tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post2210833493445888633..comments2024-03-14T03:43:02.583-04:00Comments on EPBOT: Kitchen Nightmares, Jen EditionJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11888187687405622408noreply@blogger.comBlogger422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-9858420624064773902013-10-14T12:13:17.522-04:002013-10-14T12:13:17.522-04:00Pack of Ramen of your choice. get yo water, boil y...Pack of Ramen of your choice. get yo water, boil yo water, add yo noodles, set yo timer, DING DING, add flavor packet like a boss! keep heat on, crack egg into yo noodle goodies, shake your fork in yo egg, add some green onion if you want to be SUPA FANCY. Ravennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-2409786506052562142013-03-30T10:39:16.863-04:002013-03-30T10:39:16.863-04:00You might like to add a teaspoon of butter to your...You might like to add a teaspoon of butter to your water while waiting for it to boil, as well as a few shakes of garlic salt,as an alternative to the bullion and/or Mrs. Dash, before you add your jasmine rice. Sometimes that's all I have for dinner, even though I am a pretty good cook...Lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-14122467918786656392013-03-21T22:03:46.186-04:002013-03-21T22:03:46.186-04:00Ethos, Dandelion Cafe, French fries from Winter Pa...Ethos, Dandelion Cafe, French fries from Winter Park farmers market.....Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323058502527940290noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-5687696811076534142013-03-17T17:27:45.857-04:002013-03-17T17:27:45.857-04:00That is the most honest assessment of the avocado ...That is the most honest assessment of the avocado life cycle I have ever seen...<br /><br />However, with all the avocados that have gone to your compose pile, how do you not have a tree there yet?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-61641715414459531972013-03-17T10:56:03.467-04:002013-03-17T10:56:03.467-04:00If you guys like anything a tad spicy, I make a cr...If you guys like anything a tad spicy, I make a crockpot chicken chili that is almost award-winning* (*okay, it was 2nd runner up at our work contest, but I maintain that's only b/c the last 2 people who voted didn't get any b/c it was ALL gone!) . . . I wish I could remember where I found this recipe, but I did change it a little . . . <br /><br />Ingredients:<br /><br />1 pack of skinless, boneless chicken breasts (can use frozen as well), 3-4 pieces in pack<br />1 can of corn niblets, undrained<br />1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained<br />1 jar of Herdez salsa (I like the Casera Hot)<br />1 paket of guacamole seasoning (mild or hot to your liking)<br />2 tbsp dried onion<br />1 tbsp cumin<br />1 tsp chili powder<br />1 bar of Neufchatel cream cheese, room temp (I just sit mine out the night before)<br /><br />Directions: Mix corn, beans, salsa, spices in a crockpot turned onto Low. Nestle the chicken into all that goodness and spoon some on top. Then, cut the cream cheese into fourths and spoon into the crockpot at intervals. Put the lid on and give it at least 8 hours to become crazy good. After 8 or 10 hours, (as I don't always get home from work right on time :P), I use a spoon to stir the cream cheese into the sauce to finish melting it, and a couple of forks to shred the chicken. I usually crunch up some tortilla chips into a bowl and put a big ladle full over it and a dollop of sour cream with a few pickled jalepenos!! Done!! Enjoy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-15625639301438848322013-03-15T23:17:45.110-04:002013-03-15T23:17:45.110-04:00A little behind on my blogs so there are like 1000...A little behind on my blogs so there are like 1000 recipes already. I am not going to post another one, but I like to cook and HATE dishes so I'll pass on a few tips. <br /><br />1. Go back to that blending smoothie thing you mentioned. This time get an expensive good blender like the $500 Vitamix. You talk about using shop equipment and dremels so you can safely use this and will have fun with it. Here is why. <br /><br />It's for lazy people who like to eat well. ignoring the gimmicky things like making soup in a blender... you can save a lot of time and eat yummy smoothies that are healthy. <br /><br />The industrial blender doesn't have to have peeled foods most of the time. You can toss in whole strawberries with the greens, unpeeled kiwi, apples, pears, anything with skin safe to eat, etc. Also, celery sticks, flax seed, spinach, peanut butter, oatmeal... basically, it saves prep time. <br />Then add something creamy: yogurt, greek yogurt, banana, chocolate syrup, milk, coconut milk, cream cheese, etc<br />Then something cold: ice cream, ice, frozen fruit <br />... and a little liquid like juice if needed depending on what else you tossed in. <br /><br />Basically: fruit and veggies, something creamy and or sweet, liquid, ice. Blend for like 40 seconds. <br /><br />If you are really, really lazy, dump a can of peaches or pineapple in with ice and you have a shake/smoothie/Julius thing that beats eating form a can because you can use a straw.