tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65967797776725389022024-03-06T02:30:15.761-06:00How to Burn JelloFrom Mixing Bowls to Matrimony Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-29633828755329000752013-05-20T20:19:00.002-05:002013-05-20T20:19:51.513-05:00How Much Do You Know About Your Food?<br />
For all my inability to cook, I think I know a lot about food. I am aware of the issues surrounding <a href="http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=207" target="_blank">GMOs</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/hormones-in-food-should-y_n_815385.html" target="_blank">hormones in meat</a>.I understand what foods are important to<a href="http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/eat-safe/dirty-dozen-foods#slide-1" target="_blank"> buy organic </a>and why <a href="http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/fast-food-bad-clogs-arteries-5075.html" target="_blank">fast food is bad</a> for you. Sometimes, though, it's good to be reminded where our food comes from and what to be concerned with<br />
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If you've never seen Food Inc. you should check it out. Its a bit graphic, but it's an eye opening experience. Here is the trailer for the film. The full version is available on Netflix and Hulu.<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/5eKYyD14d_0/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/5eKYyD14d_0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/5eKYyD14d_0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-66517755640220502142013-05-17T23:30:00.000-05:002013-05-17T23:32:29.217-05:00What To Snack OnAnother time I find it hard to eat as well as I should is when I'm extremely hungry and everything looks edible and I don't want to cook. Some nights on my way home from class the call of the McDonalds' drive through is strong. So I make sure I have some easy and tasty snacks on hand at home.<br />
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I've found that I'm more likely to reach for something that I don't have to prepare, but I want it to be as natural as possible. </div>
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I found this nifty option a little while ago and it's become one of my go-tos....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp7MJDmh-miEA0uYjL8CmWmj7Y5DWO4p7JF3bh1LdbT35_8j57d0cZchlLZ-bD3f4B6fPMm0bpKepcfOY_PTro6GnT8QIae15gNoqCw3Tqqo8IX5EZtPXFddStOcXEAuY5pa6x6ynH3I/s1600/delmonte-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp7MJDmh-miEA0uYjL8CmWmj7Y5DWO4p7JF3bh1LdbT35_8j57d0cZchlLZ-bD3f4B6fPMm0bpKepcfOY_PTro6GnT8QIae15gNoqCw3Tqqo8IX5EZtPXFddStOcXEAuY5pa6x6ynH3I/s1600/delmonte-post.jpg" /></a></div>
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Single Serving Avocado! This may seem a bit odd, but I love guacamole and there's always waste when I buy avocados and make it from scratch. At 90 calories for the whole cup I can add some chopped up onion and cilantro or even just some garlic and onion powder. With some veggies or corn chips, it's very satisfying and full of really good fats.</div>
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Another of my favorites is caprese salad. This usually consists of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. Since my laziness knows no bounds, I usually prepare some mozzarella ahead of time using this great <a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2009/06/recipe-for-marinated-fresh-mozzarella.html" target="_blank">recipe</a> and pair it with some cherry tomatoes. 2 oz of the prepared mozzarella and tomatoes will cost you 140 calories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0By6SaqiNK0XcIVOnaPaKNpzhIzrwFkSmhhB48DBj4FOJ0FQ2ExypuTGbEAye6RdC8Qzi0KQsc7sNU1P-y1uc0uzv8RDcpmk9WLti4_8wfsxYQxMvZkXFBVG3u1aALftonfv6SGmMHao/s1600/Caprese-on-a-Stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0By6SaqiNK0XcIVOnaPaKNpzhIzrwFkSmhhB48DBj4FOJ0FQ2ExypuTGbEAye6RdC8Qzi0KQsc7sNU1P-y1uc0uzv8RDcpmk9WLti4_8wfsxYQxMvZkXFBVG3u1aALftonfv6SGmMHao/s320/Caprese-on-a-Stick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally, if your in the mood for something sweet there's no need to reach for the Ben and Jerrys pint. I make my own <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/340218/macerated-strawberries" target="_blank">macerated strawberries </a>and mix them up with some Cool Whip. It's sweet and light and if you want to turn it into a real desert all you have to add is a biscuit. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCE3uJgv88UR7KwmKWU4CyD6pOVxXfBKnqJ5W7LzidbgPA8u8Eyn5NS0gaYkt0Ivq4crsSxz12uQgNdIzOFY8-iS46SDjgu9LwYuVjbDj9PiEgSR_Boa6A9ULuJFMNyFDGbFynd7D_g/s1600/strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCE3uJgv88UR7KwmKWU4CyD6pOVxXfBKnqJ5W7LzidbgPA8u8Eyn5NS0gaYkt0Ivq4crsSxz12uQgNdIzOFY8-iS46SDjgu9LwYuVjbDj9PiEgSR_Boa6A9ULuJFMNyFDGbFynd7D_g/s320/strawberries.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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What do you reach for when your stomach is growling?</div>
