I must be a real freak of nature, because cooking this meal has me so excited. It really doesn't take that long to cook, but I've been doing things gradually just because I so love puttering in the kitchen. After getting up early and having my coffee on the patio, I went on to the store and bought the ingredients. They didn't have what I was looking for in a sirloin steak, but the very nice lady in the meat section offered to cut one for me. I was given a choice of 3 steaks, and I ended up with the perfect one. Dinner is set for 6ish, but at 4 I couldn't stand it anymore. I went ahead and cut the steak. This is very important. You have to cut it against the grain, and you don't want any tough fat pieces in there, so it did take some time. Jr Walker and his Allstars carried me through this process, first with Shotgun (a song excellently redone by Gerald Levert on the videography Standing in the Shadows of Motown), then I switched the IPOD on over to Pucker Up Buttercup, then What Does It Take, and finished with These Eyes. The man could blow a sax like nobody else. The meat went back into the fridge, with the trimmings saved in the freezer for making broth later. I poured the peas left over from yesterday into a pot to heat up later, and noticed that SOMEBODY had eaten almost all of the sausage out of it, so I cut up a little more, sauteed it and added it to the pot of peas. I'm talking about purple hull peas here, and if you aren't from around these parts, you probably don't know what I'm talking about. They are similar to blackeyed peas, but a million times better. All you need to make a meal is the peas, well-seasoned, and a pan of cornbread (the cornbread must be crumbled onto your plate, with the peas and pea juice ladled on top), add some pepper sauce, and you've got supper.
Anyway, that's done, so I'm having a beer, with music on the IPOD in the kitchen, and Sirius on the patio, so I'm a happy camper at this point.
Ok, this is how ridiculously easy this meal is to make: slice about 1 lb sirloin steak into thin pieces, cook in a hot pan with a little oil. You may have to do this in batches, because you want a little sear on your meat. Take the meat out and set aside. To the pan add about a cup of water and stir to deglaze the pan. Add 1 pkg beefy onion soup (the dry stuff), 1 can cream of mushroom soup, mix well, and when it begins to simmer, add the meat. Cook this for about 10 minutes, turn off heat, stir in 1/2 cup sour cream and serve. I doubled this recipe today, and I got a little too much water in it, so I'm simmering a little longer to get rid of the water. These measurements are not set in stone, if it seems to need more water, add it, but remember that the sour cream will also add volume at the end, so don't go overboard.
It may seem odd that I am making a semi homemade meal, knowing I love to cook from scratch, but I have made the "from scratch" version, which calls for a buttload of ingredients, and I honestly can't tell the difference in taste.
Enjoy! (Kool and the Gang is on the tv---gotta dance!)
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Alone again, naturally
Been in my new apartment nearly a week. Mom came today to help unpack, and soon to be ex hubby brought me a washing machine. Finally getting things together. I hung curtains once they left, making it feel a little more like home. I fed the two visitors peas and cornbread, seasoned with andouille sausage, and Mom pitched in some store bought fried chicken. There's oldies on the TV music channel, and a glass of cabernet in front of me, so now I'm chillin'. My sister, cosmomartini, texted me a pic of her dessert at Macaroni Grill. The Bitch. I've invited Dan for supper tomorrow, and I'll make an entry about that later. This is a dish I haven't cooked in awhile, and I've had a hankerin for it. It's a dish best shared with someone, because it's just too good to eat alone. I noticed a GINORMOUS bbq grill all lit up and smokin in the parking lot of my apartment complex, so I think I'll mosey on out and see what's up. Maybe mingle a bit.
Till next time
L
Till next time
L
Monday, August 17, 2009
OOPS!
In my last blog titled Pickin the Chicken, I failed to mention what to do with all that reserved broth. Add about 2 cups to the finished product before putting it into the oven to heat. It needs to look a little wet. Then bake, covered, in a 350 oven till hot and cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Pickin the Chicken
Yesterday was my first day back to work, and it couldn't have been better. That's what happens when you turn your problems over to the Man upstairs. Therefore, I came in and baked a fudge pecan pie. Dan told me that he loves those, and I made one once and loved it, but hubby (soon to be ex) said it was a perfect waste of a good pecan pie. Hurt my feelings. Besides, what kind of person doesn't like chocolate? Bygones. I had to baby it due to this turbo oven, but I think it's passable at least.
