What ya got cookin?

Sometimes, you may think that I seem to wear the "I grew up poor" as my badge of honor but sue me, it's true! We were poor, happy but poor, and I remember knowing that none of the food that was brought into our home would go to waste, whether we liked it or not. We would eat a meal on Sunday and have the left overs everyday until they were gone and then mom would cook another meal and the cycle would continue. Sundays we almost always had roast or meatloaf and maybe once in a while mom would fix fried chicken. I ate many a ketchup sandwich not because I didn't like the spam or bologna but because it was all gone and the leftovers were too.We absolutely loved Fridays, payday, when mom would go get her hair done and then stop at the grocery store to go shopping for 1 hour or sometimes longer, if she ran into a friend who could fill her in on all the latest news. We would anticipate Mom coming home as if it were Christmas, just to see what she bought!
Even though we didn't have a huge budget, mom would always squeeze out enough money to bring home a large Hershey bar, sometimes with almonds and sometimes not, to split up between our family of 5 (Jonna wasn't born yet) on Sunday night after our bowl of oyster stew, tomato soup or grilled cheese open faced sandwiches. I would savor that little piece of chocolate in my mouth for as long as possible!
Going to eat out was almost unheard of until I was about 16 and that was just because it was what you would do on a date before you went to the prom, and the boy always paid!
Yes, food at our home was never the main focus since there was never very much of it. We just ate to fill the void.
Mom didn't really develop the "cooking" skill probably because she didn't really have much to work with and she was always working in our family business' anyway. She has always enjoyed pledging to everyone, "I'm not a cook" but I have always loved her cooking anyway. It always has her stamp on it, especially her tacos!
I think my own girls are fabulous cooks and they are forever trying out new cuisines, albeit in eating establishments, but still!

No, I have never claimed to be a famous cook and I do come by that claim honestly but I do try...well, sometimes...and once, years ago, someone even told me that I was a wonderful baker! I guess I did get really good at rolls and the like. Plus, I loved giving them away! Go figure, but it's true! Yes, you reap what you sow and as my children have grown and gone, and as our life became more frantic and with Arby's and Wendy's and Olive Garden's popping up all over the place, I haven't really tried very hard lately I suppose...

Why am I on this rant you might ask?

Well, I will tell you.

A few days ago, I had to take dinner in to a family in the ward. I stressed. "What should I fix?" Over and over I changed the menu and all I had to take them was the main dish and a bread. I can go to the store and buy anything.... But then I have to fix it.Something not too heavy but filling but not too hot but not store bought, you know homemade, etc.... So,Ok, What should I do? I was all a dither! It's just a dinner, but I couldn't help myself....

Hummmm, I will ask Layton.

"Dear, what do you think is the best thing that I make for dinner?"

"hummmmmm, well,,,,, let's see"............... (do you see where this is going ?)

"well, ummmm," he continued.
"Geez", I said exasperated, " are you really at a loss? Thanks alot!"
"No, no," he said, "ummm, you make really good Fried Chicken"
"I HAVEN'T MADE FRIED CHICKEN IN LIKE 10 YEARS!"
"OOPS"
"Well, you make good Shepard's pie"
"I made that when the kids were little and in the WINTER time"
"OOPS again"
"Great, now I know how you really feel," I pouted, "are you saying that I haven't cooked a decent meal for you in over 10 years?"
By this time Layton was laughing so hard he was practically rolling on the floor.

He had dug such a huge hole, how could he possibly get out of this one?
"Actually, Tricia, I love everything you cook, I just couldn't think of just one thing because everything is delicious and anything you fix will be the most amazing dinner that family has ever eaten!", he finally said through his tears!
"Wow, you're good!", I applauded," All these years of eating crap has truly done some good since the "line of crap" you 're feeding me now must surely be a side effect!

(but hey, I'll take what I can get)

"Fine, how 'bout let's go to Olive Garden while I figure this out myself?".....

***Follow up****
I made the best slow roasted barbecued beef ever and "bought" delicious kaiser buns with provolone and Munster cheeses delivered with soft, tender baked potatoes topped with sour cream and chives!

SO THERE!