Ruhlman's Twenty + Blue Star Vermont giveaway
So, it’s January. Maybe you made resolutions. Maybe you just hoped for better. Maybe your credit card bill just appeared in your inbox. Whatever the case, learning to cook more wholesome, simple ingredient foods for ourselves (and others) is something on many of our lists.
I like Ruhlman’s style. He’s straightforward, practical, think-centric. No, not overthink-your-chicken, but instead, think about these (twenty) basic methods/ingredients and feel more empowered in the kitchen. I also like how he teams up with his wife (photographer and graphic designer) to make his books. (I appreciate my in-house photographer/computer genius partner every. single. day.)
His latest book is a gem for beginners on the kitchen scene and Chronicle Books has been kind as to offer up a free copy to readers here.
The twenty in question:
;)
I like how he physically shows you some of the steps, like with the oft elusive bread making.
;)
I appreciate these well-documented basics that many people (with cooking backgrounds) take for granted. If no one has ever shown you what something is supposed to look like, then how are we visual folks to succeed?
;)
But wait, it gets better…
Megan contacted me and told me about how she and her twin sister, Molly, started a hand-crafted, vintage apron sewing business in Vermont, Blue Star Vermont.
My twin sister and I began a sewing program for women in prison. There we saw the healing power of someone learning she can sew an “outa here bag” to have when she walked out those prison doors. As a handwork teacher in a Vermont Waldorf school I have loved teaching children how to knit, sew, felt, and weave, but more importantly, helping to instill in them at a very young age that they can make and do whatever they decide to do.
Working on my knitting while sitting in waiting rooms or public places, I am often stopped by someone who looks at my project in the making and says, “I could never do that.” My reply, is “Of course you can, if you want to.”
My kind of gals!
Moreover, I think anyone who’s going to be spending time in the kitchen (men included) might enjoy a hand-crafted apron in the mix. Megan and Molly have graciously donated one of their Vermont apples aprons, your choice of color, to this giveaway. (Yeah, I think you can swing it dudes, OR, in the case of a man winner, I bet Blue Star Vermont would let you select a studly Man Apron.)
;)
So, let’s recap, you get a chance to win Ruhlman’s Twenty and a Blue Star Vermont apron by simply leaving a comment below letting us know your ace-in-the-hole dinner (links to blog posts are welcome, but definitely not required). Share what you make when there’s not much time/money/enthusiasm for the kitchen. We all need more resources at hand.
Fine print: Chronicle Books can ship to US & Canada. Blue Star Vermont offered to personally pay for international shipping (a thoughtful measure for our across the pond friends), but to keep this a package deal we’re going to stick with US & Canada. Enter by February 13, 2012 at midnight EST. One winner will be selected via Random.org thusly getting a sweet Valentine’s day email. (If you don’t put your email in the comment form’s box where it asks for it, you won’t win.)
[UPDATE: Well, hell. Ruhlman actually gave his own book away asking the same giveaway question (great minds…?), so pop on over there for further ‘staple meal inspiration’. I’m not changing mine or anything, just thought you’d like to see his post, too!]
Kate
Congrats to Lee from Madison, WI. Thanks for all the great responses, what a treasure trove of dinner ideas!
Reader Comments (84)
My go to easy dinner is usually either pasta with grated cheese to just melt on top or grilled cheese and steamed veggies :)
If it's just me and no money, I'll make up a batch of rice while washing dishes or starting laundry. I'll cook that spread out in a frying pan with a bit of oil till it crisps up. Then I had a handful of cashews, a handful of rolled date pieces, some minced onion, a tiny splash of soy sauce, stir all that around for a minute or two, then clear a space in the middle for an egg. I might add some leftover chicken or a can of tunafish.
If there are more, my low-cost go-to is soup. I've got a handful I rotate through, including clam chowder (new england or manhattan styles), lentil, ham and corn chowder, chicken noodle, and so forth.
I made it last night: Chorizo, bean & egg burritos. Sometimes my husband has meetings at night and there's not much time to spare between his getting home and leaving again. He actually LOVES this meal . . . it's his comfort food. Just heat up the chorizo with a little diced onion, add leftover rice or corn if you have it or also dice up a little bell pepper and add it. Heat up the frijoles in the microwave and prepare the eggs (easy over) as the chorizo mixture is heating up. I try to make it a little healthier by using whole grain tortillas or wraps. Serve with cheese, green salsa and chopped black olives. Dinner in ten minutes!
I go with a quick marinade of dressing (balsamic or italian) with chicken , veggies & rice. Those are staples I have at hand. Or pasta.
My "go to" dish would be my Turkey Chilli. The secret is to several different chili powders and "roast" them with the garlic & onions. It adds another layer of flavor.