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-30005116942698819882013-05-12T20:05:00.001-05:002013-05-12T20:05:17.195-05:00What To Eat OutIf you are anything like me, you may find it hard to eat healthy when you have a busy schedule. Somedays I leave the house at 7am and don't make it home until 10pm. What's a girl to eat?<br />
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I make a habit of always bringing healthy food to the office. Most days I have soup and veggies for lunch and snack on almonds or oatmeal. The meal I struggle with is dinner. I usually can not sit down and eat a home cooked meal. I usually have an hour in between work and school at night. Most days I find myself at the gas station or in a drive through.<br />
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Over the years I have found some tried and true options that leave me feeling a lot less guilty when I do find myself eating out.<br />
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<b>Dunkin Donuts</b> : This is my favorite dinner stop. Sounds strange, I know. But they serve the same food all day at a relatively low price point. Here's what I recommend there.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_81RUpHEBjTbjY4QC_XuTrXWKG0KfCTNnv6Qq-wmADq4uS8VrEFPpsV5a_uP7RJ7wkoW_FfzYEd6DrcDvPqV2QVFBGGlOfKFHeIZwfIlJUq0Uv0_BnRR9GGOK5ZvkgVaRf2aSk-VAvE/s1600/DD+sandwich.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_81RUpHEBjTbjY4QC_XuTrXWKG0KfCTNnv6Qq-wmADq4uS8VrEFPpsV5a_uP7RJ7wkoW_FfzYEd6DrcDvPqV2QVFBGGlOfKFHeIZwfIlJUq0Uv0_BnRR9GGOK5ZvkgVaRf2aSk-VAvE/s200/DD+sandwich.png" width="200" /></a><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/menu/food/sandwiches/breakfastsandwiches/flatbreads.html" target="_blank">Egg White Flatbread</a> : There are two flavor options here, Veggie and Turkey Sausage. Both weigh in at 280 calories. Eggs give great energy and are really good for you. The flatbread keeps carbohydrates to a minimum but still helps you feel full. </li>
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<li><a href="http://www.dunkindonuts.com/content/dunkindonuts/en/menu/food/sandwiches/breakfastsandwiches/wakeup_wrap.html?DRP_EGG=Egg&DRP_MEAT=Ham" target="_blank">Wake Up Wrap</a> : Another egg option also available with sausage, ham or bacon. These are not too substantial, I usually get two with just egg. The wrap with ham comes in at 170 calories, while one with just egg is 150 calls. </li>
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I avoid their bakery sandwiches as they are high in calories. They are usually on a bagel or croissant and most lean to 500 calories a piece! Another way to cut a few more calories out is to order the sandwich without cheese. This is what I do and I don't miss the slimy american cheese at all. </div>
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<b>Starbucks</b> : A little pricier, but the food is much more substantial and higher quality. Again, I go for breakfast options here, they seem to give you the most bang for your buck and calories. </div>
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<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMmh-Wg9jlRkQAjOJ3JZfCrF_MmWDLiM-28AwrX7oFSoZ8VgSESL31h6JSp1uknUGx0hjp5k2gpsmg80Zm8cehFHw98zTpWF236X1d1Pde1TgGm0Fj3fbQCbcMeMLHIuplUtLmZc_Nn8/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMmh-Wg9jlRkQAjOJ3JZfCrF_MmWDLiM-28AwrX7oFSoZ8VgSESL31h6JSp1uknUGx0hjp5k2gpsmg80Zm8cehFHw98zTpWF236X1d1Pde1TgGm0Fj3fbQCbcMeMLHIuplUtLmZc_Nn8/s200/starbucks.jpg" width="167" /></a>
<li><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/hot-breakfast/spinach-feta-breakfast-wrap?foodZone=9999" target="_blank">Spinach and Feta Wrap</a> : Egg whites, spinach, feta, and sun dried tomatoes give great flavor and the wrap makes this option very portable. This option is 290 calories and well worth it. Warm and tasty, it doesn't feel like a drive-through option at all. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.starbucks.com/menu/food/bistro-boxes/protein?foodZone=9999" target="_blank">Protein Plate</a> : This is a very popular option at Starbucks at all times of the day. It is one of their bistro boxes and it contains an egg (I really like eggs) cheese, grapes and apple slices, organic nut butter and a piece of muesli bread. At 380 calories, it is on the high side, but for the amount of protein and the quality of the food, I don't view these as empty calories. This option keeps me full and focused at school. </li>
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Its hard to go to Starbucks and not indulge in a Frappacino or some other sugary drink, but when committing 380 calories to real food, I usually go for a Passion Iced Tea. Unsweetened it costs me no calories at all, while a grande with sweetener comes in at 80 calories. </div>
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<b>Wendy's </b>: For those of you that can't stomach eating breakfast foods for dinner, I recommend Wendy's over McDonalds or Burger King. They have quite a few healthier options. </div>
