about a cup or 1 1/2 cups of sugar
about two cups of water
Boil water and sugar until sugar is fully dissoved (about 5 minutes) in a large sauce pan. Toss in your cranberries and let cook until all cranberries have "popped". You will hear them. It's fun to cook this stuff (lol). Add the juice of one orange and TADA! Now.. I have made this several times and each time it has tasted different. I sometimes have to add extra juice or extra sugar. When I have to add extra sugar, I toss in some organic cane sugar to taste. Just... to taste!
Off to my sister's I go...
Everything seemed to be in order... cooking four things in the oven at once, causing it to take longer made the turkey go in kinda late.. hmm..
It's close to dinner time. I need to start the gravy. I pull out the neck and giblets and get to work. In the meantime, we check the temp - it's close to 170
. Check it in another spot - just at 165. So I told her it would be OK to leave it out - just keep it covered and it will stay heated through.......
I threw the neck into some chicken broth and let boil - I threw the giblets in a small pan and cooked up with a some chicken broth as well. WHY I didn't do this together, I have no idea. I like to make things as difficult as possible.
(this isn't mine - but should have been!)
I wisk in some corn starch into the giblets, add in some drippings from the turkey, little bit of sage, poultry seasoning, salt, wisk wisk wisk. I pour in the "juice" from the neck (probably about a cup) then add some additional chicken stock. wisk wisk wisk.
For this to be my first gravy, I was very impressed! looked great! (I removed the giblets, though - my previous day encounter, I just couldn't do it.. ) and PUFF. I'm covered with cornstarch! My BIL apparently thought covering me with it would make this process move along faster. No, that's now how you get gravy!
Brother In Law begins to cut the turkey. IT'S PINK. At the leg. HOW did this happen! the corn casserole and biscuits are in the oven so we don't have room! We throw the oven "stuff" onto the grill and throw the turkey back into the oven. The lovely BIL keeps an eye on it - and it's finally done. Whew!
In the middle of getting everything "prepped" to eat and on the counter and biscuits on the table I realized the gravy didn't look like gravy anymore. It looked like hot grits soaking in butter. Or, "Brain Matter Batter" as my BIL would say. WTH happened! It sat for 20 minutes... so, my only conclusion is the following: it's not my fault.
It IS slightly possibly the turkey juices were too greasy, causing everything to separate. I can't help my sister got a greasy turkey. Probably why it only cost $6. I kick into overdrive and start throwing some more gravy together! Melted a couple pats of butter, tossed in some flour, wisk wisk wisk. Few tablespoons of cornstarch, started adding chicken stock and turkey drippings. wisk wisk wisk. Sage, Poultry seasoning, salt, wisk wisk wisk. Now, let it sit for just a minute or two. Ahhhh, PERFECT gravy. Second time is a charm...
Now, I learned several things from this day:
- allow the temp in the center of meat to get 10 degrees above "cook" temp;
- even if you don't initiate trouble, BILs bring it;
- mom should totally cook the giblet gravy for many years to come;
- Sis should totally cook the turkey again for many years to come;
- remind turkey do'er next year to THAW it :)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Eerily lost since Thanksgiving...
It's been almost a month - and I have disappointed my "readers" for food! I didn't mean to allow this to happen... but let me tell you HOW it happened:
- Bookclub
- Christmas Tree Farm
- Sleepover with my nieces
- Birthday parties
- late nights in the office
- weekends in the office
- Belmont Christmas Parade
- Company Christmas party (in the office!)
- More birthdays...
- MY CHRISTMAS PARTY...
It has been one overwhelming month - give or take a week.. or so - and my sincere apologies for everyone that has been looking for some dishes! I am most certainly going to get cracking! I see I am at almost 400 views (which is amazing since I started this!) and looking forward to keeping everyone entertained!
I am Back-To-The-Basics with my schedule so... look for some short stories, or three!
- Bookclub
- Christmas Tree Farm
- Sleepover with my nieces
- Birthday parties
- late nights in the office
- weekends in the office
- Belmont Christmas Parade
- Company Christmas party (in the office!)
- More birthdays...
- MY CHRISTMAS PARTY...
It has been one overwhelming month - give or take a week.. or so - and my sincere apologies for everyone that has been looking for some dishes! I am most certainly going to get cracking! I see I am at almost 400 views (which is amazing since I started this!) and looking forward to keeping everyone entertained!
I am Back-To-The-Basics with my schedule so... look for some short stories, or three!
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