Thursday, October 29, 2009

Foods Across America

As everyone knows, I love food. As we speak, i'm watching the Food Network and seeing Paula Dean make love to a stick of butter.

With that said, I've been thinking about foods that are staples in American culture. I investigated via Google and found ten quintessential foods that capture that good ol' American essence. A lot of what I found was quite interesting and pretty surprising.


View Untitled in a larger map







So, my question to you Quick Fix readers is this: What is your favorite type of food. Or...what food do you think is the epitome of All-American?


Until next time, have a safe and happy Halloween and eat tons of candy corn!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Triple D

Last year, my now roommates lived together in Perkins Hall.

After a long, stressful day at the "office"or what I like to call class, I usually trekked down Morton Hill and went into their comfortable dorm room where I could always count on one thing: The Food Network.

Always playing, the Food Network became a constant in Perkins 202 and I thoroughly enjoyed unwinding, watching Giada pronounce 'spaghetti' with an Italian tongue or Bobby Flay, just well, being a complete dick. This is where the Food Network does me wrong.

Now, you may say, "Aimee, that's pretty harsh." But my response to you all is, have you ever seen him? No, honestly. Whenever I used to watch him, my roommates and I sat up, folded our arms and commented on his so-called authority during the show, "Throwdown with Bobby Flay."


I equate all my feelings for the B.Flay with this picture.





Grr....what exactly is he trying to show us!?



I looked at his show on the Food Network and this is his synopsis and highlighted the absurd:

"Chef Bobby Flay is on a secret mission: to challenge the absolute masters in different kinds of cooking – award-winning BBQers, bakers, pizza makers and more. In each episode, one of these cooks thinks Food Network is shooting their profile for a show. What they don't know is that Bobby is going to drop in for a surprise visit and challenge them to an unexpected cook-off. Since they're in their element and Bobby's out of his, prepare for an exciting, tension-filled competition."

The fact is, Mr. Flay, from what I have seen, usually wins every time. And why does he look so smug? I know he's from New York and thinks he needs to take a page from Mark Wahlberg, but really? If that is the case, maybe Bobby Flay needs a Funky Bunch.

Personally, if Bobby Flay challenged me (and I hypothetically would be a well-renowned stir-fry expert) to a stir-fry cook off, I would probably squirt soy sauce in his face and ask, "Who do you think you are?"

Okay, okay. A little extreme, probably. However, this is my very point. Just because you're on the Food Network, does this make you an expert?

I think everyone needs to model themselves off of one show. Like the title says, my friend Sam calls it "Triple D." That's right, in all it's greasy glory..."Diners, Drive-in's and Dives."

This is a show that features a former contestant and winner of the Foodie show, "The Next Food Network Star," Guy Fieri, traveling around the United States in search of unique dining experiences.





If you don't think that's brilliant in some shape or form, I believe you are un-American. The fact is that while Triple D almost puts the viewer under cardiac arrest because of all the grease shown within that half-hour, "Diners, Drive-in's and Dives" is not centered on healthy alternatives involving expensive ingredients, eating on a budget or a food competition. The show revolves around real people, real places and allows you to experience what the United States has to offer.



Until next time, good eatin' to all and to all a good night!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Brown Out

Happy fall, friends!

I asked around OU's campus on what I should do for my next cooking adventure. I hounded strangers, friends, professors, etc. inquiring what they would want to eat or at least like to read about.

Here's some of the interesting things they had to say:






So, with all their helpful advice, I decided on Sunday that I would make cherry brownies. I was determined to make a delicious, savory dessert that would make that show "Ace of Cakes" run away and scream in utter defeat....well, if Duff the lead baker in "Ace of Cakes" made brownies, too.


My whole brownie idea was to make them from scratch, but seeing as how I've never made anything before this blog, well, I'd settle for a date with my good ol' girl Betty.

Betty Crocker knows what she is doing. She has everything you need in simple, clear directions right on the back of the box. Some vegetable oil, water, eggs and you're all set.

I know this sounds juvenile, right? I almost feel like a 5-year-old who is attempting to play with her first Easy Bake Oven, which I suppose, isn't far off from the truth.

Anyway, the simple baking instructions were fine. My friend Mike and I handled the steps like pro's and cracking the eggs was the highlight of the evening. After about twenty minutes, the chocolatey aroma filled the cramped apartment and the timer finally went off, alerting us that the goods were ready!

The aftermath of the brownies were pretty good for my first attempt. A little hard once cooled off, but nonetheless not the worst brownie. And while the convenience of brownies in a box is seemingly easy and delicious, next time, I'd opt for the homemade.







I also have disappointing news to report:

My friends have all surprisingly contracted H1N1 and/or some odd illnesses. Thus, no dinner party on Thursday. Sad to say the least, but this means we can prepare for an bigger, even better dinner party! One fit for a king! With that said, I need everyone's help to make a list of dishes to serve my guests. Should we have a theme? Oh my!


