Wanting meatier spaghetti, but can’t seem to get it right? I had this problem for years. It would always seem so close, but just not quite right. I tried all kinds of sauces, more meat, more seasoning, sugar, and I even tried cream of mushroom soup (which wasn’t half bad). Then one day, here I am. Dreading the deed in front of me. It’s spaghetti time again. I think if it wasn’t so cheap to make when you’re trying to save money, I would’ve left this silly challenge of mine high and dry. Back to that day. That wonderful day. I’m standing there browning meat, boiling noodles, and staring up at my spice cabinet when it hits me. Beef bouillon cubes. Suddenly I’m remembering the wonderful taste of the broth those magical cubes make. So, when it’s time to prepare the sauce..I do it. I peel off the wrapper of one (and only one) and drop it in. Nervous and excited at the same time I stir and wait. Afraid to take a taste test. Even as I dished the finished product out to my dear family (who lovingly ate all of my past “experiments”) I’m wondering if it’ll be another flop. I sat there waiting and watching. Afraid to take my own bites. I wanted to see their expressions. I can almost feel the sweat beading up on my forehead as I recall the moment. It’s silent. I wait impatiently. Finally, I blurt out awkwardly…SO…? My husband gives me a devilish grin. My son says mmmmmmmhmmmm. Could it be? My eyes darting back and forth at them waiting for more to see. They were too busy shoving it all in. It was time to take the plunge. I took my first bite and I wasn’t repulsed. Then I took another bite, and still not repulsed. I wasn’t even close to being repulsed. This was good. I said aloud, “I finally mastered it”. There you have it. Add a cube of beef bouillon to your sauce and see how it works for you. That’s my tip for meatier spaghetti. Hopefully, you too can finally find that something extra you’re looking for.
Garlic Bread Substitute
StandardDo you like a little garlic bread with spaghetti or with other dishes, but what the store has pre-made is too much for your family? Maybe it’s too much for just you? Maybe you feel it’s too expensive? I may have a solution.
All you need is one package of club rolls, butter, garlic powder, and garlic salt. Let’s not forget the oven and a baking sheet or shallow pan to bake on. The following is what I do and it works just as good if not better. I can make as much or as little as I need in about 10 mins. This works for me as I usually end up tossing the rest of the pre-made garlic bread because it sits in the fridge too long, and it’s too much for my small family to eat in one night. Most people have butter (spreadable works best), garlic powder, and garlic salt in their home. The nice thing is the club rolls which cost an average of $3.00 can be used for other things as well. For example, homemade Philly cheese steak. The following is the how to’s on how I make it. Everyone has their own tastes though. Since it’s your kitchen…go to town!
What you need:
1 pkg of club rolls (I haven’t tried french rolls, but I think those would work too)
Spreadable butter
Garlic powder (the amount is up to you)
Garlic salt (the amount is up to you, but this one is more potent so judge carefully)
Time To Begin:
-Preheat your oven to 325°
-Open the roll up which will make two pieces. You can leave pieces connected or seperate. Once again..up to you.
-Butter everything first. The center ..which is the top when the roll is spread open, then the top and bottom.
-Get out the garlic powder and season to taste. I usually lightly sprinkle an even layer over the center.
-Next a light (very light for me) sprinkle of garlic salt over the center.
-Pop it in the oven for about 5-6 minutes and that’s it. The longer it’s in the oven, the crunchier it will become. With less time spent in the oven, it will be more moist and soft.
I’m sure there are all kinds of variations possible with this as well. Maybe some cheese or even take away the garlic powder and garlic salt.
Thanks for reading, and I hope this post can be of some help to you. Chow!
Facebook Games Can Be a Full-time Job. Where is the reward?
StandardSo, I have this new routine. When I get up in the morning I take care of both of the kid’s initial needs. Then I make myself a cup of coffee and sit down in front of the computer. What’s the first thing I do when the screen is lit up and ready for me? I login into Facebook. Immediately I start clicking away at all the bonuses I missed overnight. Pulling up this game and that one. Sending characters to work, visiting their neighbors, dogfighting, missions, jobs, socializing, planting, collecting, building, training, feeding, cleaning, preparing dishes, harvesting crops, and now digging. In the midst of all of this, I’m feeding and changing a baby, making breakfast, helping my four-year old with his Facebook games, and sending all of my neighbors their respective gifts for each game. That’s all before lunchtime. This morning I thought to myself…WHY? Do I feel some kind of completion by playing these “socializing games”. I don’t go many places or do much these days. The idea of getting both kids ready and myself ready to go somewhere is quite daunting unless I know I’ll have help. Is this why I play? Am I trying to trick my brain into thinking that I’m being social? Am I just bored and in need of mental stimulation that doesn’t involve singing my ABC’s? Sometimes I wonder if I enjoy doing all of it. I have only a few favorites. So, why the rest? Do I feel I’m being helpful?
Even as the afternoon rolls on, Facebook is still up on my monitor and every time I pass by, I click on this and that and check this or that. Dinnertime comes and I’m in the process of making dinner. Between stirs or chopping..what am I doing? That’s right! Working on my Facebook games again. Then I have to wonder about another possibility. Addiction. I admit it, I have an addictive personality so it’s easy for me to become addicted to something. I rarely do anything else, so is this just me finding something else to be addicted to? If so, how about all the people who are right there with me everyday. Posting, sending, working. They’re there as much as me. Are they addicted too? Or is it just our way of being social? It sure is a lot of work being “social”. I don’t even get paid. So, I have to ask this. Where is the reward? What is the reward? All in all, I’m amazed at the other things in life I still manage to keep up with. I guess it’s multi-tasking at it’s best. Or is it?
A Post From a Beginner!
StandardHello,
I’d like to start my blog by thanking wordpress.com for offering this free and easy to use website. Next I’d like to thank my readers for viewing and to let them know that I don’t have a degree in anything. I do have my high school diploma. I’m currently a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful young children. It’s certain my blogs aren’t going to be perfect. In light of that, helpful criticism is always welcome and anything but..isn’t. Blogging is a new challenge for me. Sometimes you come to a point in life where you need to try something new and have something new to look forward to. Right now, this blog is going to be my something new. I’m hoping it becomes a journey of trial and error, but eventually something I can feel proud of. Money isn’t my goal, but hey…I don’t know many people who would turn it down. Especially for writing about their views and observations. I’m guessing the first posts I make will be amateur at best, but I know when I really get into it that the thoughts I share will be understood by many.
Finishing up, I’ll leave you with a thought I had the other day as I peeled onions.
Men are like onions. Sometimes you have to peel thru a couple of layers to find the good stuff. Sometimes you peel thru all the layers to find nothing good at all.
Dreamzncolor 