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<li><a href="http://www.wendys.com/en-us/fries-sides/sour-cream-chive-potato" target="_blank">Plain Baked Potato</a> and <a href="http://www.wendys.com/en-us/fries-sides/small-chili" target="_blank">Small Chili</a> : A small chili is 180 calories and the plain baked potato can vary based on the size, but usually is around 270 calories. This is on the higher side for calories, but it is very filling and does not contain the same fat content of other menu items with a similar calorie count. For the whole meal the calories from fat is only 45!</li>
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I avoid salads at fast food restaurants because they are so high in calories. The lowest calorie count on a Wendy's Garden Sensation Salad is 340 calories for a side salad. I personally don't find a little lettuce and a few pieces of chicken to be satisfying enough to warrant the calories.<br />
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I hope these options can help get you through without feeling like you fell off the diet wagon when you can't eat at home.<br />
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What are your favorite options for on the go eating?</div>
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-26861413969768505312013-04-19T20:32:00.004-05:002013-05-08T17:29:34.329-05:00Whole Foods Friday : Pasta EditionAfter my foray into pasta earlier this week it occurred to me that I had never really had fresh pasta. I thought making fresh pasta myself may be a bit ambitious for a Friday night, so I picked up some fresh pasta from Whole Foods. I did, however decide that pasta sauce was something I could make from scratch.<br />
I do not care for meat in my sauce and since Fridays are supposed to be 'easy' I decided on a recipe that was mostly tomatoes and fresh herbs. I substituted canned tomatoes because none of the tomatoes at Whole Foods looked very good. April is not the time for beautiful tomatoes I suppose. I was very pleased to find that something as simple as fresh basil and garlic made this sauce taste so much better then canned sauce. It was so simple to make and I will absolutely do it again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwHuVav7yNtveq9yymOQPG6SSmqTr3PAmPLnR1RG-e1OVpX0iYAQN5f42EW2Bjr1op_L0ijN4PR-Fh0XN4sP0d73VMJXddiXY0i_aC47XJ3F3tPzjB-4jB7yjiKqVn_R39u_bgYehgIE/s1600/pasta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwHuVav7yNtveq9yymOQPG6SSmqTr3PAmPLnR1RG-e1OVpX0iYAQN5f42EW2Bjr1op_L0ijN4PR-Fh0XN4sP0d73VMJXddiXY0i_aC47XJ3F3tPzjB-4jB7yjiKqVn_R39u_bgYehgIE/s320/pasta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please excuse the lighting and poor presentation. A light was out in my kitchen and this is fast and easy Whole Foods Friday.<br />
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This is the <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fresh-tomato-basil-sauce/detail.aspx">recipe</a> I followed, with the exception of using canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones.<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 100%px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
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8 pounds tomatoes, seeded and diced</div>
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1/4 cup chopped fresh basil</div>
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1 large onion, minced</div>
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3 cloves garlic, minced</div>
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1/2 cup olive oil</div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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<span style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.05em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: uppercase;">DIRECTIONS:</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><tbody style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">1.</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">In large saucepan, cook tomatoes and basil over medium-low heat until tomatoes are soft.</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">2.</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">Meanwhile, in medium skillet, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until onions are translucent.</td></tr>
<tr style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">3.</td><td style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" valign="top">Add onion mixture to tomato mixture and add salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat for 2 hours or until thick.<br />
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-26645286579237699412013-04-16T21:36:00.000-05:002013-05-08T17:29:50.550-05:00Small Apartment WoesI'm going to make a gross over generalization and say that a lot of people who may be in a similar boat as me and learning how to cook may also live in an apartment. Living away from your mom and her dependable 5pm meals is a sure fire way to learn how to cook right?<br />
If you are like me and you live in a small apartment, you might find cooking even more challenging for reasons concerning space. My kitchen is so small that when your in it half of you is also in the living room. I have disqualified several recipes because I would need more space to make them.<br />
