Jan 6, 2009

A chef? Ha!

ONE of my New Year's "gee, that would be a really good thing to do" items is to cook more. Cook more, as in, get off the chili, tacos, pancakes for dinner, rotel dip kick.

To date (and this is only the 6th), the recipes I've taken from the Simple and Delicious publication have only been one thing:

Not simple.

Ok, a few other things, too:

Messy.
Prolonged.
Hot stuffy kitchen=dry eyeballs.
A burnt knuckle.
Noodles stuck to the pot (not the bathroom pot, a kitchen saucepot or saucepan..whatever.)
Bacon bits added when Shawn doesn't like bacon bits.
Juices flowing from the pan and into the bottom of the oven making the house smell and the windows fog with smoke. Lesson learned as a result: we should schedule the oven self-cleaning feature to kick on sometime when we're gone for a few hours. A walk around the block isn't enough time for the smell to dissipate.
Eggo waffles vying for space in my freezer (I overlooked the fact that I took recipes from the "Freezer Pleasers" collection & thus have two 9X13 pans up there)...

To those of you who deftly dice, whimsically whip, swiftly sift, and beautifully baste, kudos!

I will never be you.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Mindy. Don't give up. It gets easier I promise!!! A quick recipe I stole from The Duggars website:

-Brown a package of Ground Turkey (or beef if you prefer) and put in 9x13 dish.
-Put a package of FROZEN TATOR TOTS on top of meat.
-In bowl, mix together 1 can Cream of Mushroom, 1 can Cream of Chicken, and 1 can evaporated milk and pour over tator tots.
-Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

I have several other very easy recipes that I use as I'm no cook either!!! Good Luck!

Kyle said...

You are funny...I also have some simple - inexpensive meals that we do too. I hate being in the kitchen for hours on end and my husband is really picky. I'll email them to you if the desire arises.

Maybe we should tag everyone in blog world and have them post their favorite easy recipe? Hmm..

Ashli said...

Being married to a chef effectively means that while I am an excellent fetcher, lifter, pot grabber, and general order follower (when they don't sound like orders that is), I am not very chef-ly. In fact, it is rather intimidating to watch that wonderful husband of mine dice, chop, braise, mince, and many other actions that I know only by title but wouldn't have a clue how to do them myself.

The one meal that I have made in the last several years was turkey enchiladas...which happened to turn out really great and were freezable for future dinners b/c I had the foresight (ahem or the large pyrex was dirty!) to put them in smaller pans!
I called my mom and kind of winged it, but sometimes that just seems to work the best (as much as my recipe, rule following heart hates to admit it).

Anyhow, cheers to those of us that blunder our way around the kitchen...I remember someone once saying that you should sip a glass of wine as you cook...thing seem to be a bit more rosy that way!
At least you can take courage that your baking skills are spectacular!

Not sure why, but you were sure on my heart and in my prayers last night!

Love ya, miss ya, and was so delighted to see you and fam...
Wilder is perfection...you guys are doing a great job!

mommyjoymarie said...

I am the same way! I really like to cook, but I am so not a chef. I make a huge mess, and often read the recipe incorrectly - especially when my "helpers" are in the kitchen. I am getting better, though! I have learned I need to plan better, I can't just "whip" something up. Right now I am in a crock pot phase. There is no rush and clean up is so much easier. Bottom line - do what works for you!

Unknown said...

Well I cant say much, as I am one of those mincers, dicers, sauters, etc. But I do love crock pot meals, especially in the winter! I just throw all the ingredients in before leaving for work and I come home to a great cooked meal! Even though I love to cook, there is something about having to cook dinner after work when it is dark by the time I get home, not very fun! I have a great crock pot recipe book if you want to get some ideas out of it. My problem in the kitchen is having an extremely picky husband who refuses to eat veggies. He is a meat and potatoes man. On the other hand, I would prefer to eat only fruits and veggies. This poses a HUGE problem for me when cooking. I can find this delightful recipe that sounds like heaven. Then I realize I can not put half of the ingredients in(usually veggies) in order for hubby to actually try the recipe.

Mindy, hopefully we can catch up with each other sometime this weekend. I will let you know when I will be in town!

So what are you cooking tonight?

Anonymous said...

Hilarious....we just weren't raised to be "in the Kitchen" type ladies...We do however, Try, and that seems good enough to me.

I just can't wait until I have a kitchen larger than a hampster cage....or least where I can successfully bend over and not find myself in an "awkward" position with those trying to help...hehe.