Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Ok, Ok, I cheat

I know I am not the best cook in the world. In fact I could just about screw up any recipe and that includes how to make Koolaid and coffee! So my idol is Sandra Lee from the Food Network's Semi-homemade show. Not only does she make great food, but she cuts a lot of corners to make things easier to make and harder to mess up on. The other night I made Manicotti, with fat-free ricotta cheese of course, but I used an Aldi brand sauce. I mean who has time to make their own? I was so excited to tell Grandma Bea what I made until she asked what kinda of sauce I used, immediately I felt like a failure lol. I was embarrassed to tell the queen of cooking that I cheated and used store bought gravy. Never-the-less, the Manicotti was delicious and I can still be proud of it, however, I am curious to know if anyone takes the long, often times more difficult, route when cooking. Let me know if I am not the only "cheater".

3 comments:

sharonie said...

i do think Sandra lee has some good ideas...however I cannot stand how EVERYTHING always matches and how she has "coctail time"

I made grandma beas homemade sauce and meatballs last Friday. It was so much fun! So easy too. I am going to do it again and frezze some like she does and try to have pasta every Sunday. Once you make a big pot and so many meatballs you just defrost and make the pasta. It's too easy not to do.

Cara said...

I think I will have to do that. And yes I agree that Sandra can be a lush!

Bethany Patrice said...

cara...I take short cuts all the time. When Grandma Bea had small children, she did not work. She was home all the time so she could make homemade gravy. I kinda make homemade gravy by sauteeing the onion and garlic in olive oil, then I add the canned sauce and let it simmer. It gives it a little more homestyle taste, but without the time. Other wise, after I've sauteed the onion and garlic, I just add some tomato paste and sauce from a can with a little water and let it simmer for 20 minutes. That's as original as I get.

P.S. Go Aldi!!