I am a big fan of YouTube 'blogs' and I found a channel called CHOW and they have a lot of great stuff! Everything from making pancakes from scratch and candied bacon to this awesome tip for how to magically 'add' space to your tiny kitchen! Check it out!<br />
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<br />Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-41008193276240204202013-04-15T19:06:00.002-05:002013-05-08T17:30:47.577-05:00Birthday Brownies!I wanted to take a treat to work today for my birthday (because apparently I am 10 years old) so I decided to make some brownies I saw on Pinterest. They had Baileys Irish Cream in them and I adore baked goods with liquor flavoring.<br />
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For all my inability to cook, I am actually not a bad baker. At least this was what I thought prior to making these brownies. I've never made brownies from scratch but I don't think I made any critical errors other then not cooking them long enough.<br />
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When I pulled them out of the oven I tested them by sticking a knife in the middle. It did not come out completely clean. I didn't think this was a problem because I figured the cream cheese filling would always be a bit gooey. I let them sit for a few hours figuring the brownie part would harden up a bit more. I was wrong though, they are not really cooked in the middle. It's too bad really, because the edges are awesome!<br />
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I will try these again and see if I can get them to come out better. Tonight I am going out for birthday dinner :)<br />
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Here's a picture of what they should look like and the <a href="http://www.weekitchen.com/2008/11/bailey-irish-cream-brownies.html" target="_blank">recipe</a>. If anyone makes them successfully, let me know and invite me over!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWpv1FPWCuWM_zmjzNFua8PwZMb6kb79ia8Ex7Mg7J1P296y0798R24cTsvk3-ituUmR-rgJQk980PbSjUYyYQv9g_DIkZHGMdxct8DzEMgdgioACwFn3AeFM9JcTvQSv18TZGcyHqHo/s1600/brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWpv1FPWCuWM_zmjzNFua8PwZMb6kb79ia8Ex7Mg7J1P296y0798R24cTsvk3-ituUmR-rgJQk980PbSjUYyYQv9g_DIkZHGMdxct8DzEMgdgioACwFn3AeFM9JcTvQSv18TZGcyHqHo/s320/brownies.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<h5 style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
Brownie batter</h5>
<ul style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<li>1 cup butter</li>
<li>4 ounces unsweetened chocolate</li>
<li>2 cups sugar</li>
<li>4 large eggs</li>
<li>1 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
</ul>
<h5 style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
Cream Cheese Filling:</h5>
<ul style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
<li>16 ounces cream cheese</li>
<li>1/3 cup sugar</li>
<li>1 large egg</li>
<li>3 tablespoons Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur</li>
</ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><u>For the brownies</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Place the butter and chocolate into a medium saucepan and melt gently over low heat while stirring frequently. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow to cool. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9 inch baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat the foil lightly with non-stick cooking spray.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Using an electric mixer, beat the sugar and eggs together in a medium bowl until light and fluffy (this took about 3-4 minutes with my mixer). Sift the flour and salt together; add to the sugar mixture in three half-cup increments. Add in the chocolate mixture by folding it into the sugar mixture.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><u></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><u>For the cream cheese filling</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">In another medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and sugar and beat until creamy. Continue to beat while adding the egg and liqueur.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><u>To assemble the brownies</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #303030; font-family: delius, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Pour half of the brownie batter into the pan. Spread all of the the cream cheese layer over the brownie layer. Pour the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer and using an offset spatula, smooth the batter. To create a marbled effect, swirl the layers together with a knife. Bake for 40 minutes; cool completely before cutting.</span>Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-32300806859665877902013-04-14T21:28:00.002-05:002013-05-07T20:35:07.306-05:00Easy SpaghettiSo, one might think I had learned my lesson about recipes that seem easy. But I found a recipe for a yummy sounding pasta I thought I would try. I'm actually not much for pasta. I like it once in a while, but it's not my favorite. This <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/Spaghetti-Garlic-Olive-Oil-Chili-Flakes-21398824">recipe</a> sounded simple and delicious.<br />
