One of the things I am urgently trying to do is be able to cook healthy, full meals in my post-grad, adult life. I've always tried to make myself dinner, as opposed to running out and grabbing something. However, in time-crunch, I don't always make the most well-balanced and healthy meals. For young people on the go, like me, there are great options for pre-ordering meals for home delivery. I have previously sampled (and reviewed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) the Blue Apron Meal services. This time, however, I wanted to try something new. I decide to order Hello Fresh in an attempt to see if this alternative would not only save me some time, but also give me the well-balanced meals that my still growing body desperately begs for in the midst of some (not deserved) fast-food binges. For the first meal, I decided to make the Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas. This recipe seemed quick; my mom just got home from a long day at work, and I wanted to get something delicious on the table for her. After reading the ENTIRE recipe first (something I don't always do). I know that I'm not the fastest at cutting and preparing ingredients. I decided to prepare all my ingredients first for faster cooking. I really love that Hello Fresh makes all the instructions for preparing ingredients extremely simple and readable, something I did not really see in Blue Apron, which assumed the cook knew everything about preparing ingredients. As a new cook, I appreciate the effort in making it as easy as possible for the cook. When I started cooking, I realized that there are ways that I can keep the rest of my life organized, to make it as easy as possible for me. I realized that all these other areas of my life, organization for instance, would greatly improve from some pre-planning and thought. Instead of just going into every situation with the "things will work out" motto, I need to start thinking of my life more in a more forward thinking way. By taking charge of my life, and what direction I want to be headed, I know that I am going to be able to go in the path I really want. I need to see my future, and run towards it. Juuuuuust how I ran toward these quesadillas. Once I got everything ready to go, I started cooking. What I love about cooking is how fast-paced it is. I get lost in the moment and become truly immersed in the kitchen. It's a place to escape and just work on my passion. I started cooking everything and just loved seeing how it all came together. Instead of the recommended method of baking the quesadillas in a 500 degree oven, I opted for making them in the frying pan. For one, I did not want to turn on my oven to 500 on a 93 degree day; I didn't want to torture myself like that. Second, I really do think that quesadillas taste so much better fried. Well, everything tastes better fried...
I felt so amazing being able to put a delicious meal on the table for my mother and I. She works so hard every single day in the office and the kitchen. I love being able to give her a break, and I know she really enjoys someone cooking for her for once. Hello Fresh was definitely a success, and I cannot wait to try the other recipes in this week's basket.
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When I started my post-grad life, I felt like all life was giving me was Brown Bananas. The leftovers, the forgotten, the not good enough. Everyone goes through those times, I've realized. What shows real preservation and courage is to turn those brown bananas into something good. Something delicious. My Great Aunt Hattie's Banana Bread recipe does exactly that. I use my brownest bananas to make the sweetest bread. I think recipe really does speak to what a lot of post-grad, unemployed twenty-somethings feel. Lost, lack of resources. The ones you do have seem like they aren't good enough. But I've learned (and am still learning) how to turn those thoughts on their head. Thinking positive, and acting positive, has let me move mountains that I once used to climb. I think that this banana bread is best enjoyed when you add a large handful of chocolate chips. Everything in life is better with a little chocolate added. Follow my mom's recipe for the best results:
Makes 1 loaf 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup shortening 2 eggs 3 large overripe bananas, mashed 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt Note: This is one of the oldest handwritten entries in my decades-old recipe book. It was handed down from my mother, who got the recipe from an elderly neighbor in her hometown of Oil City. It’s delicious warm from the oven, toasted with butter, or at room temperature. Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In large bowl, cream sugar and shortening together. Add eggs, and beat until light and creamy. Add mashed bananas, and mix to combine. 3. Fold in flour, baking soda and salt. Mix well to combine, then pour into a buttered 9- by 3-inch loaf pan. 4. Bake for 1 hour, or until top is crispy brown and cake tester or toothpick placed near the center of the loaf comes out clean. —Gretchen McKay |
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