Gadget du jour: Rice cooker

My mother loved gadgets in the kitchen. Touble was, it didn't take long to run out of storage place and the gadgets became more trouble than they were worth. So, I am not big on gadgets in the kitchen.

There are however, some gadgets that really are worth the cabinet space they take. This is one. It was a Christmas present from my mother-in-law, a Black and Decker rice cooker.

Basically it is like a crock pot, you put the rice and water it in and turn it on. It takes over from there and cooks the rice with no attention or fuss from you. It's great, the rice is never burned, never crunchy and I get the space on the stove freed up for other purposes. What more can you ask?

This one is definitely worth the space it takes in the cabinet.

Little League: Grilled Peanutbutter-wiches

This is a fun change from grilled cheese sandwiches.

I can't claim the recipe is original though. I first had it at my mother-in-law's house when my husband and I were still dating. It was a family favorite in his family and now it is in ours as well.

Peanutbutter-wiches

For each sandwich, spread two slices of bread with butter/margarine. Stack the bread with the buttered sides facing. Spread peanutbutter on the top slice of bread. Finish with a squeeze of honey or a spread of honey-whip and place butter-side down on a skillet heated on medium heat. Top with the other slice of bread, butter-side up.

Grill as you would for grilled cheese sandwiches.

Yumm!

Pantry Picks: Corn Bread Chili Casserole

If you are making this with access to refridgeration, you can add shredded cheese and cooked ground beef instead of sticking with the cheese spread and beans.

Corn Bread Chili Casserole.

In a 9x13 pan mix: 1 can corn, drained, 1 can beans, drained and rinsed, 2 cans chili.

Spread a small jar or processed cheses spread/dip over the top of the chili and veggies.

Mix up 2 envelopes of corn bread mix (get the one that doesn't require eggs). Spread over cheese.

Bake according to corn bread directions.

Dinner in 20: Couscous with spinach and tomatoes

Couscous are a very tiny pasta that only needs soaking in hot water to cook. It is a great basis for a quick meal.

Couscous with spinach and tomatoes

Fix 1 box of couscous with beef broth, according to package directions.[basically, bring the broth to a boil, add couscous, cover and remove from heat]

Brown 1 lb ground beef. Add 8 oz frozen spinach, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can of mushrooms, garlic to taste. Stir until the spinach is thawed.

Add in the couscous. Mix well.

Serve with parmeasean cheese.

Tip of the Day: Grocery lists

It drives me nuts when my family wanders by and tells me we need this and such from the gorcery store and I have no grocery list in my hand! Usually that stuff gets forgotten and requires another trip to the store.

We solve the problem with a $5 white board from Walmart. I have an 8x11 white board on magnets on the fridge. Who ever notices we need something simply writes it on the board and I check it before I go to the store.

It has worked for us, and anything that makes life a little easier is worth sharing.