Cooking

November 18, 2011

Anthropologie Skirt

The Limited Belt

H&M Top

Hello Amazing Readers! I need help. You see, I HATE to cook. So most of my meals are snacks. This is horrible, I know. And I got away with it for a little while. But now, my stomach is telling me that it’s not ok anymore. So I thought I’d check with you to find out your secrets.

I need food that is fairly healthy (we like to eat organic), quick, and delicious! Tell me your favorite meals. Or where you get recipes. Please?

My secrets so far are pintrest, chicken tacos and frozen pizza’s (add extra toppings to cheese pizza and it’s delicious!). And that’s about it. Please help me.

  • http://www.diyNatural.com Matt Jabs

    Yo rosie… my advice is to learn to love the kitchen. I do this by turning on some great music, grabbing a glass of wine, and looking to create something great for my loved ones (Betsy). :)

  • Bridegt E

    My advice would be to get the moosewood cookbook it has great recipes for healthy food that can all be made from local ingredients and she puts in substitutions based on preferences like vegan, gluten free etc. My favorite is a mushroom and swiss quiche…mmm!

  • Marissa Ebeling

    Do you follow Iowa Girl Eats blog? http://www.iowagirleats.com She has lots of really great and healthy recipes and they are typically small batches (good for one or two) which I like a lot because I hate having tons of leftovers!

  • http://laceetc.blogspot.com lace, etc.

    Smitten Kitchen is my go-to recipe blog.  A favorite easy recipe is her huevos rancheros.  She has several great Indian recipes, as well.  Sushi is surprisingly easy to make, and we love homemade pizza over here.  I also love soups, especially this time of year.  Just roast a couple of squashes, throw them in a pot with some caramelized onions/garlic/spices/water and any other veggies you want (carrots, potatoes, whatever), cook until flavors have melded, puree and throw in some whole milk or cream if you want.  Ta da!

  • http://profiles.google.com/cole.adriane Adriane Cole

    Smitten kitchen’s black bean tacos. Actually I love a lot of her recipes but these are a favorite of mine that I’ve been going back to ever since she posted it!

    http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/02/crispy-black-bean-tacos-with-feta-and-slaw/

    Also, check out http://foodgawker.com/
    It has a WAY bigger base of food blog recipes, and they are a lot healthier too :)

  • Lindsey

    I’m with you. I’m not a fan of cooking. However, my guy LOVES food, so I have to cook to please him. When I discovered The Pioneer Woman’s blog, that’s when I started to love cooking more. She makes YUM food, and she takes LOTS of pictures for the people like me to follow. Step by Step instructions. Really, you need to look at her website, if you haven’t already. Some of the best recipes I’ve found that are pretty easy are ~ Chicken Parmesan & White Chicken Encheladas. Have fun! Bob will love the makings of whatever you come up with!

  • http://goodlifeforless.blogspot.com JillGG

    I swear by the Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazines (they are small, like have the size of a real magazine – look for them at the grocery store check out) They always have great meal ideas without too many ingredients or making meals to complicated.  I cook from there the most for the family and for holidays. I keep all the old issues and keep cooking out of them – some of the old issues are falling apart I use them so much!

  • Anonymous

    For something SUPER easy, roast up some veggies (think grape tomatoes, zucchini, squash, brussel sprouts – really whatever veggie you like) in EVOO, minced garlic, sea salt, cracked pepper. I roast them on a baking pan at 400 to 425 for 20 – 25 minutes. Then toss them in that pasta you can find in the refrigerator section (cheese tortellini or ravioli is good) with a little balsamic vinaigrette, throw in some goat cheese, and you’re good to go. Pinterest is a great place to find good recipes. I also have some of my favorite cooking blogs on my blogroll – Closet Cooking has some DELISH recipes that seem to have an ethnic slant to them. Honestly, a lot of times I’ll get an ingredient in my head that I want to use (rack of lamb, or butternut squash, or whatever), and I google until I find a recipe that looks good to me. Someone else mentioned Smitten Kitchen – I second that, and she has the BEST recipe EVAH for garlic ginger fried rice. Easy peasy and SOOOOOO yummy. I may need to make it this weekend. Good luck, mama!

  • http://www.ilovethatblog.com Jordin

    I don’t enjoy cooking either but have gotten better at it. I agree with Lindsey, Pioneer Woman has great easy recipes. One of my “Martha Stewart” type friends showed me how to roast veggies. Just cut up whatever kind of  fresh veggies you like and mix them with olive oil and your favorite spices. 450 for 20-30 min.  I like to do carrots, asparagus, potatoes, butter nut squash, yellow squash, zucchini, onion (not all together but you can mix a few.) Parmesan cheese is good to add at the end. Easy side dish!

