Saturday, Aug. 15th - Wednesday, Aug. 26th

This past weekend was pretty much a lazy, leftovers kind of time. No fancy menu, no new and exciting meals to force feed to my family. There something to be said about lounging about in PJ's all day and finishing 3 excellent paperbacks (Dean Koontz's Frankenstein, 1-3). Even Pi and Conner were enjoying the superb laziness.

Saturday was chilli-dogs and oven-baked tater-tots. I think they contributed a great deal to Sunday's level of lazy.

Sunday was Eggplant Parmesana. I'm a texture person; that means the meal can taste like perfection but certain textures like grainy (anything that feels like you dropped a spoonful of soil into it) and gooey (bread pudding feels like a head cold) are just wrong. Forgotten in the oven and consequently overcooked eggplant is not a good texture. Thank god for the Chicken Parmesana I made for the one who thinks the only suitable vegetables are corn and whatever can be found on a fast-food burger.

Monday I was sick. No food for me. And since I couldn't take my allergy meds, not even junk food for me. Tuesday was more of the same. Needless to say, this morning's cautiously eaten breakfast of stale Chex Mix and string cheese was absolutely delicious.

Now that I feel better, I'm thinking Meatloaf tonight (actually I was thinking 'rare steak with just a little bit of sear with a side of baked sweet potato and a tall Jack and Coke' but I don't want to push it. I'll save that for this weekend.)

And before I forget -

CLARIFICATION: If it's something that is easily found in most standard cookbooks/on the internet, I won't post a recipe. If you'd like a copy of any particular recipe, just let me know.

Tues, Aug 18 and Wed, Aug 19

I'll edit and post the recipe some time tonight... or tomorrow... or...

Tuesday's dinner - Cheesy Garden Vegetables

I made this a loooong time ago when I was in 4-H. I'll wait for the laughter to subside. Got it out of your system? Then let's continue. I used to be proud to cook; I was a culinary geek. Eating this reminded me of when I actually used my skill to achieve something other than a wider butt.

It's mainly cheese sauce with some veggies thrown in for texture, but it's quick, easy and earned me a first place trophy and a chance to see the exotic locale that is Brownsville, TX.

Wednesday's dinner - Skillet Lasagna and Tomatoes Provencal

The lasagna was from a magazine that will remain nameless because I fear Martha-Stewart-esque retribution, espcially since it helped prove once and for all that my traditional lasagna's better.

The Tomatoes Provencal was a last minute addition when I noticed that the pile of tomatoes on the counter were just this side of tempramental water balloons. I shunned basic science and was stuck on the idea that baking will only make them better, not enhance the ick. Wrong. Breaded bitter killer tomatoes anyone?

Monday, August 17th

I was too sick to care,so last night was grilled cheese and condensed potato soup. Don't tell anyone but it was made with lactose-free milk. Ha!!! It tastes the same, admit it! :-P

Catch-Up

Friday, August 14th -

Not quite alfredo but tasty nonetheless and does not require my keeping cream in the fridge that will inevitably be lost behind the milk and morph into some creepy lump of icky.

Saturday, August 15th - Beef Bourguignon and

I know I'm mixing countries but pppt. Tried it in the electric roaster this time. Bad idea. Took twice as long and I still ended up burning myself.

Sunday, August 16th - Lunch:

What's the best part of the effort of risotto? Little gooey balls of flavor and cheese.

Dinner -

Note for next time - sweet and sour basting sauce is not sweet and sour dipping sauce. Euuuuuu!