About eight years ago, Rick and I started to take dance lessons in preparation for Byron and Racquel's wedding. Lisa from Love2Dance taught us the basics. In just eight weeks we were able to dance the Hustle and a basic Fox Trot. In addition to the lessons, we practiced several days of week. But, the only time we could fit our practice sessions into our busy schedule was while our dinner was cooking each evening. So, I began to develop menus that did not require a watchful eye during the cooking process and were ready in 30 minutes. Chicken, pork, fish, and easy pasta (gluten-free) entrees worked great. Easy preparation using the microwave, stove top, oven, rice cooker, counter-top grill, and a blender was also a requirement.
One of our favorites is a - Carrettiera Sauce (1 large can of crushed tomatoes, 2-4 cloves of crushed garlic, 6-8 large fresh basil leaves, 1/3 cup of olive oik, salt, pepper, pinch of red pepper flakes). It works over pasta, as a pizza sauce, polenta, and even okra.
In mid-July, I bought The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook from America's Test Kitchen. Taking a idea from the movie, Julie and Julia. I am working my way through the cookbook. Rick and I are rating the recipes on presentation, taste, ease of preparation, and easy to dance to. We are using the rubric - needs improvement, basic, very good and excellent.
The first recipe I tried was the Drunken Noodles with Chicken. It looked just like pictured in the cookbook but ... I used way too much chili-garlic sauce. I used two tablespoons, the recipe called for 1-2 tablespoons and even warned me, "This dish is spicy; to make less spicy, use 1 tablespoon of chick-garlic sauce." Next time - I will try just a tablespoon. Also, make sure you use baby bok choy. Overall rating - needs improvement.
One of our favorites is a - Carrettiera Sauce (1 large can of crushed tomatoes, 2-4 cloves of crushed garlic, 6-8 large fresh basil leaves, 1/3 cup of olive oik, salt, pepper, pinch of red pepper flakes). It works over pasta, as a pizza sauce, polenta, and even okra.
In mid-July, I bought The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook from America's Test Kitchen. Taking a idea from the movie, Julie and Julia. I am working my way through the cookbook. Rick and I are rating the recipes on presentation, taste, ease of preparation, and easy to dance to. We are using the rubric - needs improvement, basic, very good and excellent.
The first recipe I tried was the Drunken Noodles with Chicken. It looked just like pictured in the cookbook but ... I used way too much chili-garlic sauce. I used two tablespoons, the recipe called for 1-2 tablespoons and even warned me, "This dish is spicy; to make less spicy, use 1 tablespoon of chick-garlic sauce." Next time - I will try just a tablespoon. Also, make sure you use baby bok choy. Overall rating - needs improvement.
Tonight we had Chicken Marsala. It was excellent. I did not make any changes to the recipe. Next time I would serve it with roasted potatoes or steamed broccoli. Smashed cauliflower would also be great as a side with this dish.