  • Betsy

    I cook mostly healthy meals on my blog! Some REALLY easy, some not so easy http://www.betsylife.com

  • A. LaToya Charlton

    I too use Pinterest as inspiration but where I’m from (The Bahamas) we tend to steer more towards seafood such as lobster, fish, conch…things of that nature because it’s always available to us. You can also make a healthy stew using vegetables & lean meat :) Hope this has helped.

  • http://okokletsdothis.wordpress.com/ Nicolefrances

    Hi Linda! I have loads of meals on my blog, but mainly I build my ideas around what my needs are fitness-wise (I’m generally in a marathon training schedule, or in a recovery schedule) and what my CSA delivery has been. I prefer protein (not always in the form of meat, but sometimes), and getting the bulk of my carbs from fruits and vegetables. So, with that in mind, I build my meals from there. Foodgawker is a great help, if I have a bunch of things I’m not sure what I want to do with (example: getting lots of celeriac or beets in CSA, and looking for new ways to use them).

  • http://wanderlustmusing.blogspot.com/ Paula

    I am in the same boat and so thankful that M-F I come home to a cooked dinner! Here are some of the sites I go to for cooking inspiration:http://bevcooks.com/     http://theitaliandishblog.com/
    http://www.closetcooking.com/

  • Tiffany

    Fresh salads are a great meal option that doesn’t take too much time. I also recommend swiss chard as a side.  You can saute it with some olive oil, minced garlic, and balsamic dressing.
    Like someone else said, I get most of my carbs from fruit and veggies.

  • http://www.suzewearsclothes.blogspot.com Suze

    I’m the same way!  I tend to stick with dishes that I know how to cook because I dislike spending time in the kitchen.  One of our favorite meals is chicken and veggies over noodles or rice. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces,
    cook in skillet with olive oil, add whatever veggies you like (we do
    onions, green pepper, broccoli, celery, etc.). then add one can cream of
    mushroom OR cream of celery soup mixed with one can milk or water. Cover
    and cook until the veggies are soft and the sauce is bubbling. Serve
    over rice or noodles!

    The great thing about this is not only is
    it quick and easy, but you can make as much or as little as you want,
    and it reheats really well! We also freeze our leftovers if we’re not
    going to eat them right away!

  • http://threadsandbuttons.wordpress.com/ Kelley

    http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2009/02/quick-and-easy-potato-soup.html  That is my FAVORITE recipe, I just made my husband make it for my birthday the other day.  It’s from a blog called fat free vegan. We’re not vegan, so we always replace the soy milk with regular milk and we sometimes use Parmesan cheese instead of nutritional yeast. You might hate to cook, but this is worth it…. I could eat like 3 bowls in one sitting. AND in these cooler months?  PERFECTION!  Love that skirt by the way :)

  • Amy Wetsel

    If you two like salmon, I have a great, easy meal for you.  (If you don’t like salmon, you may be able to use another fish.)

    Ingredients:
    salmon, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, pesto, your favorite seasonings

    Instructions:
    Dice tomatoes
    Put pesto over salmon, sprinkle diced tomatoes over salmon, sprinkles lots of parmesan cheese over the fish and add favorite seasonings
    Bake in oven as directed (I’m not sure at the top of my head, because I always just cook it the way I’m told!)

    This is great because you can add other things that you may have: I’ve added diced onions and corn before!

    Buon appetito!

  • Leah

    Pioneer Woman, Pinterest, Food Network Magazine (all the recipes in the magazine are on the website…but I find the webstie overwhelming if I dont know what I want), SkinnyTaste.com, Jamie Oliver Food Revolution cookbook are all great sources. Most of these sources do a good job of cooking from scratch which already puts you ahead of the game in regards to health. Some of my favorites…

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/01/turkey-sausage-kale-and-white-bean-soup.html#more
    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/cauliflower-fritters-25.html
    http://penniesonaplatter.com/2011/03/09/coconut-chicken-with-apricot-sauce/  (the garlic rice pilaf that goes with this is super yummy)http://www.kayotic.nl/blog/stuffed-zucchini (I add italian sausage and omit the bacon and curry…super easy to tailor this to your tastes)http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/04/spinach-lasagna-rolls.html
    http://www.afarmgirlsdabbles.com/2011/03/24/lasagna-soup/ (SO GOOD)http://bakedbree.com/barbecue-chicken-sandwiches#axzz1Q4sMd6c6All super simple meals, healthy and can be made even healthier by substituting organic veggies, whole grain pastas or a side of veggies. Hope this helps. 