Anyhoo, Dan's been gone a week, and comes home today, and it's time to cook! I let him know last night he needs to be hungry on two levels (wink), and he said no problem there. Had to meet the ex at the storage building so he could get his stuff (cause he doesn't want to help pay the bill anymore), and that's okay. Actually met him at McDonald's for breakfast. I'm thinking he may have a girlfriend because he was so nice. Girls, if you don't already know, listen to this:
when you split with a man, and he is being a butt, just hope and pray he gets a woman soon. Because when he does, you don't get anymore crap from him. But I digress.
The morning was good, and Bill was very nice and it was like old times. When we parted, he hugged me, and that's the way it should be after 16 yrs.
Now to the chicken.
Boiled the thighs as soon as I got back, then let them cool while preserving the broth. When they were cool and it was time to get busy, my Barry White cd went into the player. I was pickin the chicken off the bone to Can't Get Enough of Your Love, as well as What Am I Gonna do with you.
(it takes awhile). Once the broth came back to a boil, I dropped in 3/4 box of bowtie pasta (use Barilla--trust me on this). I had to take a dance break as Barry belted out First, Last, Everything. This takes the entire living room, hallway, and kitchen. In fact, I had to replay that one. Then as Barry was telling his woman to "take off your brassiere, my dear" I was checking the pasta for al dente doneness. Once done, I took it out of the pot with a slotted spoon, again reserving broth, only this time I poured it into large measuring cups. I tossed together the chicken, pasta, and a cube diced Velveeta. Not the little bitty one, and not the Magnum PI one, but the one in between, and you'll just have to figure out the weight because I'm not digging thru the trash just to tell ya. I added a can of cream of mushroom soup and about 8 shakes of Cavender's Greek Seasoning. All the while Barry is asking "What am I gonna do with you?"
Don't get me started. I had a few black olives, so I sliced them and added them to the mix. And I'm gonna heat up a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes to add at the table. This is a good twist on this recipe, but I don't trust my stomach just yet to put it into the pot, so if Dan wants it, he'll have to add it to his plate. I also made a batch of garlic-cheese biscuits (ala Red Lobster), all sitting in a row ready to go into the oven at the appropriate time. This is so easy. Just follow the biscuit recipe on the Bisquick box, but add grated cheddar and garlic powder. Or, if you trust your own instincts, do as I did: throw some bisquick in a bowl, add a dollop of sour cream, grated cheese, minced roasted garlic, and milk. The batter needs to be sticky. Put some flour or bisquick on your wooden board, put your biscuit batter on it, and knead in the xtra flour till not real sticky but not dry. Roll out, cut to the size you like ( I just use a jar or glass), and bake on parchment.
Yum Yummmmm. To be healthy, this meal will be rounded out with my favorite---Broccoli!!!
I'm having a cardiac procedure tomorrow a.m. Pray for me. Dan is on his way. Pray for him.
He's gonna need it!
L.
Anyhoo, Dan's been gone a week, and comes home today, and it's time to cook! I let him know last night he needs to be hungry on two levels (wink), and he said no problem there. Had to meet the ex at the storage building so he could get his stuff (cause he doesn't want to help pay the bill anymore), and that's okay. Actually met him at McDonald's for breakfast. I'm thinking he may have a girlfriend because he was so nice. Girls, if you don't already know, listen to this:
when you split with a man, and he is being a butt, just hope and pray he gets a woman soon. Because when he does, you don't get anymore crap from him. But I digress.
The morning was good, and Bill was very nice and it was like old times. When we parted, he hugged me, and that's the way it should be after 16 yrs.
Now to the chicken.
Boiled the thighs as soon as I got back, then let them cool while preserving the broth. When they were cool and it was time to get busy, my Barry White cd went into the player. I was pickin the chicken off the bone to Can't Get Enough of Your Love, as well as What Am I Gonna do with you.
(it takes awhile). Once the broth came back to a boil, I dropped in 3/4 box of bowtie pasta (use Barilla--trust me on this). I had to take a dance break as Barry belted out First, Last, Everything. This takes the entire living room, hallway, and kitchen. In fact, I had to replay that one. Then as Barry was telling his woman to "take off your brassiere, my dear" I was checking the pasta for al dente doneness. Once done, I took it out of the pot with a slotted spoon, again reserving broth, only this time I poured it into large measuring cups. I tossed together the chicken, pasta, and a cube diced Velveeta. Not the little bitty one, and not the Magnum PI one, but the one in between, and you'll just have to figure out the weight because I'm not digging thru the trash just to tell ya. I added a can of cream of mushroom soup and about 8 shakes of Cavender's Greek Seasoning. All the while Barry is asking "What am I gonna do with you?"
