"since we've had some food posts lately.." written by Museumchick on estrip.org

10/17/07 09:06 - 59ºF - ID#41683

since we've had some food posts lately..

I have a confession: I can't really cook. Or I do cook, but not well, at any rate.

What's the best way I can learn to make real (simple( meals? Do you know of any good books/websites to help me get started?

I should mention my apartment has a stove and microwave, but no oven.

theecarey writes at 11:07:16 10/17/07 - Comment #26520: I think Rachel only makes stuff look easy.

I hear ya! I guess to get better at cooking it takes practice. I'd like to be able to learn to make a few things really well. OK, so you have a microwave and a stove top. Do you have a toaster oven? while not able to accommodate much, there are some things that you can make in one when you need an oven of some sort. (like cookies!)

I am usually looking for simple-easy myself, as I:

1. have a small kitchen with little room for appliances, prepping, storing, etc
2. often cook only for myself. Bowl of cereal usually works but sometimes want something more substantial. Raman noodles dont count.
3. hate following long drawn out recipes that require skill, aptitude in following directions and using correct measurements and ingredients.
4. like to create and come up with super yummy stuff, but not at the expense of spending hours, or tons of money to make a dish.

The following site (and others like it) is great for those days you have a bunch of random stuff in your fridge/cupboards but dont know what to make out of any of it. You plug in your ingredients and it generates a recipe for you based on those items. You'll see that it asks for an email address. You do not need to enter one. The recipe will come up in another window.
:::link:::

This is an 'easy recipe' site.
:::link:::

There are a lot of books available as well. I have quite a few that cater to 'simple and easy' while still be interesting and varied.

good luck :)

tinypliny writes at 10:57:39 10/17/07 - Comment #26519: I beg to differ from this popular praise for cookbooks and whatnots. I think the best way to learn cooking is by cooking.

Start with very basic recipés that you find on the web. If, for instance, you wanted to make a slightly Indian styled onion soup, check out my recipé on (e:Joshua)'s blog. Then, you just jump in and make it.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. So drink the soup. Now is the time to criticise the soup. Was it tasty? If the answer is yes, then congratulations!! You are a cook already! If not, don't agonize! Experiment. Add some more salt, or decrease/increase/modulate the oil, or modulate the spice level.

Practice makes perfect. Everytime you cook, you are going to learn something new, so I recommend that, instead of buying those glossy cookbooks, you crack the ladles and the pots and open up your laptop and march to your kitchen.

And don't forget to dance while you are making stuff, happiness always seeps into your dish and makes it tastier!! Don't rush your cooking, make sure that you have a nice chunk of time free, before you start! :) Remember that cooking is just that. Cooking.

Good Luck!

james writes at 07:42:51 10/17/07 - Comment #26500: no, no, no. They don't sweat by her, they swear at her.

museumchick writes at 07:41:20 10/17/07 - Comment #26499: (e:james)- thanks, I definitely will have to check Bitman's book out.

(e:libertad)- I've never really watched Rachel Ray, but I know a lot of people who swear by her.

libertad writes at 05:38:59 10/17/07 - Comment #26491: I heard Rachel Ray is good.

james writes at 01:37:57 10/17/07 - Comment #26455: Mark Bitman's How To Cook Everything is a great book for beginners. It is full of recipes of everyday things, delicious things, things you probably grew up eating. There are a few exotic recipes, a few guides to planning a party, a guide to equipment. It is a great book. I wish that was my first cook book instead of the crazy macrobiotic books I had.

Permalink: since_we_ve_had_some_food_posts_lately_.html
Words: 56
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: photos

10/16/07 12:50 - 61ºF - ID#41673

over goldengrove unleaving...

I'm really enjoying the beautiful weather lately. It's great going outside in the sunshine and walking through the leaves.

Fall always reminds me of this poem, for some reason:

"Spring and Fall to a young child" by Gerard Manley Hopkins

M�RGAR�T, �re you gr�eving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Le�ves, l�ke the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
�h! �s the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you w�ll weep and know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
S�rrow's spr�ngs �re the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It �s the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

Permalink: over_goldengrove_unleaving_.html
Words: 161
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: music

10/11/07 05:15 - 58ºF - ID#41604

dylan concert

I had a great time at the concert with Aaron. I liked Amos Lee, and Dylan was good (though his voice was in bad shape). The best act of the three was definitely Elvis Costello. He sounded incredible, and was great at interacting with the audience. I loved his versions of Red Shoes, Veronica, Oliver's Army, and I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down.

Here is a picture of Elvis playing (though it's hard to see him):

The best part of last weekend was getting to see Aaron.

