Weather: 72 degrees, no breeze, and in general hot
Preperation time: 15 minutes (at the most)
Tonight was hot, I am tired, and I have to go to work tomorrow (yes, on a Saturday and everything!). So, I went simple, but warm: Bean and Cheese Burritos
Open can of beans, put in microwavable container, heat.
Put cheese into a bowl
Put tortillas on a plate, put in microwave for 15-30 seconds
Put hot sauce and ketchup (that's for my really strange husband) on the table
Sit down and eat!
Appropriate for weather: 4. It was a little to hot for a warm meal
Filling: 5
Healthy: 3.5
Ease: 5. If you can't make this then get out of the kitchen!
May 30, 2008
May 29, 2008
Meatloaf
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny, and a bit of a breeze
Preparation time: 10 minute prep with 45 minute cooking
Yes it is warm, but as I was leaving this morning I looked to see what we had and decided to take out some ground pork for dinner. I haven't really made anything with ground pork except for the ravioli's for Christmas every year (yes you will hear about those in about seven months). So, I didn't really know what to make and I figured meatloaf would be good.
Now, I found a recipe for meatloaf muffins a few months back and I love them! They are just so much fun! Really, it's just a meatloaf recipe and you put it into little muffin tins instead. The nice part of this is that they cook faster; and did I mention they are fun? I am also a fan of meatloaf because I love to get my hands into things and what better feeling is there in the world other than squishing meatloaf between the fingers! It's so stress-relieving!
Preheat oven to 350.
So, you throw in 1 pound ground meat (pork in this case) into a bowl. Add on top of that a little less than a cup of bread crumbs (I never really measure, I just eyeball). Then put in two eggs, salt, pepper, chopped onion, about 2/3 cups milk, and mix together (this is where you squish it all together) until thoroughly combined. Split the meat mixture between the muffin tins and pat down. Depending on your muffin tin you may want to spray non-stick. My pans are brand new and have a great coating and don't need it.
Next, mix together 3 parts ketchup, one part brown sugar, and one part mustard. Spoon this on top of the meatloaf muffins. I sometimes double this so that I can heat it up and use it as a topping once they are out of the oven as well.
Once the topping is on, put in the oven for 45 minutes.
Now, while this is cooking, I take the opportunity to wash the preparation dishes and make side dishes. (Tonight it was corn and mashed potatoes). Then, I sit back and relax until the timer goes off!
So, how does it score:
Appropriate for weather: 3. It was warm tonight and 45 minutes of the oven on is just a little too much; add to that the stove top preparation of mashed potatoes and it's warm city!
Filling: 5!
Healthy: 5
Ease: 3. This is really a recipe that you need to be comfortable with eyeballing measurements and adding according to your taste; some people aren't comfortable with this. It also can make quite a mess and become overwhelming with the process, especially in a small kitchen with not much workspace.
Preparation time: 10 minute prep with 45 minute cooking
Yes it is warm, but as I was leaving this morning I looked to see what we had and decided to take out some ground pork for dinner. I haven't really made anything with ground pork except for the ravioli's for Christmas every year (yes you will hear about those in about seven months). So, I didn't really know what to make and I figured meatloaf would be good.
Now, I found a recipe for meatloaf muffins a few months back and I love them! They are just so much fun! Really, it's just a meatloaf recipe and you put it into little muffin tins instead. The nice part of this is that they cook faster; and did I mention they are fun? I am also a fan of meatloaf because I love to get my hands into things and what better feeling is there in the world other than squishing meatloaf between the fingers! It's so stress-relieving!
Preheat oven to 350.
So, you throw in 1 pound ground meat (pork in this case) into a bowl. Add on top of that a little less than a cup of bread crumbs (I never really measure, I just eyeball). Then put in two eggs, salt, pepper, chopped onion, about 2/3 cups milk, and mix together (this is where you squish it all together) until thoroughly combined. Split the meat mixture between the muffin tins and pat down. Depending on your muffin tin you may want to spray non-stick. My pans are brand new and have a great coating and don't need it.
Next, mix together 3 parts ketchup, one part brown sugar, and one part mustard. Spoon this on top of the meatloaf muffins. I sometimes double this so that I can heat it up and use it as a topping once they are out of the oven as well.
