What's Cookin' Hot Stuff

191. Well, I guess that’s progress.

I’m cooking now. I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I am now the primary food shopper/preparer at home. Misty does not like cooking. Actually I guess it’s the whole shopping, cooking, cleaning up process that she dislikes. She claims to be no good as a cook. I STRONGLY disagree. I’m pretty sure I could cook something the same way she does, have it taste exactly the same, and she would love it. She just does not like her own cooking, but I digress.

Several weeks ago I took over grocery shopping duties. A few weeks ago, Misty asked if I would do the cooking also. Now I pick the meals, shop for the groceries, and cook the meals. It’s going alright so far.

For the most part I’ve been making what I call “cop-out” meals. Sloppy Joes, turkey burgers, heat-n-eat BBQ. Stuff that takes little to no time to make, and even less skill. Open a can, pat out a patty, or nuke a bag full of meat. Viola! We’re done time to eat. That’s not all I’ve done, but that’s been the bulk of my cooking.

This week I’ll do a little more cooking. Last night it was baked chicken and twice baked potatoes. Tonight it’s Easy Low Fat (Crock Pot) Lasange (sic). We’ve got grilled chicken and pork chops to finish out the week. Like I said a little more cooking.

OK, here’s my plea. I need some recipes. I have criteria, though. I’m looking for easy stuff. I get home around 5:00-5:15, and the family is hungry. Here’s a not-so-well-kept secret about the Coats clan. When we get hungry we get crabby! Seriously cantankerous. So I need stuff that’s pretty quick to the table. I’m trying hard to get things done and ready by 6:00. After that, one cross word and it’s Nuclear Meltdown on Ingleside Ave!

I’m looking for simple ingredients, too. I like to eat. I like food. I don’t, however, like fancy food. I’ve tried eating at high-end restaurants. I don’t like them. Aside from the over-whelming feeling of being completely out of place, I just don’t like the food.

What’s more, my body doesn’t like it either. I don’t know if it’s the richness or the unusual ingredients, but my digestive tract and 5-star cuisine stand at odds. Which usually means I can’t stand at all.

I tried to eat at the 360 Grille atop the Renaissance Tower (or as an old friend once called it, The Shoals Phallus). The food was OK. Actually, I’m sure it was wonderful. In fact I think most everyone in our party said so. I didn’t care for it, any of it. I did like desert: Vanilla Bean Crème Brule. I didn’t sleep much that night.

We are a simple family with simple tastes. You can have your Duck L’orange. I’ll take grilled chicken.