The Culinary Arts Group

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Comment by Melanie Fountain on March 29, 2010 at 12:44pm

OK...this is what I had for dinner last night. And, yes...there is a story (why would you think there wouldn't be!).

My 17 year old son announced yesterday afternoon that his friends were on their way to pick him up and he wouldn't be back for a few days. They were headed to WalMart for a few things then off to Pismo Beach this morning. My husband had to work last night, so that left me home alone with the dog. Which, I must add, is sometimes a wonderful thing...to be left alone, I mean. I worked on a painting that is on my art board, I watched what I wanted on TV. Then, it occured to me...I should eat something, but what! I hate to cook for just me, so I checked the freezer. I was hoping to find a corn dog or something similar that was a minute in the microwave and no pans...but, alas, this was not to be. While in the freezer I found a single boneless pork chop....hmmmm what could that become. I tossed that into the microwave to partially defrost it, got out the fettichini noodles, an onion, and some fresh garlic. I boiled the noodles, chopped up a little onion and garlic. I took the half defrosted pork chop out of the microwave. I cubed that and tossed it into a frying pan with a touch of oil and a little bit of water. (A secret my Grandmother taught me...add a little water when frying meat. The meat will cook while the water boils away. When the water is all gone, brown the meat and you are done. This keeps you from burning the outside trying to cook the inside.) When the meat was about half way browned, I added the onion, garlic, and about a teaspoon of butter. I drained the noodles, and when the meat mixture was done I tossed that into them. Added salt, pepper, and parsley to taste. Threw it into a bowl and ate in front of the TV, and no, I did not share with the dog!

Tonight is my husbands turn to cook dinner and I noticed he had taken steaks out of the freezer this morning!! Yippee!!!

Comment by Liesl Garner on March 29, 2010 at 11:32am

Oh Sin - you sound like so much fun! I joined because you asked me to - but I must admit, my husband does all the cooking at my house. After I put food coloring in a pasta dish I was making because it didn't look red enough to me - and THAT only turned everything in the dish a sickly shade of mauve... I have been banned from the kitchen!
Well - I still try to help. I grew up with a mom who could throw a bunch of things together and have that work out as a meal. My attempts in that vein have gone horribly wrong! But I love bright colors and I am now getting the chance to make salads and handle the veggies. Slowly I'm being given small chances to redeem myself in the kitchen! I look forward to being a student here rather than any sort of teacher - unless of course, any of you are looking for ways of getting out of cooking and I can share some of my other mishaps that sealed the deal for me!

Comment by SIN on March 28, 2010 at 8:30pm

We had the best dinner tonight. It was really good, rice with veggies and a little meat on tip, seasoned just right. I loved it, and I cooked it. That is, me and my daughter did. I love to eat healthy food, it is always so rewarding to know that what I ate is actually good for me. I try to feed the family good stuff. I am still learning how to cook. But at least I am willing. I love FOOD!
Fir snacks I have been peeling and slicing up apples. That is good too. Or the lowfat popcorn. Crunch and yummy.
I am trying to be good, but sometimes I cheat...oops!
With Easter just around the corner, I am hoping to find some good and healthy ideas. Any ideas?

Comment by SIN on March 28, 2010 at 8:22pm

Welcome to our group Ray! I heard you are quite the cook. Wow!!! Can hardly wait to see some photos of your eats! Thanks for joining!

Comment by SIN on March 26, 2010 at 10:27am

Thanks Audrey! That is awesome.

Comment by AUDREY RAWLINGS ARENA on March 26, 2010 at 9:04am

I actually don't like to cook, but have gotten some good ideas from you guys! When Ray does some of his cooking, I'll take some photos. He won't let me tell his family recipes, though. They make their own Italian sausage patties-and they're a little different and more delicious from any others I've tasted. Also meatballs that are big and meaty and cook for hours in the sauce he makes. It was funny, a couple of months after we were married-Ray had this huge pot of Italian sauce simmering on the stove and taught me how to make meatballs. I do have of photo from that day, I'll find it and post it. Another faire specialty is Italian chicken breast. We serve all of these on a french rolls with Italian sauce and/or bell peppers and onions and/or cheese. I guess helping in the food concession at the faires for over 20 years has taken the fun of cooking away from me, it is very hard work and sometimes in weather over 105 degrees we are cooking and cleaning. We have had great times at the after hours parties however, that was the fun part for me. Ray still loves to cook and BBQ though!

Comment by SIN on March 19, 2010 at 9:46am

Hahaha! Why oh why did I NOT think of that for my first husband's group of MORONS! HAHA...love it Mel!! You always crack me up!

Comment by Melanie Fountain on March 19, 2010 at 8:42am

Ok...I have a recipe for everyone. I called it 'Dinner for Morons', but as I get older it has become 'Dinner For Those Nights When I Don't Want to Cook". And, as always, there is a story behind it.

My first husband and I got married very young. He had the group of friends who (in my opinion) were LOSERS! It was not uncommon for them to show up, uninvited, and just stay...and stay...and stay. Dinner time would roll around and they were obviously waiting to be fed. There was NO WAY I was going to try to get what I had already taken out for dinner to stretch to feed this useless group of morons. So, I created the "Dinner for Morons".

1/2 boneless, skinless chicken breast
Place on sheet of foil
Sprinkle seasoning of choice
Wrap into packet
Label with Sharpie the seasoning flavor
Place in back of freezer

When the Morons showed up, I would do a head count, take out that many packets, place on cookie sheet, slide into pre-heated oven at 375 degrees, wait about 40 minutes, remove from oven, place entire, still closed packet on a plate, hand the plate to the moron, and say ENJOY, while we ate what I had originally planned for our dinner.

Now, I use these packets for evenings when I just don't want to cook. Place in oven as stated above, make a quick salad, leave the kitchen, change into my sweats, sit on the couch and watch tv until the timer goes off, get up, remove packets from oven, open the packets, and place chicken on a plate with the salad on the side...Dinner is served with total kitchen time of less then 10 minutes.

LOVE IT!!

Comment by SIN on March 18, 2010 at 8:00pm

OMG, that sounds awesome. I have a cabbage in the frig. I think I will try this tomorrow for our dinner. Thanks! It sounds so good. : ) I hope I do it right. I will post a picture if it happens!

Comment by Kathryn Pedroza on March 18, 2010 at 7:53pm

Have you ever had stuffed cabbage? A German favorite! When I find cabbage big enough I do not hesitate!
Place 12 large cabbage leaves in hot salted water for about 5 minute. Drain on paper towel.
heat oil in a pan sweat one medium onion.
add 15 oz can of tomato sauce and bay leaf. Cover and simmer while preparing cabbage leaf.
Mix 1 lb of hamburger 1/4 lb pork sausage, 1 cup cooked rice and 1 egg (beaten). Place a small amount in each leaf. Roll and tie. Sometimes
i just place seam side down so it does not come undone.

Place in sauce. cover Simmer 30-45 minutes. remove add sauce on top and parmesan cheese!
Thank you grandma Pahl!!!

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