kellogg

Miss Know it All

"Virtually everyone enjoys a crisply ironed dress shirt, clean sheets on a well-made bed, and a savory home-cooked meal. Yet housekeeping today stands as a somewhat neglected, if not maligned, job. But as author Cheryl Mendelson points out in Home Comforts, keeping house well can be a rewarding position--it allows you to provide for the physical and emotional comfort of loved ones. It's also not an easy job--there's much to be learned about properly managing a home, and Mendelson has set out to provide a guide to doing just that.

Mendelson, a homemaker, lawyer, and mother, learned about housekeeping from an early age from her grandmothers, one Appalachian, the other Italian. The two grandmothers taught her that although different ways of keeping house can be appropriate, there are generally smarter, faster, and more creative ways of housekeeping that make it less of a chore and more of an art. In a practical, authoritative tone, Mendelson discusses the ins and outs of homemaking, such as washing dishes, recommended cleaning methods for various surfaces, housekeeping for those with pets or allergies, and emergency preparedness and safety procedures.

Mendelson's well-researched book includes meticulous sections on food (for example, which foods belong in the fridge versus the pantry, food storage times, picking the freshest fruits and vegetables, and keeping your kitchen and food sanitary) as well as laundry (caring for various fabrics, how to read--and read between the lines of--clothing care labels, and removing stains). Mendelson covers a lot of ground, and as she herself points out, readers shouldn't feel required to do everything mentioned in the book--simply pick the activities that seem appropriate for your particular home. This is a comprehensive reference book that should serve homemakers well and induce a greater appreciation for the effort and specialized knowledge that go into keeping house."

Reprise: awesomeness from my mayo jar.

UPDATE: I made this last night and it was AWESOME! First of all, it is totally meatloaf-kind-of-fun to smear a mixture of mayo and parmesan onto raw chicken and then roll it in bread crumbs. Secondly, that's basically the only effort this recipe requires, other than remembering to take it out of the oven. Thirdly, that was some effin' moist bird flesh. So tender and delicious! Highly recommended, and so perfect for those who believe in mayonnaise.



PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 20 Minute(s)


1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs


Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. In medium bowl, combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise and cheese. On baking sheet, arrange chicken. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs.
3. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

If this tastes good, I think it might just be the easiest baked chicken recipe EVER.

well-fed hiatus

Oh geez, ladies! I've been so busy busy busy lately, I haven't had time to post any recipes on cream-of-what! So busy was I, in fact, that I had to learn how to make...

Busy Day Casserole


1 1/2 lb Ground beef
1 tb Oil
1/2 c Onion; chopped
4 oz Sliced mushrooms; drain
12 oz Whole kernel corn; drain
1 cn Tomato soup
1/2 ts Garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
8 oz Medium egg noodles
1 c Cheddar cheese; grated

In large skillet, add oil, and onion. Saute until tender. Add ground beef. Stir to brown. Drain off fat. Add mushrooms, corn and soup. Mix well. Season to taste. Cook noodles in salted water; drain. Mix noodles, meat and 1/2 cup cheese. Spoon into 2 quart casserole. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 350~ for 30 minutes.

OR, if you're really busy, you can use the method that Justin mentioned when he was enlightening me to the existence of this dish:

Already-cooked ground beef, a can of tomatoes, a can of corn, and egg noodles are combined in a skillet and simmered on the stovetop. no frills like cheese and actual baking - now that's busy.