Friday, September 11, 2009

My Dream Kitchen

Ok, so it's close to my dream kitchen, of course this picture represents someone elses "dream", so, needless to say, I would make my own tweaks. However, this is the image I was thinking of as I got everything ready for dinner tonight. The Crock Pot is going to soon become my friend. I took some advice from Keelie and checked out a blog that Lindee follows, A Year of Slow Cooking. There was an interesting recipe for Orange Chicken. I took the bait and decided to make it. Of course, I needed to buy a Crock Pot first, since the lid of the one I had shattered (long story). I had originally tried to get a replacement lid but it was going to cost $20...let me just say, these slow cooker's are not that expensive, so it made more sense to buy a new one. Also, the one I had was a 5 quart...I NEVER cook for that many people. So, I went out and bought one along with all the ingredients necessary for this dish. I prepped, sliced, seared, mixed, tasted and Crock Pot(ted). As we speak it is cooking. However, I decided to add ingredients, I mean what is orange chicken without red pepper and garlic? Seriously. Oh and I opted to add a little onion, I mean c'mon, right? So, now, I'm sitting here, typing...waiting...wondering. Have you ever come to a point when you're making something new and you just have to consider alternatives. I mean, if it turns out not like you planned, you have Papa Johns # on hand...that's the situation I'm in at this point. Oh and speaking of kitchens....without further ado, yeah, this is what I'm dealing with...



Yep, that's our kitchen...awesome right? Literally, there's nothing else...that's it. I've actually thought about creating a blog called...The Culinary Kitchenette. Ehh, it would take more time and effort than I'm willing to give at this point LOL. So for now, just imagine me cooking in this thing. Although I have made....burritos, quesadillas, Chicken Tetrazinni and, now, orange chicken. Finger's crossed it's edible.

FYI: I must add that should the orange chicken NOT be edible, please do not let that deter yourself from checking out the blog A Year of Slow Cooking. See I added my own "flair" so to speak, so if it's bad, it's my fault not hers. Check it out!

7 comments:

klg0816 said...

UPDATE: I just "gingerly" stirred/tasted the dish...WOOHOO! It tastes good and has a super KICK, so far I'm happy! Oh and since I just tasted it and it has a little while to go...possible blog about having E. coli soon to come, LOL.

Keelie said...

Yea for you! I have a GREAT crock pot recipe for when it gets a little colder. I would eat it now but its seems like a good cold weather dish. Anyway--its very simple: 1 lb. stew meat, 2 family size cans of cream of chicken soup, and one packet of oinion soup mix. That's it. Dump it all in there and cook all day, 9hrs or so. After you make it one time you can see how it is easy to add different things to this basic recipe--like carrots, potatoes, etc. We always eat it over white rice.

Well, sorry I got off on that.

I like your little kitchenette. I can appreciate your frustration though. Casseroles should be your friend also since they don;t require a lot of pots and pans. Plus when you are cooking for two you can divide the casserole into 2 8X8 dishes and freeze one (uncooked) for later. I have lots of good recipes so just let me know if you need some.

Hope you're getting settled in and experiencing some normalcy?

klg0816 said...

Haha, well, at this point, it's STILL cooking. That's one of the frustrations and, forgotten points, of a slow cooker...it takes a long time! We're waiting to see if it's any good. It smells wonderful though! I appreciate that recipe Keelie, heck I appreciate ever reply to my blog you make, lol. As for casseroles, keep in mind I have a toaster oven to work with, oh wait you DID! LOL, I just NOW got the 8X8 reference, dang. Ok, we'll see how the orange chicken turns out. Crafts to come!

Keelie said...

Oh, no, I actually did not notice you didn't have an oven. Oh, now I really feel sorry for you! I just said 8X8 since it would be half a casserole..Well, heck..you should do a blog called A Year of Toaster Oven Cooking. Mayeb that's what you said before.

Just temember: a watched pot never...crocks?

klg0816 said...

HAHAHA! It's ok, so far so good, I'm making due.

kcc said...

I LOVE that kitchen! However, after seeing your kitchenette, I think I will be content with my kitchen for now.

I am thinking, it took us 5 years to upgrade the countertops.....maybe in 5 more years we can upgrade something else.....

Usually, Candlewood has grills outside. Jim does a lot of grilling when he stays there...

klg0816 said...

They do have a grill outside, it's actually a very nice gas grill. One problem...it looks like it has been cooked on for years and never cleaned. I could clean it, I suppose lol.