Chronicle 4: The Cooking Challenge

Anyone who knows me will be quick to tell you that I can’t cook worth a lick (Literally…one lick is all it takes). My cooking repertoire includes meatloaf, spaghetti, aaaand a few pasta dishes that I call “fancy” because the recipe calls for fresh herbs. Canned veggies, boxed potatoes, and microwavable sides are staples in our household. It is for this reason that I have challenged myself to cook outside the box (I swear, these puns…they just come to me!).

                                I did not cook this beautiful meatloaf. http://www.cookinglight.com/food/recipe-finder/meat-loaf-00400000001189/ 

This will be an ongoing challenge with updates and lots of pictures. I plan to commission my husband and perhaps a few daring friends or family members (now taking volunteers!). Perhaps it’s time to invest in some flame retardant gear, or at the very least, a fire extinguisher. I have a history of setting things on fire. Like popcorn. That I may or may not have tried to cook for 30 minutes instead of 3. Ahem. Moving on.

                                                  Burnt Popcorn. www.nowpublic.com/ verbranntes-popcorn-2

My issue with cooking stems from these three things:

1. I always buy fresh food, only to have it spoil as I choose to make the more appealing grocery snags such as frozen pizza and bean burritos.

2. I am confused by meal planning. Ok, that’s a lie. I am lazy about meal planning.

3. Doing the dishes sucks. And when you make fresh food you use tons of dishes. And then hubby and I argue for a week about whose turn it is to do them. By then we have grown a whole new type of food.

Now that I have all of you hot mamas backing me up, I just know I can do it! I have been pinning all sorts of fascinating recipes on Pinterest, and it is about time I suck it up and try them out. Is anyone else frightened by cooking? It has to be one of those irrational fears like being scared of Triscuits or the number 13. Cantacookatallaphobia (That’s the Italian version).

                                Fear of cooking: Mageirocophobia. http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/08/18/for-people-who-are-afraid-of-cooking/ 

Here’s the challenge: I will cook one healthy and fresh meal a week. Most of the items must be locally grown, sold, and fresh. I already try to make the items I buy organic, so this is a given. I will post photos and recipes along with meal anecdotes. Because there are sure to be anecdotes.

Here’s my challenge to you, hot mamas. Check out my Pinterest board “What’s for dinner?” and find a recipe you would like me to try. Post it in the comments, and if it fits my challenge criteria, I will try it out! It would be so lovely if you tried it out, too! That way we can compare our experiences.

Looking forward to flexing my flabby cooking muscles!

Xoxo,

The Hot Mama

Please check out my Hot Mama Pinterest boards at http://pinterest.com/OneHawtMama/ !