Drew loves to cook and he's very very good at it. He can go into a grocery store, pick random stuff off the shelves and make a gourmet meal with it. It's his creative outlet and I loooove being the recipient of all that creativity. Me? I'm lost if it has more than three steps and doesn't come in a box. When I was single I lived on Pasta Roni and mac n cheese. Sometimes I would get super fancy and throw in a can of tuna!
I tried to overcome it - I even braved a ridiculous thunderstorm and a throng of chubby white women to get The Pioneer Woman's cookbook! She's got some great recipes and I successfully made her mashed potatoes but I tried three times to make her bacon-wrapped meatloaf and every time the middle came out pink and cold - even after cooking for an extra hour! I hate cooking.
Last week I had to go to the grocery store because there was zero food in the house when we got back home from Philly, but I was lost. Drew and I usually go grocery shopping together and he gets the fresh produce and the exotic ingredients while I dump in my five boxes of Kraft's finest and my 10/$10 boxes of Pasta Roni.
However, with Agent S on board, Pasta Roni and mac n cheese don't cut it anymore. What's that? Why Agent S? Well, remember when we were going to call the baby Sonoma back when I was supposed to get pregnant on vacation, but then thought I didn't when in fact I actually did? The first trimester was, shall we say, a little rough and Drew and I weren't necessarily focused on fetus names for those first few months. Between fear of losing it, fighting and all the other nonsense I think we actually acknowledged the baby once, maybe twice.
Thankfully, nothing bad lasts forever and Drew and I are friends again and the baby is kicking! Right now I'm the only one who can feel it but I do feel it and it's awesome. Drew and I were chatting about fetus names and I told him Sonoma didn't resonate with me anymore and we needed another name so he came up with Agent S - because she's a baby spy. A baby trained assassin, if you will. Kicking ass and taking names. And then I was all Oooh yeah! She's fighting my clotting factors so she can stay ALIVE! I love it! Yes, I'm already forcing my dreams onto my child. I will accept my mother-of-the-year award by mail or in person.
My daughter's gonna be a bad-ass
But back to food! I was near tears by myself in the grocery store because I didn't have the first clue about what to buy! So I called Kesha and she talked me off the ledge and I made several purchases that worked for me. Specifically, those meals in a bag. You know those things? You heat up the pan, dump in the whole bag and ten minutes later you're eating! Right up my alley.
Last night it was a TGI Friday's meal in a bag and I was nearly defeated because things were in separate pouches and I had to add the pouches one at a time! Cook the chicken for a little bit, add the veggies and pasta then cook for a little bit, then add the sauce and sprinkle with the bacon at the end. Kesha's my witness - I nearly lost it. I was getting all agitated, mumbling that this adding things one at a time is too much for me and I just want to eat and this is ridiculous and I don't have time to mess with this nonsense and I'm not buying this one again. I felt like Bon Qui Qui with the cookies and cream milkshake. What's that? Who's Bon Qui Qui? Oh no! We have to fix that right now! I tried to embed the video but it wouldn't let me - rude.
Besides, that bag had almost 1000 mg of sodium per serving and there were two servings in one bag! I can't keep that up! Plus, I have to learn how to feed my kid good food and Drew shouldn't have to eat that stuff on the two nights that he's home. Even though he loves to cook, I really should make him something every once in a while.
Which is where you come in! I need advice! I need to get past this mental block against cooking so I can cook tasty healthy things for Agent S and The Man. Do y'all have favorite websites with easy recipes that I can start trying? Drew got me a book with 101 things you can do with mac n cheese but I'm a purist - the mac is perfect just as it is. It shouldn't be messed with. At most you should serve it with a side of fish sticks or chicken fingers and I sound like a three year old boy right now.
Please tell me I'm not hopeless - please tell me that people who hate cooking can still cook. I just need to start easy so I don't get demoralized. I need to build my cooking confidence. Please tell me there's a way to make a meal that doesn't have a lot of steps, that doesn't take a lot of time, that's healthy and tasty and won't trap me in the kitchen for six hours. Oh, and not chicken - at least not right now. Chicken does nothing for me right now.
