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)
I alway keep a package of cheddar potato soup on hand and I use it as a base and then I add meat and extra cheese and some veggies. It cooks up in about 20 minutes. I would love a new apron and a book that teaches me how to make bread with pictures. I am a visual person also and find pictures in cookbooks very helpful.
My go to is pizza. I always have toppings and cheese and it doesn't take me long to get the crust going. If we don't want pizza, then I'll make a pot of beans served with fried potatoes and cornbread.
My go to meal has to be spaghetti. Thaw out some hamburger, cut up an onion and mushrooms (and sometimes peppers), cook it up with some sauce, add to cooked pasta and dinner is ready!
What a great giveaway! This is my go-to for those nights when I just can't face cooking, but still want a homecooked meal: http://kittenslosthermittens.blogspot.com/2009/09/quick-and-easy-dinner.html
And this is how I keep track of weekly meals (it makes things SO much easier): http://kittenslosthermittens.blogspot.com/2012/01/menu-monday-weeks-of-january-2-8-and-9.html
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
x Katherine
Definitely breakfast for dinner. I'm almost guaranteed to have the makings in the fridge. It's probably the most excited my 5yo gets about something I'm making.
My husband loves to make duck with all the trimmings. A day or two later, I take all the duck meat, potatoes, veggies, and gravy that are left over, whip up some whole wheat pie crust, and turn it into pot pie! The whole family loves it.
Puree a jar of preserved roasted red peppers, chop whatever vegetables are in the fridge, boil some pasta and put it all together with some cheese.
Wow, I was just visiting everyone from the old can-jam and happened upon this great giveaway!
My favorite throw together meal is stir-fry- I've always got some random veggies on hand, some kind of meat or tofu in the freezer, and rice in the pantry!
My ace dinner is chicken soft tacos. Simply put chicken breasts, a can of diced tomatoes with green chilis, and taco seasoning in a crockpot. All you need are tortillas when you get home and dinner is ready! It shreds so easily!
My go to comfort food is mujadarah - equal parts lentils and rice topped with carmalized onions. Sometimes I mix it up with a little cumin or corriander, but always top it with yogurt sauce.
I like to cook edamame for a simple quick protein fix! sauteed in garlic butter, with a little salt
The go to dinner at my house is artichoke olive pasta. Basically a can of strained chokes, some finely chopped green or kalamata olives, and noodles of whatever sort. Cook a bit of garlic and red pepper into olive oil and throw in whatever herbs are looking fresh. Finish with some grated parmesan and maybe some marinated banana peppers- voila! cheap dinner for two!
Curried Squash Soup with Coconut Milk! Once the squash is cut all you have to do is cook it until soft in warm coconut milk, vegetable broth and green curry paste until it is soft, then add some sauted onions and garlic. I use an immersion blender to homogenize the texture, season to taste and voila! Easy, vegan and always a hit!
I do grilled cheese with bacon, Dijon mustard and green apple slices on whole grain bread. I prefer cheddar cheese, but whatever cheese I have on hand will do the trick. The best part is, you get to eat the rest of the apple slices so you get plenty of fruit for the day!
I have a new favorite in this department- kimchi fried rice. If you have kimchi and cold rice on hand it is fast food!
My go to meal would have to be vegetable stir fry. I like to cook wild rice ahead of time to have for later use, add pre-chopped/frozen veggies from my garden, some Bragg's sauce and instant healthy meal! I could eat this meal everyday!
Fortunately, we almost always have some of my hubby's home-smoked pulled pork in the freezer. It defrosts quickly and after a quick zap in the microwave it tastes even better than the day he made it.
I make a lemon-y parsley pasta. I boil up some whole wheat pasta shells, squeeze in some lemon juice, stir in a little mild cheese and a pat of butter, topped off with loads of fresh parsley. I'll toss in kale or chard if I have it for an extra greens boost. So simple, so cheap, so healthy!
My go to is pasta! I can make the sauce ahead of time with protein or not and freeze it. Right now we've been making heart shaped ravioli!!
If it's just me, poached eggs on garlicky sauteed spinach with buttery crunchy toast. If it's the family, we often have frittata. Eggs are always on hand and the frittata let's me use up whatever little bites of this and that we have in the fridge.
My go to meal is pasta. I always have some "gravy" or tomato sauce in the freezer for emergencies. With some fresh grated cheese its a great comfort food, but always easy to pull together in a pinch.
My go-to is either a sandwich or breakfast for dinner. Usually there is something on hand for either one of those meals.
Lentil soup. You can add any veggies you have, doesn't take long, and keeps for days.
Artichoke White Bean Spread
Oddly enough, many of my empty pantry meals involve marinated artichokes... one of the jars you always have?
My college default meal was grilled cheese and frozen peas.
Our go-to meal (especially on those low enthusiasm days) is canned lentil and veggie soup with leftover rice and hamburger thrown in . . . super easy, super filling and everyone happily eats it.