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It was really good and so easy to put together. I have been trying to build up a repertoire of things that I can throw together easily even when I don't have much time. This seems to be the key for cooking during the week.<br />
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Ingredients</div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
7 ounces of spaghetti<br />
2 large or 3 small garlic cloves, minced<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons of chili pepper flakes<br />
1/4 to 1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil<br />
3/4 teaspoon of salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper</div>
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Directions</div>
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The measurements in this recipe can be shifted depending on your taste preferences.</div>
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 40px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package, until it is al dente.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Strain spaghetti and place in a large serving dish.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Add minced garlic, chili pepper flakes, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix together well.</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Serve warm or at room temperature.</li>
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-6190647718718032572013-04-13T19:00:00.001-05:002013-05-07T20:36:02.864-05:00Whole Foods FridayI have made a real effort to make more of our meal and not eat out so much. There are a few days a week however I am too busy to cook. Friday is one of these days. I did not want to resort to spending $50 to go to Olive Garden or order Chinese and I did not want to succumb to the empty calories of a fast food run. So I have declared Friday to be Whole Foods Friday.<br />
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Whole Foods is one of my favorite places. I can't even imagine how much more fun it is for people who love to cook! There are rows and rows of colorful veggies, ripe fruit, fresh fish and gluten free baked goods.They also have a really beautiful selection of half prepared food. Burgers with cheese and jalapeño, cream cheese and chive stuffed chicken and dill marinated salmon.<br />
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I decided that we have eaten a lot of chicken since I began cooking so I decided to spring for some fish. I picked out a crab stuffed sole filet. I also grabbed some corn. I was pleasantly surprised at my $25 dollar total. Had we eaten out, this would have been a far costlier meal.<br />
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I cooked the sole as the fishmonger advised, 350 degrees for 12 minutes, but I felt that it needed a bit more time. This is usually where I get in trouble with my cooking. I don't trust the recipe and I make adjustments and ruin things. I decided that undercooked fish is nothing to mess with and let it go a few minutes longer in the oven. I kept a close eye on it and I pulled it out to see that my instinct was correct and the fish was now flakey, yet firm! Maybe I am getting better at this!<br />
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I was happy to find an option that is somewhere between going out and cooking from scratch. I will defiantly be making Whole Foods Friday a tradition!<br />
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<br />Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-85353035608688264652013-04-08T22:31:00.004-05:002013-05-07T20:45:22.771-05:00Veggies, veggies and more veggies!One of the reasons I have trouble cooking is because I never seem to put together what most people think of as a meal.<br />
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I am a very plain eater. Some would call it picky. I am one of those crazies that does not like when her food touches. Yup, that kind of picky. I also have this tendency to eat one food at a time and call it a meal. I will eat a hard boiled egg and call it lunch. A bowl of soup is dinner. Heck, sometimes a bowl of cereal is dinner.<br />
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My boyfriend is one of those people that wants to eat in courses. A salad, some bread, a starch, a vegetable and meat. Without all of these components its just a snack. We're not really compatible dinner partners.<br />
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So while learning to cook edible chicken, I have also been working on putting (kinda) complete meals together.<br />
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I have found that the easiest, fastest and tastiest way to make a side dish is to cut up a veggie and stick it in the oven.<br />
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It is amazing to me that cooking something to the very brink of being burned yields such scrumptious results!<br />
