The spontaneous Easter dinner
April 12, 2009
Status: Food coma
Having nothing better to do on a lazy Sunday, I trotted ’round to the local Fresh and Easy in pursuit of a 77 cent/lb ham. The only available specimen was a hefty ten pounder, which I hoisted into my cart, and added a jug of apple juice and honey for good measure. The latter two items were for my honey-apple glaze, the idea for which I must thank the iPhone + Google.
For the record, I’ve never ever cooked a ham before. Fair warning.
The already-cooked ham was dutifully wrapped in foil, and placed in a roasting pan which, miracle of miracles, only took me ten minutes to find.
[Might I point out that this is 90% of the reason I don’t cook? It’s simply not my kitchen, and for all that I’m heartily grateful that my dad cooks 99% of the time, his idea of housekeeping and organizing is levels away from mine. And I cannot stand to cook in a messy kitchen, so as soon as the ham was wrapped and popped into the oven for the first-stage, 3-hour roast, I commenced 3 hours of dishwashing, kitchen cleaning, drain deodorizing, and grocery shopping. And cleaning out the fridge, packing food into actual containers instead of left willy-nilly on plates. Ugh! Also, matched up tops and bottoms to plastic containers.]
After the third hour, basting of the uncovered ham began, as did vegetable prep. I found this awesome recipe for new potatoes and green beans from A Veggie Venture. I didn’t want two pounds of baby red or white potatoes, so I opted for the (cheaper) loose, bulk Yukon potatoes. Tasted delicious, but I realized the reason you want the babies during the last step of cooking: the cut-up cooked potatoes got a little smashed in transition. But that didn’t affect the taste one iota.
I added rice and scarfed immediately.
Man. I’m a good kid. I made a great dinner and left the kitchen cleaner than when I started. Oh, and did I forget to mention home-made yellow cupcakes?
[No frosting, too sweet for my aging teeth.] I had to substitute olive oil for veggie oil, but that didn’t affect the taste.
Ham, $8
Juice, $2
Honey, $3
Green beans, $1.50
Potatos, $1.50
Cake, $1.50
Cleaning supplies (dish soap, vinegar, baking soda): $7
Total Cost: $24.50
WOW! if i weren’t sick with a bug, i would be REALLY hungry right about now!
Julie Child once said eternity was two people and a ham….
Looks tasty!
OK you’re brave, I wouldn’t substitute olive oil in something sweet. It’s probably better for you though. I have an unhealthy amount of butter and fats on hand for those sudden baking urges. You’re a great daughter!
Sense: Oh dear, get better!
Bouncing Back: Oh so wise was Julia Child … but I do love a good week with ham š
Miss M: It’s only bravery if it works, entirely something else if it doesn’t. š
In case I forgot to mention it, that was entirely unanticipated. I thought we HAD regular veggie oil but didn’t think to check. This is what happens when I spontaneously cook, instead of laying out all the ingredients ahead of time like usual.
My parents in law leave cooked food “willy nilly” on plates outside around the kitchen. They’re from China š
moom: It really drives me a bit nutty. I don’t really understand it.