I don't LOVE to cook. I am not a bad cook but for whatever reason, I just don't enjoy it. I LOVE to bake, I make awesome treats, sweets, cupcakes and cookies.
I do however like to eat and homemade food is always a treat. The kids flew the coop so the nest is empty. I don't cook much anymore because it's just the two of us. The hubs and I don't really work, we manage some income property that we own. That keeps us busy a few hours each morning, which leaves plenty of time in the afternoon for having fun. While we are out and about on our afternoon adventures, we usually just stop at one of the many local eateries and have dinner. Most offer "Early Birds" (yes we are those people) so the 2 of us can usually eat for about 20 bucks.
The point is coming. When my sister visited recently, you may remember that she made me an awesome casserole. If you missed that entry, you can read all the details about that here. The casserole was soooooo amazing I decided to try to replicate it!!!! My sister sent me the "recipe". I honestly thought it was a joke because it did not say anywhere.....1 cup of this, 2 cups of that, a teaspoon of this or a tablespoon of that. Only one of the 16 ingredients had an amount, and that was the garlic. "6" cloves, that's a lot of garlic. As we shopped last night for the ingredients, the hubs and I were hysterical. "This is not a recipe" he said, "is she kidding, you better call her". I didn't call, I decided to "wing" it and see what happens. So here's the nitty-gritty of my kitchen adventure today...
I decided to do a little experiment and figure out exactly what this meal cost to make. Factor in the time it took to shop, prepare and clean up...let's see what I came up with.
The point is coming. When my sister visited recently, you may remember that she made me an awesome casserole. If you missed that entry, you can read all the details about that here. The casserole was soooooo amazing I decided to try to replicate it!!!! My sister sent me the "recipe". I honestly thought it was a joke because it did not say anywhere.....1 cup of this, 2 cups of that, a teaspoon of this or a tablespoon of that. Only one of the 16 ingredients had an amount, and that was the garlic. "6" cloves, that's a lot of garlic. As we shopped last night for the ingredients, the hubs and I were hysterical. "This is not a recipe" he said, "is she kidding, you better call her". I didn't call, I decided to "wing" it and see what happens. So here's the nitty-gritty of my kitchen adventure today...
All the ingredients...I forgot the cream in the picture!
I had most of the ingredients prepped as the pasta water started to boil...
you cook the pasta first, then once you drain the pasta and set aside,
you use the same pot to saute all the other ingredients.
again no measurements.......this part said add cream until the sauce is pink.
Do you think this is pink?!?!?!
The mid-way mess!!
The finished product!
All I can say is "it better be good"
She said it would take about 30 minutes to put together...
2 hours for me!
oooohhhhh and it still has to be baked at dinner time for 45 minutes!
1 Bulb of Garlic - $ 1.49
Basil & Parsley - $ 4.28
Scallions - $ .79
1 Onion - $ 1.66
1 Pint Grape Tomatoes - $ 3.49
1 Pound Sweet Italian Sausage - $ 3.99
3 Cans of V-8 Juice - $ 3.00
Fresh Parmesan Cheese - $ 6.44
Fresh Marinated Mozzarella - $ 6.99
Light Cream - $ 1.69
Olive Oil - $ 5.99
So the grand total is...$ 39.81. I do think we will get 2 meals out of it, one dinner and one lunch. Not bad but it took a good part of my day. The kitchen still needs to be cleaned up but I do love one pot/casserole meals. No real mess/clean up at dinner time.
I had fun with this BUT I still don't love to cook!! I am off to clean up the mess. The stove is black, too much water in the pasta pot, no smoke alarms and no flames, so I'm calling this one a success!
12 comments:
Looks great to me. The pink looks orange to me but could be the monitor. I am sure it tasted wonderful. I love quick meals that sounds to long for me. Good job. B
I agree with you,I like to bake all kinds of goodies,but don't much enjoy cooking.I enjoy it even less now that I cook for only one,that is NO fun.Hope your casserole turns out super good.
OMG! See, I'm totally with you. I'm not horrible in the kitchen and used to cook some good down-home meals. But I just don't enjoy it. I DETEST recipe books! i laughed at your sis' attempt at the recipe and i sure hope it turns out - especially since you'll have 2 meals of it!
I have been telling people for years that 2 people can eat out cheaper than you can cook it at home. I love this post!! You break even on money and my time is worth something too. Plus I don't think I have enough counter space to make this recipe. Looks tasty though!
Ha!! I love the title to this post! I agree....baking is my favorite too :) But it looks like your dinner turned out great!
oooh...looks good!
I don't like to cook AT ALL. I would rather clean bathrooms:) Really!
But...I WOULD come over to visit and eat this meal;))) Looks delicious...and I like that recipe:))
You and your hubby sound like Motor Man and me; we eat out ALL the time! He often kids and asks our friends if they want to buy a refrigerator, stove, etc. because ours is never used!
And I think you make a good point: 2 can eat out less expensively than cooking. We'll often share a meal at restaurants which really cuts down on the cost.
I love your blog! I have gifted you with an award! Stop by and pick it up!
I love to eat...therefore, I must cook. This looks pretty good. I was surprised by the cost. Kinda pricey. Still, cheaper and healthier than eating out.
Looks like you done good ;)
Tammy.....Google acting up again....urgh.
Yum, looks great. I'm with you, one pot meals are just so much easier.
Came straight here from your message. Your post made me laugh and your pictures are great. I also don't really enjoy cooking. I have a really fussy family of eaters so I can't really be bothered to put to much effort in. Is that terrible? I love to bake but Karen has taken over in that department, oh well, I'll just have to sit and eat it lol.
Anyway great post I'll need to go back and read some of your other older posts.
That looks so good Debbie. I go through phases about cooking. Right now I'm in the don't want to cook phase :)
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