So, until next time...readers, help me make a successful dinner party! In the words of Harvey Milk, "I recruit you!"



Monday, October 19, 2009

Traveling Through Time

So, Homecoming is over...and well, I'm exhausted.


A week full of chaos and no time to eat leaves me fatigued and getting sick.

However! I now have a life and that means I'm able to make delicious treats for all to enjoy.

My week goes as follows:


Monday: Relax (still relishing in the Homecoming aftermath)

Tuesday: Cherry Brownies which you will see me discussing below!

Wednesday: Hump day and that means good ol' Kraft Mac & Cheese

Thursday: My friends and I are having a dinner party at my apartment. Something spur of the moment, my good friends and I decided that what a better way to round out the week by throwing a dinner celebration! This will be a grand affair, my friends and I look forward to documenting my minute to minute crises with you!

Friday: Warming up Mom's meatloaf and getting ready for another UPC filled weekend.

I look forward to this week and winding down the quarter. While things have been a little crazy, I appreciate everyone's kind words of wisdom. And, dare I say, cooking has kind of been keeping me sane and calm.

So, until next time I'll be dreaming of these delicious Cherry Brownies...




Monday, October 12, 2009

Intervention

As I write this very blog, i'm cringing with horror.


Call A&E, I need an intervention.


I've relapsed.






I look a little pitiful, in fact. The very thought of me going back to my old microwave tv dinner days is a little bittersweet. However, the very point of this blog was to try something new and challenge myself. How long did that last?


Seeing as how this one of the biggest and busiest weeks of my college career, I resorted back to the square box that is oh-so comforting.

Let us divulge on what is going on in my life this week, shall we?

This week is the culmination for three to four months of hard work. As I said in my first post, I am a member of the University Program Council at Ohio University and am in charge of annual events that UPC brings to campus. My main annual event this fall is our lovely Homecoming parade, "Traveling Through Time, Homecoming 2009." (shameless plug)

With that said, I have spent around thirty to forty hours a week planning this parade from its small conception. I have little to no time to sleep, let alone make a meal and feed myself....properly, that is.

So, I'm confiding to you friends about my inability to prepare a meal this week. I hope you're not too ashamed or disappointed.

Yet, I will post this week once again to let you know my progress, both personally and professionally. I may even take this little cooking hiatus to think of a new concoction I can whip up....maybe Sunday!


Until then, wish me luck and good eats!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Mother Knows Best

As the title states, the reality is..."Mother Knows Best."

My loving mother thankfully came down to Ohio University Thursday evening, saving me from my food conundrum. Upon arrival, she lamented about my apartment steps, gawking at the array of smoked cigarettes and empty pizza boxes adorned with chicken bones from a frat party the night before.

"Aimee, I can't believe you live here...when I was a kid..."

"Mom, I know. But Kath, stop picking up the empty beer cans. You'll contract a possible disease."


With that out of the way, she walked into good ol' 402 B on a mission. But first, we had to come up with a game plan. With any important decision the Rancer's involve themselves in, food comes into the equation. My roommates decided to come along for the ride and we walked to our local favorite, The Court Street Diner.

Ordering the most healthy options on the menu (I.E. chili cheese fries and Oreo milkshakes) we concocted an extensive grocery list. One that would make any college student's jaw drop in awe. We vowed on going to Kroger, an awesome alternative to the death pit that is Wal-Mart.

Oh, and by the way...I annihilated those chili cheese fries. I highly suggest, no, I order people to try these things. They will in fact change your life. Besides, who doesn't like any food item smothered in cheesy goodness?

After GreaseFest 09, we get to Kroger with game plan's in our mind like contestants from that tv show, Supermarket Sweep.

"You have to shop smart, Aims. Stick with me kid and you're golden."

Being that she hasn't been wrong in 20 years, I learned to trust her. I anxiously followed her through the aisles, listening attentively to her wise, wise words.

Teaching me the ways of smart shopping and produce, we ended up filling the cart to its capacity.

Night falls and we pay the cashier, making small talk about malnutrition and the cold weather. Two-hundred dollars later, I come back to Courtside with a plethora of dining options.

Next Morning:

Bright and early at 9 a.m. my mother comes back and starts preparing food.

She seems oddly excited about the prospect of meatloaf and chicken noodle soup...from scratch. Now, don't get me wrong, I love food, but are these sentiments shared by all mothers? When I reach 40+ (sorry, Mom) is this what I'll look forward to?

With that aside, I help her cut all the vegetables for our feast.

