Hamburger Helper Homemade

My mother never cooked from a box, and I have tried to emulate her and prepare food that's fresh, healthy, and delicious from scratch.

For college students branching out on a budget, both money and time-wise, it is tempting to opt for processed, prepackaged microwave meals--I'd encourage you to steer clear except on rare occasions when things have simply gotten too busy.

Evidence suggests that cooking with fresh ingredients is cheaper, healthier, more environmentally friendly, and above all, tastier.  You don't need to be a chef, but a few kitchen skills and ingredients will take you a long way.

Today's recipe is great for having friends over. I personally like this recipe with garlic and red pepper flakes.  Try it out this week.  Total approximate cost: $12-15 for 2-4 servings.  (Adapted from a rarely disappointing blog site: www.alexandracooks.com recipes)

Equipment:
5-quart sauce pan for boiling pasta
Large skillet
Slotted spoon, optional (just drain meat in bowl with paper towel)
Chopping knife

Ingredients:
1 lb of elbow or penne pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 -2 cups onion, diced
2-3 Tbls extra-virgin olive oil
Oregano, dried or fresh
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)

1 Tbls ketchup
2 tsp tomato paste (I recommend getting it in a tube so that you have a way to easily store it)
15 oz tomato sauce (Hunt's is recommended)
Salt & Pepper
Red pepper flakes (optional)

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions:
1. Wash your hands and read the recipe.
2. In a sauce pan, boil pasta, drain, and set aside.

3. Prepare you skillet with 1-2 Tbls of olive oil on MEDIUM-HIGH heat.

4. Brown meat until "almost" done.  Add garlic if you are using.  Drain and set aside.

5. Use the same skillet to saute onions until translucent and slightly browned.

6. Add meat back to onions.

7. If you have oregano, add a 1 tsp of dried oregano or 1 Tbls of fresh oregano

8. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and ketchup. Add red pepper flakes if using.

9. Add pepper.

10. Remove skillet from heat and add your cheeses.  Combine well.

11. If your skillet is not large enough to add cooked pasta, use a large mixing bowl to combine the two.

12. Add some garlic bread and a salad.
13. Let everyone dig in and enjoy a homecooked meal with great conversation.
14. Remember your childhood.

Popeye Breakfast Burrito

Just featured the traditional breakfast burrito for the returning college students, but thought it might be overwhelming to have the veggie option in the same blog: Spinach- Mushroom Breakfast Wrap.

This one requires a little more prep time, but it's not difficult if you've practiced some of the freshman level skills:  sauteeing mushrooms, onions, and spinach; and, scrambling eggs.  

If need be, re-read 'How Do I Make Those Mushrooms' blog for freshman level cooking skills.

Tip:

If you have extra breakfast wraps, put them in the freezer--great for mornings on the go--place in toaster oven on 250 degrees x 12-15 minutes.

Equipment:

Nonstick skillet

Chopping knife
Spatula

Ingredients:

4 eggs

1-2 tsp milk

3 teaspoons butter, divided

1/2 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

Bag of fresh spinach

8 oz - 10 oz box of mushrooms, sliced

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

10-12" burrito tortillas

(Use smaller for freezing and larger burrito sizes for on-the-go)

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Prep all ingredients before assembling!  You can use one skillet for everything or two.  You decide.

3. Sauté diced onions in 1 tsp of butter until translucent.

4. Add spinach and garlic.

5. Once it has reduced, set aside the mixture.
6. Saute sliced mushrooms in 1-2 tsp of butter until golden brown.  Add Salt & Pepper.  Set aside.

7. Whisk eggs and milk.
8. Prepare your scrambled eggs over MEDIUM heat using a spatula to mix gently. Remove from heat.

9. Heat your tortillas and have the parmesean cheese grated.
10. Begin your assembly line layering eggs, spinach-onion mix, mushrooms onto the tortilla.

11. Finish with your grated parmesean cheese, or use your favorite crumbled feta.

12. Begin rolling up your tortilla or forming burritos.

13. Once rolled they store easily in a tupperware or freezer bag.  Or start eating.

The 70's Grilled Cheese Classic

I'm not a huge advocate of processed foods, but every now and then we all need some "grade-school" comfort, ie Mac 'N Cheese, Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies, Oreos & Milk, or a Grilled Cheese sandwich.

Interestingly enough, and despite having only 3 ingredients, the grilled cheese sandwich remains one of the simplest sandwiches people botch--don't ruin yours!

