Okay, I am a bit of a hypocrite. I confess that I really like convenience foods. I use them. My kids love them. But, have we gone too far? For instance, my last post discussed a Pecan Pie Cake. Sounds delicious! It turns out I didn't have time to make it...nor the money. A bag of pecans from a discount shopping center was $8! Paco had a fit. (I would have also needed to buy dark brown sugar, light corn syrup and something else - also a mixer becuase mine broke.) I ended up buying a mix to make pecan bars - just add water and butter. They were delicious. I also bought a chocolate peanut butter bar mix - just add water! Now, the second purchase turned out to be a very good idea because I forgot for the millionth time in our friendship that our hostess doesn't like nuts. But, finally, here is my point: how many of us bother to make things from scratch anymore? The pecan bars were a huge hit. Paco and our host raved about them. I would bet that it wouldn't have made a difference if I had slaved for 3 hours versus the 15 minutes it took to make them.
Please keep in mind, I can think of a few people that would absolutely appreciate home-made items. My sister Marsha, for instance. Or, even my mother. However, for the most part, people just don't care anymore. If you added eggs and water, that's enough to make it home-made rather than store bought.
So, here's the question...is it really enough to add two or three ingredients to make it your own?
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Discussion Points
I meant to sign on the other day and post about the dinner I was making for Thursday and some other pressing issues. However, work and life got in the way so I am just getting around to it now; it is Saturday morning. The so well-behaved children are playing at my feet. I have a cup of coffee. I am ready to talk.
1. I made beef stew the other day in a crock pot. I semi-thawed the meat on Wednesday night, then allowed it to sit overnight with lemon-pepper seasoning on it while it finished thawing in the fridge. I browned it on Thursday morning before combining it with the additional ingredients to simmer while I was at work. My big issue for this recipe is that I gave up wine for Lent. (I am not Catholic, but feel that a season of sacrifice is good for all.) This meat was begging to be browned in a nice, rich cabernet with onions. I am convinced that the addition of wine would have made a HUGE difference in my stew. All in all, it turned out fine. My parents came for dinner and everyone agreed it tasted good. It was a little too thin, though, and I realized that I did not add enough flour or cornstarch to make it thick and hearty.
2. This is a good time to discuss my love of wine. I am not an expert by any means, but have been tasting various wines for the better part of 10 years now and have developed some intense opinions. I started with white zinfandel like most people and have advanced to an intense love affair with dry reds. My favorite wine, however, is a lovely Chardonnay from Columbia Crest. It is the Chardonnay from their Grand Estate label and I cannot say enough about it. It is a fantastic golden color and leaves the mouth with a hint of butterscotch on the tongue. Incidentally, the merlot and cabernet from this label are also incredible; you can never go wrong with these wines.
3. Because Paco and my father love sports, I love sports by association. That being said, I prefer college level competition to the professionals - I believe there is much more passion and love with college athletes. As many of you know, it is time for March Madness. I always have a bracket and I always lose. This year, I wanted to warn any of you that are interested in picking teams for your own bracket: do not pick a team to win the whole thing simply because the team name sounds like a delicious cheese. I picked Gonzaga and they lost. I am officially out of the running.
We are going to a friends house for dinner tonight and I am responsible for dessert. Paco has requested Pecan Pie Cake. If I am feeling industrious, I will take a picture of the end result and post it within the next couple of days.
Happy Saturday!
1. I made beef stew the other day in a crock pot. I semi-thawed the meat on Wednesday night, then allowed it to sit overnight with lemon-pepper seasoning on it while it finished thawing in the fridge. I browned it on Thursday morning before combining it with the additional ingredients to simmer while I was at work. My big issue for this recipe is that I gave up wine for Lent. (I am not Catholic, but feel that a season of sacrifice is good for all.) This meat was begging to be browned in a nice, rich cabernet with onions. I am convinced that the addition of wine would have made a HUGE difference in my stew. All in all, it turned out fine. My parents came for dinner and everyone agreed it tasted good. It was a little too thin, though, and I realized that I did not add enough flour or cornstarch to make it thick and hearty.
2. This is a good time to discuss my love of wine. I am not an expert by any means, but have been tasting various wines for the better part of 10 years now and have developed some intense opinions. I started with white zinfandel like most people and have advanced to an intense love affair with dry reds. My favorite wine, however, is a lovely Chardonnay from Columbia Crest. It is the Chardonnay from their Grand Estate label and I cannot say enough about it. It is a fantastic golden color and leaves the mouth with a hint of butterscotch on the tongue. Incidentally, the merlot and cabernet from this label are also incredible; you can never go wrong with these wines.