Baked pasta! It’s so versatile I always have ingredients for it. With or without meat – add extra veggies or not – and who doesn’t have cheese on hand. And as the name implies - it can be spaghetti, ziti, elbows – whatever is available. ALWAYS A HIT!
My go-to meal is Pasta Pomodoro-it's fast, easy, delicious, and can be modified with what I have (e.g. adding a little bacon or shrimp)
quick chicken breasts. marinate in whatever you have handy (orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, whatever!), toss into the oven for 25 minutes. we tend to have rice on hand so that + frozen veg heated in the microwave is an easy and quick meal.
Breakfast for dinner - saute any available veg and fold into an omlette or frittata and add some cheese! Roasted potatoes are an easy side.
fried prosciutto pasta. Non-perishable ingredients, makes 15 minutes, tastes awesome.
I usually do a turkey chili and top it off with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollup of sour cream. I can eat it the whole week and never get tired of it! :)
Midweek to me has to be quick as I have a 45min commute home. I never want to spend more than 10mins on prep, and this leaves me 20 mins to unwind, while it cooks. Chicken pieces, chickpeas (or garbanzo beans), cherry tomatoes, paprika, cilantro & yoghurt (which are stables in our house) are the basis in this great dish from Epicurious - http://epi.us/Lkcgi
curry! we start with a sweet onion in a cast iron skillet - let them babies carmelize until you just can't stand it anymore. add spices, let simmer, and pour over a super baked sweet potato (or whatever floats your boat). instant yum-yum! & your guests will be thoroughly impressed!
Baked tofu. I cube pressed firm tofu, toss it in a baking dish with any combination of: chunks of green pepper, sliced mushrooms, large pieces of onion, pineapple chunks--whatever's in the fridge and looks good. I pour bottled teryaki or sweet and sour sauce over all and stir till well-coated, then bake covered with foil in a 375 oven about 30-35 min. till the vegetables are soft. If I have any leftover rice in the fridge I serve it on top of that, or quinoa can be made quickly.
My go-to dinner is Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup!
My go to meal when I am just not really in the mood to cook is Friittata. The main ingredients are always in the fridge and the freezer Spinach, onion, tomato is our favorite. We also have a green salad with it.
My go-to dinner is pasta with a mostly-homemade sauce! I use fresh or boxed tomatoes, garlic, herbs, a bit of honey, then whatever veggies I have on hand.
Budget friendly, versatile and fast:
I love to make "beans and greens" atop creamy polenta with a poached egg on top
1. start the polenta cooking (takes 30 minutes)
2. saute garlic (4-8 cloves) in 3 T olive oil with some chili flakes then add chopped fresh or canned (drain first) tomatoes and allow tomatoes to cook down a bit
3. add a can of cannelini beans and cook another 10 minutes at a gentle simmer
4. while beans cook, stem and chop some greens (kale, collards, chard, spinach, etc). Add greens to tomatoes and cook until greens are sofened (3-10 minutes depending on greens
5. while greens are cooking down, poach eggs and let rest on a paper towel.
6. when polenta is done, stir in come cream cheese and taste to be sure it is well seasoned and creamy enough for your tastes.
7. MMMMMMMM....assemble: spoon polenta in a wide shallow bowl, top with greens mixture and be sure to bring some broth with it, top with an egg...sprinkle with some cheese if you like.
I would love a copy of this book
Hope
If I want a no fuss dinner I usually make a casserole. Tuna noodle or taco casserole are always winners at my house
Lime-Pesto Chicken Quesadillas! I use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for the white meat (and then use the rest of the carcass for the dark meat and to make chicken broth), some pesto, some lime juice, and some cheese. Mix it all up, make quesadillas, and serve with salad. Quick, easy, and my picky eaters all love it!
Five-spice pork served with rice and quick, stir-fried broccoli or green beans! So delicious.
When I am short on time (which is pretty much always, but some days more than others) I make a turkey meat sauce and whole wheat pasta. Last night in fact, I added chopped carrots and onions to a can of diced tomatoes & cooked ground turkey and just threw oregano, basil, parsley, salt & pepper in. I have a 5 month old and 2.5 year old twins at home so I am ALWAYS looking for a healthy shortcut wherever possible.
Beef dip. Throwing a roast in a dutch oven filled 1/2 with beef broth, bay leaf , salt, pepper, rosemary and forgetting about it all afternoon. to Served with roasted potatoes that have been parboiled first, shaken up after you toss out the water to get all rough and then finished in the oven in a bit of oil and seasoning salt. Add a bit o veg salad to add some greens to the plate. Oh so good and we didn't have to go to the pub to get it.
I always seem to default to breakfast for dinner!
My ace in the hole dinner is that I make a quick stir fry of veggies. It's easy and healthy!