The cookbook I obtained while doing laundry at 1 AM last night

I obtained a cookbook titled, The Around the World Cookbook. It is filled with pictures and easy to follow instructions. Here are the dishes I’m interested in making thus far:

Rice Cakes with Strawberries
Green Tea Cake
Dumplings
Tiramisu
Ratatouille

And many more!

I may sound ambitious but do not be fooled into believing I know what I’m doing in the kitchen. I do not. I’d say I have a 50% success rate at cooking/baking. There are many, many dishes I make that don’t turn out. Sometimes it can be discouraging but I don’t let it keep me away from burning things or ruining more dishes in the future! I just toss back my hair, march on and keep a nonchalant attitude in place. I don’t cry over spilled milk and neither should you.

Cooking meatloaf

Back in October 2006 I posted this Meatloaf recipe and forgot about it. (Oh, and about forgetting old entries? This is pretty common for me.) I came across the recipe the other day and decided to try it out. This is the end result:



Here is another view:


Does the inside meat look a little light-colored here? I think it does. However, I can honestly say it is the result of the lighting and that the meat was in fact fully cooked. Eating uncooked food is one of my greatest fears in life and so, I am much more likely to burn a meal than to serve up something raw.

The meatloaf ended up being consumed by Alex, Nate and myself. Nate had made the previous claim that he does not like meatloaf. (He also claims to not like steak or shrimp!) However, when he saw what I was eating he decided to give it “a try” and soon had taken over my plate. I thought the meatloaf was “okay.”

Cooking Chicken Stir Fry

From time to time I make Chicken Stir Fry (see image above). In a separate pan I will whip up rice to go with it. (Alas, I do not own a rice cooker.) Perhaps it doesn't count but I cheat and use Green Giant Create A Meal! Stir-Fry Teriyaki. Basically, I cook the chicken and add the frozen vegetables and sauce that comes in the package. The meal is incredibly easy and quick to make. Nate loves it. I love it. We both fill our bellies until the point of full capacity.

On one occasion in the past we went all out and cooked up Chicken Stir Fry with use of each individual ingredient. There were no prepackaged shortcuts. Everything was made through the fruits of our labor. Nate did all the chopping and cleaning. I yelled out all the instructions. The meal ended up being very tasty but I wouldn’t say it tasted better than the frozen food method. So, I don’t know which way is better. If I’m in a hurry I’ll probably go the quick and dirty route but if I have time I might try my hand at real cooking.

If you need to read up on how to successfully use frozen vegetables go here. If the notion of using frozen vegetables absolutely horrifies you then I apologize. Please understand I am a nitwit in the kitchen. A nitwit who wishes she could cook like Emeril.

In the kitchen

In January I made a crazy cake for Nate's birthday. Here is a view of the cake from above:



I used Swedish Fish Aqua Life candy for decor. And here is the cake from the side:



I will probably make a tamer looking birthday cake next year.

The family meatloaf recipe

Use the following ingredients:

1 lb. Hamburger
½ tsp. Salt
1 Egg (slightly beaten)
1 Can Tomato Soup (do not add water or milk)

Mix together the ingredients into a bowl. Fill the soup can with oatmeal and add this to the mixture.

Optional: You may also add onion or other vegetables to the hamburger mixture.

Place the mixture into a pan. It should form a loaf type shape. Bake at 350 degrees for about one hour. Remove from oven. Allow the meatloaf to cool slightly before serving.


* My Mom sent me this recipe.