Maison Rustique

Better Homes & Gardens

I was another who had a mother who didn't like help in the kitchen, so if I ever learned anything about cooking from her, it was merely by observing from afar. I married at 18 and my poor ex-husband suffered through a few horrid meals (Hamburger Helper!!!) before someone gifted me a BH&G cookbook. And thankfully, we lived near enough to both families to go home for plenty of meals often.

An acquaintance that I met a few years ago in a canning class has stayed in touch via Facebook. She saw that I've been having a hard time with my husband's care and sent me this. So thoughtful! Really made my day.

After posting previously about liking their lasagne, I have a bad one to report. Costco had a Rana Meat Lovers Pizza Lasagna a month or two ago so I picked one up. Don't. It was absolutely tasteless. Yes, there were all the meats listed, but I couldn't taste anything except the bacon. The worst Rana product I've ever purchased.

Wow you all have been making awesome stuff! I haven't really cooked since my husband went into the care facility. I hope I'll adjust at some point and get back to doing something at least once a week.

I had that very one that we got as a wedding gift 39 years ago. It served me well all these years and finally bit the dust.

Thanks! Getting some of those appliance gizmos and making note of the herbs for when I need them.

Dusting off this topic to say that a friend brought me a package of Tete de Moine for $1.99 at Aldi. It is terrific and what a bargain!

I bought a super cheap Black & Decker that also has an air fry function a year or so ago. It works great. I don't think it was more than $70. I don't use it for a lot, but is wonderful for heating/cooking small things in the hot months when I don't want to heat up the kitchen. I have never checked the temperature for accuracy since I don't use it for anything that makes that much difference.

I came across my copy of that cookbook recently. I need to revisit it.

@blue_dolphin Yum!!! That is gorgeous and looks delicious!

I was just wondering the other day why I've never seen/heard of anyone making a chicken shepherd's pie. Did you use the same basic stuff as for a beef/lamb version or is it more like a chicken pot pie with potato instead of pastry?

Many years ago, my step-daughter moved to Japan to teach English. She was around 22 and spoke not a single word of Japanese. Her first phone call home was to say how challenging grocery shopping was. She said if the package or can didn't have a picture on it, she had no idea if she was buying something to cook and eat or if it would turn out to be something to put in the toilet for 50 blue flushes. She survived for a couple of years or so, so it all worked out and she didn't eat anything that killed her.

I had one very much like yours for a very long time. Used it only occasionally. Last year, I got rid of it and got a Griddler instead, which is more versatile and easier to clean--has waffle plates, too, so I also ditched the waffle maker. But the one I had was great for paninis!! I would say just don't overload. I always have a tendency to put too much on the sandwich so when pressed it squooshes out all over. Really, anything goes for paninis. If the cheese squishes out and gets very brown, scrape it out and eat it. Brown cheese is the best!

Yes! I couldn't think of the name of it. Thank you!

Hope you are back on your feet and eating great food very soon!!

I love Rana. Occasionally Costco has their pastas or kits. I got a lasagne a while back and it was delicious.

You know that internet recipe for roast beef in a crockpot that has dry ranch dressing mix and pepperonicinis along with their juice? I bet you could use the juice/brine from these in a similar way.

I've never had these either, but now that I've read about them, there is a jar in my Amazon cart. LOL!

That is exactly what I do.

I have always followed these directions when I buy a new non-stick skillet, but honestly, a non-stick skillet seems like it shouldn't need this. I've never had one stop being non-stick. I pitch them when they get scratched up because they say they are not safe to use at that point--usually 2-3 years for me.

Curses! I just put a used copy in my cart. I browsed the sample on Amazon and some of those recipes look too good to pass up.

With a meal like that, you could be in Kansas City!! Looks wonderful.

I suspect that Misfits Market is having issues with hiring people in our area. (Lots of companies seem to have this issue.) My orders are getting progressively worse in terms of fulfillment. Today's order was missing 4 items (that I was charged for). And there was a dozen eggs in my order that I did not order. Whoever ordered eggs probably got my missing items! I have reported this and they issued a credit, but messed that up, too. I only got credit for 1 of the items. I have sent them a form to report this, but it seems to take them about a week to get back to me about anything. This takes way too much of my time each week to report all the issues. Not to mention my messed up menu planning when I don't get what I ordered.

Thank you!! Great help