More thoughts on cooking

March 13th, 2008 at 05:53 pm

This is just a quick drive-by comment, but as I plod on ever so slowly in cooking for myself, I am beginning to notice a change in the way I perceive food.

It used to be simple: "Unga. Me hungry. Me go out and eat food." Well, ok, I still think like that. Big Grin

But, for example, I'm starting to notice how I do NOT like dried-out chicken from some eateries. (I don't typically go to fancy places because they cost more.) Or, maybe I'll notice how I still prefer the ones that I make myself.

And then, the unthinkable would run through my mind! I would then ask myself, "Self, why are you wasting perfectly good money just to eat this sub-par chicken? Why not just go home, cook it exactly the way you want it, and still save money in the process?"

Me? Actually preferring my own cooking as opposed to eating out? No way!

I don't know about you guys, but this is nothing short of a revelation to me! No longer am I actually cooking JUST to save money... but it's also starting to win in the battle for my taste buds! Big Grin And that turns out to be really important because it makes the effort of cooking and cleaning the dishes afterwards much more bearable.

Of course, there are still many other dishes that I prefer from restaurants, but in time, I am hoping that I will learn how to duplicate it from home or, dare I dream it, make them taste even better? Big Grin

Posted in Financial Musings, Simple Living | 34 Comments »

34 Responses to “More thoughts on cooking”

Joan.of.the.Arch Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 05:59 pm

Well, I'm really happy for you. Try every now & then to get your kids in on the cooking. You'd be doing them a big favor if they know how to cook at least a few things. Have you tried just some simple fresh vegetables yet?
Broken Arrow Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 06:05 pm

Veggies? Can you more specific? For crockpots and ovens, I just throw it all in there along with the chicken. Pan cooking, I brown the meat, then oh yeah, throw in the veggies afterwards because I like my veggies soft and squishy.

Oh yes, the two little ones seem rather fascinated when I cook. Sometimes, they fight over who gets to do what to help me cook.
DeniseNTexas Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 06:06 pm

Sounds like progress to me! I love to cook and do prefer it most nights. Keep it up, BA!
paulettegoddard Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 06:30 pm

I've noticed an icky layer of grease lingers on my tongue when I eat out at at least one burger joint (the "best one" in the city too). If you want some inspiration, read the introduction pages of the latest edition of the More with Less cookbook. I feel more confident about whacking at my food bill after a reread.
compulsive debtor Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 07:11 pm

Do you like pasta and clams, BA? I just made an easy linguine w/ clams recipe that was good -- and the kid liked it too.
baselle Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 09:12 pm

We're winning.
You'll know you've got it when you can forage - make a decent meal out of whatever you have even when you don't have anything, particularly.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 05:30 am

Denise: Thanks!
Paulette: Ok, I'll keep that cookbook in mind!

CD: Yeah, I like pasta and clams! There's not a whole lot I don't like.... Just so long as it's tasty and meaty-like.

baselle: I'm not at that level yet. Probably won't be for a while, but it's always worth aspiring to!
monkeymama Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 06:00 am

I just posted in another blog that I don't see the temptation in fast food at all. Blech! I guess I am too used to good home cooking. It works wonders for the waistline too. Just so much healthier and all that to eat at home!

Way to go!
monkeymama Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 06:01 am

Oh yeah - Baselle is right. My dh is getting really good at foraging - our grocery bill keeps going down and down and down.
Caoineag Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 07:10 am

Yes, fortunately, I don't eat burgers out because ours taste better and fries aren't a temptation anymore either. It helps tremendously with fighting my out to eat addiction. I suspect though there will always be some dishes that I like from the restaurants just because I love all food (even the icky fast food because I am weird).
gruntina Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 08:53 am

Hi highly suggest Rachel Ray's 30 minutes meals cookbook. She is not a true 'chef' but she does have wonderful ways of putting simple food together to make delicious food. I ended up getting a cookbook as my white elephant gift from a Christmas party and already tried more than half of the recipes with all of them turning out. She has some easy semi replication of recipes that resembles cravings of take out foods that we crave which are healthier and yummy such as fried rice, French dip(This was way way way better than those dried out beef on plain dried out bread that is usually served at restaurants)! since that book, I went out to dinner twice since December and never got bored eating at home. I do make exception with sushi and I would not trust myself to find the right healthy fish to buy and process so I leave that up to a trustworthy restaurant.
Aleta Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am

I used to buy birthday cakes from the local grocers and found them to be a little bit drier than I like. I took a course in Wilton baking and you never want to buy another cake from the bakery. You save alot of money by making your own. After a while you'll not want to go out and eat. One of the reasons people eat out is because they think they don't have time to cook. It's easier than most people know.

