The problem with cooking at home

[Cotton1]

We used elbows because we have a $#@!load of them, but I think they worked better than rotini would've. Stocked up at Dollar General when the pandemic hit, lol.

I wont be able to tell the difference. It sounds good and looks good!

[Dr. Who]

@Cotton 1, made this very easy recipe tonight. Tweaked it a bit because we didn't have all the ingredients handy, but man is it good. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/14...tti-casserole/

I've made that a number of times. It's how I use up leftover pasta sauce when there's not quite enough for a regular pasta dish. Conversely, when I have leftover mac and cheese, I'll add cooked hamburger, onions, stewed tomatoes and presto, it's another version of that casserole.

[Peter1469]

You've inspired me. I haven't sauteed cabbage before and really want to try it.

Add lots of garlic and pepper.

[bulletbob]

#1. I'm not a chef. There are only so many different things to make.

#2. Its not like I have my own ocean out back so no go on Sushi or Sashimi.

#3. Its messy. I feel like I need to wear a garbage bag around my neck.

#4. There are only so many ways to eat a ham sandwich. Cajun Turkey was good but after a day or two I got tired of it.

The upside.

#1. I have gained a new appreciation for frozen french fries and onion rings.

#2. I can go back to the kitchen and get more of whatever I made

#3. Its easy to cook tenderloin. (When it isnt panic bought out)


Suggestions?

you can cook its not that hard, certain high end items and be a lot of work but most of us dont make them anyway.


chicken soup is a easy one cotton , take a chicken cut all the meat off , eat the legs skin wings etc keep a breast or 2 depending on how much you plan on making cut up into small chinks. take the bones and cook in some chicken bone broth 2 boxes add some water so it can cover the bones and cook off. after boiling the bones and shin if you want strain put the broth back in add the cooked cubed chicken some celery and cut up carrots and some finely chopped onion maybe 1/4 to half a onion or some shallots let it simmer for a couple hours add salt pepper and maybe some chives or scallions ( chopped green onion tops,but not very much couple stalks of each .
| also 2 oe 3 table spoons of real sugar not sweeting , note when the sause is about done taste it for sweetness and add more sugar to meet your taste cook some egg noodles in a separate pan about 2/3 the way done then finish them in the broth they will taste better that way. most grocery stores have the right kind of egg noodles for chicken soup the small short one like in the canned soups but you can use bigger if you cant find them.




heres my marinara sause really easy great on spaghetti etc any thing that calls for a nice red sauce.

I use canned tomatoes san Marzano and only those from Italy . they are sweeter meatier and have less seeds but you cn use any type you want.2 large cans 28 oz I think

I put a bit of olive oil in the bottom of the pan slice up a onion real fine 4 and 4 cloves of garlic cook it on low don't burn the garlic stir a lot, after the onions start to get kinda clear I throw in about a table spoon of some dried oregano and basil sea salt or kosher salt, about half a table spoon full pepper and just a tad of hot pepper flakes . add the tomatoes and kind crush them a bit with a potato masher ass some hot water about 1 . 5 cups.

now here is where you have to decide if you want to add sausage links sweet or mild or some veal cutlets, for flavor also you can serve them as a meat dish or on the side with some sauce and some Parmigiano-Reggiano . Now this kind of cheese has to be from a supermarket that has a good cheese department its expensive 22.00 a lb or more but its worth it I use it on my sause also. of you have never tried it please do its grat for home made sause a waste on canned sauce.


ok back to the sauce after it simmered on low for about 2 or 3 hours add some fresh oregano and basil for the last hour of simmering .you can usually find this in your better supermarkets in small flat plastic containers I use only the leaf and chop them together into small chunks releasing the natural oils. some people ask why add fresh and dried , its simple they have a differant flavor and the leaves add a nice color and a brighter taste. as long as you dont cook them to much.

simmer uncovered and dont hard boil hustr a low simmer with a bit of bubblin on the surface stir a lot to prevent sticking


I advise you look in a good supermarket and find some fresh pasta thats not dried , you only need to cook it 2 or 3 min to get a nice el detente pasta thats not only going to taste better then fully dried pasta but have a much nicer teaxture

[The Booman]

#1. I'm not a chef. There are only so many different things to make.