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Broccoli is the most popular option for us, but I have also done this with cauliflower, asparagus, zucchini and corn.<br />
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There really is no recipe needed and cook times are not predictable either. I usually just cut up the veggie into bite-sized pieces, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes and then mix it up with my hands to evenly coat. Then I stick the veggie in the oven at the same temperature that I am cooking the meat and let it go until its almost burned. So easy and so good!<br />
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<br />Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-12690502727719197212013-04-07T17:04:00.003-05:002013-05-07T20:38:07.835-05:00Man Pleasing ChickenI decided to give Pinterest cooking another go-around. I let my boyfriend choose the recipe this time.<br />
He found the title of this chicken dish so amusing he insisted we try it.<br />
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It was my first success! Not only did it not burn or taste terrible, it was actually delicious!<br />
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So delicious that I decided to make it for Easter dinner with my parents.<br />
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I made it at home once and then I made it at my parent's house on Easter. I told her I was learning how to cook and that I needed to get some experience cooking for more people then just me and my boyfriend. She was reluctant, but allowed me to enter her kitchen under the condition that she supervise.<br />
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Now, to hear my mother tell it, she tried to teach me how to cook. She claims that she would try to get my sister and I to come watch her as she made dinner and such. We have differing memories because I remember not being allowed in the kitchen because I was 'under foot' and being told that mom 'can't cook if people are watching me'. I also remember being told not to turn on the stove because I would burn down the house. Her reluctance to allow me to cook on Easter seems to support my version of the story, no?<br />
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The chicken itself is a great main dish for an event with more then 2 or 3 people. You can easily double or triple the recipe and the cut of chicken I recommend (chicken thighs) are far more inexpensive then a breast or tender.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/man-pleasing-chicken-476314">recipe</a> and try it! We have made it a few times already!<br />
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Ingredients</h2>
<ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0.308em; margin-left: 14px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1/2 cup Dijon mustard</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1/4 cup maple syrup</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">salt and pepper</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">rosemary</span></li>
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<div class="section clrfix directions" style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.231em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;">
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Directions</h2>
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<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Preheat oven to 450 degrees.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Mix together dijon mustard, maple syrup and rice wine vinegar.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Place chicken in an oven proof baking dish and sprinkle with Salt and Pepper. Pour the mustard mixture over them, turning the thighs in the mixture so they are fully coated.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Bake for 40 minutes or until the meat is cooked (155 degrees). Halfway through baste the chicken with the sauce.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Then sprinkle with fresh rosemary. Enjoy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwpzgopfELfOHmb8cKDY6e9_vkIVfuk-CNhmN9SBVcLYVO8D9kglcu1Bk3oEcYM_56F9qv9lH-BeUiX_PcmeodbS5muRqETsbZNTp-DOKaX4NyKtJFd0dcCMPAjXRBRlvVwpb1htKaSk/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwpzgopfELfOHmb8cKDY6e9_vkIVfuk-CNhmN9SBVcLYVO8D9kglcu1Bk3oEcYM_56F9qv9lH-BeUiX_PcmeodbS5muRqETsbZNTp-DOKaX4NyKtJFd0dcCMPAjXRBRlvVwpb1htKaSk/s320/IMG_1056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</ol>
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Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-7368954050480218042013-03-30T22:36:00.003-05:002013-03-30T22:36:56.976-05:00Garlic Caramel....<br />
I, much like many woman with internet connections, am addicted to Pinterest. I gleaned a lot of useful and useless information from Pinterest. I have learned how to water marble my nails, build a nail polish storage shelf and make my own laundry soap. I figured there had to be good recipes there too.<br />