Key is having all the ingredients prepped and ready--mise en place--and MEDIUM heat for the skillet.

Equipment

Non-stick skillet

Spatula

Knife for spreading

Ingredients:

Softened Butter (spreadable)

White Bread

Kraft 2% American Cheese

Instructions:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Decide # of sandwiches.

3. Soften butter.

4. Spread one side of all bread slices.

5. Unwrap 2 slices of cheese per sandwich.

6. Only now turn the burner to MED

7. Melt 1 tsp of butter. 

8. Place buttered side of bread onto skillet

9. Layer 2 cheese slices (and ham if desired) and place 2nd slice of bread on top with buttered side facing up.

10. Gently check underside with spatula 11. Turn sandwich when golden brown.

12. Remove sandwich when 2nd side is golden. 

13. Wipe the skillet clean between each set of sandwiches, and repeat.

No Fuss Message

Surprisingly pertinent advice from the recent Teen Awards 2013 Speech by Ashton Kutcher.
Looks like he is learning from the Steve Jobs role he has taken on.

1. Opportunity Looks A Lot Like Work
2. Sexy is being Smart, Thoughtful and Generous.
3. Don't Live Life. Build Your Own Life.


http://youtu.be/4XqW7BJMDq8

Mocktails Protect Yourself

Just another quick variation on Mocktails guaranteeing satisfaction and thirst-quenching refreshment in place of alcohol, hangovers, and trouble.  I know some folks think that alcohol is "where it's at".  It's not--getting kicked out, paying fines, and living at home...again...have a blast!

This drink is packed with nutrients, Vitamin C, feeling good, energy and flavor.  So, protect yourself from scurvy, a snotty-runny nose, embarrassment,  cold viruses, and living with mama--and I haven't even mentioned the serious stuff.  Why bother with all that crap?  Protect yourself.  Protect a friend. 

Friends don't let friends be stupid!

Equipment:

Juicer (as demonstrated before) if making from fresh fruit.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ruby red grapefruit juice

1-2 Tablespoons lime juice

1 tsp of honey

Rosemary stalk

Seltzer or Soda water (if dieting)

or

Ginger Ale or Diet (if you want more sweetness)

Instructions:

1. Juice (or buy) ruby red grapefruit juice

2. Squeeze some limes into grapefruit juice

3. Add honey and stir to combine.

4. Place 1-2 Rosemary sprigs into juice 

5. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.

6. Pour over large glass of ice. 

7. Add seltzer or ginger ale. 

8. Be surprised at how good you'll feel!
9. To making better decisions!

Veggie Power Wrap

Recent travel to Traverse City, Michigan and Fishtown, Michigan led to copying the fantastic Dill-Havarti-Veggie Wrap I tried from The Cheese Shanty Sandwich Shack...plus, our son, as weird as this sounds (and for whom this blog was written), loves salads.  Kinda odd, I know, but true.

This is a perfect way to grab a bunch of veggies and go! Sorry meat lovers, but if you've got to get your meat fix...quit whining...just add a few slices of turkey, ham, or whatever.

Top it off with a Sirachi-mayo and simple vinaigrette.
Filling, delicious, cheap, easy, convenient.

Really...you decide the on the ingredients and combos.  I'm just listing one of my fav combos since I'm trying to get in all the flavors of summer before "winter is coming".

Equipment:
Plate
Small mixing bowl
Fork
Knife

Ingredients:
Medium to Large Flour or Whole Wheat Tortillas, any kind you like
Hummus
1/3 cup of mayo
1 tsp of Sirachi Hot sauce

Your favorite leafy lettuce--Red, Green, Boston, Romaine type
Red and Yellow peppers
Tomatoes
Red or Green onions
Cucumbers
Watercress
Alfalfa Sprouts

Dill or Regular Havarti Cheese
Italian Vinaigrette

Instructions:
1. Definetely wash your hands on this one.
2. Preheat oven 350F degrees
3. Briefly warm your tortillas in the oven for 30 seconds. Optional if you are in rush.
4. Combine mayo and sirachi hot sauce in a small mixing bowl.
5. Spread hummus.
6. Add lettuce.

7. Start piling up the interior as you desire with other veggies and cheese.
8. Drizzle some of the hot mayo.

9. Add vinaigrette.
10. Wrap it all up and head out the door.  It's ready to eat!