She's adorable, really. Is that weird to say about your mother? Here she is introducing her interesting knowledge on all things quick to the World Wide Web:







In the end, she ended up making fantastic meals, as seen through the slide show below:










I'm impressed with her know-how and ability to not become stressed about cooking. She parted with some lasting words that I've never been keen to. "Plan, plan, plan. Plan a grocery list, plan a cooking schedule, plan a meal rotation, etc."


So, while i'm still getting the knack for cooking, i'm now associating this with something positive. Cooking with my mom was so enjoyable. Maybe it's the only child syndrome where I never like to be alone.

Let that been know to all you Quick Fix readers. Come help me cook! Make meals with me! Revel in my amateur skills! It's good for a laugh and your stomach.


I also was introduced into the world of tailgating on Saturday. It seems that Ohio State football is somewhat of a subculture in Columbus that I was (surprise, surprise) not aware of. This is coming from the girl who thought "Who Dey" was an actual football player. Sad truth, but I accept that. I thought that tailgates were limited to hot dogs and drunks.

Not so, my friends.

Ohio State tailgating is an all day event. Tents draped with the good ol' Scarlett and Grey were everywhere and the faint smell of smoked sausage filled the air.

I'll tell all you Quick Fix readers something, too. I loved every single minute of it. I can't wait to go again, not for the players, not for the camaraderie in the name of sportsmanship, but for the food.

As seen by the pictures, I sampled all Americana has to offer. Sausage, hot dogs, chips, wraps, cookies, peanuts, etc. were all at my fingertips. Staple items on every proud Mid westerner's foodie list.

So, until my next tailgate, i'm going to continue inquiring about "Who Dey's" capabilities and the fact that the saying, "I got it from my momma" is so, so false.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The difference between being chicken and eating chicken

5 o'clock rolls around. Hungry and in a mad dash for another meeting in an hour, I anxiously run to CVS to pick up supplies for this "impromptu" dinner I was making.

Frantically calling my mother, an experienced cook and wise sage, the phone call went a little something like this:

Me: Mom...I don't have flour, lemon juice, oil or vinegar. I'm making lemon chicken and I only have lemon spices. What do I do?? I have Italian dressing. And pepper. That's it.

Mom: Calm down, Aimee. You're fine. Well, it's going to take an hour to...

Me: Mom! I don't have an hour!! I have half an hour!!!

The conversation went on for another 10 minutes or so, with my patient and ever-so-loving mother calming me down, talking me off a ledge and out of a full blown anxiety attack.

I made the bold decision to make a chicken recipe. Lemon chicken, in fact. However, when I found out that CVS does not carry lemon juice nor does it carry flour, I was in a pickle. Unable to drive to Kroger and back within an hour, I improvised.

I looked into my fridge and confidently took all the necessary ingredients to make a hodge-podge Italian feast Vito Corleone would be proud of.



The beginning stages of my meal. I marinated the chicken in Italian dressing and then proceeded to smother it in Italian seasonings. (Mind you, this is my first meal and I was going off the cuff)

I then had an internal dilemma. Bake or fry? Well, what's healthier? Baking. What's quicker? Frying.

I opted for the latter and well, just prepare yourself for what comes next. In my mind, I believe it's chaos personified:














Oil was getting everywhere and it shows. I'm one of those people that laugh anxiously whenever they get nervous, especially when hot oil is being flung from pan to skin. I may need to invest in an apron.



I do look miserable and in fact, I believe I was. I used the glove as an almost protective device from the oil. During this time, I began to feel very sorry for all the lethargic things I used to do at home. Back at home, my mother very thoughtfully made dinner each night and while it may not have been Emeril worthy, she still spent time and energy.

Am I missing this generous DNA strand or does it come in time?

The aftermath of the "last supper" was like my stove was washed with an oil tsunami.






I accompanied my "Italian" chicken with rice and green beans....from a can. Hey, what can I say. I'm starting out. Baby steps before I can tackle the big kahuna.

And, as I finished garnishing the meal I (and my loving roommate, Emily) worked so diligently on, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride. I made my first meal! By myself...well, sort of. No help from Mum and not even with a Food Network recipe.




I know what you're thinking...it doesn't look half bad, right?

I interviewed my roommates during the meal and this is what they had to say:



My loving accomplice Emily:





And my other roommate, Sam:





When it was all said and done, this was a learning experience, if nothing less. The point of this blog is to try something i've never done before. Make mistakes, get a little dirty (if oil constitutes for that) and have fun.

Also, as a little tid bit...my mother is coming down on Thursday specifically to make dinner for my roommates and I. She will be presenting a "Cooking 101 for Dummies" that I am obligated to attend. So, hopefully I'll be more skilled after Thursday and perhaps it'll even show. My mother stresses the importance of a balanced meal and "planning."

I've never been a planner and I like to fly by the seat of my pants. But as they say, "it's all fun and games until someone hurt." And well, from the videos...I think I covered all grounds: the fun, games and hurt.

Until next time a self reflection...