Giving in to the Temptation of Mediocrity

Christmas Lasagna

or why I probably need bifocals.

About 2 weeks before Christmas I start asking the husband, "So what do you want for Christmas food?"
We aren't very traditional in the sense that we eat the same thing every year. The only tradition is that there is usually enough left over to feed us into the new year. Last year I did the rack of lamb thing, the year before that a really nice pork loin. In the past I have soaked whole turkeys in brine and cooked a prime rib in a 1 inch crust of salt. This year when asked the question the husband said, "Well, I have two ideas. The first is a lamb again, last year's was delicious...or...the second...a giant lasagna."

Normally, I don't make lasagna with a recipe, I just make it. Since it was Christmas I decided to follow the directions on the noodle box as closely as possible. Let me tell you, I read the instructions about 6 times. I read the ingredients about 6 times. I referred back to the box as I was assembling the thing.

Cover and cook in a 180°C (150°F) oven for 40 - 45 minutes

"Wow, according to the box I am supposed to cook this at 150 degrees. The oven only goes as low as 170! That's weird." I said to the husband.

After 30 minutes the cheese was still sitting on top of the lasagna - in tact and not at all melty.
The phone rang. It was my friend, Brian. We talked for about 15 minutes and I said, "Yeah, I'm trying to cook this lasagna. I never go by a recipe but this year I thought I would follow the directions to the letter...It's taking forever!"
I picked up the noodle box and said, "Yeah, it's the weirdest thing...the directions say to cook it at 150 for 45 minutes..." at that point I lowered the box about an inch and everything popped into focus, "OH SHIT BRIAN, this says 350 degrees! Not 150 at all!"
Anything to give Brian a laugh at Christmas.

The husband remarked, "I don't know what should have tipped you off first - the  ONE EIGHTY CELSIUS or the fact that our oven only goes as low as 170!" Christmas dinner was a little late this year but once the cheese got melty and bubbly it was delicious.

 

SOUP!

I love soup.
Here is a quick soup I threw together last night after the husband asked, "can we have soup with dinner?"

1 can of white kidney beans
vegetable or chicken broth (I used chicken this time)
3 kinds of onion type things - chopped. I used leek, red onion and sweet vidalia.
smoked paprika - look! no ham bones!

slightly saute the onions add the broth. Simmer. Add half the can of beans - I prefer to rinse my beans. Simmer. Add salt, pepper and that delicious smoked paprika. I also tossed in a packet of Oxo.
I poured half of the pot into my food processor and spun it around for awhile then poured it back in the pot to simmer a little longer. I also added the rest of the beans.
It was thick and delicious!

It's all about the Cornbread

 

Cornbread

 

Basic Cornbread - big pan
 1 1/2 cups of yellow cornmeal
 2 1/2 cups of milk
 2 cups of all-purpose flour
 3 TBLSP of granulated sugar
 2 TBLSP of baking powder
 1 tsp of salt
 2 eggs
 2 TBLSP of molasses
 1/4 cup of vegetable oil

I mix the cornmeal and milk and let it sit for about 8 or 10 minutes.
I often use two kinds of cornmeal of different grind. Not necessary, just something I do sometimes...
If you like a sweeter cornbread, add more sugar. I like a hint of sweet.
You can also add whole kernal corn, mexican spices, chopped green onion, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, cracked black pepper or a few spoons of bacon grease added to the vegetable oil, etc.
Preheat oven - 400f
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add egg, molasses and oil to cornmeal mixture. Mix well. Add to dry ingredients, stirring just until combined.
Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 inch pan and bake for 35 - 45 minutes. I prefer a cast iron skillet for my cornbread and this would probably make two regular sized skillets of bread.

Cornbread

 

The Dr Pepper Cake

I almost forgot about that cake!

Here is what it looks like in a pan...yeah, I know, it reminded me of something I once saw in a medical text book too.

DrPepperCake

 

Here is what a slice of it looks like.

DrPepperCake2

As I have said, baking is not what I do best in the kitchen. If my attempt would have come out more evenly and less bulgey in the middle, I would have given myself 5 stars, instead I give 4.5.

The cake was good, the husband thought it was fantastic but as far as the recipe goes:
Gads there is a lot of sugar in this thing! I used a 1/4 of a cup less than called for and it was still really sweet for me. And I am not sure what good the marshamallows serve. All they seemed to do was make the top of the cake look like a bad make up job from a 50's sci fi film about mole men. The ones in the batter just sort of melted away. You couldn't really taste the Dr. Pepper either.

RECIPE