The problem with cooking at home

[Dr. Who]

Almost anything. But I cant make a casserole as I have never tried. Im not even sure what kind of casseroles there are. Im used to ordering chicken from Popeyes, BarBQ from downtown, shrimp from the fish place, Sushi and Japanese food, oysters in the half shell etc. Even when I was married we ate out 90%+ of the time. I didnt realize how narrow my focus of dinner choices has been all of these years. I dont even know what all I cannot cook because I dont what that would be.

One of the easiest things to do is to roast a whole chicken. You don't have to buy a whole lot of ingredients and you can get chicken spice already premixed. You just wash the chicken thoroughly with cool water, inside and out. Dry the chicken with paper towel. Season the chicken, inside and out. Take a few pats of butter or margarine and rub it on the outside of the chicken, tossing a little in between the skin of each thigh and the cavity. If you are using prepared chicken spice, it probably contains a lot of salt so don't go crazy with it. Once you've spiced the chicken, put it in an ovenproof pan in a preheated 325 degree oven. It will probably take about an hour and a half to two hours to cook, depending on the size of the chicken. If it starts browning too fast, you can cover it with foil for the last half hour to keep it from burning. An instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, not touching bone, should read 160-180 degrees F. I don't use a meat thermometer. It's cooked when the skin between the thigh and the breast becomes translucent. Serve with rice and salad.

Or, you can follow this recipe:
https://whatscookingamerica.net/Poul...ingChicken.htm

[Mister D]

I disagree on washing the bird. It does more potential harm than good.

[Common Sense]

Cooking is fun and fairly easy for me. It's all about organization and timing.

...but I'll cook for 30-40 minutes, then we eat it all up in 10 minutes like gluttons. Then I have a mountain of dishes to do.

[carolina73]

Mr. Cotton, this is how I learned to cook as I, like you, am not a natural:

There are many recipe sites on the internet. I look at recipes and try them. Most are just okay, but every once in a while you will find a keeper. I have been doing that all my life and I have built up a nice library of recipes that we like. You can do the same. Just follow the directions on the recipe.

Last night, we had shish kabob. Cut up some beef, chicken, shrimp, bell pepper, and onion (or whatever suits your fancy). Put it all on a skewer, sprinkle your favorite seasoning on it, and grill. For sides, you can always get some rice or corn on the cob or whatever from the grocery. Yummy!

Start simple like this and you will learn.

Attachment 29433

That's what I'm talking about!

[Cotton1]

Mr. Cotton, this is how I learned to cook as I, like you, am not a natural:

There are many recipe sites on the internet. I look at recipes and try them. Most are just okay, but every once in a while you will find a keeper. I have been doing that all my life and I have built up a nice library of recipes that we like. You can do the same. Just follow the directions on the recipe.

Last night, we had shish kabob. Cut up some beef, chicken, shrimp, bell pepper, and onion (or whatever suits your fancy). Put it all on a skewer, sprinkle your favorite seasoning on it, and grill. For sides, you can always get some rice or corn on the cob or whatever from the grocery. Yummy!

Start simple like this and you will learn.

Attachment 29433

Thanks! That sounds like a plan. This is a good time of the year for outdoor grilling but that goes away in about a month. Its supposed to be 85 here tomorrow so its coming. From mid june thru August its about 10,000 degrees in this part of the South so indoors is the play. I like Shish K Bobs. Thats why I joke about the Kosher Deli serving Gentile Shish K Bobs for lunch lol

[Cotton1]

Vegetable casserole

Two cans of mixed vegetables

1 cup maybe 1 & 1/2 cups mayonnaise

Table spoon of sour cream

2 to 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix it all up and spread in a 9 by 13 baking dish

Crush a package of Ritz crackers

Melt a stick or less of butter

Mix the crushed Ritz with the melted butter and spread on top of the mix in the baking dish

Bake at 350° for 30 minutes

I like to add 1/2 cup each diced mushrooms and sliced black olives, add about 5-10 minutes of cooking time.

That sounds good. I guess I can just toss their wheelchair out the back door when cooking vegetables. ( i know, that wasnt very nice ) . Seriously though, thank you.

[Cotton1]

I disagree on washing the bird. It does more potential harm than good.

Especially if it gets loose in the kitchen

[carolina73]

Especially if it gets loose in the kitchen

The soap makes them slippery also.

I forget what chef was writing that she has been asked by more people how to get the soapy taste out of the washed T-day turkey, than she cared to admit.
Her answer is to toss the bird.

[Dr. Who]

I disagree on washing the bird. It does more potential harm than good.

Harm? If it's a factory processed bird, who knows what gross stuff it has on it and in it? Have you seen how they are processed? I'd agree if it was a farm raised and slaughtered bird. FYI, you don't use soap to wash it - just water.

[Mister D]

Harm? If it's a factory processed bird, who knows what gross stuff it has on it and in it? Have you seen how they are processed? I'd agree if it was a farm raised and slaughtered bird. FYI, you don't use soap to wash it - just water.

You're cooking it for at least an hour. I wouldn't be too concerned. By harm I mean that washing will likely spread whatever bacteria is on the raw chicken. For example, how many people have dishes or utensils drying near the sink where they wash the bird? It can get on your clothes and countertops. It's not necessary so why do it?