Once the topping is on, put in the oven for 45 minutes.
Now, while this is cooking, I take the opportunity to wash the preparation dishes and make side dishes. (Tonight it was corn and mashed potatoes). Then, I sit back and relax until the timer goes off!
So, how does it score:
Appropriate for weather: 3. It was warm tonight and 45 minutes of the oven on is just a little too much; add to that the stove top preparation of mashed potatoes and it's warm city!
Filling: 5!
Healthy: 5
Ease: 3. This is really a recipe that you need to be comfortable with eyeballing measurements and adding according to your taste; some people aren't comfortable with this. It also can make quite a mess and become overwhelming with the process, especially in a small kitchen with not much workspace.
May 28, 2008
Cooking with no passion
Weather: 75 degrees and sunny
Prep time: 20 minutes
Tonight, we went simple. Pasta and sauce. I just quickly boiled a bag of pasta, opened a jar of Vodka Pasta sauce and called it a day. Well, I also added some cheesy garlic bread. A simple meal, but filling.
Since we were both sick and really not in much mood to eat, we decided to nix the salad until next day. A very simple meal that works when you are sick and don't want to put much energy into a meal.
So, what's the score:
Appropriate for weather: 3.5 while it wasn't horrible, it heated up the kitchen a good deal. Keeping the door opened helped keep the rest of the place at a decent temperature
Filling: 5
Healthy: 4, would have scored better with the salad
Easy: 5
Prep time: 20 minutes
Tonight, we went simple. Pasta and sauce. I just quickly boiled a bag of pasta, opened a jar of Vodka Pasta sauce and called it a day. Well, I also added some cheesy garlic bread. A simple meal, but filling.
Since we were both sick and really not in much mood to eat, we decided to nix the salad until next day. A very simple meal that works when you are sick and don't want to put much energy into a meal.
So, what's the score:
Appropriate for weather: 3.5 while it wasn't horrible, it heated up the kitchen a good deal. Keeping the door opened helped keep the rest of the place at a decent temperature
Filling: 5
Healthy: 4, would have scored better with the salad
Easy: 5
May 26, 2008
A weekend of grazing
Okay, I hae totaly sucked at the meal preperation this weekend. It's a three day weekend and, sometimes, we just get lazy. We have a bunch of leftovers in the refrigerator and so we are using this weekend as opportunity to get rid of all that. We didn't really sit down and have a meal at all yesterday other than breakfast. Today, we both had cereal when we got up; and we will probably spend the rest of the day grazing on the rest of leftovers.
So, what does this do for our scale? Well, it doesn't quite warm up the house as much as I would like. It is chilly outside with scattered showers. It is very easy. Who can't push a button on the microwave. We even have a very handy button that says "sensory reheat" so you don't even have to guess at how long to put it in. Just push the button and start! It automatically knows when it's done. I don't know how, but this magic button is awesome!
Of course, none of the leftovers are very filling, or else we wouldn't be grazing most of the day. But it is pretty much healthy as there are leftovers of everything: vegetables, meat, breads, etc...
So, we'll be back with meals again tomorrow!
So, what does this do for our scale? Well, it doesn't quite warm up the house as much as I would like. It is chilly outside with scattered showers. It is very easy. Who can't push a button on the microwave. We even have a very handy button that says "sensory reheat" so you don't even have to guess at how long to put it in. Just push the button and start! It automatically knows when it's done. I don't know how, but this magic button is awesome!
Of course, none of the leftovers are very filling, or else we wouldn't be grazing most of the day. But it is pretty much healthy as there are leftovers of everything: vegetables, meat, breads, etc...
So, we'll be back with meals again tomorrow!
May 25, 2008
Warming up the day
Weather: 64 degrees
Yes, I left you all in a lurch yesterday, we went to my grandma's for dinner, so of course I didn't cook! I enjoyed a very pleasant meal with my husband, grandparents, aunts, and uncle. It was very nice; and we had a great time!
So, this morning is Sunday, we decided not to go to Church this morning, which means I got to sleep in! Why is it that when you want to sleep in you wake up at 6:00 in the morning? Well, I refuse to get up that early when I can sleep in; so I read for an hour before finally caving in and getting out of the warm blankets into the cold abyss that is the apartment since it has been so cold the last few days.