Don't get me started. I had a few black olives, so I sliced them and added them to the mix. And I'm gonna heat up a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes to add at the table. This is a good twist on this recipe, but I don't trust my stomach just yet to put it into the pot, so if Dan wants it, he'll have to add it to his plate. I also made a batch of garlic-cheese biscuits (ala Red Lobster), all sitting in a row ready to go into the oven at the appropriate time. This is so easy. Just follow the biscuit recipe on the Bisquick box, but add grated cheddar and garlic powder. Or, if you trust your own instincts, do as I did: throw some bisquick in a bowl, add a dollop of sour cream, grated cheese, minced roasted garlic, and milk. The batter needs to be sticky. Put some flour or bisquick on your wooden board, put your biscuit batter on it, and knead in the xtra flour till not real sticky but not dry. Roll out, cut to the size you like ( I just use a jar or glass), and bake on parchment.
Yum Yummmmm. To be healthy, this meal will be rounded out with my favorite---Broccoli!!!
I'm having a cardiac procedure tomorrow a.m. Pray for me. Dan is on his way. Pray for him.
He's gonna need it!
L.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Left to My Own Devices......
With my main squeeze out of town for the week, I've had to find something to fill my day, aside from the doctor appointments (3 this week!), and what do you suppose I turn to? You got it.
Chocolate chip cookies. So far the best recipe I've found is Hershey's Perfect Chocolate Chip cookies (it's on their website). I ran into a couple of challenges, though. As I'm not in my own place, and all my kitchen goodies and gadgets are in storage, I had to get a little inventive. From my previous posts, you know that I fashioned a smoker out of a used disposable grill (I'm so proud of that one), so I knew I could overcome the obstacles facing me. First, there's no mixer here. Dan cooks, but he doesn't bake. There also are no large mixing bowls. Digging around in the cabinet, I found an old food processer and knew then that cookies would be forthcoming.
Now that I no longer have satellite tv I can't listen to Sirius music while in the kitchen, so I turned on the local oldies station on the receiver connected to bose speakers in the living room and while the house rocked, I got started.
Lady Marmalade led me through creaming the butter and sugar in the processer. In fact this procedure was continuing through Al Green's Let's Stay Together, as the equipment at hand is ancient. Finding no large mixing bowls, I ended up adding the flour, salt and baking soda mixture to the processer. Ozark Mountain Daredevils sang about Jackie Blue during this phase.
It took a while, as I had to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally (and pray the machine didn't break down under the strain). Believe me, I was watching for smoke.
I stirred in the chocolate chips, then paused for a dance break when the Temptations busted into Can't Get Next To You (love that song). I dropped the batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and the baking was under way. Now this oven seems to have one temperature--HOT--so I had to watch my babies carefully. They came out perfectly. I piled them on a plate, took a picture with my phone and sent it to Dan in Florida. Ok, some women send pics of themselves, I send pics of food. Wait til he gets a pic of the surprise I'm making for his return home! I'll chronicle that in my next post.
Way to go to my sis (www.cosmomartini.blogspot.com) on her first foray into ribs. She says they were delicious. That just swellzeded up my heart.
Stay tuned food fans!
Chocolate chip cookies. So far the best recipe I've found is Hershey's Perfect Chocolate Chip cookies (it's on their website). I ran into a couple of challenges, though. As I'm not in my own place, and all my kitchen goodies and gadgets are in storage, I had to get a little inventive. From my previous posts, you know that I fashioned a smoker out of a used disposable grill (I'm so proud of that one), so I knew I could overcome the obstacles facing me. First, there's no mixer here. Dan cooks, but he doesn't bake. There also are no large mixing bowls. Digging around in the cabinet, I found an old food processer and knew then that cookies would be forthcoming.
Now that I no longer have satellite tv I can't listen to Sirius music while in the kitchen, so I turned on the local oldies station on the receiver connected to bose speakers in the living room and while the house rocked, I got started.