Yes, veggies are important. You can buy one of those little collapsible stainless steel steamers and it takes no time to steam your vegetables.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 11:26 am

What?! There's such a thing as a steamer? I'm going to go look them up now.
Aleta Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

BA: I've seen them in the local grocery stores. Target has them. They're really fairly inexpensive.

Oh BTW, I was in Brandsmart yesterday and saw a set of the bakeware you were talking about. They had a 4 piece glass set for under $12.00. One was the usual 8x8 inch dish, the longer one you can use for lasagna, and a round bowl with lid. Don't know if you have a Brandsmart in your area. You wouldn't know there was a recession looking at the business Brandsmart does.

I also steam hot dog and hamburger buns in the steamer. Just makes those items taste better.
miclason Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 01:42 pm

Replicating the food at home: Mom was a master at that!...
Cooking with the kids: I always told Ale we would be making magic, taking ingredients and making them into something yummy!
Have fun!
scfr Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 04:17 pm

That is so cool!

BA, you may enjoy looking at the cookbook "Kitchen Playdates" by Lauren Bank Deen for ideas on making cooking a fun activity with your kids. My sis says her little ones like to be involved, and they look through the book, choosing what to cook from the pictures.

Of course, you have to plan ahead to get ingredients. But, perhaps you could let them choose something to make at their following visit?
scfr Says:
March 14th, 2008 at 04:21 pm

Sorry for 2nd post.

Re STEAMER: Don't buy a fancy thing. The little folding ones that fit inside other pans work just fine and are much cheaper. They can be a bit tricky to get out of the pan when you are done steaming, but I just grab an edge with tongs and pull it out.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 15th, 2008 at 09:15 pm

Hehe, no need to apologize for 2nd posts (or more). I sure don't mind... always enjoy feedback, in fact.

Now, a blunt question from me, but how much of a priority is a steamer on the cookware list? I'm just asking because, I'm really really trying to keep things simple, but I never realized the vastness that is the world of cooking... and I don't think I have enough space for it all.
CRAZYLIBLADY Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 09:14 am

Hi, BA. I totally agree. I also have been cooking more at home. When I put together my lunches for work, I am typically either bringing a serving size piece of salmon or some other fish or baking some chicken with herbs. I usually accompany this with rice or vegetables, making myself a mini gourmet (or at least as gourmet as I can get). A cheap lunch out at Subway costs about $6.00 or so, so I figure I am saving myself about $30.00 a week. I do "eat out" occasionally, though, usually on payday as a break. Oh, BA, as for a steamer, I don't use one. I steam my vegetables using a steamer basket that I put into a sauce pan. You should be able to get a steamer basket at most any store with cooking supplies, like Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond. Hey, I have an idea. Maybe we could all post some favorite recipes as blogs?
Aleta Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 01:19 pm

BA: The steamer everyone is talking about is the same one I was speaking of. You can find them anywhere. They are quite small but colapsible so that it can fit into a pan and doesn't take up much room in your cabinets.

I think that are a healthier alternative to boiling your veggies in water. I would always have one. They're probably less than $3. to $4. You probably could even find them in dollar stores.
scfr Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 06:56 pm

If you like steamed veggies, I'd say the steamer is definitely a priority.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 16th, 2008 at 07:13 pm

Thanks! In that case, I'll definitely put the steamer on my list of to-buys... along with some oven mitts.... *tends to his oven burn wound*
RegkinsOrDie Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 05:07 am

BA, I use a bamboo steamer- incredibly cheap and especially great for not only making veggies, but you can make dumplings/dim sum/wontons in them as well. (This is what I eat for lunch almost every single day.)You can also steam fish in them without them sticking. For me, a bamboo steamer is the way to go. I think I got mine at bed bath and beyond for 10 dollars-ish.
And if you are going to be fleshing out your kitchen, I highly suggest you join the bed bath & beyond mailing list. I get a bi-weekly coupon for 20% off and one a month I get two coupons, one for 10 dollars off and one for 5 dollars off. You can use them in combination too!
Broken Arrow Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 07:23 am

Bamboo steamers and dim sum! That's awesome! I love dim sum! Ooh, I definitely want to look into that. Thank you! And yes, I have been getting their 20% coupons! I threw my last one out though. I'll be sure to start keeping them from now on....
luxlivingfrugalis Says:
March 17th, 2008 at 11:37 am

Steamer not important at all if you aren't a steamer kind of guy.