I got a complicated order!
I hear ya! Jake is the cook in our family too. I can bake, and I even enjoy it... but cooking... no thanks. I wish I had some amazing recipes to give you, but my cooking is pretty much mac and cheese and grilled cheese. Oh yeah. I make a mean tuna melt too. :)
ReplyDeleteDesiree,
ReplyDeleteFirst off-congratulations on your bambina! :) I've been reading your blog for several months now (but just actually became a "follower")and find your blog quite entertaining and refreshingingly real. I'm also from KS (yeah don't mess with Kansas either-once owned a t-shirt with that on it, thank you very much)but have been living in NJ since 2002. So I felt the need to help a fellow Kansan out in the recipe department.;) I actually love to cook and try new recipes. Here's one of my old college standbys/favs. This is super easy.
Italian Sausage Roll
1 lb. Italian sausage (I usually buy Johnsonville Mild Ground Italian)
1 green pepper, chopped
1 8 oz. package shredded mozzarella cheese
1 can Pillsbury pizza crust (you know the kind in that tube like the cinnamon rolls)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook sausage over medium heat in a skillet until sausage is browned. Drain off the grease (trick I use is to just soak it up with a couple paper towels-works like a charm). Add chopped green pepper to meat, simmer for 5 minutes or until green pepper has softened a bit, then remove from heat.
Spread the pizza crust to the bottom of a lightly greased cookie sheet. Pour the meat mixture on top of the pizza crust. Next add the mozzarella cheese to the top. Starting at one end, roll it up like a jelly roll, pinching the ends to close.
Bake for 20 minutes or until browned. I serve this with a lettuce salad. It's super easy and it's always a hit with my daughters and hubby.
Anyway-hope this sounds appetizing to you. Good luck and if you like I'd be happy to send more recipes your way. Take care!
Ann-Jennifer
http://jerseysunflower.blogspot.com/
what type of foods are you looking to cook with?
ReplyDeleteYou're not hopeless. Cooking is not something you learn overnight. The easiest recipes I've found are usually in magazines like Clean Eating or Eating Well. Real Simple has some good ones on occasion. You'll figure it out. Tell you what though, if you don't and want a lesson, I live in San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLOL I deleted my comment because I saw you said no chicken hahahahah.. nevermind!
ReplyDeletehttp://shannonsswell.blogspot.com/2010/11/cheeseburglar.html
ReplyDeleteOk I went over to shannanigans and she just posted this... hope its helpful!
Can you say "roast chicken"? Seriously easy. Go to nice grocery store and buy an organic, free-range chicken. The number of pounds doesn't seem to make that much difference in my world, but usually around 4 pounds is about right for some left-overs (unless you are really hungry). I've made ones a little smaller and a little bigger and cooked them all essentially the same way.
ReplyDeleteCome home, take out the neck and organs that are tucked inside the body cavity (in a bag, so its not gross). Heat oven to 425 degrees. Rinse off chicken inside and out and use a paper towel to pat the outside dry. Take a string and tie the legs together. Put chicken in a roasting pan. Take sea salt and pat all over the skin. I use about a tablespoon or so, but it doesn't really matter one way or the other. If you have a meet thermometer, that's wonderful. Stick it in the chicken. Now put chicken in the oven. Set timer for 60 minutes. Come back and look to see what the temperature is. Is it 180 degrees? Likely not, so set timer for another 20 minutes. Check then, and add 10 minute increments as necessary. I have overcooked by 30 minutes and it was still really good.
Once you get to 180 degrees, take chicken out of oven. Turn off oven. Let sit for a few minutes, just so it isn't so hot you burn your fingers.
Eat. With fingers if you want, tastes really good that way.
Sometimes I'll poke holes in the skin when I take it out of the oven and put pats of butter on it so they soak in. That's very tasty.
Sometimes I slice potatoes or sweet potatoes or onions or all three and put them literally underneath the chicken and let them cook simultaneously. Carrots would be good too if you like carrots.