  • http://franniepantz.blogspot.com Frannie Pantz

    I can’t be much help in the kitchen, but I do love this striped pencil skirt!

  • http://rosealamode.com Linda Rose

    that is good advice. i need to somehow trick myself into liking it. i think that’s my biggest hurdle.

  • Laura K

    I love EF too! They also have a cookbook, which I bought on amazon for $8.95. The pictures are beautiful and help get me motivated, most of the recipes are fairly easy & use normal ingredients, and nothing has taken me longer than 45 min to make. 

  • http://www.jdubisbored.blogspot.com Jessica Wilson

    I recommend buying the 17 Day Diet book (from Amazon) for their recipes.. healthy and delish!  Try the Eggplant Parmesan and Spaghetti Squash! Easy enough to do, too!

  • Jlcoffey1

    Food Network Magazine has a section called Weeknight Cooking and the recipes are pretty easy and quick (usually 35-45 mins.). They also have a cookbook with the same idea.

  • Anonymous

    Nadia  G.’s Bitchin Kitchen on Cooking Channel is great for every level of cooks.  She uses organic ingredients and tells you why you should be using them.  Her cookbook, titled the same is at Amazon for under $13.  She also has quickie tutorials on her youtube channel(since I know you don’t have cable) and at Cooking Channel’s website.  I’ve been cooking since I was 10 and learned things from her(like why you should use raw sugar, butter, Extra virgin Olive oil, and avoid chemicals and such).  Seriously, she’ll make you feel so much more confident while your building your skill.  

  • Anonymous

    Oh, and she’s hilarious!

  • Rachel

    I was having the same problem a while ago and I bought a Cooking Light Cookbook called “Cooking Light: Fresh Food Fast.” It is amazing! Healthy, easy, and fast! It is the only cookbook I have ever had that I LOVE and would recommend to a friend! (and I love this outfit! You look so cute!)

  • Anonymous

    I love your blog!  I also love your watch!  I am really wanting a new watch but am on the fence about whether to go with a rose gold color or just a standard gold color.  Do you find that the rose gold color is easy to pair with most outfits?  I pretty much wear my current watch everyday, so whatever I replace it with I would do the same.  I would love your thoughts!!! Thanks so much!!!

  • http://rosalovesdc.tumblr.com/ RosaLovesDC

    I can’t help, hate to cook, that’s why I married my husband, he’s an excellent cook.

  • Sara

    cute skirt!! and love the shoes!

  • Sara

    cute skirt!! and love the shoes!

  • sarah

    black beans and rice is the most filling and healthy meal. 

    saute some diced onion (1/2 an onion) in olive oil until translucent, add 1 cup of rice and brown a little then add 2 cups of water bring to a boil and cover – cook however long the rice directions say, I use brown which is 45 min.

    in another pot saute another 1/2 onion with some garlic and add some parsley once translucent and half a hot pepper, add a tin of black beans and enough water to just barely cover beans (don’t add too much you can always add more later). Simmer with lids half on until thickened.

    enjoy!

  • http://houseoftubers.com Karri Tait

    I agree that learning to love your kitchen is key. Make sure that you have it set up so that it works for you (otherwise do some cabinet rearranging).  And this is huge: make sure that when you are cooking, you give yourself time. Don’t rush. Because that’s no fun. Look at it as a project. You are creating something. To me, its as wonderful an experience to create something new and delicious as it is to eat it.  But to get to the point of creating, you need to try recipes so that you’ll know how adding X will make this taste or if you add Y, it will totally give a different spin to it.
    I am vegan, but I honestly swear by Oh She Glows (website).  Even my non-vegan family gives it all a thumbs up. And you could easily substitute some of her stuff.  Or vegan yum yum. You could add meat to many of those dishes — esp the asian ones.  Otherwise yes, I’ve adapted Martha Stewart’s EF recipes (you can peruse them online, too) with success.  And Giada deLaurentiis on the Food Network has some fab recipes.

  • Lauren M

    On a weekly basis, we get organic produce from a local farm and it’s forced me to learn to cook.  It’s still not my favorite thing to do (chore) and I’m still pretty dependent on cookbooks.  That being said, the one cookbook that has made me love to learn to cook is “Cooking Through the Seasons.” I checked it out from the library for about 3 months before I finally bought it.  Beautiful pictures, and organized seasonally.  

  • http://rosealamode.com Linda Rose

    oh, that is really helpful. i do want to cook with what’s in season, so that would be perfect. i need to check that baby out!

  • http://www.undeniablestyle.com/ kate @ undeniable style

    I love everything about this outfit! I’ve been using pinterest too for cooking inspiration, it’s awesome!

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