Realization #2: Slow Cooking Doesn't Mean Better Cooking

First, an update of the chicken and rice I threw into the crockpot last Friday:

"Creamy" Chicken and Wild Rice...sans color or cream

Yeah. It tasted really good, but looked like gruel. A big mistake was that there wasn't enough liquid. Every time I read about slowcookers they stress that the liquid won't cook out, so don't use much. Ok cool, well when using RICE...I clearly didn't make the connection that this would be an exception, resulting in little creaminess and lots of mush. Still, this was probably the best I've done with the crockpot lately, as on Sunday, I tried Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

Disaster. No picture needed.

First, I'll be clear and say that for once I followed the directions exactly, except the cooking temperature. Oh, you're thinking, well then obviously that was the problem (idiot). Noooo...it wanted me to put this hot chocolate on HIGH for 3 HOURS...after scraping rice out of the bottom a day before, I knew that would be too hot, so I used low. And STILL it was singed to the sides, clumpy, gritty, and just BAD. Also, apparently a teaspoon of peppermint extract has the strength of about 87 candycanes because my hot chocolate was like drinking a clumpy tube of toothpaste. Alas, live and learn. Still on the hunt for a GOOD peppermint mocha/hot chocolate recipe if anyone crosses one.

To counter my slowcooking messes this weekend, I made awesome spinach dip bread bowls for a dear friend's surprise party, which I will post later!

Has anyone else had a bad crockpot experience, or do I stand alone?

Self Realization #1: I am Not Organized

This won't come as a shocking revelation to many of you. If you've worked with me, been my friend, or tried to plan something with me, you already know that I'm awful at planning and just generally don't really have my metaphorical stuff together. To be honest, I'm ok with this. Throughout my time at Pitt, I wasn't organized with my schoolwork either, and it all worked out. As I'm trying to plan meals, however, it's posing more of a problem. If a recipe calls for a tablespoon of ricotta cheese, I'm then left with pretty much an entire tub of ricotta cheese. This wouldn't be as bad if I didn't buy the large one that was more cost efficient; now it's just more that could potentially go to waste if I don't get my ducks in a row.

SO, I am encouraging you to be organized, I guess. And plan. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, and can recall specific times that I made fun of friends (sorry Katie!) for planning a weekly menu...now I'm envious.

The other thing that made me realize this is that I have tried many new recipes this week, but always forget to actually think about how I'm making them! I mean, I can tell you what they were, but how helpful is that? I can link you to the pin, but I almost always made modifications..actually, you're probably better off without my modifications. And I forgot to take a picture of almost every one of them. Not that they would be good pictures, but it's just so much more interesting to see a picture than read about food. So I'm going to do it anyway, and link you to a few blogs that I really enjoy. Here are some things I've tried so far!

Zucchini Cakes (photo obviously from Pinterest, not me)

These were really good, but I made what I think was a big mistake: I used panko break crumbs like it said to. I'd just bought them, never used them, and was excited to try them. Don't get over-eager friends. I should have thought about it and realized that they're way lighter that regular crumbs, so they don't add much consistency to the patty, getting pretty soggy. Also, do you have any idea how much water is in a zucchini?! As I was grating it I felt like someone dumped a bottle of water into the bowl, I had no idea. Other than that, I loved it as an alternative to typical sauteed zucchini, which is almost always what I do with it.

Tip: if you're in Pittsburgh, the strip has the cheapest zucchini by far...if you aren't...sorry. You're probably warmer than me right now though.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip (also picture stolen from Pinterest)

This was AWESOME. Never in a million years would I have believed that chickpeas, peanut butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and baking soda could make something this delicious. Truth be told, I don't care for hummus..I know, it's a sin, but chickpeas don't do much for me. But THIS. This dip changes it for me. One thing to definitely be sure of is to food process(?) the chickpeas very well, or else you'll taste the skins a little. I'm a texture person, so the skins gross me out a little, but if you're patient with you food processor or blender, it's a healthy replica to cookie dough!

Veggie Frittata (minus being round) (clearly a picture taken with my phone..sorry)

There wasn't anything special about this, to be honest, I modified it and used Egg Beaters rather than eggs and chose spinach and mushrooms as my veggies, with mozzerella on top. Don't get me wrong, it was good and provided a few days of breakfast and lunch, but with how much everyone raves about frittatas and quiches, I just don't buy it.

Tip: notice the hand towel under the dish? I once made the DISASTROUS mistake of not doing this at home. When you take a glass baking dish out of the oven, always set it on something rather than the cool counter or stovetop...it will shatter. I'm not exaggerating. One of my mom's lasagna's fell victim to my negligence a few years back and I can tell you it felt like a bomb went off in the kitchen...glass flying, sauce on the ceiling...funny to think back to, but terrifying then, so just be careful.

Creamy Chicken and Rice (hilarious how awful this picture is)

 This dandy is what I have in the crockpot right now, hence the awful picture of just liquid and a few carrots. It should be creamy chicken and rice by the time it's done. I threw frozen chicken in, so I hope that's ok? And this recipe is shockingly not from Pinterest, but from a slow cooker cook book I got for Christmas. Getting cook books for Christmas...it's all downhill from here. 

Almost all the pictures should link to the pages these delightful recipes were originally located, enjoy!

Next up: entertainment food to come over the weekend!