#2. Its not like I have my own ocean out back so no go on Sushi or Sashimi.

#3. Its messy. I feel like I need to wear a garbage bag around my neck.

#4. There are only so many ways to eat a ham sandwich. Cajun Turkey was good but after a day or two I got tired of it.

The upside.

#1. I have gained a new appreciation for frozen french fries and onion rings.

#2. I can go back to the kitchen and get more of whatever I made

#3. Its easy to cook tenderloin. (When it isnt panic bought out)


Suggestions?

Yeah, as a former chef I say this: Don't take it so seriously. If you want to be a good cook it's easy based on few things.

1) Do you really enjoy cooking? If not you will never be that good at it if you don't enjoy the process.
2) Be organized. This is where the process comes into play. Make sure you have all you ingredients prepped before you even look at the stove
3) Eat! And eat everything. The wider your palate the more creative you will be.

4) Don't take it so seriously. If your food doesn't turn out the way you like it no worries. The world will still be turning in the morning.

Shipping and processing has improved to the point anyone anywhere in the US can get seafood fresh enough to eat raw. It may cost a but it is available. For Sashimi I have a 48 hour window (if I know the people I'm buying it from). Don't be scared by sell by dates. They are really "I don't wanna get sued" dates"

As far as suggestions go, ask me anything. I've probably cooked it.

[Helena]

Does a peanut butter and honey sandwich taste better when you make it yourself or when someone makes it for you?

[Matt Dillon]

#1. I'm not a chef. There are only so many different things to make.

#2. Its not like I have my own ocean out back so no go on Sushi or Sashimi.

#3. Its messy. I feel like I need to wear a garbage bag around my neck.

#4. There are only so many ways to eat a ham sandwich. Cajun Turkey was good but after a day or two I got tired of it.

The upside.

#1. I have gained a new appreciation for frozen french fries and onion rings.

#2. I can go back to the kitchen and get more of whatever I made

#3. Its easy to cook tenderloin. (When it isnt panic bought out)


Suggestions?

Get you some skills and stop being a $#@!.

[Cotton1]

Yeah, as a former chef I say this: Don't take it so seriously. If you want to be a good cook it's easy based on three things.

1) Do you really enjoy cooking? If not you will never be that good at it if you don't enjoy the process.

2) Be organized. This is where the process comes into play. Make sure you have all you ingredients prepped before you even look at the stove

3) Eat! And eat everything. The wider your palate the more creative you will be.

#1 I am 50/50 on the enjoyment of cooking because I fail miserable on organization, prep and its messy. I want to better at it because im tired of eating out and Uber eats. I havent given up! In fact I made a great meal last night of pork chops, onion rings and asparagus. !

As for #3?
Heck yes! I love to eat!
I appreciate any advice u would be willing to offer!

[zelmo1234]

Does a peanut butter and honey sandwich taste better when you make it yourself or when someone makes it for you?

Take and ever so lightly toast the sour dough bread so it is nice and warm. The whip a dap of melted butter into your peanut butter and dust the honey with a little nutmeg

[Hoosier8]

#1. I'm not a chef. There are only so many different things to make.

#2. Its not like I have my own ocean out back so no go on Sushi or Sashimi.

#3. Its messy. I feel like I need to wear a garbage bag around my neck.

#4. There are only so many ways to eat a ham sandwich. Cajun Turkey was good but after a day or two I got tired of it.

The upside.

#1. I have gained a new appreciation for frozen french fries and onion rings.

#2. I can go back to the kitchen and get more of whatever I made

#3. Its easy to cook tenderloin. (When it isnt panic bought out)


Suggestions?

I am a pretty good cook but cooking for one sucks. I enjoy cooking for others and @stjames1_53 and wife have had my Beouf Borguignon but I do a few things that make easy cooking a bit better. Like buying a frozen cheese pizza and adding cooked Italian sausage, mushrooms, extra crushed tomato sauce, and extra cheese sprinkled with Oregano to make an excellent pizza.