January 5, 2011

So Who Says You Can't Cook?!


I suppose a lot of people think it's odd that I can't drive or play a musical instrument or hold down a steady job. I think it's odd that I'm running into a lot of women these days, my age and older (48), who admit to not being able to cook. You know, "I don't know how to turn my oven on." " I can't remember the last time I cooked." etc., and they admit it as if this lack of knowledge was something to be proud of. Personally I find this admission to be akin to not being able to wash your hair. Good  Heavens, I'm a bitch.

I'm a homebody and I've always had a lot of time on my hands but here's a great meal that I was able to throw together in 50 minutes. Anybody can do it.

I had a pre-marinated boneless pork loin. It was sold that way.

I preheated the oven to 425 degrees.

While the oven was heating up I seared the pork loin in a little olive oil in a oven-proof skillet. 5 minutes. Flip, flip. I sprinkled it with the modicum of sage that I had left over from the holidays. In went half a cup of cranberry sauce left over from the holidays. Then some rosemary which looked a lot like the pine needles also left over from the holidays. Then I poured in about 3/4 cup of water and scraped the goodness of the bottom of the pan.

I put the lid on the skillet and put it in the hot oven for 35 minutes.

Now I peeled the potatoes and let them boil for 20 minutes. Drained them, then mashed them with a little milk and cream cheese.

Oven mitt time. The pork, when done, needed to sit for 10 minutes on a board. I took this time to boil some broccoli and I added a little corn starch and water to the liquid left over from the pork and made a pork-y, cranberry-y gravy over a low heat. With an oven-proof skillet, I find it very wise to put an oven mitt over the handle when done to avoid singed palms.

I sliced the meat and was done. Less than an hour, boom, boom, boom.

There was enough food for 4 and cost averaged out to 3.70 per person. We don't eat like this every night - that would break the bank, but good, quick food for relatively little can be accomplished. And you know what, out of all this the only garbage I had was the plastic wrapper the meat was sold in.

It is so important if you have children to sit down to a meal with the family as a whole. But that rant is  for another time.

Image from www.bigflavor.blogspot.com

13 comments:

secretfragileskies said...

Cooking, eating, enjoying! Very French! Yes. Sit down together, pour the wine.

Susan said...

I have found the attitude very odd as well (the 'i don't cook' thing). I would only add that it is not just for families. People who are on their own (most days or part-time) should also cook. It's part of self-care. I loathe the attitude of 'oh it's only me' - ugh. That is self-loathing.

The Clever Pup said...

Agreed Susan, although I would probably pig out on pasta every night.

Kat Mortensen said...

CP, have you considered filming yourself and putting it online a la Gwyneth Paltrow's "Goop"?

I think you would find a substantial audience rather quickly.

Call ME a bitch too, because I think everyone should know how to cook. Come on!

Loved your descriptions of the ingredients - very poetic!
Kat

roz said...

I prefer to cook for myself. Restaurant food can be very salty and everything gets covered in cheese, for some reason!
Hazel, your pork roast looks delicious. Jamie Oliver talked about adding cranberries to turkey gravy in his recent Xmas series, BTW. What a great idea.

Von said...

Out and proud - a woman who can still cook! Join the club!Nice blog!

Anonymous said...

my mother, wholived alone and died at 80 always cooked for herself. I too,cook for myself after work. Not only do I like the process, I like good food to eat. And I too, don't get people who say they don't cook.I always think well then, how do you eat?(oh,ps,been reading your blog for a couple years,first time I commented. Love it! Maudia

The Clever Pup said...

Thanks Maudia

StimmeDesHerzens said...

lovely, thanks! & happy, happy new year! My daughter Lily is at University of Ca in Santa Barbara now, enjoy your time with the young pup!
Beth

Diane said...

hahahahahha
lolo
rflmao

http://www.blogto.com/city/2011/01/rob_ford_pays_a_visit_to_roncesvalles/

Diane said...

just laughing because it is your neighbourhood and I know you are a huge fan.

The Clever Pup said...

Thanks Diane, You couldn't tell he was mayor by the way he's dressed.

Je m'appelle Cynthia said...

Yeah, and don't forget that little parsley sprig!