Monday, October 6, 2008

I'm a Cheater. Are you a Cheater?

Okay, I know what you're thinking. That's a horrible thing to do to MJ. It's not that kind of cheating. Think shortcuts. I'm a busy woman on the go, but I love a hot meal at the end of the day w/my fam. We relax over food and our guilty pleasure, reruns of Two and a Half Men. Well, Wed. night I was fresh out of ideas and energy. Lucky for me, bloggers abound. I saw a recipe for a garlic-sage brown butter sauce. I already knew that the frozen ravioli in the freezer would be the base. The recipes for the sauce called for fresh. I had dried. So, I cheated. I took a shortcut. Guess what, it was great! MJ enjoyed and that made it alright in my book.

So, are you a cheater? What are the shortcut ingredients you use? Do you use frozen pasta meals? What brands? Let me know. I'm always on the lookout for something new.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes I cheat. Need four cups of shredded cheese for a Chili Relleno Bake? I buy the pre-shredded stuff (Mexican Style). Never make my own pasta, always use pre-made. Does buying sushi at the grocery counter count? Sigh. Yes, I'm a cheater.....

Angry Asian said...

i cheat all the time. i'm constantly skimping on ingredients and if i don't have something, i'm not going to haul ass to the store to buy it, i substitute or i do without.

sometimes when i bake and the recipe calls for sour cream and all i have is yoghurt, i use the yoghurt, or vice versa. and if i don't have either, i just don't put anything in. i've thought of mayo but i haven't gone there... yet.

Mrs. C said...

Yes, I am a cheater too! You have to be when you live a life as busy and crazy as me. In a rush I often pick up a rotisserie chicken and use it to make chicken enchiladas, or use the shredded chicken to mix in pasta. In a bind I also use Homels pot roast, ready in 4 minutes and I could make bar-b-que, red, chile, or even pot roast. I have many more but you get the idea..If I can I will cheat :)

Dorhora said...

I often substitute coffee cream for milk or just use whatever type of cream I have on hand. Works perfectly! And I would never handmake pasta when there are so many healthy pre-made wheat pasta choices out there. Eljay and I live on Ronzoni wheat pasta, i.e. fusilli, rotini, penne...prepares in minutes...

Also, forgo the pasta sauces and simply use Pure Olive Oil with some seasoning for your pasta...much more healthy and tasty, I might add. Plus, the Olive Oil is something that's always on hand.

I don't see it as cheating; I think it's cooking smart and cost effectively. Happy eats!

p.s. I like your blog.