Here's a picture of us (definitely not a good picture of me, but it's a good one of Aaron):

Permalink: dylan_concert.html
Words: 112
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: news

10/06/07 11:42 - 75ºF - ID#41516

pirate treasure found in Cape Cod

I have trouble figuring out how to embed youtube on here, so I thought I'd send a link:

Permalink: pirate_treasure_found_in_Cape_Cod.html
Words: 27
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: albany

10/03/07 09:46 - 68ºF - ID#41471

things I like about Albany

I realize I've been kind of a downer lately, so without further ado...
Top 10 things I like about living in Albany (hope it was okay if I did a top 10 list, (e:drew)):

1. Albany has an interesting blend of history and culture.
2. The countryside is really pretty, and its near the Adirondacks and Catskills.
3. I'm close to the cities I've always wanted to see- NYC, Boston, Montreal. I'm also near New England, which I also hope to travel around.
4. There's lot of museums and cultural events going on.
5. It's really convenient to be in the state capital.
6. I'm very grateful to have a steady job and insurance here.
7. Although my classes have been stressful, I really enjoy the class conversations. My professors are very good, too. I feel stimulated and motivated.
8. It is nice to get to some of my cousins from my dad's family who live here better.
9. There are some great diners here, and uncommon Grounds is good for my java fix (thanks (e:James)).
10. I have my very own apartment (I always shared my living space with other people).

Permalink: things_I_like_about_Albany.html
Words: 182
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

10/02/07 11:48 - 60ºF - ID#41450

living arrangements

I've decided I'd like to live with either a puppy or a guy. Since I don't think the "living with a guy" thing will work out soon... I kind of like the thought of having a puppy. Maybe if I find a place that allows animals or something.

jenks writes at 07:55:04 10/02/07 - Comment #25656: Peter I agree that if a dog's whole life is spent locked in a small crate that's no good- but at the same time I think that when used properly and responsibly, crate-training is a good thing for a dog. Especially in multi-dog households.

metalpeter writes at 06:45:07 10/02/07 - Comment #25644: I say go for both. It would be great. When one of you isn't home the other one can walk the dog, maybe the dog wouldn't be as lonely since there would be people there at different times of the day.

To (e:jenks) I agree that if you're living arangements make crating or caging then there is no sense to have a dog it is cruel to the dog. If someone thinks it isn't take the dogs body size and see how many times it can fit in the crate then take that number and times it by the size of you and make a cage that size for your self and stay in it all day. If you where using it just for kinky sex then fine but to live in it is cruel. Dogs have to be active and have some freedom just like any other animal.

jenks writes at 01:00:54 10/02/07 - Comment #25631: I am dying for a dog, but leaving it home in a crate while I work 80/wk wouldn't really be fair... but the second I have better hours, I am getting a puppy/dog. Until then, I live vicariously through others. I stop and pet and coo over every random mutt I see in the street, and yes, I "happen to" wander into the dog park "by accident" on occasion- I'm sure I look like a crazy lady but I don't care.

I say go for it. Men may come and go, but a dog will love you for life!!!

carolinian writes at 12:07:11 10/02/07 - Comment #25628: They both get into lots of trouble, scratch themselves, and destroy cherished things. I guess it depends on which you find easier to train. ;)

james writes at 11:56:50 10/02/07 - Comment #25626: By night Washington park is full of Hookers and drug dealers.

By day it is full of puppies, puppies, puppies!

I missed having pets when I lived in Albany and would go down to the dog park and play with other people's dogs. It was really pathetic of me, but it made me super happy. So, if you get a dog, take him there.

Permalink: living_arrangements.html
Words: 48
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

09/29/07 09:11 - 60ºF - ID#41410

another post

(e:Jenks) gave me some good advice about something, and it helped me out a lot. It made me see things in a different way than I had been. I appreciated having that perspective from someone who was willing to say it like it really was.

It hurts about what has happened over the past few months, but there's very good things that came about as a result of that hurt.

Work hasn't been going that well. I can't get into the situation on a public forum like this..but it's definitely not the best. I have been enjoying my classes (though the workload is very stressful). I especially like my state and society seminar. We get guest speakers each week from the department who introduce us to different fields and specialties. It's fun to have new professors every week. I still don't really know anyone that well. Most people are nice, but they are mostly just people I talk to about school stuff. Hopefully, that will start to change. I think they need an albany estrip or something.

Aaron's coming up next week, and we're going to see Dylan and Costello! I'm so psyched, it helps me get through the drugery of the days. Then, the next week, my sister and her boyfriend are coming up for a visit.

Permalink: another_post.html
Words: 220
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: news

09/27/07 01:14 - 61ºF - ID#41358

anti-democracy crackdown in Burma

I guess not much in the news is shocking anymore, but it chilled my spine to think of soldiers going into temples and beating/killing monks.

Permalink: anti_democracy_crackdown_in_Burma.html
Words: 26
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: life

09/26/07 09:49 - 73ºF - ID#41336

i thought this was kind of cool...

Scientists find new species in Vietnam 1 hour, 23 minutes ago

HANOI, Vietnam - Scientists have discovered 11 new species of plants and animals in Vietnam, including a snake, two butterflies and five orchid varieties, the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) said Wednesday.

The new species were found in a remote region known as the "Green Corridor" in Thua Thien Hue province in central Vietnam, it said.