Lady Marmalade led me through creaming the butter and sugar in the processer. In fact this procedure was continuing through Al Green's Let's Stay Together, as the equipment at hand is ancient. Finding no large mixing bowls, I ended up adding the flour, salt and baking soda mixture to the processer. Ozark Mountain Daredevils sang about Jackie Blue during this phase.
It took a while, as I had to stop and scrape down the sides occasionally (and pray the machine didn't break down under the strain). Believe me, I was watching for smoke.
I stirred in the chocolate chips, then paused for a dance break when the Temptations busted into Can't Get Next To You (love that song). I dropped the batter onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and the baking was under way. Now this oven seems to have one temperature--HOT--so I had to watch my babies carefully. They came out perfectly. I piled them on a plate, took a picture with my phone and sent it to Dan in Florida. Ok, some women send pics of themselves, I send pics of food. Wait til he gets a pic of the surprise I'm making for his return home! I'll chronicle that in my next post.
Way to go to my sis (www.cosmomartini.blogspot.com) on her first foray into ribs. She says they were delicious. That just swellzeded up my heart.
Stay tuned food fans!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
The Way To A Man's Heart...
Is, I am convinced, through Hamburger Pie. And that's all I'm gonna say about that. It's been a couple of months since I made this little dish as a thank you gift for getting my tire changed at work, and yesterday I decided to make it again. The endless rain gave inspiration, as did the recipient. Here's how it's done:
Place IPod into speaker system, set to shuffle songs, and get busy.
Chop onion to the crooning sounds of Trisha Yearwood and Aaron Neville singing Patsy Cline's
I Fall to Pieces, then saute in olive oil while chopping garlic. When Al Green begins to lament that he's Tired of Being Alone, add garlic, stir, then add 1 1/2 lbs ground chuck and brown while Chicago sings Saturday in the Park. Continue cooking to Gypsy King's Bamboleo (yes, I now even enjoy Latin Jazz, believe it or not). Drain, then stir in 1 can Cream of Celery soup and a few good shakes of cajun seasoning, while Al Jarreau and Randy Crawford team up for Your Precious Love. You have to stop to wipe the tears of laughter from your face as you remember your sister singing this one in the car on the way to Memphis. Add a small can of sliced mushrooms and a handful of dried bell peppers (trust me). While the mixture heats in the skillet and you wash a few things up in the sink, the Temptations belt out Cloud Nine. Place bottom crust in pie pan, pour in meat mixture, and top with shredded cheese, then top with second pie crust. Ottmar Liebert's Snakecharmer is the perfect accompanying song for this task. Watch Dan walk around kitchen like he needs to do something, but let him know it's all under control.
Sprinkle a little cajun seasoning on top crust and into 350 oven, pour a glass of Pinot Noir and enjoy while waiting for crust to brown. Voila! Do try this one at home, and let me know what you think.
Place IPod into speaker system, set to shuffle songs, and get busy.
Chop onion to the crooning sounds of Trisha Yearwood and Aaron Neville singing Patsy Cline's
I Fall to Pieces, then saute in olive oil while chopping garlic. When Al Green begins to lament that he's Tired of Being Alone, add garlic, stir, then add 1 1/2 lbs ground chuck and brown while Chicago sings Saturday in the Park. Continue cooking to Gypsy King's Bamboleo (yes, I now even enjoy Latin Jazz, believe it or not). Drain, then stir in 1 can Cream of Celery soup and a few good shakes of cajun seasoning, while Al Jarreau and Randy Crawford team up for Your Precious Love. You have to stop to wipe the tears of laughter from your face as you remember your sister singing this one in the car on the way to Memphis. Add a small can of sliced mushrooms and a handful of dried bell peppers (trust me). While the mixture heats in the skillet and you wash a few things up in the sink, the Temptations belt out Cloud Nine. Place bottom crust in pie pan, pour in meat mixture, and top with shredded cheese, then top with second pie crust. Ottmar Liebert's Snakecharmer is the perfect accompanying song for this task. Watch Dan walk around kitchen like he needs to do something, but let him know it's all under control.
Sprinkle a little cajun seasoning on top crust and into 350 oven, pour a glass of Pinot Noir and enjoy while waiting for crust to brown. Voila! Do try this one at home, and let me know what you think.
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