Monday, May 04, 2009

A (Culinary) Cry For Help...

So,
I've been going from one thing to another and I've been trying to get some things done. As per usual, I am in a constant state of hurried nuttiness. And it always seems to be the case that when I've got a busy schedule, I need to make food for a potluck. Oh perfect... just what I need. I'm a guy who can't cook. Let's put it this way: anytime I need to get something done food wise, I either:

A) Go to the grocery store and buy something
B) Go to a restaurant and order something to take
C) "Uh, hello? Terri? It's your brother. Wait! don't hang up!"

And since I need to whip something up for this weekend for a potluck of about ten folks, I want to break tradition and actually MAKE SOMETHING... But being an inept cook/baker/disaster in a bowl, I want to make something that is easy and quick to make, that an absolute clod like me can put together without burning down my house or bringing bodily harm to me or anyone around me. I thought about the always reliable multi-layer taco dip, but I'm not going to do that again. I do it every time that I try to make something and it's predictable. Since most of my readership is female, I'm going throw myself at your mercy and humbly ask if you've got any ideas for an appetizer of some sort that I can make that won't have someone calling 9-1-1 while I'm in the kitchen, I'd be forever in your debt... any ideas?

12 comments:

Ken Riches said...

Even an inept guy can boil eggs (go buy an egg cooker if you need to), and make deviled eggs. You will paprika to give it some color, but should be able to find on-line recipes with no problem.

Joann said...

It's Cinco de Mayo... and enchiladas are always a hit... I can tell you an easy way, if you don't mind using canned sauce (I COULD tell you how to make sauce, too, if you want... let me know!).
Layer the enchiladas instead of rolling them, like a casserole. Layer corn torillas, sauce, cheese, and meat (ground beef, shredded beef, chicken, whatever) layer like you would a lasagna!!
Remember, the sauce has to be HOT before using or the tortillas will stay hard.

Joann said...

Chicken fajitas are also a very easy dish.... slice up chicken breast, onion, and green bell pepper into strips, stir fry the chicken first, then throw in the veggies, add whatever seasonings you like, or try 'fajita' seasoning from the store.

Joann said...

Beans cook up easy in a crockpot overnight, then you can just take some oregano and onion to top it off. Or you can mash them, and take some store bought tostada shells, some shredded cheese, and jar salsa for quick and easy tostadas.

I'm assuming this is a Cinco de Mayo celebration? = )

Carolyn said...

OK Mik- do NOT panic! Something simple, edible and not too bad is meatballs. Go to the store and buy a package or 2 of either swedish or italian meatballs (you find them in the frozen food isle dear Mik) go home and if you happen to have access to a crock pot- place meatballs in the crock. add a jar of your fav. salsa, a pkg. frozen corn niblets, diced onion, 1 can V8 juice (my secret for chili) and 1 can (undiluted- don't add water or milk!) nacho cheese soup. Add a couple of peeled and cut up potatoes. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Or- easier, add 1/2 cup chili sauce, 1 cup grape jelly and about 3 tbsp (thats TABLESPOONS) of dijon mustard, or honey mustard (whatever you've got) and cook on low for 5-7 hours.
Which ever you wanted to make, just make sure you've got enough sauce to cover the meatballs.
Hope this helps Mik. Crock pots are the way to go when you have a busy life and don't have the "skill" to work in the kitchen all the time. If you don't have one, you ought to get one. Stuff is easy to make, as most recipes you can just throw everything you like in it, put it on low in the morning, and it will be cooked and ready when you get home! God Bless you eh! Let us know what you make and how it goes over!

Erica said...

Easy Cheesy Hamburger Pie

1 c. cooked rice (lined in a pie pan)

1 lb ground meat- seasoned with salt/pepper
chopped onion

1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 eggs
2 1/2 c shredded cheese
Brown and drain meat/onion.

Combine with other ingredients. Pour into a pie pan lined with cooked rice. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

For the a pizza flavored dish...Season meat with pizza seasoning, or some italian seasoning. (or just use italtian sausage!) While browning the meat throw in whatever you like on your pizza; onion, bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc. Cut up and add a bunch of pepperoni and add that. Use pizza sauce instead of mayo. And cheddar cheese is good, but I used a little mozzarella (not too much cause it's stringy!!) and then I top the whole thing with a bunch of parmesan.

Mik said...

By the way,
It's not for a cinco de mayo pot luck (buy happy cinco de mayo anyway...) I'm looking at all the replies and two things lept immediately to mind: first, THANKS you guys for helping me out with some great ideas which while they may seem like no big deal to you, they are a big deal to me because I don't cook (I eat cafeteria food at work everyday) so seeing these ideas is a HUGE help... secondly... Now I'm hungry...lol

Joann said...

OK, Carolyn's idea also made me think of those little smokie sausages in bar-b-q sauce.... just put the lil' smokies and the sauce in a crock pot, and keep on low to warm, they don't really cook, just warm up.... they're done.

Dirk said...

Hiya Mik,
Let's see this is multiple choice: Being a guy, hey, (A)!!!!

Dirk
THE FIRST AMENDMENT, NOT POLTICIALLY CORRRECT II
http://tsalagiman2.blogspot.com/

Sage Ravenwood said...

A day late and a dollar short. One easy way to make a cold salad is "Suddenly Salads". You can pick them up at your grocery store. If you can cook pasta, you can make these. Use two boxes and you have enough for a large gathering and they come in 4 different varieties. (Hugs)Indigo

Lynne said...

I think "Taco Salad" is pretty easy and will feed a lot of people. Here is the recipe:

PREP TIME 10 Min
COOK TIME 30 Min
READY IN 40 Min

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (16 ounce) bottle French dressing
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 (14.5 ounce) package tortilla chips
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped tomatoes
4 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 cup prepared salsa

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and drain excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning, chili beans and French-style dressing. Fill the dressing bottle 2/3 full of water and add to the skillet. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Crush the bag of chips, open the bag, and toss the broken chips into a large bowl with the lettuce, cheese and tomatoes. When the meat mixture is done, combine it with the lettuce, tomatoes, chips and mix well. Then, add salsa and sour cream.

Carolyn said...

Amen Joann on the smokies Mik! I LOVE those little things! ;-) I hope you're not too afraid to try any of these- they all sound so yummy! God Bless! Now, I'm off to raid the fridge!