So you all know how excited I was about making some fabulous meal for the BF last night. For the past three nights I have been reading recipe after recipe to find the perfect dish to impress the BF. (Well, not really impress, but to show off what he's been missing for the past year since we go out to eat so much or he typically cooks dinner - I know, I'm a slacker girlfriend in the domestic department.) So I choose this chicken and rice casserole that sounded tasty. I was so bummed when we went to eat it and it had NO flavor! I'm hoping that after sitting in the refrigerator today that flavors will magically appear in it and they'll be tasty leftovers. Looking back, I should have not went exactly by the recipe and instead went with my instincts.
I cooked the chicken and rice and set aside. In a large sauce pan I melted butter (I used "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter") and then added diced mushrooms and some rosemary seasoning. Then I added .5 cup of flour and stirred. Then I had to stir in chicken broth (I used the less sodium kind) and half n half. (Right there was the problem. That made it a very fattening dish and I didn't realize I would be adding that much. I wish that I would have added a can of cream of mushroom soup, instead.) So then you let it thicken up and add the chicken and rice. Pour in a 9x13 baking pan. On top add a mixture of bread crumbs and shredded parmigiana cheese and butter. Bake for 30 minutes. (Sounds pretty good, right?) Well, it had NO flavor. I was sad. I also didn't make the garlic mashed because the dish already had rice in it. I did make squash. ( I wish I would have known the BF doesn't like squash!) And a fresh tossed salad and fresh and hot Italian bread.
It sounded good but was heavy and not very flavorful. Also, I didn't have time to go to the gym. How do people who have to put a meal on the table for their families after work get to exercise?! (Probably wake up extra early in the morning.) I would rather exercise and have bowl of cereal with bananas.
I will not be defeated in the kitchen, however! I think I might try to make some chili in the slow cooker this weekend.
On to tonight - I have two tickets to a Gala event that features local foods, wines, and beers from across New York State. The tickets allow access to all you can eat and drink. It should be a good time.
-Dining Diva
Dont worry about your meal! How sweet of you to put in all the effort to cook for you main squeeze! Im sure he was still happy you tried! Have fun tonight at your gala!! Maybe next week we can get together and catch up. Im heading to my sister's house for the weekend! Lots to chat about with you! Love you lots and always thinking of you!
ReplyDeleteDon't give up! I'm quickly learning cooking is not as hard as it seems. Friday night I made my version of pasta primavera. Basically pasta, heavy on the veggies.
ReplyDeleteCut up any combo of the following: broccoli, onion, peppers (hot and/or bell), zucchini, carrots, grape tomatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms, olives, etc. The more veggies the merrier.
Then prepare some chicken - I just use lots of Italian seasonings, can't go wrong with that. Might even want to saute the onions here.
Then cook up your pasta in a large pot. When it has 2-3 minutes left, drop in most of your veggies (excluding the tomatoes and olives and any others that don't really need cooked).
After you drain the pasta, add cut-up chicken pieces and your uncooked veggies. I like an EVOO, butter, garlic and other spices for my sauce. And don't forget about cheese! Parmesan, Mozzarella, etc. Here's where you can spice up your meal a bit.
I aim for a 60-40 ration (60% veggies and chicken, 40% pasta). It's seriously so easy, tasty and you have left overs all week!