The chicken is best if you put the breast side up, but I accidentally did it upside down once and it was still yummy.
It is really hard to mess this up. It is ridiculously easy and it is delicious! Pair with salad and store bought bread and you are set for a very easy, healthy, and tasty dinner!
I love to cook, so it's been tough for me to come up with things that are easy...then it hit me - crockpot, baby. Generally most crockpot recipes just require dumping everything together and letting it do its magic while you're off enjoying life. Then you come home and voila! Here's a great link to a crapton of crockpot recipes - http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/crockpot/index-5b.html
ReplyDeleteDo you like stuffing? The recipes on the back of the Stove Top Stuffing box are seriously easy and most definately yummy. I promise! Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteGiiiirrrrlllll I hate cooking AND I eat vegan. That is not a good combo. I only learned how to cook when I went vegan. I present to you my staple lazy but delicious meal.
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
1 box Penne pasta
Broccoli (my lazy way is to get the steam-in-a-bag frozen broccoli florets)
3 tbsp olive oil
6 cloves of garlic (my lazy way is to get a big ass jar of pre-minced garlic from Super Target)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Parsley and parmesan (or in my case, nutritional yeast) for sprankling. Yes, sprankling.
-Cook pasta as instructed on box
-In a skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, simmer until garlic is golden brown but not burnt.
-Put lazy steam in the bag broccoli in the microwave
-Drain pasta, add broccoli
-Add olive oil mixture, stir it all up
-Sprankle parsley & parmesan and whatever other seasoning you want (I use season salt or chicken seasoning to give it that extra yum factor)
-Eat and get crunk!!
Gem
"Come home, take out the neck and organs that are tucked inside the body cavity"
ReplyDelete*FAINTS*
Gem
Haha! Again, we are in the same boat. Everything I make is terrible. For the sake of Baby O, who is a big fan of Agent S, I am trying a little harder. Try this:
ReplyDelete1a. While you are boiling a pot of penne pasta...
1b. Pour a little olive oil in a pan, heat up and toast (careful!) some pine nuts. However many you like.
2. Add about 1/2 bag of spinach leaves, a few spoonfuls of pesto, and some basil. (you can also add mushrooms, sliced grape tomatoes, precooked shrimp or chicken in this step). Cook until spinach is wilted (not long).
3. Drain the penne and mix it in with the other ingredients. You will probably need to add more oil to coat everything evenly. TJust keep adding stuff til you are happy with it. I always end up adding more pesto.
4. Sprinkle with parm cheese!
We have been eating a lot of breakfast for dinner, too. Scrambled eggs, waffles, etc. I can't get enough of that!
What about pot roast? They are super easy- you just need to season the meat then sear it and put everything into the oven.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/ideal-pot-roast
You could also do penne with sausage, marinara, bell peppers, and onions
Boil the penne. Heat the marinara in a sauce pan. Grill the sausage according to package directions. Thinly slice the bell pepper and onions and saute them with some olive oil over medium heat until soft. Slice the sausage once cooled a bit. Mix all together in a pot.
Fajitas? These are super good. Sometimes I use regular steaks because I am usually cooking for two. Add some salsa, avocado, and some sour cream and it is a great meal.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/fajitas-recipe/index.html
Shrimp Tacos? These are super good.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001591064
What about a gourmet grilled cheese?
Heat skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in the pan. Top each of 4 bread slices evenly with prosciutto, brie cheese, and arugula. Spread fig preserves evenly over 1 side of each of remaining 4 bread slices; top sandwiches with remaining bread slices. Place sandwiches in skillet; butter top side of sandwich. Cook until golden brown on each side.
You should also check out the Americas Best Test Kitchen cookbooks. They have a 30 minute meal book and several light recipe books.
Have you looked into taking some cooking classes. Sur la Table has some great classes and you can make it a date night with your hubs or girls night with he is out of town.
I hope this helps. Good Luck!