Well, since I'm up, let's make breakfast! My husband wanted a breakfast burrito, I thought it was a good idea, so I made breakfast burritos! I actually made two different kinds because we both like different kind:
him: eggs, cheese, wrapped in a tortilla
me: eggs, cheese, refried beans, tortilla strips, taco seasoning, sour cream
So, you can imagine, this is a multitasking meal only by choice. I make the eggs together in the same pan then set aside with cheese over the top and a lid to aid in melting the cheese. Then I move on to the other, smaller, pan. With a very minimal amount of oil, I make strips from a tortilla and heat them in the oil. I then quickly add some taco seasoning. I I then put a spoonful of refried beans and heat them all up together. Last, I add my portion of the eggs and mix together then put it all into a tortilla. Now, this is where you are supposed to put in the sour cream, unless you are like me and totally forget, then you just fold it up and put it aside to make your husband's burritos. I did then remember and went back and opened it up.
So how does this meal fair:
Appropriate for temperature: 4-I would have like to warmed the house up a bit more, but it was a nice warm meal
Filling: 5-After breakfast burritos, I can usually go most of the day before I get hungry again
Healthy: 3.5-not all food groups are represented, but, being home made and not from the drive through, it is a bit healthier. I would typically add some potatoes in the form of hash brown or home fries, but I didn't have any this morning; that bumps up the health a bit
Ease: 4-If you can scramble an egg, then you can make the simpler of these two. There is a bit more creativity in my burrito, but I like that!
Yes, I left you all in a lurch yesterday, we went to my grandma's for dinner, so of course I didn't cook! I enjoyed a very pleasant meal with my husband, grandparents, aunts, and uncle. It was very nice; and we had a great time!
So, this morning is Sunday, we decided not to go to Church this morning, which means I got to sleep in! Why is it that when you want to sleep in you wake up at 6:00 in the morning? Well, I refuse to get up that early when I can sleep in; so I read for an hour before finally caving in and getting out of the warm blankets into the cold abyss that is the apartment since it has been so cold the last few days.
Well, since I'm up, let's make breakfast! My husband wanted a breakfast burrito, I thought it was a good idea, so I made breakfast burritos! I actually made two different kinds because we both like different kind:
him: eggs, cheese, wrapped in a tortilla
me: eggs, cheese, refried beans, tortilla strips, taco seasoning, sour cream
So, you can imagine, this is a multitasking meal only by choice. I make the eggs together in the same pan then set aside with cheese over the top and a lid to aid in melting the cheese. Then I move on to the other, smaller, pan. With a very minimal amount of oil, I make strips from a tortilla and heat them in the oil. I then quickly add some taco seasoning. I I then put a spoonful of refried beans and heat them all up together. Last, I add my portion of the eggs and mix together then put it all into a tortilla. Now, this is where you are supposed to put in the sour cream, unless you are like me and totally forget, then you just fold it up and put it aside to make your husband's burritos. I did then remember and went back and opened it up.
So how does this meal fair:
Appropriate for temperature: 4-I would have like to warmed the house up a bit more, but it was a nice warm meal
Filling: 5-After breakfast burritos, I can usually go most of the day before I get hungry again
Healthy: 3.5-not all food groups are represented, but, being home made and not from the drive through, it is a bit healthier. I would typically add some potatoes in the form of hash brown or home fries, but I didn't have any this morning; that bumps up the health a bit
Ease: 4-If you can scramble an egg, then you can make the simpler of these two. There is a bit more creativity in my burrito, but I like that!
May 23, 2008
An old classic
Weather: 55 degrees and rainy
Total Prep Time: 20 minutes
Today was cold and rainy. Before I even left for work, my husband had requested fish and chips for dinner. That I can do! So, when I got home I started.
Again, I cheated. I didn't make anything from scratch, but come on people...it's Friday! Who wants to cook? I had the trusty bag of fries and bag of fish sticks in the freezer. Typically, on a regular day, I would put this in the toaster oven. It doesn't heat up the kitchen quite as much. However, today was cold and rainy. Plus we have already turned off the pilot on our heater (because of the sweltering heat less than one week ago). And yes, we could easily light the pilot; but why when you can just cuddle up under a blanket together?