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I figured if something had 'easy' in the title it would be safe for me to attempt. I also assumed that if it had 4 ingredients it would be hard for me to screw up. I was wrong.<br />
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This is what the chicken should have looked like.....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY8rfEbZDF_daK9XvkdIBYf7eFqJfjR1cUweNNlGxcWDmeUC_6v5r1iJ5MTaP56hRurQheiMwCP286u9RoTdkmNGV39xVdj5BQniPLsNl78rkf-yQ7-C0fK0DsZETUNF5oO63PjWshsU/s1600/easy+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifY8rfEbZDF_daK9XvkdIBYf7eFqJfjR1cUweNNlGxcWDmeUC_6v5r1iJ5MTaP56hRurQheiMwCP286u9RoTdkmNGV39xVdj5BQniPLsNl78rkf-yQ7-C0fK0DsZETUNF5oO63PjWshsU/s320/easy+chicken.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
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This is what my chicken looked like...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTMhrQPYljTiXRtcGy-4kVDRLVDRtUj0xlx3ArtlHZqK0NBLheAYlWpgbCsj0BFCxbU7t5KZ8yFuSiFCHDgPHQbYqOXIhuj-9pLyjWOwAAeiumXH64hSf6nNzIqAxe2Tw3zULp5Ia6h4/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjTMhrQPYljTiXRtcGy-4kVDRLVDRtUj0xlx3ArtlHZqK0NBLheAYlWpgbCsj0BFCxbU7t5KZ8yFuSiFCHDgPHQbYqOXIhuj-9pLyjWOwAAeiumXH64hSf6nNzIqAxe2Tw3zULp5Ia6h4/s320/IMG_1033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sad ugly chicken.<br />
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This is the 'easy' recipe.<br />
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<div class="section clrfix ingredients" style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0.538em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<h2 class="section=title" style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0.235em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Easy Garlic Chicken</h2>
<h2 class="section=title" style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0.235em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Ingredients</h2>
<ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0.308em; margin-left: 14px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><ul style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">4 boneless skinless chicken breasts</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">4 garlic cloves, minced</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">4 tablespoons brown sugar</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">1 tablespoon olive oil</span></li>
<li style="background-position: 0px 7px; float: none; font-size: 10px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 13px/18px Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 1.3; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 16px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">additional herbs and spices, as desired</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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<div class="section clrfix directions" style="clear: left; color: #333333; float: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1.231em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; zoom: 1;">
<h2 style="color: #333333; float: none; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Directions</h2>
<ol style="clear: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 22px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 14px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;">
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Preheat oven to 450°F Line a baking dish or cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar. Add additional herbs and spices as desired.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Add salt and pepper to taste.</span></li>
<li style="float: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.31; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.571em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Bake uncovered for 15-30 minutes, or until juices run clear. Cooking time will depend on the size and thickness of your chicken.</span><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-garlic-chicken-5478</span><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br /></span><span style="color: #333333; display: block; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: -0.308em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br /></span></li>
</ol>
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Seems simple enough no?<br />
When I added the brown sugar to the garlic and oil it began to form a caramel. It solidified and looked like this....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtD-5cjcXGkkWNxAUR7QjWEPIU4Tpme7pX5cdBJ9LTPWUoYY_yLyHU89m2GmVZP4sDnf28fzzhxeuL_oCN3kBegIwGygmSdkam2Ocf47cQE6zl-mZ5eSXQL3gPZW-GCtNSiZ5zYltwKQ/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtD-5cjcXGkkWNxAUR7QjWEPIU4Tpme7pX5cdBJ9LTPWUoYY_yLyHU89m2GmVZP4sDnf28fzzhxeuL_oCN3kBegIwGygmSdkam2Ocf47cQE6zl-mZ5eSXQL3gPZW-GCtNSiZ5zYltwKQ/s320/IMG_1030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Needless to say, this was not that great. My valiant boyfriend ate the chicken but was not thrilled about it. I had one bite and tossed the rest.<br />
