Learning to cook, or example has been quite an adventure. Starting from scratch (except for cooking over a fire in the boundary Waters) has been interesting. Mrs. T., was addicted to Dairy Queen. Myself not so much. I wanted cake, cookies, pie and other sweets. So I decided to start with brownies. Three ingredients available in the refrigerator, a box of stuff, mix, put in the oven and bake at the right temperature. So, I successfully made it in a 13 x 9 pan, and ate them all for supper. Yes, she would be appalled at my new diet. Coffee and six doughnuts for breakfast from Quiktrip etc. Anyway, I successfully made another batch of brownies and only ate half for lunch. Doing so well, I later launched a third batch, put them in the oven, checked my watch (the oven timer doesn't work), picked up a book, sat down in my recliner to read, and fell asleep. As you might expect it, wasn't until the fire alarm triggered and Lily started barking that I awoke. Familiar with edible burnt food cooked over a fire, I took a bite. Fortunately, I didn't break a tooth but it was close. So it goes.
I'm learning but I now have rules.
1. I never buy food in a box that has more than three ingredients and three directions.
2. Like the ancient Chinese I never leave the stage. Cooking is a performance. Never ever leave the stage. The survival of your family depends on it.
The actress.
The novice.................
Perhaps start with basic meals rather than dessert? But maybe you have done that.
ReplyDeleteWell...you gotta learn the hard way, right? I give you credit for trying!
ReplyDeleteWell, practice makes perfect. But try to stay awake for the brownies.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should consider something not quite so sugary and dense. A crock pot might be just what you need: just throw everything in, turn it on and forget it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI like cooking but cooking for one is a big challenge.
ReplyDeleteCrock pot and some easy recipes! Make some things you can freeze and heat up when you need a quick meal.
ReplyDeleteDo you have Meals on Wheels down there or a Senior Center that has a decent cook that serves lunch then a sandwitch for supper! Practice!! :)
I know exactly what it's like to cook for one. After always cooking for two it came as a real chore even to bother just for me. I buy ready meals now and enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteCheck out a cookbook from the library. one of my favs is Joy of Cooking.
ReplyDeleteThink you might need some protein and some greens in there Ray. Senior center mentioned above is an idea. The one here in tiny town has decent meals with way more than I can eat for $3.00. I am sure not as tasty as your wife cooked but they do the dishes which is a plus. Also the crock pot sounds doable and easy. Look at cooking like chemistry. Just follow the formula.
ReplyDeleteWhen cooking for myself, I like to make something I can eat for a couple of days. An easy casserole, or baked chicken. Eat some protein and veggies!
ReplyDeleteI have two words for you...frozen entrees. They are ever so much better than they used to be, there is a wide variety, you can keep them on hand, and they are foolproof to prepare. And most groceries have pretty good deli sections. And a package of mixed greens makes for an easy and acceptable salad.
ReplyDeleteWell done Ray - you'll learn and you'll enjoy escaping into the world of providing your own meals - not everyday, but quite often.
ReplyDeleteI admire your tenacity to keep on ... and all the best to you both - Hilary
I am most impressed. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, at some point you're going to get sick of all the sweets and crave some meat and veggies. Although, I admit to having ice cream for dinner now and then. For some easy and healthier tips, get an electric steamer for veggies. You can throw in some carrots, or broccoli, squash, whatever and just let them cook for the prescribed time. Ding! The veggies are ready. Drizzle with a little olive oil or pat of butter and salt and pepper.
ReplyDeleteGet an already cooked deli chicken from the grocery store. It's good for a nice hot meal one day, followed by chicken sandwiches the next day, or chicken on top of a salad or in a casserole.
Cook a yam or sweet potato in the microwave. Poke a few holes in the skin, wrap in a damp paper towel and cook for 6 minutes. Adjust the time for larger potatoes.
All kinds of pasta dishes are easy with bottled sauce. Splurge and get a good brand. Boil the pasta, add the sauce, voila! You can add frozen meatballs at the end. Just microwave the meatballs between sheets of paper towels for 1 minute and then add to the pasta pot. If you have Alfredo sauce, that leftover deli chicken and steamed broccoli make a great pasta casserole.
When cooking for 1, always cook enough for 2. That way, you have two meals for all your effort.
Splurge on delicious breads and rolls. They make the meal even nicer.
Good luck and keep us posted on your new endeavors.
I have to cook for myself now as well and often don’t feel like it. I try to eat a good breakfast but sometime at dinner I go for a crusty piece of bread, some cheese and a glass of wine. You got some good tips in the comments above. I also once in a while go to a Chinese restaurant and take a meal out, with extra soup, that way I can eat on that for 3 days by adding some frozen veggies. I also got tips from the comments. I didn’t know that you could place frozen meatballs in the microwave between paper towels like Bekkieann says above, and I’ll try that. Good luck with your cooking.
ReplyDeleteThe novice looks pretty knowledgeable to me. I live alone too and eat whatever I want whenever I want to eat it. I hope you keep blogging … I find it a great comfort.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your wife, but glad to know she is well cared for. May I recommend youtube as an excellent teacher of the art of cooking? You already learned the most important rule: do not walk away! Too bad you live so far away. I would really enjoy feeding you healthy and delicious food once in a while. I find cooking in batches and freezing in meal sized portions the key to a well nourished single life. I love soups, that helps. I make it a point to have friends around the kitchen table at leadt a few times a month. If you wish to stay healthy through good food, one of my favourite resources is this website. http://whfoods.com. All the best!
ReplyDeleteDear Troutbirder, so sorry to have been away for several weeks from reading your blog. Sickness and recuperation took up the time. And I can se from this posting and the one before it that you have been involved in great change.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, someone told me that John Henry Cardinal Newman said, back in the 19th century, "to change is to grow."
As the years have passed (I'm now in my 9th decade), I've discovered the truth of that. I've experienced so many changes and out of them has come a growth of understanding of my own human condition. My own and others. Change has brought with it a realization that for me everything has worked out to good.
I trust that all that is happening to you and your wife will ultimately reveal its good to you. It is so hard sometimes to wait for that revelation. But you seem, to me, to be such a patient man. A man who loves his wife dearly and wants her to know contentment. You are both in my prayers. Peace.
I'm sorry to read about your new situation -- I'm not sure how well I would do on my own without my Beautiful Bride here to show me the way. Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you.
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