Christine
Get a crockpot. (i agree with savedbythebrew) It's soooo easy and yummy. Some recipes call for 5 ingredients! Just 5 different things! All you do is put all the ingredients in the pot and turn it on. And the meat is soooo tender. You can make mac & cheese, chicken dishes, pork chops, applesauce, desserts, etc, etc. The bonus, since Drew is not home during the week--you will have leftovers and only have to do this once or twice a week the most!! Saving money and time while being really healthy :) Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteHere's a book to get you started, plus you can google around for more recipes.
http://www.amazon.com/So-Easy-Cooker-Better-Gardens-Cooking/dp/0696242028/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1289530747&sr=8-11
Side note: if you are afraid of leaving it on while you are at work, you can do what my best friend and I do...turn it on at night before going to sleep. In the morning turn it off and stick it in the fridge. Then when you get home, warm it up in the microwave, stove, or oven. Easy.
I love you! I love Agent S! And I love what a bad-ass she's going to be!
ReplyDeleteCrockpot, crockpot, crockpot! and check out http://www.kraftrecipes.com/home.aspx
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm looking for an easy meal, I love casseroles. Throw everything together into a 9x13 pan and into the oven for about an hour. My two fave:
Tuna Noodle Casserole:
1 box elbow macaroni
3 cans tuna
1 12 oz bag frozen peas (no need to thaw)
1 can Campbell's Cream of Celery Soup (Condensed, Low Sodium)
1/2 Cup Milk
Salt and pepper to taste
I always add a few shakes of onion and garlic powder to mine as well!
1/2 cup breadcrumbs - optional
2 Tablespoons butter - optional
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to directions (under cook it by at least 1-2 minutes so they don't get soggy.)
2)Mix together celery soup, milk, peas, tuna, some salt and pepper, onion and garlic powder
3)When pasta is done, drain and mix with the soup/tuna mixture. Dump into 9x13 casserole dish and into the oven for 30 minutes.
4)(OPTIONAL) After 20 minutes in the oven, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a small dish and mix together with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle on top of tuna casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes.
I've already told you that I am the same as you and Ben is the cook in our family. So I'm stalking your comments and taking some ideas for myself. Once our kitchen remodel is done, I am DETERMINED to learn to cook at least a few things. My old stand-by was chicken enchiladas, but it's been so very very long since I've made it, that I don't even want to try to tell you... Good luck - some of these look great!
ReplyDeleteI love to cook and to be honest, I was a mac and cheese girl once upon a time. I couldn't make a decent meal to save my life. But way before I met my fiance and was still dating, I vowed that I would teach myself to cook, you know "a way to a man's heart is his stomach" mentality. So, I made recipes after recipes... and I love doing it now (and I cook 5-6 days a week). Just have patience and know that it may not come out the first time but practice makes perfect.
ReplyDeleteFeeding the Bump by Lisa Neal - Great book with lots of recipes and super healthly.
Better Homes & Garden New Cookbook is my go to book. It has everything from references, to recipes, and how to stock a pantry.. everything!
http://simplyrecipes.com/ - Great site with tons of easy recipes.
Invest in a crockpot. Easy as "put ingredients into crockpot, turn on before leave for work, come home to yummy food".
You can do it!!! Just remind yourself, the goal for you is to gain the ability to cook and to provide nutritious healthly meals for your little one!
Get this book - you'll love it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.amazon.com/Hate-Cook-Book-50th-Anniversary/dp/0446545929
I bought this 20 years ago and am still using it. It's the only cookbook I've ever actually read, and the recipes are exactly what you're looking for...easy and good.
Nothing like a food post to get me to comment for the first time - ever!!!
ReplyDeleteI actually enjoy cooking but with a 5 month old I need the quickest healthiest thing. Here's one of my favies
-Brown rice by Steamfresh (microwave in 4 minutes)
- Turkey on the Goerge Foreman
- add a couple drops of soy sauce, louisiana hot sauce to a pan on low...add asparagus
TADA 5 minute meal..
If you like Cajun food I know alot more, I'm from Southwest Louisiana. Your life is very interesting by the way :)
I love the recipes at tasteofhome.com. They're usually simple to make and don't require any fancy ingredients. They have cookbooks and magazines too but I think most, if not all, the recipes in those are on their website for free.