Okay, back to the meal. One tray with fish sticks lines up around the edges and the fries filling up the center. I sprinkle the whole thing with garlic salt because I love garlic and I always salt my fries, so why not combine the two! Popped into the oven for 15 minutes and it's ready! Set the table and get drinks while it's cooking and you are done! I have noticed, and maybe it's just my oven, but things generally take 5-10 minutes longer than it says on the package.
So, now the scores:
Appropriate for temperature: 5! This is a great way to quickly heat the house on a cold rainy day. On a day like today I don't even have a problem waiting for the oven to preheat
Filling: 4.
Healthy: 3. I typically will add corn or some other vegetable to this, but neither one of us was really that interested in dinner anyway tonight, so why add something that we probably wouldn't eat much of anyway
Ease: 5! There is nothing easier than throwing things on a baking sheet and popping it in the oven.
Total Prep Time: 20 minutes
Today was cold and rainy. Before I even left for work, my husband had requested fish and chips for dinner. That I can do! So, when I got home I started.
Again, I cheated. I didn't make anything from scratch, but come on people...it's Friday! Who wants to cook? I had the trusty bag of fries and bag of fish sticks in the freezer. Typically, on a regular day, I would put this in the toaster oven. It doesn't heat up the kitchen quite as much. However, today was cold and rainy. Plus we have already turned off the pilot on our heater (because of the sweltering heat less than one week ago). And yes, we could easily light the pilot; but why when you can just cuddle up under a blanket together?
Okay, back to the meal. One tray with fish sticks lines up around the edges and the fries filling up the center. I sprinkle the whole thing with garlic salt because I love garlic and I always salt my fries, so why not combine the two! Popped into the oven for 15 minutes and it's ready! Set the table and get drinks while it's cooking and you are done! I have noticed, and maybe it's just my oven, but things generally take 5-10 minutes longer than it says on the package.
So, now the scores:
Appropriate for temperature: 5! This is a great way to quickly heat the house on a cold rainy day. On a day like today I don't even have a problem waiting for the oven to preheat
Filling: 4.
Healthy: 3. I typically will add corn or some other vegetable to this, but neither one of us was really that interested in dinner anyway tonight, so why add something that we probably wouldn't eat much of anyway
Ease: 5! There is nothing easier than throwing things on a baking sheet and popping it in the oven.
Get my husband out of jail
You may have noticed that I added this link to the side: GET MY HUSBAND OUT OF JAIL. Let me quickly explain. He is being "arrested" next month for MDA. They are having a fundraiser and, in order for him to get free, he needs to raise some money. Any amount you can contribute would be great. I know that I would greatly appreciate it.
We have put in the first $10; anyone up to matching that?
We have put in the first $10; anyone up to matching that?
May 22, 2008
Rainy and cold
Today's Weather: 62 degrees, slight wind (more than a breeze), had been raining in the afternoon, but had stopped.
So, today it was rainy and cold. Well, not when I left for work, but in the middle of the day...BAM! Rain, cold, wind, all of it. This meant that heat was not a problem. Actually, it's kind of nice to have a warm kitchen that radiates it's warmth throughout the house. Makes everyone want to gather there!
Tonight I brought out our George Foreman and made some steaks. I also made some mashed potatoes (no not fresh). These are from a box we get at Costco (the best boxed mashed potatoes ever!). Of course I made some gravy as well and then a can of green beans.
I used the stove top to make the potatoes and gravy. So, as I was cooking, the kitchen was slowly warming up to a comfortable temperature from the heat. It was very nice. It wasn't so difficult of a meal as it was multitasking. Some people can't handle watching two pots and a grill, but I enjoy it.
So, how did the meal fair:
Appropriate for temperature 5 out of 5. This warmed up the house very well, but not too much. It was a perfect amount of heat; plus the warm food was nice to eat.
Filling 4 out of 5. I will probably make us something for desert later
Healthy 4 out 5. We didn't have a bread represented, but we had everything else.
Ease of preperation 3 out of 5. I did have two pots, a grill, and the microwave going all at once. Some would find keeping an eye on all these may lead to burning something; but each item on it's own is not very difficult.
Time for preparation: 25 minutes
So, today it was rainy and cold. Well, not when I left for work, but in the middle of the day...BAM! Rain, cold, wind, all of it. This meant that heat was not a problem. Actually, it's kind of nice to have a warm kitchen that radiates it's warmth throughout the house. Makes everyone want to gather there!