<br /><br />Why is that better? <br />It takes almost no time to fill a blender when you don't have to peel and slice the food AND you only create one or two cups as dirty dishes. (If you use a straw cup you can "eat" while playing or working on the computer). The industrial blenders spin so fast, they can clean themselves. You fill half full of hot water and a drop of dish soap and blend on high for a minute and rinse and it is clean. <br /><br />You also don't have to fight them so you can make thick shakes and stuff really fast. You just have to get more fresh fruits and veggies at the store or pick up a Bountiful Basket once a week. <br /><br /><br />2. Get a rice cooker. My "Asian" friends sold me on this. You can make rice in a pot, but it's messier. Get a stand alone rice cooker that makes like 3 cups. You just put in a couple cups of rice and some water. Then 30 minutes later you have hot rice and it has an auto off so you can ignore it for 20 minutes or so with no consequences. Then, just put a sauce on it, or milk and sugar and eat. Or you can dump about any saucy food, meat, or use leftover asian take-out and make it go twice as far as leftovers. <br /><br /><br />3. If you like carrot sticks and ships, try Hummus. A good flavorful hummus like the roasted red pepper kind. You might also like Edamame. Buy a bag of frozen edamame pods and then let them thaw. You just pop them in your mouth straight from the pod and they are really yummy as a snack. <br /><br /><br />4. If you have access to a good source of coffee beans and a grinder at home, use something like a Kuerig with a little basket for using your own grounds to make one large cup at a time (plus cream and sugar if you are like me). You only need to clean the cup and knock the used grounds straight into the trash. Because, as most geeks know, a good cup of coffee will substitute or delay a meal and then you don't have to cook as much. Orcristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17200480890729157035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-61242647460012012532013-03-09T15:11:08.006-05:002013-03-09T15:11:08.006-05:00I don't cook - I assemble. One of our favorit...I don't cook - I assemble. One of our favorites uses the Hormel fully-cooked roasts you can find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. http://www.hormel.com/products/Variety.aspx?ID=4<br />We get the Italian Style Beef Roast. You take off the cardboard sleeve and pop the whole thing in the microwave for 4 min (don't remove the plastic or puncture it). When it's done, take out the meat and use two forks to shred it up. Put the meat, some of the juice, and some cheese (provolone, swiss, cheddar, whatever) on a bun and pop it back in the microwave for 30s to melt the cheese. Top it with jarred roasted red peppers, banana peppers, giardiniera, or whatever you want. SO yummy and fast. The only hard part is keeping sandwich buns on hand.<br /><br />The regular pork and beef roasts are also good. Cook them the same way, shred them and use for burritos, taco salads, cuban sandwiches, etc. My husband and I usually get 2 meals out of one package, though I think they have gotten a little smaller lately.<br /><br />Or, if you can find a green chili sauce, like this one http://www.cookwell.net/Products/Two-Step/Cookwll---Company-Two-Step-Green-Chile-Stew-Mix.aspx, put this with the shredded pork and serve it over polenta or cornbread, with cheese and sour cream. We've used both the tubes of pre-cooked polenta (packaged like bulk breakfast sausage - just slice and heat) or the dry stuff you cook. The directions on my bag of polenta says mix 3/4 cup polenta, 3 cups water + 1/4 tsp salt and microwave for 8 minutes. Spoon it into bowls, top with pork, green chili sauce, cheese and sour cream. Now I'm getting hungry!<br />kperantiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01464971914741617285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-26544452309923045092013-03-09T15:09:09.105-05:002013-03-09T15:09:09.105-05:00I love Jamie's cook books! We're currently...I love Jamie's cook books! We're currently making our way through “15 min meals“. Lots of pretty easy recipes. Eva H.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-29207403934294774642013-03-05T11:12:48.394-05:002013-03-05T11:12:48.394-05:00Made this last night and thought of you:
Easy Bea...Made this last night and thought of you:<br /><br />Easy Bean Salad<br /><br />2 limes<br />1 can pinto beans<br />1 can black beans<br />1 can corn<br />1 red bell pepper<br />1 small red onion<br />2 ripe advocados<br />fresh Cilantro or parsley<br />Olive Oil<br /><br />Juice the limes or use a couple of teaspoons of lime juice from a bottle. Put in a large mixing bowl. Open the three cans. Drain and rinse the contents. Dump into the bowl with the juice. Cut the bell pepper in half. Save half for another recipe. Dice the other half and put in bowl. Cut the onion in half. Save half for another recipe. Dice the other half and put in bowl. Chop a handful of cilantro or parsley and put in bowl. Cut the avocados in half. Remove the seeds and cut the fruit into chunks. Put in bowl. Drizzle the contents of the bowl with a couple teaspoons of olive oil. Mix it all together. Serve and eat. No cooking needed.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-40897244798255417392013-03-04T17:54:32.048-05:002013-03-04T17:54:32.048-05:00What about a roast chicken? All you do is wash it ...What about a roast chicken? All you do is wash it inside and out, salt and pepper it (inside and out), stuff it with Garlic and Lemon, put it in a roasting pan and cook it in a preheated oven (350 degrees) for like, an hour an a half. you can shop up carrots and onions and put those around the bird before roasting so when it's done, you have chicken and veggies! Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08793906013496321940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-38809015024124739762013-03-02T16:23:30.123-05:002013-03-02T16:23:30.123-05:00My whole family (is non-cooking genetically-linked...My whole family (is non-cooking genetically-linked...?) uses these 2 cookbooks: "A Man, A Can, A Plan" and "A Man, A Can, A Microwave." These books tell you how to combine simple ingredients from one's pantry and fridge, and pop them in the microwave, and come up with nifty meals. And they are -- get this -- board books, for goodness sake! You know, the kind of books with those extra-thick cardboard pages, like the teeny little kiddos like to read and teethe on...? (don't gum the cookbook pages though -- ick.) These books were written for males who are culinarily-challenged, but my daughter and I use them, too.<br />p.s. I just checked on Amazon, and it seems that "A Man, A Can, A Plan" might be out of print...? But I did find the "Microwave" book, plus "A Man, A Can, A Plan, A Second Helping" and "A Man, A Can, A Grill"...! Bon appétit!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-43228078776610202092013-03-01T12:37:37.372-05:002013-03-01T12:37:37.372-05:00Start small! I love your snacks-maybe a new trend-...Start small! I love your snacks-maybe a new trend-2 ingredients or less :)<br /><br />A friend and I started a blog because we thought it would hold us more accountable. We cook a lot but are trying to leave the recipes behind:<br />http://fadetheprompt.wordpress.com<br /><br />Kathleen Flinn has a book called Kitchen Counter Cooking School that's about kitchen novices overcoming their "fears." She also has a blog and 2013 is The Year of Cooking Fearlessly, covering the basics:<br />http://cookfearless.com<br /><br />I love the mix of humor, craftiness, and tough topics you tackle on Epbot. Thank you!Marisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00694364991203396481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-84337399672894676302013-02-27T21:35:23.773-05:002013-02-27T21:35:23.773-05:00I'm a little late to the party (and a pretty g...I'm a little late to the party (and a pretty good cook, but I work so much that I don't have time to cook like I used to), but here's a quickie that my hubby loves: chicken and salsa. We start with raw, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you don't have to--you could totally start with precooked chicken (either the chopped up, in-the-box kind or a rotisserie bird that you buy already cooked at the grocery store and then carve/pick the meat off at home). In a pan, cook (if you started with raw) or warm (if you started with pre-cooked) chicken over medium heat. Then, add a container of your favorite salsa. Any kind will do, even the fruity ones! Once everything is nice and warm, turn the heat off and, if you want, serve with rice or pasta or potatoes.