ReplyDeleteOh--and thanks for talking about Rent the Runway in an earlier post. Before I read that, I'd never heard of it but I think it's a great idea! I just got back from a wedding where I had to buy a dress I probably won't wear again. I'll have to remember that website in the future.
Hope your pregnancy is still going well!
here's a tasty remix of your old standby: http://brokeassgourmet.com/articles/butternut-squash-mac-and-cheese-with-sage-and-caramelized-onions
ReplyDeleteI know I’m late posting this but I have the easiest pot roast recipe!
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
7 bone chuck roast
Salt n Pepper
Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Get your 7 bone roast, rinse it off, salt and pepper both sides (cut fat off the edges if you like). Brown the roast in a lightly greased frying pan on both sides. Take the roast out of the pan and transfer it to your roasting pan making sure it lays flat in the pan. (Cut it if you have to, so that it will lay flat.) Pour the whole can of Cream of Mushroom soup into the same frying pan that you just used to brown the roast. (it’s more like scoop it, out because it’s so thick). Fill the same can with water, swish the water around in the can a little bit and pour that into the frying pan too. (don’t throw the soup can away just yet – you may need it again in a bit) Stir and let the soup simmer until it’s smooth (a few minutes). Pour this over the meat that is in the roasting pan. If the meat still isn’t covered by the liquid, fill the soup can with a little more water, swish and pour over the meat until it’s covered. Place the top on your roasting pan and put in the oven on 325 degrees and let cook for 3 to 4 hours or until the meat is tender. The soup makes a thick rich gravy for you so it tastes like you've put in some hard work!
I usually serve this with green beans and either rice or mashed potatoes. Hope this works for you!
I know I’m late posting this but I have the easiest pot roast recipe!
ReplyDeleteIngredients:
7 bone chuck roast
Salt n Pepper
Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Get your 7 bone roast, rinse it off, salt and pepper both sides (cut fat off the edges if you like). Brown the roast in a lightly greased frying pan on both sides. Take the roast out of the pan and transfer it to your roasting pan making sure it lays flat in the pan. (Cut it if you have to, so that it will lay flat.) Pour the whole can of Cream of Mushroom soup into the same frying pan that you just used to brown the roast. (it’s more like scoop it, out because it’s so thick). Fill the same can with water, swish the water around in the can a little bit and pour that into the frying pan too. (don’t throw the soup can away just yet – you may need it again in a bit) Stir and let the soup simmer until it’s smooth (a few minutes). Pour this over the meat that is in the roasting pan. If the meat still isn’t covered by the liquid, fill the soup can with a little more water, swish and pour over the meat until it’s covered. Place the top on your roasting pan and put in the oven on 325 degrees and let cook for 3 to 4 hours or until the meat is tender. The soup makes a thick rich gravy for you so it tastes like you've put in some hard work!
I usually serve this with green beans and either rice or mashed potatoes. Hope this works for you!
Crockpot, crockpot, crockpot! and check out http://www.kraftrecipes.com/home.aspx
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm looking for an easy meal, I love casseroles. Throw everything together into a 9x13 pan and into the oven for about an hour. My two fave:
Tuna Noodle Casserole:
1 box elbow macaroni
3 cans tuna
1 12 oz bag frozen peas (no need to thaw)
1 can Campbell's Cream of Celery Soup (Condensed, Low Sodium)
1/2 Cup Milk
Salt and pepper to taste
I always add a few shakes of onion and garlic powder to mine as well!
1/2 cup breadcrumbs - optional
2 Tablespoons butter - optional
1)Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook macaroni according to directions (under cook it by at least 1-2 minutes so they don't get soggy.)
2)Mix together celery soup, milk, peas, tuna, some salt and pepper, onion and garlic powder
3)When pasta is done, drain and mix with the soup/tuna mixture. Dump into 9x13 casserole dish and into the oven for 30 minutes.
4)(OPTIONAL) After 20 minutes in the oven, melt 2 Tablespoons butter in a small dish and mix together with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle on top of tuna casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes.
