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Bon Appétit!
She Cooks, She Cleans, & Sometimes Smells Like Onion Rings...
The life of a housewife in Macedonia comes with many trials and a few tribulations. Basketball wives takes on a whole new meaning here across the seas. The TV series would be quite comical here, really. A dishwasher, garbage disposal, ice maker, moreover a refrigerator that tops the ceiling… No way, José!
In order to wash dishes, you do this one thing called hand wash EVERY... SINGLE... piece of silver ware, plate, pot, skillet or cup you choose to use. As far as a garbage disposal.. well, you have to get your hands dirty.. yes, I said dirty.. by taking the sink stopper holding it above the drain and catching the food as you run the water and it flows your way. And, the refrigerator, well, it reminds me of my mini fridge in college, so really it's no different than what I've had to manage the past 5 years or so.
Putting all American necessities once taken for granted aside, I really have learned a lot in the kitchen the past eight weeks of being here. But, it's great because I get to feed for six people. I count Cade as four and two for myself. (I really haven't grasped the whole SUPER skinny, almost starving myself looking fad here, but I'm trying.) He seems to be down to a six pack of abs instead of eight now, so hey, I'd say I'm doing all right! Not really, he's like a rock.. I couldn't fatten him up if I tried!
However, I do feel my own hands getting stronger on a daily basis slicing and dicing carrots, potatoes, onions, so on and so forth. It's nothing that I can't handle, but seemingly I find myself missing my Magic Bullet at times.
And, I'm also not so sure the smell of onion has left my fingertips since I've been here. Somedays, I count me slaving in the kitchen, over the stove and at the sink as my workout. Although, it hasn't given me abs yet. Maybe, just maybe, I could add a few crunches as I'm taste testing our food before serving it.
Yes, I am a rookie in the capability of my kitchen skills, and by all means no mastery, so I like to consider myself a younger wife in training. One evening, my attempt to make fried chicken turned into me playing Smokey the Bear's girlfriend, Delilah. Yes, I caught the stove on fire, but before I could holler for Cade to come to the rescue, I'd already put that flame to rest by drumming the stove with my spatula. I was SO proud! Burnt bread, beef and soup have counted for a few tribulations as well, but I feel as if I've made up for them all. Although, not every meal has been perfect, I have to admit, there's been more success than trial and error.
Below, I'm sharing some of the meals I've prepared for us overseas. They're quick, fairly easy and I hope some of you find a few of the recipes useful.
Google is my co-chef, so when I have a question about adding spices, making sauces, etc., I ask. Remember our resources are limited here, this isn't America people, so think simple! And, my theory is when in doubt add Lawry's seasoning, it'll get the job done! I'm definitely not opposed to any recommendations, comments, or even criticism because the way I view it is..."If you can't take the heat, then get the heck out the kitchen!"
Enjoy. :)
What's for Dessert?
Choco-Stix & Palačinke
1 white chocolate bar
1 package of small fudge cookies bars
1 package of Sprinkles
Nutter Butter Bars
M&M's
Melt white chocolate over the stove in a double boiler. Fill the bottom of the pan with water and place heat on medium-high. Turn the heat down to low once the water is boiling. Constantly string until the chocolate is smooth.
Once the chocolate is melted, pour into a small bowl or cup and dip half the fudge bars into the chocolate and the entire Nutter Butter bar.
In a separate cup have your sprinkles and M&M's ready to dip and decorate!
3 large carrots
1 onion
2 TBS butter
2 TBS water
2 TBS vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 cups cooked white rice
2 chicken breasts
Soy Sauce
Serves 4:
Boil 2 chicken breasts in a pot for 45-60 mins. until it's cooked enough to shred.
Beat your egg whites in a small bowl with water. In a large skillet, cook over medium low heat for 1-2 minutes. Slice into shreds once cooked.
Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and carrots, sauté until soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, pepper and shredded chicken. Top with pepper and salt or Morton's Nature's Seasoning to taste. Serve hot.
3 large carrots
1 onion
2 TBS butter
2 TBS water
2 TBS vegetable oil
2 eggs
3 cups cooked white rice
2 chicken breasts
Soy Sauce
Serves 4:
Boil 2 chicken breasts in a pot for 45-60 mins. until it's cooked enough to shred.
Beat your egg whites in a small bowl with water. In a large skillet, cook over medium low heat for 1-2 minutes. Slice into shreds once cooked.
Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and carrots, sauté until soft. Then add rice, soy sauce, pepper and shredded chicken. Top with pepper and salt or Morton's Nature's Seasoning to taste. Serve hot.
Chicken Fried Rice &
Chicken Noodle Soup
Potatoes, Corn, Beef & Stroganoff
1 lb. hamburger meat
4-5 potatoes
1 can of corn
Vegetable oil
Lawry's Garlic Salt
Lawry's Seasoned Salt
Serves 2:
Boil potatoes for 30-40 mins. until easy to peel. Heat oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Fry potatoes, adding Lawry's Garlic Salt until golden brown.
Season hamburger patties with Lawry's Seasoned Salt & pepper. Cook burgers for 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through.
Microwave or stove top cook corn. Add a tsp of butter, salt & pepper to taste.
1 egg
1/2 cup of wheat flour
1 cup of milk
1 TBS sugar
Pinch of Salt
1/2 TBS butter
Nutella or Euro Cream for Spread
Serves 2:
In a mixing bowl combine egg, wheat flour, milk, sugar and salt. Whisk until there is a smooth liquid like texture. Heat the stove to medium temperature and put butter in skillet. Pour mixture onto the skillet making sure the spread is thin and spread evenly. Cook until browned on both sides.
Spread your Euro Cream or Nutella on one side of the pancake, then trifold. Top with your choice of chocolate syrup, fruit, cinnamon, whatever you please.. And WALLA! A palačinke!
3 carrots
2 celery or 1 can of peas
1 onion
2 or 3 packages of Ramen Noodles
2 chicken breasts
2 cubes of Knorr's Chicken Broth
Serves 4:
Boil 2 chicken breasts in a pot for 45-60 mins. until it's cooked enough to shred.
Cook Ramen Noodles in a pot of water on medium heat with chicken broth cubes. Add diced onions, carrots, celery or peas and shredded chicken. Top with pepper and salt or Morton's Nature's Seasoning to taste. Serve hot.
1 pound boneless beef sirloin steak or hamburger meat
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup or Campbell's® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
4 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles
Lawry's Garlic Salt
Pepper
Serves 4:
Slice beef into very thin strips or chop meat.
Heat half the oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook beef until browned, stirring often. Set beef aside.
Add remaining oil. Add onion and cook over medium heat until tender. Pour off fat.
Add soup and paprika. Heat to a boil. Stir in sour cream and return beef to skillet. Heat through. Serve over noodles. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste.
Be sure to check back weekly for more recipes!