<br /><br />The beautiful thing here is that the flavors in the salsa already "go together" and the chicken blends with most veggies and fruits really well.<br /><br />You can also do this with other jarred veggie or fruit blends (like chutneys!), depending on your particular bent.<br /><br />ALSO, yum, Buitoni brand filled pastas (think "cheese ravioli") are delicious. If you can boil water, you can make a terrific dinner with a package of these pastas (found in the refrigerated case near the deli in most grocery stores I've been to) and a jar of your favorite pasta sauce from the canned goods aisle. Add a loaf of crusty bread and/or a salad, and voila! Just about as good as going out, but MUCH less expensive.<br /><br />And speaking of precooked stuff, lots of grocery stores offer premade meals that just require a few minutes in the microwave as their preparation. <br /><br />Hope this helps. :)Natalie in Mainehttp://www.ferrbie.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-15479691338602191742013-02-27T15:22:34.719-05:002013-02-27T15:22:34.719-05:00oh yeah. and i can roast the hell out of a whole ...oh yeah. and i can roast the hell out of a whole chicken by just tossing that entire bird into the crockpot, dumping any spices (either just salt & pepper on the outside or go wild and toss on some prepackaged italian seasonings), turning it on low for like seven or eight hours, putting the lid on the pot, and walking away. i'll be honest, sometimes i even get all crazy by throwing in cut up onions and carrots and quartered potatoes in there. entire meal that i can't burn! yaaaaaaaaaaay!<br /><br />just don't forget to pull out the gross stuff they package inside the bird. that stuff hits the garbage quite fast. ick.hello haha narfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07172128004814968237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-79842793911728469122013-02-27T15:12:14.426-05:002013-02-27T15:12:14.426-05:00i need step by step hand holding to cook anything....i need step by step hand holding to cook anything. some people are not a big fan of the pioneer woman, but i need to see each individual step to make sure i am doing it correctly, the ingredients are the right consistency, etc. ree's photos make using a recipe actually doable for me. so yeah. i totally can now make meatloaf and mashed potatoes. bam!hello haha narfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07172128004814968237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-82089726985878148682013-02-26T15:19:29.859-05:002013-02-26T15:19:29.859-05:00Hahaha...I had this cookbook when it first came ou...Hahaha...I had this cookbook when it first came out! My mom bought it for me and I loved it because I was a picky eater and none of the stuff in there is too weird. The only thing I remember from that cookbook was "Ants on a Log".Saranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-57186984664180062792013-02-26T12:09:24.211-05:002013-02-26T12:09:24.211-05:00If you like fattening, southern style dishes, you ...If you like fattening, southern style dishes, you should check out Jill Connor Browne's books. They all include recipes in them. Every one I've tried has been great. Maggie (Bad Influence Speaks)http://www.badinfluencespeaks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-48098293067643715072013-02-26T12:07:05.895-05:002013-02-26T12:07:05.895-05:00Okay, easy and quick dinner. It's a modified W...Okay, easy and quick dinner. It's a modified WW recipe which is a little like red beans and rice.<br /><br />New England “Baked Bean” Stew<br /><br />1 package Al Fresco Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage<br />1 can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed<br />1 can Light Red Kidney beans, drained and rinsed<br />1 can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs<br />1 Tbl Pico Pica (or other hot sauce)<br />Dash cayenne<br />Cooked rice<br /><br />Peel the casing off the sausage. Cut it into half moons. Brown the chicken sausage slices in a little olive oil. Add in both beans, tomatoes, hot sauce, and cayenne. Simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over rice.<br /><br />For the rice I use Texmati basmati. Bring 1 cup water, 3/4 cup white wine, and 2 teaspoons of butter to a boil. Add in 1 cup rice. Cover. Reduce temperature to low and simmer 15 minutes (NO PEEKING!). Remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes (STILL NO PEEKING). Or you can be lazy and get the individual serving cups of minute rice which I did on Sunday.