Abandon Nest

Finally, you’ve got all your cooking tools, you’ve gone grocery shopping, and it’s finally time to get cooking. What would you like to start with? How about a tasty side salad that can serve double duty as a full meal depending on serving size.

How will you go about preparing this? First, you’ll gather the ingredients and tools needed. Then, you’ll mix them together carefully. Finally, you’ll eat your delicious salad and be super proud of yourself. Let’s get started by looking at what you’ll need.

Cookware and Dishes:

• 1 Medium Sized Bowl
• 1 Gallon Size Freezer Bag

Ingredients:

• 6 Pinches Parsley
• 3 Pinches Basil
• 1 Pinch Oregano
• 2 Tsp. Garlic Salt
• 1 Cup Canola Oil
• 3 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar
• Three Handfuls Lettuces
• 1/2 Cucumber, Sliced
• 1/2 Tomato, Sliced
• 1/4 Onion Diced
• 2 Sticks Celery, Sliced
• 1 Handful Croutons

Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients, it’s time to make your healthy, tasty salad. NOTE: 1 Pinch = 1/8 cup

Directions:

1. Rinse lettuce and all other vegetables prior to use
2. Place all vegetables into freezer bag
3. Add oil, distributing evenly over contents
4. Add spices to bag
5. Place vinegar into bag and seal
6. Shake bag vigorously for 1-2 minutes
7. Taste and add vinegar if desired. Shake again
8. Empty into large serving bowl, cover with croutons

This meal serves 1-3 people, depending on serving size. Use as a standalone meal or serve with red or white meat. Looking to add a little more kick? Add a 1/2 clove of chopped garlic to the mix before shaking.

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After gathering all the tools that I needed it was time to go grocery shopping and buy the food for the meals that I’d be preparing. This was a big moment for me. After eating dorm cafeteria food for two years, I could finally buy what I wanted to eat. Good food that would fill me up and not leave me feeling sick. I knew, though, that I could not just head to the grocery store and fill a cart with the food I wanted (even if it was my natural inclination as a male.) If I did that, I’d buy a bunch of food that I didn’t need or was bad for me. That just wouldn’t do. Enter the list.

Now, a grocery list might seem like a simple thing to create, but it really isn’t. This particular list takes planning, cunning, and skill. (OK, maybe not cunning and skill, but it does take planning) There are a few things to keep in mind when making your grocery list:

1. Don’t make the list while you’re hungry - If you do, you’ll end up planning to buy more food than you could ever eat. You don’t want to waste money and have food go bad on you, do you?
2. Write down you needs first, then your wants - This way, you’ll be more likely to buy the things that you need, like milk, bread, and eggs, before the things you want, like pizza rolls, fudge bars, and magazines.
3. Organize your list - Break your list into sections. Try to arrange them the way your grocery store is layed out. For example, all the vegetables and fruit first, then the meats, bread, and milk products.

How big do you want your grocery list to be? Well, that’s really up to you. If you don’t mind going to the store everyday, then just buy enough food to get your through breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I don’t really enjoy grocery shopping so I only go to the store every two weeks after receiving my paycheck. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, I’ll occasionally stop to pick up milk if I run out.

So what should you buy? I recommend the following items be on your grocery list.

• Medium Apples
• Fresh Oranges
• Bunch of Bananas
• Red vine tomatoes
• Large white onion
• Head of iceberg lettuce
• 3/4 lb. Deli Turkey
• 1 lb. packages lean sirloin steak
• 1.75 lb. packages boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Loaf whole grain bread
• Low fat strawberry jam
• Canned green beans
• Wishbone low-fat Italian dressing
• Package thin spaghetti
• Barilla garden vegetable pasta sauce
• Yoplait low-fat yogurt fridge pack
• Gallon skim milk
• A treat of your choce

Vary your selections. If it is the first time you’re shopping, consider getting some spices to flavor your meals with. Now that you know what I’d buy, what would you add to this list?

In today’s post in the Dining for One series, I’d like to cover the small appliances you’ll find in and around the kitchen. These devices will make preparing and cooking meals easier and more rewarding. You don’t need all of them, and this is not an all inclusive list, but I enjoy having these items in my kitchen and I think you will too. You should be able to find everything in this list priced inexpensively at your local Target or other major retailer, so decide what you want and, if you’ve got the money, go get them. You won’t regret it.

• Toaster - The toaster is truly an item of convenience. Sure, you could do without it, but why would you? Before I got my toaster I was baking bread in the over everytime I wanted to have toast with my eggs. It was a frustrating and time consuming process that more often than not ended up with me being burnt. My toaster was cheap, but it’s effective. In addition, it cooks bagels as well as bread. Look for a cheap toaster with these features, and you’ll be in good stead.
• Variable Speed Blender - Blend milkshakes or smoothies with ease when you break out your blender. Smoothies make for a fantastic meal substitute when you’re on the go, and milkshakes are always welcome when you’re in the mood for a sweet treat. Make sure your blender has a quality warranty in case the motor fails within 1 year. Also, be wary of super discount models that may have low capacity pitchers or weak motors. You don’t want your awesome strawberry-banana concoction overflowing the top or causing a breakdown.
• Microwave - If you’ve moved into a newer apartment, chances are that you have a microwave mounted above your stove. If not, look for a quality model with a digital display and touchpad. I’ve found that analog knobs are too inconsistent and break easily. Buy from a reputable brand like Sanyo or General Electric. Above all, don’t spend too much. Go for a low-end, high-utility model that will do a combination of things well.
• Pizzazz - What is a Pizzazz? Well, it’s basically a dedicated frozen pizza cooker. This item is by no means essential, but it is sort of a guilty pleasure for me. Whether you’re cooking pizzas, calzones, or pizza rolls, this device will get them done perfectly the first time. Plus, you get to see your item as it bakes so you know when it’s done. If you’re a big fan of frozen pizzas, (and you should be, as they’re relatively cheap) then order or buy this item immediately. You won’t regret it.

Some other kitchen appliances that might come in handy are a food processor, hand mixer, and countertop grill. I don’t use these items, but if you’re interested and you can afford them, I encourage you to try them out. Perhaps your new tools will spark you creatively, and you’ll be cooking like a gourmet chef in no time.