HOW TO COOK FROM SCRATCH

Hi it's Sat. time to sit in my recliner and contemplate the week behind and the week ahead. Maybe a nap?

Anyway I am going to talk about cooking from scratch. A lot of us can't just run to the store when we are out of things so here is what we need to keep on hand so we can be prepared for anything.

Essentials:

Rice:  I like Jasman it has  better taste and is faster than instant. Will give the way to cook later.

Pasta: Spaghetti, Creamettes, Orzo etc.

Flour: I like unbleached. Because they have done something with the flour it can be kept for a long time. It used to get bugs, but not any more.

Potatoes: Keep in cool place

Eggs: These will  keep at least a month after carton date. (check on google)

Canned beans

Tomato Paste

Carrots, Onions, Garlic, Green Peppers. Carrots and green pepper will keep over a month in the veggie keeper in the fridge. Garlic and onions should be in a cool place.

Oil: the only oil you should use should be: Leftover bacon grease, coconut oil, olive oil, butter. These are all safe and free of trans fat that clog the arteries. Your oil should get hard when it is cold and liquify if it get warm.

HOW TO COOK RICE:

In a pot put 1 cup of rice and some salt. Fill with water so that the water is about 1 inch above the rice. When rice boils, turn down heat and let simmer about 20 min. until all water is absorbed. Fluff with fork.

SIMPLE RECIPE FOR FRIED RICE:

Chop onion, celery, garlic, pepper and celery.

Fry onion first in approved oil. When translucent add pepper and then celery. The celery can be a bit crunchy. This can either be a chinese stir fry or it can take a mexican twist. 

If chinese add some shrimp or beef maybe a can of bean sprouts. Seasonings could be soy sauce, sesame seed oil, oyster sauce. Or none of these. This is good just with the onions, garlic, pepper and celery. You can also add a egg and stir around until done. Now add the rice a little at a time. If to dry add some chicken broth or water.

If Mexican, just add beans and maybe frozen corn to the mix. Maybe some mexican sausage or hamburger.

This can also be a side dish.

PASTA:

Same thing. Fry the onion, pepper, garlic. Put the celery in if you want. Now just brown some hamburger on top of all that and add as much of the tomato paste as you like.( Save the rest in a freezer bag in the freezer.)

Now add water to the pot and simmer about 35 min. Of course you have added italian seasonings. Like oregano, rosemary,salt and pepper. Pour this over any pasta you like and have on hand.

HOW TO MAKE GRAVY:

Take about 2 tablespoons of softened butter and mix with flour. Drop this into the drippings in a pan and it will thicken. Then add water until right consistency. 

DESSERT: 

Essential Ingredients: chocolate chips, raisins, apples (they last a long time in the fridge, at least a month or two) oatmeal.

Now you can make chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies or an apple crisp.

Chocolate chips last indefinitely and I think they found oatmeal in King Tuts tomb.

SOUR CREAM:

This lasts a long time in the fridge. I would say a month. You can use this for dips. Just add some mayonnaise to the sour cream and some seasonings. Put a little bacon drippings in this also. Get some of those carrots out and cut up some radishes and cucumbers and dip away.

POTATOES:

There is nothing more essential than potatoes.

Bake some potatoes. While those are baking cook some broccoli leave the water in it and drop in a generous helping of our butter and flour mix to thicken, add salt and pepper, maybe some cheese and put over the baked potatoes.  

I always keep a stack of meat of some sort in the freezer. I learned in my agoraphobic days to stockpile all these things so I could keep cooking without being in a panic about how to get to the store. My first thought in the morning was "what's for supper". Actually it still is. But supper is just an essential away with these ingredients.

If you like all this make a comment. Also click on the eye test on the right to see if you have hyperphoria.

Hugs, Yolanda