<br /><br />Note: Pico Pica is fairly mild which is why I use a tablespoon of it. If you use a different hot sauce, you’ll want to adjust the amount.<br />Maggie (Bad Influence Speaks)http://www.badinfluencespeaks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-70214317870603286042013-02-26T11:29:42.407-05:002013-02-26T11:29:42.407-05:00I tried printing all these ideas so I can use some...I tried printing all these ideas so I can use some, put it is huge. Can you make this into a book with all of your other favorite recipes? I might be able to get my kids to cook a few meals so we can eat before 8pm.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03790551424129121132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-37046071321408539202013-02-26T03:32:52.845-05:002013-02-26T03:32:52.845-05:00Also: Many folks have mentioned grilled cheese. If...Also: Many folks have mentioned grilled cheese. If they haven't mentioned getting a sandwich press? Then I am. -Fantastic- easy maintenence devices. I have one like this:<br />http://www.wayfair.com/Proctor-Silex-Sandwich-Maker-25408-L827-K~PSX1016.html?refid=GX21919086060-PSX1016&gclid=COyg_pyy07UCFW3hQgod9RsAcw<br />Turn any sandwich into a 'grilled' version. And you can make some deliciously decadent treats. My favorite is to use a cinnamon bread spread with a thick layer of nutella. Put it in the press to heat through and get a nice light toast. Gooey and fantastic. If you're not a fan of nutella then try peanut butter with some chocolate sauce or honey instead.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-83902937787359526742013-02-26T03:30:00.645-05:002013-02-26T03:30:00.645-05:00Was catching up on your blog and thought I'd a...Was catching up on your blog and thought I'd add another couple recipes for consideration. I'm sorry if these are duplicates but I didn't have time to thoroughly read every comment, just scan them.<br /><br />As for time for each one of these: they can all be made in either as much time or less than your almond cluster snacks if you include the time it takes to dollop the delicious mess onto the cookie sheets. (I also melt chocolate to make snacks! But I usually use pretzels, Teddygrams, or dried cranberries. After seeing your snack I might try peanuts or sunflower seeds.)<br /><br />Another tasty and light summer option if you get tired of celery+cream cheese is a cool rosemary salad. <br />Take a cucumber and a tomato. Slice the cucumber to thin-ish slices. No need to be exact. Slice the tomato. Then cut the tomato slices into more bit sized pieces. Put into a tupperware container. <br />Add salt and pepper to taste. Take some dried rosemary (about 1-1.5 teaspoons or to taste.) And crush the rosemary needles so you don't end up eating large needles of rosemary in your salad. (Crushing also helps release the flavor.) Add the rosemary to the veggies and enjoy! Added bonus: the flavors get even better as the veggies/rosemary marinate.<br />This much usually lasts me 2-3 days as a lunchtime snack as my b/f won't eat it.<br /><br />Chicken salad- another cool and versatile snack.<br />Take a can if chicken in a can: open, drain, and put into a tupperware container. Break up large chunks with a fork. Add a couple spoonfuls of mayo or miracle whip and mix. You want about enough mayo to make the chicken stick together and not be crumbly. <br />Next you add whatever tickles your fancy and sounds good together. My favorite was is to add: salt+pepper to taste. Add some dill relish to taste. Add a sliced stalk of celery. Add a bit of mustard to taste. <br />Finished I use the salad as a dip for crackers. But it also makes a tasty sandwich. Other ingredients could be: slivered almonds, dried cranberries or other such dried fruits, lemon pepper, or even add a bit of your favorite BBQ sauce to jazz it up.<br /><br />If you're a fan of peanut butter cookies these are tasty and super stupid easy peanut butter cookies. <br />preheat oven to 350 degrees with the racks at the top 1/3rd of the oven and the bottom 1/3rd of the oven.<br />1 cup natural peanut butter<br />3/4 cup sugar<br />1 large egg<br />1 teaspoon vanilla extract (yes! only 4 ingredients and no flour to detract from the peanut butter taste.)