Try to Cook

What important lesson have I learned in the last week that is relevant to cooking? Measure the ingredients and follow the recipe. This apparently is vital in the making of Macaroni and Cheese (more commonly known as ‘Cheese Noodles’).

Remember how I was kind of really excited about getting to make Chris – whom I should probably introduce – World, I’d like to introduce you to Chris, my lovely, hilarious, one-of-a-kind boyfriend who lives 3 states away (who is also visiting me for the week). One thing you need to know about him: He likes a woman who can cook. And can I cook? Hell no.

Sunday night, I had asked Chris what his thoughts were for supper. “Juicy grilled steak with a side of homemade potato’s, maybe some green beans or corn as well.” That sounds guy-like, right? But nope. Chris requests cheese noodles and chicken patty on a bun. This is quite possibly the easiest meal to make, but yet I manage to loose control and make a mess.

The problem with me and macaroni and cheese is that a) I never use the 6 tablespoons of butter they tell you to (I use about 1), and b) I smother it in milk. Last time I made mac and cheese for Chris, he wouldn’t eat it. I think he said it was too much like soup. He has since been skeptical of my ability to produce quality cheese noodles.

HOWEVER! Sunday night, July 13, 2008, I made awesome batman cheese noodles! (I have this thing with the shapes. I just don’t get as full eating the regular elbow kind.) The cheese was paste-like (I guess the way it should be), and there was definite flavor going on. The only thing that went wrong was that I allowed the water to boil over and spill into the stove, but of course I cleaned it the second the stove cooled down.

As for the chicken you ask? It was also successful, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. It requires zero effort.

I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to be more chef-like, but at least he was happy with the quality.

Just an update: No cappuccino pancakes as of yet.

My boyfriend is coming to visit me in a week and I think he would be impressed if I made him a good meal for once. Last time I repeatedly made him chicken patty sandwich’s and french fries. Not too much effort there; but then again, thats what he wanted! I’m really excited about the opportunity to make a ‘real meal’ this time :-D It will be cute I think.

It looks like I’ll be trying a new recipe.

”’Wait…it calls for 1/2 cup sugar, but apparently I’m suppose to divide the 1/2 cup into 1/4’s as well?’ DON’T ADD THE EGG! I need to divide the sugar more!”

I am terrible at following recipes (once, I was making cookies and I accidentally used powdered sugar instead of flour, baking soda instead of baking powder, and the wrong amount of milk). I usually just read off and collect the ingredients, assume they will all go in a big bowl together, and mix them together as I go. So often is that not the case.

Aside from my habits of not following instructions, I am a picky eater. Basically I eat noodles, which by the way – has anyone had the whole wheat noodles? I’m very much into them.

... Lets make a list of my dis-likes. That should be far easier than telling you what I do like.

*Frozen veggies
*Most meats
*Cheese
*Fish
*Salads

That’s a decent list, and kind of rules out a lot of food concoctions.

I suppose the point I’m trying to make is this: I love the idea of cooking, but I don’t want to eat the product. I guess if I could cook for someone else, I’d be set.

However! I love desserts. I’m all for baking those.