"You only discover so many new species in very special places, and the Green Corridor is one of them," Chris Dickinson, WWF's chief technical adviser in the region, said in a statement.

The new snake species, the white-lipped keelback, generally lives close to streams and eats frogs and other small animals, WWF said. It has a yellow-white stripe along its head, red dots over its body and can reach a length of 31.5 inches.

The new butterfly species are among eight discovered in Thua Thien Hue since 1996. One is a "skipper," a butterfly that flies in a quick, darting motion. It is from the genus Zela. The other is from a new genus in the subfamily Satyrinae.

Three of the new orchid species are leafless, which is unusual for orchids, WWF said.

The other new plant species include one in the aspidistra family, which produces a black flower and can subsist in low light, and an arum, which produces yellow flowers surrounded by funnel-shaped leaves, it said.

"It's great news for Vietnam," said Bernard O'Callaghan, Vietnam program coordinator for the World Conservation Union. "The jungles and mountains of Vietnam are fascinating places and they continue to surprise scientists."

All the new species are exclusive to tropical forests in Vietnam's Annamites mountain range, which offers unique habitats.

All species in the area are under threat from illegal logging, hunting and development.

Many threatened species live in the Green Corridor, including the white-cheeked crested gibbon, one of the world's most endangered primates.

Permalink: i_thought_this_was_kind_of_cool_.html
Words: 313
Location: Buffalo, NY

Category: religion

09/22/07 04:28 - 76ºF - ID#41252

Yom Kippur

Things I regret over the past year:

1. All the fights my mom and I had. I think we've worked things out, but I'm sad for all the time that we lost. We both apologized to each last night and had a long talk, but I want things to be better year round.
2. Not being there for certain family members when they really needed someone. I wish I had done more to be there for them.
3. I wish T. and I wouldn't have gone back and forth so much about things. If I could have understood better his point of view, maybe it would have made things easier for him.
4. Not calling my dad enough.
5. Losing touch with friends I've always cared deeply about.
6. Making excuses for things that I should have done, but didn't.

Last year on Yom Kippur, a friend of mine was battling advanced brain cancer. It looked as though he was going to die. Somehow, he not only lived, but is now doing much better. His inoperable tumor is almost all gone, and he's healthier than he was before he had cancer. He's starting a part-time job and is moving back out west with his friends.

I don't believe that God is behind what happens to us in our lives. I want to, especially when I see things like that happen to my friend. But then I see all the terrible things that happen to people for no good reason. I can't believe the people who say that bad things happen for a purpose. There's so many terrible, random things. Maybe I'd like to believe that God is the force behind those rare good things that happen. Sometimes I feel like an agnostic, but I'll see the sunset, and i feel that I can't just look at life through a materialist point of view. At those moments I feel there has to be something outside of ourselves. I haven't figured this out at all.

jenks writes at 04:17:19 09/25/07 - Comment #25162: re: #3-
I don't know the scenario, but don't make excuses for him... if he treated you badly, that is his fault, and not because you didn't see things from his point of view.

(I say this from experience, and not to be a bitch. It's a lesson I'm still trying to learn myself.)

ladycroft writes at 05:55:18 09/22/07 - Comment #25011: yah, it's hard to swallow why good things happen to good people, or that there is a reason. sometimes i catch a ride on the 'why me' train. sometimes i can look past that and say 'i'm glad it was me and not someone else'.

metalpeter writes at 05:53:13 09/22/07 - Comment #25010: I'm not going to say that this is going to give you the answers you seek but It is a suggestion that might be an answer or might make you think.

God doesn't control things or people and the devil doesn't either. Bad things happen in the world for what reason I don't know. But things that we judge are bad happen because people have choice. That is the same reason good things happen is because people choose to do something good. In terms of the term sin that is when someone does something that based on the bible is wrong. That doesn't mean that it is wrong. But based on what the church or bible teaches it is wrong. If we assume that god is all powerful and that he could control everything and make everyone good then there would be no choice, and with no choice we couldn't really worship him/her because we wouldn't be free. We would just being doing what he made us do (like a slave kinda). So since god is to be worshiped or praised then there has to be freedom to do that. But along with that freedom we can chose to do the wrong thing. One could even argue the point that if there is an all good being then there must be an all evil or at least opposite force some people refer to him as the devil or even "The beast". Some people believe that to be true and also think that both he and god to contribute to things that happen on earth. There is no way to cover what everybody thinks but some people do believe in angels or at least guardians who are there to protect you. Ok back to the thing about things being a choice that could be backed up by the Adam & eve story where Adam decides to pick the apple when he knows he shouldn't.

Ok off the religion answer. Sometimes bad times don't happen to make us see how good the good times are. But what if everything in life was good. If we didn't have the bad would we feel the good stuff as good? I think we might but everything would be kinda bland and the great stuff would only feel good. Beside if everything was good there would be no balance and that just isn't right.

If what I said was a help or made you think then cool, and if not sorry.

Permalink: Yom_Kippur.html
Words: 327
Location: Buffalo, NY