<br />Mix peanut butter and sugar together. Mix wet ingredients together in a small bowl. Then slowly mix the wet into the peanut butter mixture until well combined. Take about 1 tablespoon of the dough and roll into a ball. Put on cookie sheet and use the tines of a fork to press down and make that signature criss-cross pattern. (If you like salty: you can then sprinkle the cookies with a course salt before baking) Should be about 2 cookie sheets worth. Place both sheets in the oven. Cook for 5 mins. Then swap the cookie sheets places and cook for about another 5 mins. If you like a drier cookie, cook for slightly longer but watch them closely. <br />These are also easily adapted for thumbprint cookies. (which is how I usually make them.) Do everything as above, but instead of squishing with a fork you use a thumb to make an indentation. Fill the indentation with your favorite jam. Baking time/directions are the same.<br />Another note: if you use a chunky peanut butter you may have trouble forming the dough and keeping it from crumbling. Although it -can- be done. Smooth is easiest. Because my b/f likes the peanut chunks I usually use half a cup of chunky peanut butter and half a cup of smooth. Makes things much easier and still has texture.<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-86440093524637429162013-02-25T21:06:25.007-05:002013-02-25T21:06:25.007-05:00I don't know if you're still looking, but ...I don't know if you're still looking, but a cookbook thats worked pretty well for me is 'How to Boil Water'. It has things like how to pick a vegetable at the store. My favorite section was how to make an egg. I was so excited to learn how to fry, scramble, and hard-boil an egg :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-76242475312881652792013-02-25T18:27:22.615-05:002013-02-25T18:27:22.615-05:00I don't know if you are the same Julia who pos...I don't know if you are the same Julia who posted earlier with a slightly different chicken crockpot receipe, but I MADE THEM BOTH! Yum! This was quite a feat after 20 years of marriage and my never cooking anything. Really, not one thing. My hubby cooks, but when I read your recipe(s), I knew I could do it. I have a real aversion to raw squishy meat, so using frozen was the trick! Just want to say thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-30729645657269667892013-02-25T15:31:29.298-05:002013-02-25T15:31:29.298-05:00Jen, luv, long ago and far away, when I was a newl...Jen, luv, long ago and far away, when I was a newlywed and couldn't figure out howtheheck to get all the things (potatoes, meat, veg) to be ready at the same time, someone gave me Peg Bracken's "I Hate to Cook". It was wonderful. I still have a weatherbeaten copy somewhere, probably hooked up with "Phyllis Diller's Housekeeping Hints" (my favorite - "If an article of clothing has been in the ironing basket under the crib for so long that the baby's in school, then throw it away - no one's going to miss it by now!"). They sell "I Hate to Cook" on Amazon for under $10 these days. Great, tasty, fast, easy ways to feed oneself. Oh, and if you run across a copy of her "I Hate to Housekeep", grab that, too. Enjoy! Oh, and they might have a copy at the library, so you could check it out before you buy....<br /><br />Merry from Annie's Book Stop/Sharon, MAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1724594058209899258.post-89082698509846469262013-02-24T20:17:20.553-05:002013-02-24T20:17:20.553-05:00I'm actually a pretty good cook, but as a grad...I'm actually a pretty good cook, but as a grad student in internship with a full time job on top of that, I have been cooking simpler stuff. Stuff that can be made ahead and frozen, crock pot stuff, and the occasional "oh crap I forgot to defrost something...have some pizza rolls." I tried to make one of our favorite casseroles in the crock pot tonight and it turned into soup...but a really good soup, and with little work, so try this:<br />1 lb kielbasa or other smoked sausage<br />4 big russet potatoes<br />1 small yellow onion<br />1 can of Progresso "Recipe Starters" cheese flavor (I don't know if you can used that condensed Campbell's stuff...there is something in it that I'm allergic to but I'm not sure what it is.)<br />1 tsp garlic powder<br />Couple shakes of black pepper and salt<br />1 cup shredded cheddar<br />1 cup chicken broth<br /><br />Dice the onion (half inch size pieces.) Cut the kielbasa into 2 long strips, then cut the strips in half inch little moons. Peel the potatoes and cut in 1 inch chunks. Put in crock pot. Dump the garlic, salt, pepper on top. Dump in the soup plus broth. Mix up. Cook on low for 8 hours. Stir in the cheese. Stir it real good. This will combine everything and make it magically soupy. When you're going for soup, that's a good thing. When you thought you made a casserole, not so much. It was really filling, and really good! slfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08507712528347443019noreply@blogger.com