Greg has been taking great strides in learning how to cook. We have found that he does really well with recipes if they are clearly written and he follows them to the T. One of the best sets of recipes for Greg and I are the 5-in-30 meals from Giant. They are meals that are made with (theoretically) five ingredients in 30 minutes.
Yesterday’s meal was Apple Onion Pork Chops. I asked Greg during the day if he needed any ingredients. I knew that we had an onion, but not a fresh one, and we didn’t have apple juice. He replied confidently that he had it covered and that he had already picked up all of the ingredients.
We got home around the same time and started dinner. I was preparing the side dishes when Greg asked, “Hmmm…what’s the best way to chop an onion?” I looked over and he was staring blankly are a very large head of garlic. I pointed out that he was looking at a garlic, and he said, “Shoot! I bought the wrong thing! Oh well. I’m sure this will work fine without onion.” I pointed out that the recipe was called “Apple Onion Pork Chops” and that he was trying to disregard one fifth of the ingredient list.
In the end, we used the not-so-fresh onion, which worked fine. Greg did the majority of the cooking and the meal was delicious. All in all, he has come quite a long way and is constantly improving. And I can’t talk because I am not that great of a cook myself. The only think that frightens me is that when I asked, “If I weren’t here, would you have chopped up the entire garlic and made it with that?” The reply was a confident, “Yes!”
At least he tries….
If you’re looking for recipes I have tons. I also have a really good one for lemon garlic chicken. I also have one for chicken it’s all good. These aren’t written down recipes, they’re in my head, but I don’t mind sharing.
You need to come see our place anyway.
Greg: I have 2 words for you. CROCK POT. Oh, and then I have 2 more words for you. GRILL PAN. These two simple items have helped me make the transition from being someone who doesn’t cook to someone who can actually make a few meals for myself. They are total lifesavers. And you can even use lots of garlic!
Exciting…recipes are fun! Cooking is even more fun!! But eating what you cook is the most fun!!!
Keep it up.
I have two words of my own that will help with these cooking woes… WEDDING REGISTRY. I can’t wait to register and use that little scanner thing to post to the world to buy us all that great equipment for our kitchen. Still, I don’t know that the appliance exists that can keep me from mixing up garlic and onions.
Hahaha… my problem with cooking from recipes (while they come out really well, usually, if I follow them right) is that it takes me like twice as long as it’s supposed to. Maybe the recipes I use are too complicated; perhaps I should try these 5 in 30 things. Though I have a feeling a lot of them would involve me omitting 1 or more of the 5 ingredients because I or Jeff or both of us doesn’t like it. Take the onion for example… my version would apparently be apple juice chicken. And thinking this was a little wierd may end up just chicken. Anway, picky eaters… I digress : )
p.s. Garlic comes in cloves, not heads… this knowledge comes from living with my very own Italian mother who would have MY head if I didn’t correct you : )