Entering the World of Cooking
I have decided that enough is enough, I can't live on veggies and dip, salad, and fried-egg sandwiches for the rest of my life - it's time I learned how to cook! So, I have spent the past two weeks trying some different dishes and foods - some successful and some not-so successful. There have been numerous calls to Mom and/or Susan for advice and direction (thank you Susan for informing me that yes, the chicken does need to be cooked separately before you put it in the casserole, that could have been a rough night). But, I'm learning and so far, I've made a spaghetti squash lasagna (delicious!), salmon fillet with a brussel sprouts side dish (also very good!), a chicken/broccoli/pasta sauce/cheese casserole (using up the ingredients in my fridge), and a layered chick pea, veggies, and tuna salad. I also made deviled eggs for potluck night with the girls and used my icer to put in the filling which impressed the crowd (they didn't know I had to Google how to hard-boil an egg - Cheryl is now burying her head in her hands).
Tomorrow night I am hosting my Ottawa girlfriends for dinner. The menu includes a baby arugula, blue cheese, pear, celery and candied pecans salad; chicken breasts; and green beans with toasted almonds. Susan and Mom are on hand for questions and I'm thinking maybe setting up my laptop in the kitchen so they can observe might be best... No, I'm getting more confident and I am going to wow them! If not, I have lots of wine and I will get them all sloshed so that everything tastes great!
I would love if anyone could post in my Comments page some easy recipes (preferably 5 ingredients or less) or a side dish, or meat (with clear instructions) that I could try out. I want to increase my repetoire and I am open to trying new foods. Scallops is one thing I love but haven't had the nerve to try yet so if anyone has some hints on that, I am all ears.
Below is my Spaghetti Squash Lasagna recipe - it's a great alternative to pasta and tastes great too! In the words of Julia Child, "Bon Appetit!"
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- ground beef, turkey, chicken (your choice)
Cook the spaghetti squash - slice it in half and clean out the insides like you're carving a pumpkin. Place it cut-side down in a baking dish in about a half-inch of water and cook for an hour at 350'F. Remove from the oven, let it cool, and then scrape out the insides with a fork so it forms like spaghetti noodles.
Layer a square pan with spaghetti squash, spaghetti sauce, meat, cheese, and repeat.
Bake at 400'F in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly on the top
* If you're single like me, the recipe is easy to half OR, make the larger one and freeze in individual portions for later
Tomorrow night I am hosting my Ottawa girlfriends for dinner. The menu includes a baby arugula, blue cheese, pear, celery and candied pecans salad; chicken breasts; and green beans with toasted almonds. Susan and Mom are on hand for questions and I'm thinking maybe setting up my laptop in the kitchen so they can observe might be best... No, I'm getting more confident and I am going to wow them! If not, I have lots of wine and I will get them all sloshed so that everything tastes great!
I would love if anyone could post in my Comments page some easy recipes (preferably 5 ingredients or less) or a side dish, or meat (with clear instructions) that I could try out. I want to increase my repetoire and I am open to trying new foods. Scallops is one thing I love but haven't had the nerve to try yet so if anyone has some hints on that, I am all ears.
Below is my Spaghetti Squash Lasagna recipe - it's a great alternative to pasta and tastes great too! In the words of Julia Child, "Bon Appetit!"
Spaghetti Squash Lasagna
- 1 spaghetti squash
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- ground beef, turkey, chicken (your choice)
Cook the spaghetti squash - slice it in half and clean out the insides like you're carving a pumpkin. Place it cut-side down in a baking dish in about a half-inch of water and cook for an hour at 350'F. Remove from the oven, let it cool, and then scrape out the insides with a fork so it forms like spaghetti noodles.
Layer a square pan with spaghetti squash, spaghetti sauce, meat, cheese, and repeat.
Bake at 400'F in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly on the top
* If you're single like me, the recipe is easy to half OR, make the larger one and freeze in individual portions for later