3. Because Paco and my father love sports, I love sports by association. That being said, I prefer college level competition to the professionals - I believe there is much more passion and love with college athletes. As many of you know, it is time for March Madness. I always have a bracket and I always lose. This year, I wanted to warn any of you that are interested in picking teams for your own bracket: do not pick a team to win the whole thing simply because the team name sounds like a delicious cheese. I picked Gonzaga and they lost. I am officially out of the running.
We are going to a friends house for dinner tonight and I am responsible for dessert. Paco has requested Pecan Pie Cake. If I am feeling industrious, I will take a picture of the end result and post it within the next couple of days.
Happy Saturday!
Monday, March 20, 2006
Dinner Tonight
Well, I am going to make dinner tonight. I feel like it has been a long time since I have actually looked forward to doing that. Princess will be happy because her allowance is based on her doing her chores - one of which is setting the table. Most restaurants have already done that, which means she doesn't earn any money! Paco will be happy because it certainly means less money will be spent this evening.
The meal is going to be very simple BBQ chicken. I will place the uncooked, boneless and skinless chicken breasts in a casserole with sliced onions, bottled BBQ sauce, bacon bits and garlic. I will bake the dish at 375 degrees for roughly 45 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
I am serving the chicken with couscous, cooked in chicken stock, and a yet-to-be-determined steamed vegetable. Overall, I think the whole family will be pleased with this healthy and easy meal.
The meal is going to be very simple BBQ chicken. I will place the uncooked, boneless and skinless chicken breasts in a casserole with sliced onions, bottled BBQ sauce, bacon bits and garlic. I will bake the dish at 375 degrees for roughly 45 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
I am serving the chicken with couscous, cooked in chicken stock, and a yet-to-be-determined steamed vegetable. Overall, I think the whole family will be pleased with this healthy and easy meal.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Dumb Excitement
I have been pestering Paco about getting a dishwasher. Until recently, I was able to do the dishes with little complaining. However, I have been angrier and angrier about the dishes piling up and having what amounts to little control over the state of my kitchen. (I live in a state of CHAOS - see www.flylady.com.) Of course, the price of a dishwasher does come up and there is always something else to buy (such as new pants for the ever-taller Princess.) Then, one day a week or two ago, I discovered paper plates. Now, I realize that these have been around for quite a while. But, I am quite suddenly able to clean up my kitchen in about ten minutes. This morning, Princess, Paco and I all ate breakfast together before work and school. I threw the plates away and left with very little next to the sink. I am stupidly excited.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Farewell!
I want to take this time to say goodbye to my coworkers, J and A. You will be missed! Good luck...
(Please don't forget to send us more artwork.)
Spicier
March has arrived, bringing with it the promise of spring and sunshine. Princess and TBEll have celebrated their birthday's and our home has been full of cookie cakes and school cupcakes. While I have managed to eat only 1/2 of 1 piece of cookie cake, I am still glad that all of that is over so I can stop feeling tempted by all of the sweets.
Side note: I have to say that I am still proud of myself for making the cookie cakes instead of buying them. I discovered last year that by using a cookie cake mix (or two, depending on the size of the pan), I can make my own cake at about 1/16 of the price compared to a cookie-bakery cake.
As promised, I am adding my recipe for spice pepperoni. These should be served either as an appetizer for or along with the lasagna.
Take one stick of pepperoni and cut into roughly 1 inch slices, set aside. In a large pot, empty two can or jars of sauce. (I tend to use homemade, but anything will do.) Now, add LOTS of spice. I often use spicy red peppers, garlic, onion, black pepper, cayenne pepper and red hot...feel free to use your imagination. Add the pepperoni. Bring the sauce to a small boil, then simmer for at least 5 hours. Check often and stir to prevent burning. When done, the casing will fall off of the pepperoni pieces and the meat will be extremely tender. Served on a decorative plate with toothpicks.
I adapted this recipe from an Italian college roommates family recipe. Enjoy!
Side note: I have to say that I am still proud of myself for making the cookie cakes instead of buying them. I discovered last year that by using a cookie cake mix (or two, depending on the size of the pan), I can make my own cake at about 1/16 of the price compared to a cookie-bakery cake.
As promised, I am adding my recipe for spice pepperoni. These should be served either as an appetizer for or along with the lasagna.
Take one stick of pepperoni and cut into roughly 1 inch slices, set aside. In a large pot, empty two can or jars of sauce. (I tend to use homemade, but anything will do.) Now, add LOTS of spice. I often use spicy red peppers, garlic, onion, black pepper, cayenne pepper and red hot...feel free to use your imagination. Add the pepperoni. Bring the sauce to a small boil, then simmer for at least 5 hours. Check often and stir to prevent burning. When done, the casing will fall off of the pepperoni pieces and the meat will be extremely tender. Served on a decorative plate with toothpicks.
I adapted this recipe from an Italian college roommates family recipe. Enjoy!
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