Monday, November 03, 2008

Finding my cooking groove

I'm starting to cook more regularly for my family. This has not been easy. For years nobody was home at dinnertime -- both kids had gymnastics practice, and it was easy for me and Tim to throw together a salad or just get fresh fast food (a la Chipotle, for example). But the bigger issue was that I got lazy and out of the habit of planning for dinner. Now I'm ready to mend my ways.

Last week I cooked 5 nights out of 7, and the 2 nights I didn't cook, we were at a family dinner one night, and the other night we were all scattered different places. That, my friends, is a VERY successful week.

Today I was going to use my brand new pressure cooker (purchased based on Tracy's recommendation from The Veggie Queen) for the very first time, but I chickened out. Although it came with some recipes, I couldn't find one I was sure my family would like. I did, however, have stuff on hand to do a chicken curry. (I pulled my part out before adding in the chicken at the end.)

Tomorrow night we have the water polo banquet, so no cooking for me. But Wednesday I'll be embarking on my first pressure cooker adventure, with the help of a cookbook I bought at Barnes and Noble tonight. (When in doubt, buy another book right?)

Finally, speaking of books, I'm obsessed with a fiction series for the first time in years. I used to like reading fiction, but about 5 years ago I nearly gave it up completely. It just seemed stupid and pointless and I really didn't care what the made-up characters were doing next. (Depression may have had something to do with how I felt about reading for pleasure.) (I did read every single Harry Potter book, though!) Well, over the last few months I've been reading the Southern Vampire Mystery series (starting with Dead Until Dark) and I love them! (One of my clients introduced me to them and I'm so grateful!) I just finished book 5 tonight, and picked up books 6 and 7 when I got the cookbook. Whatever will I do when I have to actually wait for the next book???

8 comments:

Julianne said...

Ohhh, a pressure cooker. Maybe that's what I need!

The Veggie Queen said...

I hope that your first pressure cooking experience goes well. I tell people to put water in it first to see how it works, and then do a recipe.
I say that pressure cooking which change your life -- making cooking faster, easier, more delicious and more environmentally sound (go green).
I am sure that once you get the hang of it, you will love it, like Tracy and I do.

KatieFeldmom said...

I'm still on the wait list at the library for book #1 ....... can't wait!!! When I got home from the Mud Run, I logged on and requested ...... now I'm #13.

I've never tried to cook with a pressure cooker .... I'll be interested in how your meal comes out.

Aka Alice said...

I can't wait to read about your pressure cooker experience...they sorta scare me...how they sound like they're about to blow...

leslie said...

Julianne -- Yes, you DO need one, cuz everyone needs one!

leslie said...

Veggie Queen -- I'm so delighted that you stopped by! I love your DVD and I am excited to be exploring the world of PCing with you and Tracy as my guides! Thank you!!!

leslie said...

Katie -- You're gonna love the books. And I do hope you'll consider getting a PC. They're very fun and feel almost magical! :)

leslie said...

AKA Alice -- I was scared until I actually used one (and I have a good one, so it doesn't feel poorly made or flimsy) and now I think it's just plain fun!