I am not sure if this failure was a result of the recipe or the girl cooking it, but I don't think I would recommend the solidified garlic carmel as a new trend in flavors.<br />
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<br />Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-45090343401445848102013-03-25T20:41:00.001-05:002013-03-25T20:41:34.502-05:00Risotto and Bad Chicken I decided that I needed some inspiration. I have no idea what I should cook! So I googled what the best cookbook would be for a beginner. <i>How to Cook Everything</i> by Mark Bittman came up as a common recommendation. I ordered it and then ordered some takeout.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCEK0vlIwd9a9iY4XnF2wRHT8MJQiHRLwz0TuVfKcHOXFFuHBCimDlz7VhWJwZX7-prLYr8FHqS8Kl-9clxg7gRkGwLu6i-a1gdcHUnL5ZBjoO8rv2mvbI_vTaxjdp5FpxipDVFgPy6s/s1600/how+to+cook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCEK0vlIwd9a9iY4XnF2wRHT8MJQiHRLwz0TuVfKcHOXFFuHBCimDlz7VhWJwZX7-prLYr8FHqS8Kl-9clxg7gRkGwLu6i-a1gdcHUnL5ZBjoO8rv2mvbI_vTaxjdp5FpxipDVFgPy6s/s1600/how+to+cook.jpg" /></a></div>
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When my new cookbook arrived I was excited to look through it, but I was disappointed to find there were no pictures, but I suppose I can use my imagination.<br />
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I picked two things from the book to attempt. One was a mushroom risotto and the other was a panko crusted chicken. Risotto because it seemed fancy yet manageable and the chicken because it seemed like it would 'go' with the risotto.<br />
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I invited a friend over to give a second opinion on my endeavor. She observed that I seemed a bit scattered when preparing the meal. NOTE TO SELF: Read the recipe before you start cooking. I noticed that I was hurried and my timing was off because I did not realize how long each step would take.<br />
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Risotto is one of those things that even the contestants on Top Chef have trouble with so I was pretty happy when mine came out edible. It was a bit undercooked, but overall, it had good flavor. My boyfriend and my guest were impressed.<br />
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The chicken is a different story. It was so bland it was hard to eat. It wasn't dry, but the panko made your mouth feel dry. The recipe did not call for any real seasoning so the chicken had no real flavor. It was a failure, but my two 'testers' salvaged it by adding creole seasoning to it.<br />
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Not a terrible first effort, but left a lot to be desired. For my next meal, I will take pictures as I go.<br />
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<br />Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596779777672538902.post-63692653648036858692013-03-17T09:51:00.000-05:002013-04-07T22:56:59.582-05:00Burning Jello and Other Things I Do Because I Can't Cook<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckU6zt3IJb-ew0lqcmxV8HUdmqXrx-v5FAEykcHWo0oW6p1E-pvws0kVap-VM8OQ8IirGoXRN9u7vdCRTJwedCtrJNNIZ7ecb4y50EOi4ZMr5KBmB_6eVWy8LFUcUE9iuXWfs9HxUfJ4/s1600/IMG_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckU6zt3IJb-ew0lqcmxV8HUdmqXrx-v5FAEykcHWo0oW6p1E-pvws0kVap-VM8OQ8IirGoXRN9u7vdCRTJwedCtrJNNIZ7ecb4y50EOi4ZMr5KBmB_6eVWy8LFUcUE9iuXWfs9HxUfJ4/s320/IMG_0002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have been dating my boyfriend for five and a half years ( six years in May) and he is still my boyfriend. I spend a lot of time trying to determine what it is that makes him so slow to seal the deal and let me tell you, I have theories. I am not done with my Bachelor's degree and I know that bothers him. I don't put my dirty dishes in the sink and that annoys the crap out of him. I watch the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and I <em>know</em> that makes him want to kill me. Over the last few weeks though, I have decided that he isn't marrying me because I can't cook. By that I mean, I CAN NOT cook. I mean, who marries a girl that can't cook? Not only will he not get fed, how will I feed our children?</div>
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There are a few things I do and I do them well. I make fantastic eggs. Scrambled, fried, but not boiled....that requires boiling water and timers and stuff. I cook eggs so well because I hate the way everyone else makes them. I can also make potatoes. Fried, baked, and hash browned but not boiled. For the same reason as before. These I do well just because I like them</div>
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I literally can not cook anything else.</div>
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So here begins my attempt to learn to cook and get my boyfriend to make an honest woman out of me.</div>
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I work full time and go to school full time, so it is hard to make time to cook really, but I am going to put forth the effort.</div>
Bethany http://www.blogger.com/profile/11328512290569693647noreply@blogger.com0