Tonight I brought out our George Foreman and made some steaks. I also made some mashed potatoes (no not fresh). These are from a box we get at Costco (the best boxed mashed potatoes ever!). Of course I made some gravy as well and then a can of green beans.
I used the stove top to make the potatoes and gravy. So, as I was cooking, the kitchen was slowly warming up to a comfortable temperature from the heat. It was very nice. It wasn't so difficult of a meal as it was multitasking. Some people can't handle watching two pots and a grill, but I enjoy it.
So, how did the meal fair:
Appropriate for temperature 5 out of 5. This warmed up the house very well, but not too much. It was a perfect amount of heat; plus the warm food was nice to eat.
Filling 4 out of 5. I will probably make us something for desert later
Healthy 4 out 5. We didn't have a bread represented, but we had everything else.
Ease of preperation 3 out of 5. I did have two pots, a grill, and the microwave going all at once. Some would find keeping an eye on all these may lead to burning something; but each item on it's own is not very difficult.
Time for preparation: 25 minutes
May 21, 2008
Cheating?
Well, today we had a field trip for the center. We also had some leftovers from lunch. I brought those home and that's what we ate:
Bologna and Cheese Sandwiches
Carrot Sticks
Oranges
We added the Root Beer
It was a fine meal; and obviously didn't require any heat. However, could that have been a detriment. Remember, my goal is to find the best meal suitable for the weather of the day. Today was a bit overcast and, in some areas, there was a bit of sprinkling. So, let's see how we fared:
Today's temperature: 77 degrees at dinner (around 6 pm)
Appropriate for Temperature 4.5 out of 5 It didn't heat up the house, but it also was cool enough to do a bit of heated cooking if it had been necessary
Filling 5 out of 5
Healthy 5 out of 5 Every food group was represented and it was well balanced.
Bologna and Cheese Sandwiches
Carrot Sticks
Oranges
We added the Root Beer
It was a fine meal; and obviously didn't require any heat. However, could that have been a detriment. Remember, my goal is to find the best meal suitable for the weather of the day. Today was a bit overcast and, in some areas, there was a bit of sprinkling. So, let's see how we fared:
Today's temperature: 77 degrees at dinner (around 6 pm)
Appropriate for Temperature 4.5 out of 5 It didn't heat up the house, but it also was cool enough to do a bit of heated cooking if it had been necessary
Filling 5 out of 5
Healthy 5 out of 5 Every food group was represented and it was well balanced.
May 20, 2008
One of my favorites
Today, I had artichoke for dinner; my husband had bean and cheese burritos. Neither one scored a perfect 5 on the temperature scale. Both had to be heated up and both were hot meals. I love artichoke, my husband not so much; therefore, when I typically have artichoke I make it on a night that he isn't around. Since that won't be for another week, I decided tonight was as good as any. Let's look at each meal individually:
First, the artichoke:
I had one large artichoke head. After cutting off the stem, just to the base, and the top of the leaves, about an inch, I placed it stem-down in a pot with an inch of water. I covered and turned the heat to low for 20 minutes. After this time, I checked to make sure the leaves came off easily and were ready to eat. I took it out and placed into a bowl.
While it was cooling a bit, I was getting my husbands dinner ready and the dipping sauce. For dipping sauce I used: oil (I prefer olive oil), rice vinegar, and deli mustard and whisked it all together until smooth. I then added garlic powder and Italian seasoning to taste. Very good! Now that is done, let's score it before moving on to the burritos:
First, the artichoke:
I had one large artichoke head. After cutting off the stem, just to the base, and the top of the leaves, about an inch, I placed it stem-down in a pot with an inch of water. I covered and turned the heat to low for 20 minutes. After this time, I checked to make sure the leaves came off easily and were ready to eat. I took it out and placed into a bowl.
While it was cooling a bit, I was getting my husbands dinner ready and the dipping sauce. For dipping sauce I used: oil (I prefer olive oil), rice vinegar, and deli mustard and whisked it all together until smooth. I then added garlic powder and Italian seasoning to taste. Very good! Now that is done, let's score it before moving on to the burritos:
Appropriate for temperature 3.5 out of 5 I had to use the stove when the apartment temperature was 89 degrees; plus the boiling water seems to add to the humidity. It is also a warm meal on a hot day; unfortunately I have to take off for that for one of my favorite meals.
