Help in the Kitchen!!

FOODNETWORK.COM-SELECT "RECIPES" AND I believe there is a choice for 1.easy 2.difficult, etc. I guess you would choose "easy"? Practice makes perfect!!!

Hey GM! Kudos to you for wanting to cook for your family. It's MUCH harder nowadays to cook than it easy to go the easy way and eat fast food. Don't worry, you can do it.

Basically, you'll need two things to start: One is a pen w/ paper and the other is the knowledge that a basic meal needs protein, carbs, and a little fat. The pen and paper is to write down recipes that either you see in magazines at dr's offices, friends give you or you see online. Some of my favorite recipes are those that I got from friends after eating at their house, or from church potlucks, etc. As for a basic meal... it doesn't have to look like a regular meal. And it doesn't have to taste like cracker barrel all the time. Depending on your budget, it could be chicken thighs, corn, and rice or pot roast with all the veggies mixed in, or hamburger helper.

Remember to ask your hubby if he likes it and let him know you'd like honest answers to help you be a better cook. And then don't get your feelings hurt when he gives suggestions. I've been cooking for my husband for 12 years and I cook a new dish about once a week. I always ask "Well... what did you think?" and he either says "it's a keeper" or "I ate it 'cause I was hungry". And if he's not as open as my husband, just ask if it's something he would want you to make again! lol! If he says it needs onion, add a little onion next time.

First and foremost, don't put something on the stove and go take a shower. Food can easily get out of hand, start a fire, etc. If you have food on the stove, stay close by the entire time the pot is on the stove. If you have to leave the kitchen for a long period of time (to take care of your child) don't be afraid to turn the stove off completely, then turn it back on when you return.

One of the biggest tips I could give you is to let your food "rest" for a minute after you take it out of the oven or pot, especially before you cut it or slice it open. The meat will be juicier when you let the meat rest instead of cutting it right away.

Smaller pieces cook faster, so if you cook potatoes and you need them to cook faster, cut the pieces thinner. Use care when using knives, and cut away from your fingers/hand, not into the palm of your hand or towards yourself.

Always use a pot that is bigger than what you need. By this I mean when food boils, the surface could boil over and mess up your stove, start a fire, etc. Make sure your pot has at least enough room at the top to allow it to boil and not bubble over. It's better to have a bigger size pot than you need than to bubble over. Speaking of, if something catches on fire, IMMEDIATELY cover it with a metal lid, which will smother the fire. Baking SODA will put out a fire but you need a lot of it. NEVER put water on a grease fire.

And lastly, if at first you don't succeed, keep on trying! (My mom is in her 50's and can barely boil water, yet I can cook anything and everything from scratch... just keep at it!)

Good luck!

Spaghetti is one of the easiest - as your baby grows, I suggest twirly noodles instead of long ones - easier for them to pick up & eat... buy noodles (and whole grain is great/healthy) and follow directions on the bag (be sure to use a big pot). Look at the serving size per box (usually around 6 servings) and then use an appropriate amount (use half if it's 6 servings - better to have extra). Then you can heat & pour Ragu over it - or you can brown some meat if you want meaty spaghetti.

Best thing is the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook - covers the basics of all foods - how to cook lots of veggies - how to cut up things - what different terms mean (slice vs. dice...)

You'll do fine! Just don't be afraid, and always read a recipe before you start and make sure the directions make sense.

i was in the same boat till i started buying the box dinners that you just add meat to they are really easy and taste like you really put alot of effort into it even tho they are easy! or if you have an item you want to cook just type "easy recipes" into ur search box and lots of easy stuff comes up.

My best advice is to go to www.allrecipes.com. There are a zillion recipes there and each recipe has reviews written by everyday cooks who have actually made the recipes.

I am an experienced cook who has taught a number of new cooks how to get started cooking. If you would like to correspond with me with questions to get plain language answers, I'd be happy to help you. I'm not sure how to reach me through MamaSource but you can email me at ____@____.com anytime. Just put something like "cooking questions" in the subject line so I'll know what the email is about. I get a lot of emails and I generally answer all daily.

Allrecipes.com is a good site and the recipes are tasty and varied.

Dear G M,
Most recipies are not that hard. Not knowing what you might be interested in cooking, I have no idea what to send you, but here are some suggestions that have worked for me. One of the easiest ways to find easy recipies is the internet. You can hit up allrecipies.com and bettycrocker.com and several others. Most of the companies you buy food from at the grocery stores will have websites with recipies anymore, which are a blessing when you're strapped for ideas. Many of them have quick meal ideas as well, which is great, especially if you also work. My other suggestion is start your own cookbook. I did this, and it's worked well for me. I hit up my husband's family for many of his favorite recipies, as well as my own family for my favorite recipies and recipies from my aging relatives that I didn't want to die out when they did. It's a great way to keep up with the family, as well as add your own when you run across recipies that you particularly enjoy. I hope this helps, good luck in the kitchen!
S.

Tator Tot Casserole
Cook Hamburger meat and drain add 1 can mushroom soup and stir. put tator tots on bottom of pan put hamburger meat and mushroom soup mixture on top of layer tator tots then top with shredded cheese. cook in 350 oven for 25 minutes and cheese is melted taste to see if tots are done and then its ready

Way to go on wanting to cook for your family! I love to cook, just hate the cleaning up afterwards. LOL
My suggestion for you is to check out various cooking websites online, my favorite is recipezaar.com you can input ingredients to search for recipes that fit your criteria, or even by cooking method or time.

Good luck!

