The journey begins...

I don't really know how to cook.
I can follow simple recipes and actually am a little known for my baking, but cooking is a whole different venture, that frankly I never cared to venture into.
My husband wears an apron that says "She married me for my cooking" and though that is not the reason, it was a great bonus. Why bother learning to cook, when he's so great at it, and I'd rather read a book or do a puzzle. Well, the reasons kept coming... I'm a stay-at-home, Mormon mother of 4 (soon to be 5). I should not only have dinner made from our years supply of food storage, but wearing a dress I made myself. Ok, so maybe I should take baby steps first, like a cooking class. That's the answer right? Build some confidence in the kitchen, learn a few more recipes. Well, since the cost of such things keeps me out of many classes I wish to attend, my sister was telling me that all her "cooking class" entailed was basically reading their book: The Betty Crocker Cookbook, and making at least one thing in each section. Who needs a teacher? I know how to read, and I've made a few things out of that cookbook already. Sure they were all desserts, but still.
So here began my adventure! Read the book cover to cover, then make at least one thing from each subsection. The first week was pretty standard: glossery words, deffinitions, techniques. Then on to appetizers and beverages. The day I read the carmel corn recipe I had to try it. Too bad it takes over an hour to make. I think my husband thought it was worth it and would like me to add pecans next time. He says most things are better with pecans. So hey, first try, house still standing, everyone loves it. This confidence building is working great!

Now the deal is that every Sunday (we always have company, usually family) I will test my new recipe. Today was the first Sunday. On the Betty Crocker Menu: Roasted Garlic, Crunchy Cream Cheese-Raspberry Spread & Lemonade. I know I didn't have to do two appetizers, but the spread looked so yummy and the garlic so easy and intriguing, I did both. No one complained.


Dinner - Sunday, January 3rd, 2010.
Subjects - Us, Hubby's older sister, younger sister, youngest sister and family & two Elders.
(sorry I forgot to get 'before' pictures, so here's the aftermath)
Roasted Garlic: This recipe I found odd, because from the first section I learned that the definition of roast is to "Cook meat uncovered on rack in shallow pan in oven without adding liquid", yet to make roasted garlic you add oil(liquid) then wrap securely in foil(covered). Go figure! I made 4 garlics but only one was eaten. I didn't put more bread out though because our turkey dinner was almost ready & I didn't want people stuffed with bread before the meal.
Oh well. It was yummy! I made french bread the day before, but Hubby says next time the bread should be toasted w/ butter.


Crunchy Cream Cheese-Raspberry Spread: Big name for a super easy recipe. Just take the block of cream cheese and spread some stuff over it. I LOVED this one! So did everyone else as you can see. I served it with saltines, Triscuits and Wheat Thins, but it didn't seem to matter it was great w/ them all.


Lemonade: I wasn't that impressed with Betty's beverage section. It wasn't large and half contained alcohol. Being Mormon & pregnant...
Anyway, the lemon trees are all full of lemons around here and luckily my father's house a block away has one of his own and a neighbor's that hangs over his yard. It was kind of fun juicing all the lemons with a mesh colander because I don't have a juicer.
I sliced a bunch of lemons into a bunt pan then filled it just enough so they weren't floating and froze it for a pretty ice ring.

My take on the first night - SUCCESS! As you'll note everything I did was super easy, but like I said before, building confidence. Also I just love trying new things!

Now I know this may look like a huge Julie & Julia copycat and truthfully, watching that movie a few nights ago is why I decided to blog about my endevors. Unlike Julie however, I will not be making every recipe, because it's just too expensive! Also, she already was a good cook and didn't have a large family to care for. Like I said before this was an idea my big sister gave me and I am greatful. I want to learn to cook and to enjoy cooking!
After Betty is the Campbell's Cookbook my in-laws gave me for Christmas, then who knows, maybe a Weight-Watchers since the spouse is trying to loose some pounds. This could be never ending, though I can promise you I will take maternity leave when number 5 arrives by July :)

Tell me what you think!
Happy Cooking!