I think a mass update is in order

There are at least three new recipes that I've made since January 17. And I'm sure that there's actually more, but that's all that comes to mind right now. I took a bit of a hiatus from cooking while I stressed out about taking a job that would've meant more money, but wouldn't have been as rewarding as working at the shelter. I decided to decline the other job. Not because I don't love working for Maya again (I'm working at the bridal shop every Saturday, and some Fridays and Sundays), but because there's nothing that will replace the reward of being a level of support for someone trying to get back on their feet. Three recipes to follow! No pics, sadly, because I've slacked.

Made Delicious BBQ

It was pretty easy.

3lb of boneless pork ribs
1 carton of beef broth
KC Masterpiece Honey BBQ sauce

1. We put the ribs in the crock pot with about 20-22 oz of beef broth. Left on high for 4 hours.
2. Take the meat out after 4 hours and pull apart. Pre-heat oven to 350.
3. Put pulled apart meat and as much BBQ sauce as you want into an iron skillet. Put in the oven for the 30 minutes.
4. Eat deliciously.

It was pretty good. It's another one that Chris is going to bring to work with him, so I must be getting good at this thing.

Epic Meatloaf

Or as Campbell's calls it "Souper Meatloaf".

It was really most delicious, and Chris said that it was the best thing I've ever made, so I think that it may just be a win all around.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular, 98% Fat Free or 25% Less Sodium)
2 pounds ground beef
1 pouch Campbell's® Dry Onion Soup and Recipe Mix
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup water

Instructions:
1. Mix thoroughly 1/2 cup mushroom soup, beef, onion soup mix, bread crumbs and egg. Shape firmly into 8x4-inch loaf in baking pan.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour 15 minutes or until done.
3. Mix 2 tablespoons drippings, remaining mushroom soup and water. Heat through. Serve with meat loaf.

Seriously? It was amazing. As was the gravy. I've not ever made meatloaf or gravy, so I feel as though I may be the best cook in the world after that one.

To top it off? Chris brought it for work for leftovers the next day. He NEVER eats leftovers.

New Years Resolution

My new years resolution is to cook 4 new recipes a week, which means that I should be blogging at least four times a week. Ideally.

Tonight we tried Basil Burgers, another allrecipes.com recipe, and I failed yet again. The recipe, I'm sure is good, and I followed all but one thing. Instead of cooking it outside, I cooked it on our stove. Here's the recipe, C&Ped for your liking. It's definitely worth trying... just don't cook it on the stove, then realize the middle's not cooked, and then nuke it in the microwave so its drier than it would've been (basil tries it out).

Here ya go:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons dried basil, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 hamburger buns, split

Recipe:
1. Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
2. In a bowl, mix the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, basil, garlic salt, and pepper. Form the mixture into 4 burger patties.
3. Lightly oil the grill grate, and cook burgers about 6 minutes, turning once, to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (70 degrees C), or to desired doneness. Serve on hamburger buns.

We added ketchup and mustard to our burgers, and actually ate them on potato rolls (which we prefer). Chris liked them, but said next time that HE'D be cooking them on the charcoal grill outside. Womp womp.

Tomorrow I'm getting some mouth surgery, so I may not be making anything fantastic unless I can find an amazing soft recipe. But really, should you be cooking medicated? We shall see.

Where I Learned Everything I Know

From the lovely Carol Ann Collins.

Here she is with her husband, Ron Meese, in Chicago in 1962:



She was the most amazing woman that I've ever met. And her birthday would've been December 18. She's been gone 15 years, but she was one awesome lady.

Two New Dishes in ONE Day

The first was an epic fail. It was our take on a Margherita Pizza.

We bought pre-made dough, and put half a jar of Bertolli's Basil & Garlic Spaghetti Sauce on each 12 inch dough piece. Then we added spinach to one with 4 oz of mozzarella. To the other, we added 4 oz of mozzarella, 2 oz of feta, and 2 oz of shredded cheddar.

Let me tell you something: half a jar of spaghetti sauce is a FREAKING lot. It was all sauce. I mean, it didn't taste terrible, but it was NOT my favorite.



Our second attempt was the "Super BLT" (recipe from Allrecipes.com). We made thick Applewood bacon, and put cream cheese on one side of the sandwich and guacamole on the other side, with the bacon, lettuce, and tomato in the middle. Now this, I could get behind. I thought it was a bizarre recipe (and it is), but it was actually pretty decent.



And just for the hell of it, what happens when Chris and I cook together:







Lesson of the day: part of the beauty of being domesticated is having someone to fail with.

Devils Food Cream Pies

I got the recipe from allrecipes.com and I didn't change a thing. Why? Because #1: I do not bake. #2: Could not have Chris joke me for disgusting desserts.

BUT I just tried one and they're awesome. Chris isn't home yet for the awesome dinner that I'm going to make him, but I thought I'd post the recipe here for dessert first:

2 18.25 oz boxes of Devils' food cake mix
1 cup shortening
4 eggs
1 container of cream cheese frosting

1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix everything but the frosting together in a mixing bowl. Use a pastry blender until it's mixed. I know, never heard of one of those? Me either. I got all the ingredients and then luckily read the recipe again before I went home. Had to go to Wal-Mart to buy one. Don't worry, they're only $6 and look like this:



2. Once it's nicely blended, put quarter-sized round balls (insert dirty joke here) on nonstick, nongreased cookie sheets. Make sure you have an even number.

3. Put them in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool for 5-6 minutes, then add icing and create cookie sandwiches.

That mixture makes two batches, so I'm going to have a ton, and plan on bringing them over to Chris' parents house tomorrow. Word to the wise: they're rich. If we weren't lactose intolerant, they'd be AWESOME as a "devils food cream pie ice cream sundae".