I love you! I love Agent S! And I love what a bad-ass she's going to be!
ReplyDeleteWhat about pot roast? They are super easy- you just need to season the meat then sear it and put everything into the oven.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/ideal-pot-roast
You could also do penne with sausage, marinara, bell peppers, and onions
Boil the penne. Heat the marinara in a sauce pan. Grill the sausage according to package directions. Thinly slice the bell pepper and onions and saute them with some olive oil over medium heat until soft. Slice the sausage once cooled a bit. Mix all together in a pot.
Fajitas? These are super good. Sometimes I use regular steaks because I am usually cooking for two. Add some salsa, avocado, and some sour cream and it is a great meal.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/fajitas-recipe/index.html
Shrimp Tacos? These are super good.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001591064
What about a gourmet grilled cheese?
Heat skillet over medium heat. Melt butter in the pan. Top each of 4 bread slices evenly with prosciutto, brie cheese, and arugula. Spread fig preserves evenly over 1 side of each of remaining 4 bread slices; top sandwiches with remaining bread slices. Place sandwiches in skillet; butter top side of sandwich. Cook until golden brown on each side.
You should also check out the Americas Best Test Kitchen cookbooks. They have a 30 minute meal book and several light recipe books.
Have you looked into taking some cooking classes. Sur la Table has some great classes and you can make it a date night with your hubs or girls night with he is out of town.
I hope this helps. Good Luck!
Christine
Can you say "roast chicken"? Seriously easy. Go to nice grocery store and buy an organic, free-range chicken. The number of pounds doesn't seem to make that much difference in my world, but usually around 4 pounds is about right for some left-overs (unless you are really hungry). I've made ones a little smaller and a little bigger and cooked them all essentially the same way.
ReplyDeleteCome home, take out the neck and organs that are tucked inside the body cavity (in a bag, so its not gross). Heat oven to 425 degrees. Rinse off chicken inside and out and use a paper towel to pat the outside dry. Take a string and tie the legs together. Put chicken in a roasting pan. Take sea salt and pat all over the skin. I use about a tablespoon or so, but it doesn't really matter one way or the other. If you have a meet thermometer, that's wonderful. Stick it in the chicken. Now put chicken in the oven. Set timer for 60 minutes. Come back and look to see what the temperature is. Is it 180 degrees? Likely not, so set timer for another 20 minutes. Check then, and add 10 minute increments as necessary. I have overcooked by 30 minutes and it was still really good.
Once you get to 180 degrees, take chicken out of oven. Turn off oven. Let sit for a few minutes, just so it isn't so hot you burn your fingers.
Eat. With fingers if you want, tastes really good that way.
Sometimes I'll poke holes in the skin when I take it out of the oven and put pats of butter on it so they soak in. That's very tasty.
Sometimes I slice potatoes or sweet potatoes or onions or all three and put them literally underneath the chicken and let them cook simultaneously. Carrots would be good too if you like carrots.
The chicken is best if you put the breast side up, but I accidentally did it upside down once and it was still yummy.
It is really hard to mess this up. It is ridiculously easy and it is delicious! Pair with salad and store bought bread and you are set for a very easy, healthy, and tasty dinner!
Haha! Again, we are in the same boat. Everything I make is terrible. For the sake of Baby O, who is a big fan of Agent S, I am trying a little harder. Try this:
ReplyDelete1a. While you are boiling a pot of penne pasta...
1b. Pour a little olive oil in a pan, heat up and toast (careful!) some pine nuts. However many you like.
2. Add about 1/2 bag of spinach leaves, a few spoonfuls of pesto, and some basil. (you can also add mushrooms, sliced grape tomatoes, precooked shrimp or chicken in this step). Cook until spinach is wilted (not long).
3. Drain the penne and mix it in with the other ingredients. You will probably need to add more oil to coat everything evenly. TJust keep adding stuff til you are happy with it. I always end up adding more pesto.
4. Sprinkle with parm cheese!
We have been eating a lot of breakfast for dinner, too. Scrambled eggs, waffles, etc. I can't get enough of that!