Filling 5 out of 5 I won't be hungry at all for the rest of the night.
Healthy 3 out of 5 It's a vegetable, so of course it's good for you; but not a well balanced meal
Now on to the burritos. I did it simple. Opened a can of refried beans, put it into a bowl, and put it into the microwave. I have this really cool function on my microwave "sensory reheat". It automatically determines when food is done and it's always perfect! As I had that going, I made my sauce, got out the cheese, tortillas, sour cream, and ketchup. Yes, ketchup. That's what he puts on it. Don't ask me, I have only just learned to live with it.
Once the beans are done, I pop the tortillas in the microwave for 10 seconds while everything goes out on the table. Then we sit down to pray and eat.
So, how does burritos score?
Appropriate for temperature 4 out of 5 I have to knock down points for it being a hot meal. However, it fairs better than artichoke because it only uses the microwave; which still heats up the apartment, but not as much
Filling 5 out of 5 Even one of these and I am done for the night. Very filling!
Healthy 4 out of 5 it has a lot of what you need, but not everything. Protein, bread, if you want to count the ketchup as a vegetable, you can, but still, not an unhealthy meal.
May 19, 2008
Starting simple
Okay, tonight I am starting simple. Why? Two reasons:
1. It was 99 degrees when I left work at 4:30, there is no way I am even thinking about turning on the microwave
2. I'm cooking for just me, not my husband, so I don't go all out.
So, what did I have? I opened a bag of pre-cut and mixed salad (lettuce, carrots, red cabbage). I tried this new salad dressing spritzer. It's a balsamic dressing and it was delicious! I added the rest of the croutons we had as well. This was no small little bowl, this is what the restaurants call a large salad.
I do have to say, I am a new fan of these spritzers. I am definitely going to be trying out the other flavors but they have me sold. They say that a serving size is 10 spritzes. I figured with the size of my salad, I would be using more. Actually, I almost didn't even use ten! It dispenses plenty of dressing; and is very tasty.
So, how does this meal score:
Appropriate for temperature 5 out of 5
Filling 4 out of 5 (I did get the munchies a bit later)
Healthy 3 out of 5 I definitely did not have all the food groups represented, but I had enough the rest of the day
1. It was 99 degrees when I left work at 4:30, there is no way I am even thinking about turning on the microwave
2. I'm cooking for just me, not my husband, so I don't go all out.
So, what did I have? I opened a bag of pre-cut and mixed salad (lettuce, carrots, red cabbage). I tried this new salad dressing spritzer. It's a balsamic dressing and it was delicious! I added the rest of the croutons we had as well. This was no small little bowl, this is what the restaurants call a large salad.
I do have to say, I am a new fan of these spritzers. I am definitely going to be trying out the other flavors but they have me sold. They say that a serving size is 10 spritzes. I figured with the size of my salad, I would be using more. Actually, I almost didn't even use ten! It dispenses plenty of dressing; and is very tasty.
So, how does this meal score:
Appropriate for temperature 5 out of 5
Filling 4 out of 5 (I did get the munchies a bit later)
Healthy 3 out of 5 I definitely did not have all the food groups represented, but I had enough the rest of the day
What did you eat tonight?
Okay, I am definitely no gourmet. Most of the time, I am actually just trying to put a healthy meal on the table at the end of the night. As the weather is getting hotter I am on a mission:
Cooking without heating the house!!!
I live in a small one bedroom apartment that is a hot box when I open it up at the end of the day. The last thing I want to do is add more heat to it. So, for the next few months, the mission of this blog is to record any recipes that I use and find that will not heat up the apartment.
Oh yeah, I don't have a bar-b-que either! So, how many recipes will I find that I won't have to heat up anything? I don't know. But I am on a quest to find out.
Please help me out, leave ideas in my email or in the comments. I want to hear from you!
I am going to back date the first two posts here to get me up to date, but my goal is to discuss my meals daily with you. How am I surviving the heat? And I know that, if you stick with me, I'll keep it up and we'll talk about making the place warming in the winter.
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