30 minute menu that does NOT taste like Rachel Ray
I have to cook dinner for someone I'd like to impress after a round of tennis today. We will be starving and considering I ragged on their 'cooking' last time (steaming veggies in the microwave, heating a can of tomato sauce and some pasta), I have to save face and not do that.
It should take under 30 minutes and require less than 10 ingredients -- the cooking location in question has a few pots and pans but virtually no other cooking "stuff". There's no dietary or cost restrictions, although I'd like to avoid doing the "one can of this, one can of that" thing.
I have a trader joe's, whole foods and normal grocery at my disposal, so basically anything is fair game. I'm not sure about how adventurous my co-diner is -- they have lived in LA, ATL, Cambridge/London and finally STL as well as summered on Cape Cod, but I've never seen any indication of culinary adventure-ness.
Right now I'm thinking the babbo bucatini all'amatriciana, but I've never cooked bacon before (not a lie) so I'm a little nervous about burning it.
suggestions? thoughts? I have no idea what I will be cooking for a vegetable; probably a salad since the pasta looks quite heavy.
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11 Comments:
I just watched an episode of America's Test Kitchen that featured a really tasty-looking ziti with chicken and broccoli, whipped it up in 30 minutes AND used only one piece of cookware for the entire dish (a non-stick skillet).
LoCo at 2:01PM on 03/15/08
hmmm but did it require a decent amount of spices? There is no spice rack at the cooking location.
rllevy at 2:05PM on 03/15/08
how about making your own "seasoning packet(s)" for whatever you decide to cook and taking them along...no refrig necessary, no big bottles, and you look like a wizard when they taste what you can make from "no other cooking "stuff". "
Cary at 2:14PM on 03/15/08
Nope. All I remember was a 1/8 teaspoon of red pepper flakes and 1/4 teaspoon(?) of either dried basil or oregano. Mostly flavored with chicken stock, sauteed minced onions and garlic, and some chopped oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, as I recall.
LoCo at 2:14PM on 03/15/08
the secret to not burning bacon is to cook it slowly at low to medium heat in a heavy saucepan, and to drain some of the grease if it starts getting copious. also to stop cooking it before it gets completely crispy because it will crisp up when you drain it.
i just looked at that recipe and if the bacon is your only concern, i'd say go for it.
cybercita at 2:41PM on 03/15/08
I would suggest a simple pan seared steak (rubbed with salt, pepper, fresh crushed garlic and olive oil) sliced and served over baby spinach dressed with balsamic vinaigrette with bleu cheese crumbled over the whole thing. If you had time, caramelized onions are a great addition. Quick, Easy and Fabulous!
hammondcheese at 6:04PM on 03/15/08
How about pizzas? Bring along your own pre-made dough (or buy some at TJ's), buy a lovely, sorta-highbrow cheese that melts well like taleggio or drunken goat, whip up a quick, kicky sauce in the blender (maybe pesto or red pepper coulis - or, for that matter, if that takes too much time or there's no blender you can always just brush on some really good olive oil and/or drizzle on a nice balsamic), toss on whatever looks inspirational at the grocery store, throw it in the oven for a few minutes, and you're done! Easy, fun, creative, simple, pretty. You could use basil and garlic, maybe caramelize some onions or roast some eggplant or peppers or whatever, or maybe quickly cook some shrimp or a chicken breast.
tacroy80 at 7:52PM on 03/15/08
Just looked at your profile, so I have a couple more suggestions - toss on some really good olives from the olive bar at Whole Foods ... and of course, making use of something truffle-infused is a must - drizzle the pizzas with truffle oil, toss on some truffle salt, or, if cost is really no object, just go for the real thing!
tacroy80 at 7:58PM on 03/15/08
I have this recipe I called "Asian chicken noodle soup." You won't have time to make homemade chicken stock, so heat up a lot of broth. Add to that some diced or shredded chicken. Saute carrots, onions, garlic, celery and red pepper flakes- add that mixture to the chicken broth. Throw in some rice noodles, salt, pepper, soy sauce and oyster sauce. It's healthy and super delicious.
PumpkinBear at 9:50PM on 03/15/08
If you're into Pasta, you can try this Easiest Baked Pasta or the ">Pasta with Marinated Tomatoes.
If you're in the mood for "Mexican" with an Italian twist, try these Quesadillas Caprese.
If you're in the mood for French, try these Spinach Crepes. The crepes are bought and the rest is really easy to make in just 1 pan.
If you want a salad to accompany the pastas, try this simple easily dressed salad.
Good luck!
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 11:06PM on 03/19/08
I'm sorry in advance, but I just can't help myself.
You say you want a 30 minute menu that doesn't taste like Rachel Ray? What does Rachel Ray taste like, and how do you know?
Ba-dum-bump!
Thank you, I'll be here all week.
Calichef at 12:00AM on 03/20/08