If you want to steam fish and do the dimsum or steam veggies, then yeah, you'll likely need a steamer.

Don't know if you have one near you or not but Aldi's has those glass casserole pans we've been talking about on special (next week I think) for something like $9.99 for a set of three or four.
reflectionite Says:
March 18th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

i bought a rice cooker which also has a steam tray. sometimes when i dont feel like cooking i will just chuck a cup of rice and water in the rice cooker and some veges in the steam tray. it literally takes five minutes to prepare, about 20 minutes to cook and you don't even have to watch it to make sure it doesnt burn because it will turn off for you. if you are worried about not having meat, you can put some fish there too, wrapped in some aluminium fiol with lemon, or fry up an egg to shred over the top of your veges.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 19th, 2008 at 05:57 am

Hey, you know what? That's right! My parents had rice cookers, and although they didn't use it, I remember it having steam trays!

I'll definitely look into a rice cooker. Thanks!
Aleta Says:
March 19th, 2008 at 10:40 am

Reflectiionite: How do you use a steam tray with vegetables and cook rice at the same time? I have a rice cooker. I mentionsed the steamer basket because it was inexpensive and didn't take up much room. I love my rice cooker.
gruntina Says:
March 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm

My large Pot that I have has a metal insert filled with holes that came with the pots and pans set. I pour in about one inch water to boil and insert the metal section and put my veggies in and top it with a lid for a few minutes if I only wanted to steam the veggies. It�s a good way to cook noodles or anything and in the last five minutes, steam the veggies without having to use too many additional dish.
Broken Arrow Says:
March 19th, 2008 at 02:20 pm

Is steaming the best way to cook salmon? If not, what is?
RegkinsOrDie Says:
March 19th, 2008 at 06:32 pm

I prefer to broil salmon.. brush with a small amount of butter.. squeeze a little lemon juice... salt and pepper to taste. Turn broiler on high and broil 2-3 inches from heat source for about 8 minutes or until fully opaque, but still moist. I would brush with butter or olive oil about halfway through to keep it juicy.
reflectionite Says:
March 20th, 2008 at 12:54 am

aleta: usually i put in the rice and water as normal for cooking rice, then i put the steam tray in (it fits on the top just under the lid) and the veges in the steam tray, and just cook the rice as normal. the veges cook at the same time.

and also, my preferred way of cooking salmon is pan fry it with a tiny bit of olive oil. it makes it all melty and delicious. also it's nice baked in alfoil with some lemon.
RegkinsOrDie Says:
March 20th, 2008 at 08:20 am

The Ingredients.

--2 largish pieces of salmon
--2 T brown sugar
--1 T chili powder
--1 t cumin
--1/2 t kosher salt
--1/4 t black pepper
--aluminum foil

The Directions.
--in a medium-sized dish or small pan ( I used a glass pie plate), combine all of your spices with the brown sugar
--spread out a length of foil on the counter for each piece of fish
--put each piece of fish in the center of it's own foil
--rub the top of the salmon with your spice and sugar mixture (it's okay to mound up the spice a bit, and it is fine to only rub the top)

--fold the foil over and crimp up the sides to make a contained packet

--put the foil packets into a dry crockpot
--cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 3-5.

This recipe is from a crockpot site that is has great recipes. Try it, and let me know how it turns out!
luxlivingfrugalis Says:
April 2nd, 2008 at 06:58 am

Go to the forums and under freebies, Kimmie has posted a link to a nice pdf set of crockpot recipes. Some of these you could take to an office party and be quite the hit.

Broken Arrow

Simple minded simple living

More thoughts on cooking

34 Responses to “More thoughts on cooking”

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