I hope you like them. They are super easy. The first is a dip that we use as a meal sometimes. The 2nd is a great way to use Ramen noodles. The last 2 are my old stand-bys after a long day at work. The last 3 should be great for your baby also.

Spicy Bean Salsa or called Oklahoma Caviar
1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
8 oz. frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 jalapeno (can omit of too spicy)
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix everything together, and enjoy. It's better the next dayt. We use Fritos, but for a healthier "chip", use sliced cucumbers.

Chicken with Ramen Noodles (like a stir fry)
The next thing is just take 2-3 boneless, skinless thighs or breasts and cut them into small pieces. Add oil to a skillet. Brown chicken. Add diced onion, green peppers,broccoli, snap peas, or whatever veggies you have (fresh or frozen--thawed & drained) until veggies are soft. Add partially cooked (not too soft or they will get soggy), drained Ramen noodles (2-3 packages). Sprinkle the seasoning packet over everything, stir and let simmer until noodles are as soft as you like. This is inexpensive, and your baby can eat the soft veggies, chicken and Ramen noodles.

Barbecued Chicken
Bake some chicken legs or thighs @ 325* for 50 minutes or until chicken runs clear. (may want to buy meat thermometer to insure proper temp) During the last 15 miutes, pour barbecue sauce over chicken. Make a box of macaroni cheese, and steamed broccoli. Serve with bread or dinner rolls, and milk.

Baked Chicken w/Cream of Mushroom Soup
The other thing I do that's super easy is bake chicken, mix a can of cream of mushroom soup with a can of milk (from soup). Pour over chicken. Bake covered for 50 minutes @ 325* (until chicken runs clear). Make mashed potatoes, and another veggie, like green beans.

Superfast Spaghetti
The last one is just brown ground beef, add a jar of spaghetti sauce. Boil spaghetti. For bread...sometimes I just take plain bread slices, spread with butter, sprinkle garlic powder over it, and broil for a few minutes util brown. Add a salad or veggie, and you have a great meal.

I know these will be super simple recipes to some folks, and if they are for you, I don't mean to insult you. But, if you need simple ideas to get started...here they are.

Another great thing is to go to the library and get some books and just start reading. There is also a program in many areas called EFNEP or FNP...Food Nutrition Program. They have classes that teach food safety, nutritious foods, and teach basic cooking skills.

Good luck!

Hi G.M. and Happy New Year!

I am a wife, mom and nana and have been known for my cooking all my life. I highly recommend a site, mixingbowl.com. It is divided into different groups that you can belong to according to your skill level, type of foods you like and even if you are on a special diet. You can always ask questions if you don't understand the instructions in the recipe and given help willingly without making you feel bad. If you check it out look me up and say hi...my screen name there is shortnsweet.

Good luck on your cooking adventure! Once you get a hand on the basics it can be fun and you'll even look forward to it! You can always email me at ____@____.com if you have any questions. (that's a Q after the W.) I check my email numerous times a day and can get a response back to you quickly. Just remind me that you are from Mamasource.

Happy cooking! Your family will love you for embarking on this new adventure!

W. Q

chicken pot pie is easy. Buy a rolled pie crust (usually in the section where the pillsbury buscuits and crescents are). Buy a can of cream of chicken soup, can of vegall or mixed veggies. You boil chicken, then shred it up. Mix the shredded chicken, soup, and can of veggies together. Put them in the pie crust, put the top of the pie crust on, the bake until golden brown (usually about 45 min at 350) We usually have applesauce with it, and you can add hot sauce for extra flavor, but it's mild and a good meal for kids with meat and veggies.

another thing is just buy boneless, skinless chicken breast and bake it in a glass pan covered with aluminum foil. I season it with Cavendars Greek seasoning (walmart or kroger) and worstershire sauce, then make a box of rice a roni and a can of green beans or frozen or fresh veggies on the side. Bake the chicken about 45min. Easy, healthy and good.

Tip: once you can bake chicken, you can bake it with salsa on it and 10 minutes before its ready, add some cheese (monterrey jack or cheddar) serve with spanish rice and black beans for a "mexican" dinner

or: add tomato sauce and italian seasonings (basil, oregano, garlic powder) serve with pouch of alfredo noodles and spinach. there's your italian meal!

I always buy croissants in the can, and sister shubert rolls and bake them for 10 min or so (label will say) and have with dinner. Yummy! Hope this gives you 4 new chicken meals!

casseroles are yummy and easy. I'm going to post two recipes that my family really loves, but it always depends on what your family likes and dislikes.

Taco Casserole
Tortilla chips, crushed
2 lbs ground beef
jar of salsa
bag of mexican chesse mix

Preheat oven to 350.Brown the beef, then combine the meat, salsa, and crushed tortilla chips into a casserole dish. Top with cheese. Put in oven for 15 minutes let stand 5. You can add other things as well, depending on taste. The basic is what I take to parties, because people seem to like those ingriedients, but at home I've been known to add refried beans, and/or sour cream and even soft tortilla strips as well.

Tuna Casserole

2 cans tuna in water (drained)
1 can cream of mushroom family size
2 cups crushed plain potatoe chips
1/2 cup uncrushed chips
1 can sweet peas

Combine all ingridients except whole potatoe chips, into your casserole (or microwave safe) dish. This can be put in the oven on 350 for 15 minutes, top with whole potatoe chips, cook 5 more minutes,-- or-- in microwave 5 minutes, top with chips, cook another 4. let stand 5 minutes. My mom adds mac n cheese (cooked before adding to the dish) to her casserole, my husband likes it better without.